Attention Star Wars Junkies!!! Star Tours gets a facelift!

Tomorrowland: Star Tours Evolution

Star Tours current location was once occupied by Adventure Through Inner Space, lasting from 1967 to 1985. Even though Adventure Through Inner Space had been a hit, its age was beginning to show in the 1970's and Disney was already planning to update the attraction.

Wanting to replace the Adventure Through Inner Space attraction, Disney created plans for a motion simulator attraction in 1974. Unfortunately, the technology available at the time was not sufficient to create a motion simulator. It was not until 1984, when Michael Eisner and Frank Wells joined the Disney company, that the possibility for a motion simulator became a reality. That same year, Imagineer Tony Baxter collaborated with George Lucas on the creation of a new simulator ride that would replace Adventure Through Inner Space. Finally on January 9th, 1987 Star Tours opened its doors at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, CA. Star Tours also opened its doors at Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Park at Disney Paris, and Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. 

January 9th, 1987 Opening of Star Tours

January 9th, 1987 Opening of Star Tours

As Disney entered the 21st century, it was evident that a change needed to be made to the twenty-six year old Star Tours...

Star Tours was officially closed for renovation on July 27th, 2010 in Disneyland Park and on September 7th, 2010 at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida. The new and much improved Star Tours: The Adventure Continues was officially opened on May 20th, 2011 in Florida and June 3rd, 2011 in Anaheim. The new Star Tours ride includes new characters and story lines, a 3-D experience with more classic Star Wars locations, and a brand new preshow.  

Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Florida 

Star Tours at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California.

Sources and more information:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/star-tours/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Tours

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Tours:_The_Adventures_Continue

http://www.studioscentral.com/history-star-tours

http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/cadisneyland/a/new_rides.htm