Star Tours: The Adventures Continue Views and Reviews

The reviews are now coming in from the first cast previews (in California) and soft openings(in Florida) of Star Tours: The adventures Continue. We'll just get right to the punch and tell you that, the revamp is impressive.

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What is striking to one familiar with the original version is the contrast between the two versions. The original Star Tours attraction took place during the time frame after Episode VI, Return of the Jedi when the narrative and dramatic arch had run their course. The newly revamped Star Tours takes place between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: New Hope. The dramatic time frame seems to really lend itself to a better story. In this case Star Tours, Intergalactic travel is subject to the invasive eye of the Empire and rebels are rampant throughout the galaxy.

The pre-show looks far more like a polished space port. The main room of the queue is very much as it was before with enhanced special effects and technology. R2D2 and C3PO are exactly where you expect them to be and the Starspeeder has been repainted.

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The next room of the queue, which was once themed as a messy maintenance area with a clutter of parts on conveyor belts, has been converted into a much more polished security checkpoint. You'll now find droids checking checking luggage and cargo and you'll be scanned before reaching the top of the ramp that leads to the final waiting area of the ride.

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Look carefully in the queue and you'll spot former Captain Rex, who is now tagged "Defective"

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Passengers are scanned as they walk through the queue

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Once you enter the starspeeder, things will look familiar, we didn't notice much change in the cabin. It is once the blast shield screen comes down that you'll really notice a difference. We aren't giving much away by saying that this is a 3D adventure with multiple paths. There are 2 beginnings, 3 middles, and 3 possible endings. The 3D glasses are much nicer than the ones used for Disney's 3D movie attractions and the effect is subtle but effective. Disney also appears to be using a different 3D technology with Star Tours than they do with their other park films. Most of the 3D movies in the parks use polarized lenses, while these new glasses appear to be a form of anaglyph (red and blue lens) but with a metalic finish. But the effect is much better than the old school red/blue 3D used in 1950's horror films.

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If you want to know what more about the ride itself read the spoiler protected section below.

Spoiler

Al Lutz did a great job of describing the various combinations your journey may take. We are copying him here with minor corrections and adjustments. These are general spoilers, there is much for you still to discover on your own, even if you do read this spoiler box.

Each journey begins in the boarding queue where a pre-show will explain who your captain is and how C3PO bumbles his way accidentally into the cockpit.

You will then board the starspeeder and your adventure will begin. You'll find yourself setting out of the spaceport with C3PO trying to convince R2D2 to return for the real captain. It is at this point that you will experience one of the different plot twists, or “branches” as the Imagineers call it, which will begin the various storylines.

The 54 different versions of the ride are cycled through automatically, and they can slot in with any of the previous branches of plotline in any cabin. The various plot points and options are as follows;

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Part 1: Your Starspeeder begins to depart the spaceport as R2D2 is trying to override the autopilot, but you are suddenly stopped by either Darth Vader or a battalion of Stormtroopers who are looking for a Rebel Spy suspected to be onboard your ship. The video screen in the cabin displays the image of one of your fellow passengers and sets up the base plot that they are a spy.

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Part 2: After some fighting with Vader or the Stormtroopers, R2D2 jumps to light speed just in time and you are on your way to either Tatooine, Kashyyyk, or Hoth. You arrive at whichever planet the branching plotline led you to, and the typical mayhem and excitement ensues as you explore the planet. Tatooine leads to the obligatory Boonta Eve pod race, the Kashyyyk plotline involves racing Imperial Scout troopers on speeder bikes through the forest with help from friendly Wookies, and the visit to Hoth quickly devolves into an icy toboggan run down the mountains dodging Empire AT-ATs along the way.

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Part 3: The action is brought to an end when R2D2 launches you off each planet and back into space where you suddenly receive a hologram transmission from either Princess Leia, Admiral Ackbar, or Yoda. They give you instructions on how and where to safely deliver the Rebel spy onboard, and with another jump to light speed you are on your way to a second destination.

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Part 4: You arrive from the light speed jump at either Coruscant, Naboo, or an asteroid field that leads you to the Death Star. In typical WDI fashion, something goes terribly wrong here and you go through a final ordeal of either outer space dog fighting, dodging wrong way traffic, or fending off alien sea creatures. Each of these options leads to an obligatory happy ending with the spy satisfactorily delivered, and then you gather your belongings and exit to your right and out to the gift shop.

