Star Tours, one of Disney’s most beloved attractions, has been delighting visitors since 1987. Nearly four decades after its debut, the ride continues to draw crowds—but with new Star Wars attractions and innovations at Disney parks, it raises the question: is it time for Star Tours to take its final flight?
A Brief History of Star Tours
Star Tours made history as Disney’s first collaboration with an external franchise, replacing Adventure Thru Inner Space at Disneyland in 1987. At the time, Star Wars was limited to the original trilogy, and the ride filled a massive gap for fans craving more immersive Star Wars experiences.
Directed by George Lucas himself, the groundbreaking simulator ride used motion technology, sound effects, and dazzling visuals to transport guests to a galaxy far, far away.
The ride introduced audiences to the Starspeeder 3000, piloted by the quirky droid RX-24, aka “Rex,” voiced by Paul Reubens. This chaotic journey through an asteroid field, Rebel battles, and the infamous Death Star trench run became an instant favorite. Its success expanded to other parks worldwide, including Tokyo Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disneyland Paris.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
In 2011, Star Tours underwent a major update to become Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, incorporating elements from all three Star Wars trilogies. The ride’s original structure remained, but the key change was the introduction of randomized sequences featuring characters and destinations from the entire saga. C-3PO became the new guide, and the ride added new content from Star Wars spin-offs like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and Andor.
The randomness of the ride’s scenes keeps the experience fresh, offering different adventures each time guests board the Starspeeder. However, despite these updates, there’s a growing sense that the ride may be nearing the end of its long run.
Is It Time for Star Tours to Bow Out?
Star Tours, though still a solid ride, faces challenges in a world that’s become far more Star Wars-saturated. When it first debuted, theme park guests were hungry for more Star Wars content, but today, Disney’s offerings are far more immersive.
Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s sprawling Star Wars land, opened in 2019 at both Disneyland and Disney World and offers a truly next-level experience with attractions like Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. These rides are far more immersive and high-tech than a simulator ride, and some parkgoers are growing tired of the dated format that Star Tours still uses.
Unlike Galaxy’s Edge, where guests are fully immersed in the Star Wars universe, Star Tours feels increasingly out of place. Its location, far from Batuu, doesn’t help either—it occupies prime real estate in Tomorrowland at Disneyland and in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, lands that could benefit from new concepts or more thematic cohesion. Many fans believe the ride would work much better if it were integrated into Galaxy’s Edge, serving as a seamless entry point to the immersive land.
However, relocating Star Tours isn’t a simple task. The technology behind the simulator is far more complex than rides like Dumbo the Flying Elephant, which Disney has relocated in the past. The logistics and costs involved make such an overhaul unlikely.
What’s Next for Star Tours?
While it’s unlikely Disney will shut down Star Tours anytime soon, there’s room for evolution. The ride could be updated with new technology and better integration into Galaxy’s Edge—or it might be replaced with a more immersive experience entirely. Disney could also explore new Star Wars stories or characters that fit into the existing ride structure, ensuring Star Tours stays relevant for years to come.
Ultimately, as long as Star Wars continues to captivate audiences, there will likely be a place for Star Tours at Disney parks. But with the continued growth of immersive, high-tech attractions, one can’t help but wonder if it’s time for this classic ride to make way for something new.
Do you think Star Tours has a future in Disney parks, or is it time for a new adventure?
