ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World will add scenes and characters to the Star Tours attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year. That and other “Star Wars”-related news items were at an April Star Wars Celebration gathering in London.
“I can’t reveal just where we’re going yet — or those we may meet along the way,” Scott Trowbridge, Walt Disney Imagineering portfolio creative executive, wrote in a post about the Star Tours changes on the official Disney Parks Blog.
The 2024 additions also will be made in the Star Tours rides at Disneyland in California and Disneyland Paris.
The attraction debuted at Disneyland in 1987, then at Hollywood Studios (then called Disney-MGM Studios) in 1989. In 2011, the cabin-style simulator’s visuals were altered to expand its locales. Segments are stitched together to form dozens of storyline possibilities for riders. The ride then adopted its “The Adventures Continue” subtitle.
Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Admiral Ackbar, Yoda, Princess Leia and Chewbacca were early additions as were the planets of Endor, Alderaan, Tatooine, Hoth, Naboo and Kashyyyk.
Since then, more locations tied to films such as “The Force Awakens” and “The Rise of Skywalker” were incorporated. Scenes from Batuu, the base planet of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area in theme parks, were added.
In other parks news, Trowbridge said DJ R3X, the droid seen in Oga’s Cantina on Batuu, has expanded his playlist.
Disney is also creating a playlist inspired by Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, Trowbridge said. That soundtrack will include songs by Gaya, a character seen during the two-night immersive experience that debuted at Walt Disney World last year. There will eventually be a 12-inch vinyl version of Gaya’s music, he said.
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