Disney’s Hollywood Studios is in the middle of one of the biggest transformations in its history.
Over the last several years, guests have watched entire sections of the park disappear, new lands arrive, and longtime attractions make way for fresh experiences. The changes aren’t slowing down anytime soon, either. With Monstropolis under construction and multiple projects still on the way, it’s becoming clear that Disney sees Hollywood Studios as a park that will continue evolving well into the future.
That raises an interesting question: once the current construction projects are finished, what could Disney target next?
One attraction continues to stand out as a potential candidate.
Star Tours.
Before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge arrived, Star Tours served as the centerpiece of Disney’s Star Wars offerings. Guests boarded a Starspeeder and traveled through iconic locations from the franchise while encountering beloved characters along the way.
For years, it was one of the most popular attractions in the park.
Today, however, Hollywood Studios looks very different.
Galaxy’s Edge has become Disney’s primary Star Wars destination. The massive land allows guests to step directly into the Star Wars universe through Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, character encounters, dining experiences, and interactive elements throughout Black Spire Outpost.
As a result, Star Tours no longer occupies the same position it once did.
The attraction still draws guests, but it rarely generates the lengthy wait times seen at many of Hollywood Studios’ top attractions. Most visitors heading to experience Star Wars now spend the majority of their time inside Galaxy’s Edge.
That creates an unusual situation.
Disney essentially operates two separate Star Wars areas inside the same park.
One is a fully immersive land designed to serve as the franchise’s permanent home. The other is a simulator attraction that exists outside that land.
If Disney eventually decides it needs additional space for expansion, Star Tours could become an obvious target.
Location is one of the biggest reasons why.
The attraction sits in a valuable section of Hollywood Studios near the area currently being transformed by Disney. Monstropolis is replacing Muppet Courtyard and Muppet*Vision 3-D, creating a brand-new district within the park.
Should Disney ever choose to expand Monstropolis beyond its initial footprint, Star Tours would suddenly become very attractive real estate.
This wouldn’t be the first time Disney removed a classic attraction to make room for something bigger.
The Great Movie Ride disappeared to make way for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Streets of America vanished before Galaxy’s Edge arrived. Most recently, Muppet*Vision 3-D closed so construction on Monstropolis could begin.
Disney has repeatedly shown that no attraction is completely safe if the company believes the space can be used more effectively.
Of course, there is no indication Star Tours is scheduled to close anytime soon.
Disney is currently focused on several major projects across Hollywood Studios. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets has already replaced the Aerosmith version. The Walt Disney Studios Courtyard has reopened with a new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show, while additional experiences remain on the way. Monstropolis construction will continue for years.
Still, when looking beyond those projects, Star Tours feels increasingly vulnerable.
The attraction no longer serves as the park’s primary Star Wars experience. It occupies a sizable footprint. It sits next to an area undergoing massive change.
Most importantly, Disney already has Galaxy’s Edge.
For now, guests can continue boarding the Starspeeder for adventures across the galaxy. But if Hollywood Studios continues evolving at its current pace, Star Tours may eventually find itself facing the same reality as several other former Disney classics.
The attraction may not be on the chopping block today.
A few years from now, however, the conversation could look very different.
