Disney World is moving forward with another construction project at Hollywood Studios, and this time, the work involves an attraction that has been entertaining visitors for more than three decades.
With major changes already taking place throughout the park, any new construction paperwork involving an older attraction is bound to raise questions.
Disney has filed another permit, but the company hasn’t revealed exactly what it intends to change.
And considering the attraction’s history, fans may be wondering whether this project could eventually lead to something bigger.
Disney World Files New Permit for Star Tours
Disney World has officially filed a new construction permit involving Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The permit identifies Engineering Design Services as the contractor responsible for the project.
The company specializes in mechanical, electrical, structural, and other engineering services.
However, the paperwork provides very little information about what Disney actually plans to do.
The permit references general construction work without identifying specific equipment, attraction components, or areas that will receive attention.
That leaves plenty of unanswered questions.
Disney could be preparing to update technical systems, complete routine maintenance, or address infrastructure associated with the attraction.
However, none of those possibilities has been confirmed.
More importantly, Disney hasn’t announced a temporary closure connected to the project.
For now, Star Tours remains open, and there is no official indication that visitors should expect an extended refurbishment.
Still, the permit represents another development for an attraction that has undergone several changes throughout its history.
Star Tours Has Been Part of Hollywood Studios Since 1989
Star Tours originally opened in December 1989, just months after Disney-MGM Studios welcomed its first visitors.
The attraction quickly became an important part of the park, offering guests the opportunity to travel through the Star Wars universe aboard a motion simulator.
The original experience featured Captain Rex, a droid pilot whose journey didn’t exactly go according to plan.
For more than 20 years, Star Tours remained a familiar part of Hollywood Studios.
However, Disney eventually decided to completely transform the experience.
The original attraction closed in 2010 before reopening in May 2011 as Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.
The updated version introduced new technology, characters, and randomized adventures that allowed guests to experience different stories during repeat visits.
Disney has continued building on that concept.
In April 2024, the company added new sequences inspired by Ahsoka, Andor, and The Mandalorian.
Those additions introduced characters including Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor, Din Djarin, and Grogu.
The expansion increased the attraction’s possible storyline combinations to more than 250, giving visitors even more reasons to ride again.
However, Disney hasn’t confirmed that the newly filed construction permit involves additional scenes or characters.
This Isn’t Disney’s First Recent Star Tours Project
Interestingly, Disney filed another construction permit involving the Star Tours area in March 2025.
That earlier filing came from Walt Disney Imagineering and involved installing set elements near the attraction.
ThemeWorks was listed as the contractor, and the paperwork referenced the area surrounding Star Tours and the former Jedi Training Academy stage.
Disney didn’t announce a major attraction overhaul associated with that project.
The newly reported 2026 filing is separate and involves a different contractor.
Although multiple construction permits might sound concerning, they’re not necessarily unusual for attractions that have operated for decades.
Disney routinely maintains ride systems, buildings, technical equipment, and surrounding facilities.
Some projects require attractions to close temporarily, while others happen without interrupting daily operations.
Could Star Tours Close for Construction?
At this point, Disney hasn’t announced any extended closure dates for Star Tours.
The latest permit also doesn’t confirm whether the company intends to make noticeable changes to the ride experience.
That means visitors planning upcoming Hollywood Studios trips shouldn’t assume the attraction is about to shut down.
Instead, they should continue monitoring Disney’s official operating calendar for potential updates.
While the construction paperwork confirms that additional work has been authorized, the project’s actual purpose remains unclear.
For now, Star Tours continues operating as one of Hollywood Studios’ longest-running attractions.
Whether Disney is preparing routine maintenance or something more substantial remains to be seen, but the latest filing gives Star Wars fans another development to watch.