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Save and print the above graphic to keep track of what you've seen.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is a slick and well thought out attraction which is MUCH more repeatable now than the original version. However, it shouldn't take long for the average passholder to see all of the variations (it took us just 4 rides to see all 2 beginnings, 3 middles, and 3 endings).

Overall, we'd say that this attraction is a knock out hit. Folks who hate simulator attractions (and there are many folks out there who do) won't be impressed, but for the vast majority of park-goers, Star Tours 2 should impress for many years to come.

Have you been lucky enough to ride the new version of Star Tours? We'd really like to know what you think. Add your photos and reviews below.

We are posting these photos here under the impression that any embargoes or restrictions were lifted once Star Tours soft opened in Florida and photos began appearing elsewhere online. It is not our intention to violate any rules or policies of the Disney company. These photos may not be reused or reposted elsewhere and we may pull these photos down if Disney requests that we do so.

Should I copy/paste my full review below? It's kind of long haha.

OMG I love how Rex was placed in the queue. Like how they are just barely unpacking him. :)

Slight Spoiler Alert...


The new Star Tours was a blast. Even with just a small subset of CMs and their families, my group had to wait an hour and fifteen minutes... I am pleased to say that I immediately wanted to get back in line after exiting through the gift shop. It was an adventure, worth continuing.

So, what was my favorite part of the version I enjoyed? Man, that would have to be when we were under water in Otoh Gunga on Naboo and an animal grabbed onto our Star Speeder and violently shook the ship from left to right. (Not just tilted... actually from left to right.)

Oh awesome, thank you for the pics!

We're so close, yet so far from seeing this attraction open to guests! Exciting!

This is probably a silly question, but I haven't seen it explicitly spelled out anywhere.

Does the Starspeeder have different movements/motions programmed into it to match the different scenarios you encounter? Or are all the movements the same, but the video is different (e.g., in one encounter you're veering left in a pod race, and in another you're veering left to avoid a tree, but in both situations it's the same point of the attraction and the vehicle will be veering left no matter what is on the screen)?

Hopefully that made sense.

From what I've heard described, it's all different motions.

Quick question, are these photos from Florida or Cali? My guess was Florida.

Unless Fishbulb and Dusty made a trip to Orlando today, I'd have to say it's Anaheim.

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Originally Posted by 1313Imagination

Quick question, are these photos from Florida or Cali? My guess was Florida.

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They are from Cali. But I am curious to see the differences between the two and how TDO's cutting costs effected the attraction/queue.

So where does Boba Fett fit into all of this from what I've heard you can only see Vador, Yoda, Leia and Acbar (and jar jar for a second)

Does anyone have photos of the glasses? From the sound of it, they might be Dolby 3D.

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Originally Posted by JerrodDRagon

So where does Boba Fett fit into all of this from what I've heard you can only see Vador, Yoda, Leia and Acbar (and jar jar for a second)

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I am trying to remember where he was, someone told me about him before even the CM preview. I believe he is in the asteroid field prior to the death star scene. You also see Chewbaca in Kashyyk.

I loved it! Overall its just as fun and charming as the original, the only negative is that the ride is super short! It feels extremely rushed, its only about 3 minutes long.

Apparently it's four and a half to five minutes.

For those wondering how we were able to get this review up so soon.

Disney soft opened the Star Tours in Florida this weekend (which is nearly identical To the Anaheim version) and they made the decision to let guests in the Anaheim castmember preview take pictures. The ride is essentially open and information about every detail IS going to be everywhere today due to the public soft opening in Florida and cast/friends/family previews in Anaheim.

At no time was anyone in the Anaheim preview asked to put cameras away or not to post them, and we asked multiple suits working the attraction if we could post our reviews of the attraction and photos of the queue. we were told that the ride is already open in Florida and we wouldn't be revealing anything new. But we were already prepared to post this same information with lower quality photos we received from a MiceChatter in Florida.

The genie was out of the bottle on Star Tours the moment soft openings in Florida occured. (we also have a Little Mermaid review that we are holding until either a public soft opening occurs or another major web site or newspaper breaks the embargo - we like to play fair).

Cant wait untill I can afford a trip to disneyland again, And then I can wait and ride the new star tours!

Looks great!

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Originally Posted by Dustysage

they made the decision to let guests in the Anaheim castmember preview take pictures. At no time was anyone in the Anaheim preview asked to put cameras away or not to post them, and we asked multiple suits working the attraction if we could post our reviews of the attraction and photos of the queue.

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That's interesting. I was told to put my camera (IPhone 4) away three times by three different CMs/suits durning the afternoon preview. I wonder what changed. Maybe they thought I was taking video and didn't want that to yet out. Hmmm...

I can't wait until I go in August!

As a film student who has taken 3-D aesthetics classes, I thought I'd chime in on the technology being used. The "new" anaglyph technology being used is most likely a Dolby 3-D-type system. If you've been to one of their theaters, you'd know they utilize the "metallic" anaglyph system but still keep the natural colors of the film. Also, it's a popular misconception that the 1950s used red and blue glasses! The technology used then was a less sophisticated version used in Captain EO, Magic Journeys, etc. that weren't digital but two synched projectors. Little history for ya!

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Originally Posted by TheDude

That's interesting. I was told to put my camera (IPhone 4) away three times by three different CMs/suits durning the afternoon preview. I wonder what changed. Maybe they thought I was taking video and didn't want that to yet out. Hmmm...

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That may have been the case. I entered the show building with my camera, in my hands, in full view after seeing many others ahead of me doing the same. I was not asked to put it away once. After seeing about 3 to 4 others taking flash pictures I got the impression that the policy was not in effect. This could have been for a number of reasons. But my thought was that it was because the ride had already soft opened to the public in Florida and is nearly identical.

I was also very careful not to take pictures that would give too much away as this is something that you really need to see first hand.

My only question about the newly revamped Star Tours is...

Did Disney keep that wonderful black lady who gives us the spiel right before boarding, with her funky hair style and warm smile??? :D

She was classic!

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Originally Posted by cruisedude4

As a film student who has taken 3-D aesthetics classes, I thought I'd chime in on the technology being used. The "new" anaglyph technology being used is most likely a Dolby 3-D-type system. If you've been to one of their theaters, you'd know they utilize the "metallic" anaglyph system but still keep the natural colors of the film. Also, it's a popular misconception that the 1950s used red and blue glasses! The technology used then was a less sophisticated version used in Captain EO, Magic Journeys, etc. that weren't digital but two synched projectors. Little history for ya!

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Uh... Anaglyph is the term for the colored 3D glasses (usually red/blue). The "metallic" glasses you refer to (not sure what you mean by metallic) are polarized lenses (Real D and the "regular" Disneyland 3D attractions, for example). To the naked eye, there's no difference between the left and right lenses of those glasses.

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Originally Posted by JerrodDRagon

So where does Boba Fett fit into all of this from what I've heard you can only see Vador, Yoda, Leia and Acbar (and jar jar for a second)

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Spoiler

Boba Fett and his Slave 1 appears when your Starspeeder goes to Geonosis. You have a run-in with him through the asteroid fields.

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Originally Posted by simba

Uh... Anaglyph is the term for the colored 3D glasses (usually red/blue). The "metallic" glasses you refer to (not sure what you mean by metallic) are polarized lenses (Real D and the "regular" Disneyland 3D attractions, for example). To the naked eye, there's no difference between the left and right lenses of those glasses.

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While the lens was metallic and you couldn't tell if it was red or blue by looking at it, you could if you closed one eye. Also, when I took the glasses off, the screen was a jumble of red and blue lines. Just like in the anaglyph photos I take at home (I'm a 3D hobbyist). They glasses do look very expensive. And they are much more comfortable than the ones used in all the other 3D films.

It's probably safe to say they have a new system in place which will allows Disney to change/add scenes or storylines as needed in the distant future for future updates right?

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However, it shouldn't take long for the average passholder to see all of the variations (it took us just 4 rides to see all 2 beginnings, 3 middles, and 3 endings).

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When they said there are 54 possible combinations, it sounded great, but the bottom line is, there are only 11 different things to see. I appreciate the attempt to change it up, but I can imagine riding it dozens of times, being familiar with all the different scenes, and at that point 54 combinations are no big deal. I don't mean to deflate the balloon, I'm sure it is great, I'm sure I'll love it, I even still liked the old one. I'm not saying they shouldn't point out the fact that it has 54 combinations, but I'm just saying it raises peoples' expectations somewhat.

They made a big deal about the different combinations of Indiana Jones, but beyond the 3 differences in the entry hall, I don't see much, if any difference. Yes, the new ST has different scenes, yes they should do what they can to make it repeatable, but when you say there are 54 different combinations, I think people would be disappointed to realize that you can see all the scenes in just 4 rides. It makes it sound like it would take 54 rides to see it all, but that's not the case. Maybe 54 rides to see all the 'combinations', but that's not the important thing to most people.

One last question, is this a Harry Potter killer? Or even close? If they made a whole Star Wars land, then maybe they could compete with WWOHP.

Guys, if Dusty says they asked several suits if it was ok to take photos, we have to believe him.

MiceAge frowns upon any violation of Disney rules. If they were not allowed to take photos, they wouldn't have taken them (and I can almost 100% guarentee that someone working the attraction would have told them to put their cameras away if they weren't allowed to be out).

This website has been the go-to place for info for many, many years. MiceAge never took or released any photos of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage when it was in CM previews...why would they go against the rules now?

Chill.

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Originally Posted by goldenstate5

Apparently it's four and a half to five minutes.

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That's not too bad, considering the old one was about three and a half to four minutes.

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Originally Posted by Dustysage

While the lens was metallic and you couldn't tell if it was red or blue by looking at it, you could if you closed one eye. Also, when I took the glasses off, the screen was a jumble of red and blue lines. Just like in the anaglyph photos I take at home (I'm a 3D hobbyist). They glasses do look very expensive. And they are much more comfortable than the ones used in all the other 3D films.

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Storywise, do they explain why we have to wear the glasses within the cabin? I appreciate it when they take the time to incorporate any items we have to manipulate or wear for an attraction.

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Originally Posted by TheDude

. . . The new Star Tours was a blast. Even with just a small subset of CMs and their families, my group had to wait an hour and fifteen minutes... I am pleased to say that I immediately wanted to get back in line after exiting through the gift shop. It was an adventure, worth continuing. . .

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At this moment over a thousand people are reading the Disneyland section of the Miceage forum. Never underestimate the enthusiasm of Star Wars fans. (There is an article about them on Slate.com today--I haven't read it.)

So while the new Star Tours might not be a grand slam like Universal Orlando's Harry Potter land, Disney seems to have hit a home run. If the Little Mermaid is a home run and Disney keeps hitting doubles and singles, they may continue to beat Universal Orlando by being consistently excellent and by earning more hits.

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Originally Posted by jcruise86

At this moment over a thousand people are reading the Disneyland section of the Miceage forum. Never underestimate the enthusiasm of Star Wars fans. (There is an article about them on Slate.com today--I haven't read it.)

So while the new Star Tours might not be a grand slam like Universal Orlando's Harry Potter land, Disney seems to have hit a home run. If the Little Mermaid is a home run and Disney keeps hitting doubles and singles, they may continue to beat Universal Orlando by being consistently excellent and by earning more hits.

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You are absolutely right. Star Tours is a great attraction, not the best at the resort, but a solid hit. In combination with Little Mermaid, Disneyland Resort is poised for their best summer ever (at least until next summer ;) )

I still prefer the original storyline and pacing, but the new Star Tours is a lot of fun and will be a new experience over and over again. I look forward to experiencing it for many years to come.

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Originally Posted by Dustysage

You are absolutely right. Star Tours is a great attraction, not the best at the resort, but a solid hit.

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You're just saying that because you're not a Star Wars Fanatic. For me, Star Tours just rose to the best in the park,,,but I thought that of the first one too before it fell into disrepair!!

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Originally Posted by Dustysage

For those wondering how we were able to get this review up so soon.

Disney soft opened the Star Tours in Florida this weekend (which is nearly identical To the Anaheim version) and they made the decision to let guests in the Anaheim castmember preview take pictures. The ride is essentially open and information about every detail IS going to be everywhere today due to the public soft opening in Florida and cast/friends/family previews in Anaheim.

At no time was anyone in the Anaheim preview asked to put cameras away or not to post them, and we asked multiple suits working the attraction if we could post our reviews of the attraction and photos of the queue. we were told that the ride is already open in Florida and we wouldn't be revealing anything new. But we were already prepared to post this same information with lower quality photos we received from a MiceChatter in Florida.

The genie was out of the bottle on Star Tours the moment soft openings in Florida occurred. (we also have a Little Mermaid review that we are holding until either a public soft opening occurs or another major web site or newspaper breaks the embargo - we like to play fair).

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In case anyone missed it the first time... and apparently... they have...

This is press for Disney. They want the buzz about the attraction to get out there at this point to help build up the excitement for the ride. The want tid bits to get out for people to start talking up the ride and what there is. Company after company count on, and use "leaks" like this as a sort of whispering campaign to get word out there about their product.

If Dusty and Fishy asked the suits, told them how the info was going to be posted and the suits were cool with it, its because they knew that it would get the community excited and ready for the real opening.

Honestly, if they asked suits if it was ok, and they said it was, then who the heck cares? Also, if you're this upset, why click the link?

On to my review:

Amazing. You can see where the transitions are when you think about it afterward but it's really smooth. The quality of the show was awesome, the queue was great with a ton of Disney and Lucas tie ins and the fact that there will be different story lines with each ride makes it that much better. The 3D wasn't in your face, in fact in enhanced the show (and I hate 3D in movies) and I couldn't stop laughing the whole time. I honestly consider this one of the top 10 attractions in the resort. Well done.

My only problem is going to be FastPass. Yesterday with just CM's, the line went all the way to Space Mountain's exit. How's this going to work with opening day crowds and FastPass? Plus, what's it going to look like with the Astro Orbitor in the middle and Buzz's queue on the other side and the monstrosity that will be Star Tour's queue?

I can't wait to ride Star Tours. I get my chance tomorrow. I'm so excited.

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Originally Posted by DisneyFunGuy

My only question about the newly revamped Star Tours is...

Did Disney keep that wonderful black lady who gives us the spiel right before boarding, with her funky hair style and warm smile??? :D

She was classic!

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Quoted for emphasis.

Anyone? Anyone? :)

The amazing spokesperson from the original has been replaced by Aly San San. She's throughout the attraction in CG form.

I look forward to seeing this at the preview on May 20th!

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Originally Posted by PirateMunkee

The only problem I had with your review and that of Al's update is the spoilers. That's like walking out of Empire Strikes Back and announcing that Darth was Luke's Father to all those in line waiting to see it for the first time.

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THIS. I'm really disappointed with MiceChat for leaking this so quickly.

I'm having an inner duel within myself whether to give this ride 4 or 5 stars. I truly like the original better but there is something about this that's really fun and exciting. They did a better job than I was expecting but I find the fact that it's filled with so many characters a bit over-done. Also because of the many combinations, each ride is filled with transition points. What I liked about the original ride is that it flows naturally from one scene to the next (storywise). I'll really miss that about the original.

But I do love this update too being the uber star wars nerd that I am.

I don't think I can accurately put my review into words just yet as I need to collaborate with the people I rode with in order to get everything we thought in. The ride is good but I'm biased and can't help comparing it to the original and being nostalgic for the original. I also can't help but be a Huge F-in nerd and not let timeline, character and storyline issues go. That said, it's fun and I do want to go again.

Also, to everyone asking about the Star Tours flight attendant with the crazy hair, she is actually in the ride but not in her original place. She's one of the passengers in the cabin for the safety video before the ride starts.

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Originally Posted by Kuzcochik

Also, to everyone asking about the Star Tours flight attendant with the crazy hair, she is actually in the ride but not in her original place. She's one of the passengers in the cabin for the safety video before the ride starts.

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Was she wearing purple? There's a lady with hair on the side but I'm not sure if it's supposed to be her or if it's some random Coruscant senator looking passenger.

For those who have attended the CM previews are you allowed to ride multiple times throughout your time window or is it a one and done?

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Originally Posted by churros9

For those who have attended the CM previews are you allowed to ride multiple times throughout your time window or is it a one and done?

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At the start they weren't stamping the tickets and people went on a few times. As it got more crowded, they wisened up and begin stamping them. The tickets stay in your possession and they never took them from you.

Its funny, for an entire day I was scared to post on this thread becaue I thought it was pages and pages full of pics, but instead its just people arguing about the pics lol. So a nice *whew* for me on that point.

But I do have a spoilish question for anyone who can answer it. Its about the death star in this ride. I know you go there but do you actually battle on it or just near it? And if you battle on it, do you actually fight ON the death star like the famous trench run of the original Or better yet do you go inside of it like ROTJ? I personnally always thought that was the more exciting action, especially since ROTJ was the first SW movie for me.

Anyway, whoever can answer I'll be greatful and yeah I think spoiler tags are appropriate.

At the afternoon session, they stamped them when you first went in. We were told that we can only ride it once for now. Since we didn't stay for the whole afternoon, we are not sure if they were allowing people to do the ride more than once. When we rode "Toy Story Mania" during CM previews, we were allowed to ride it as many times as we wanted. We rode it 3 times that day.

Okay, sweet, I just got my tickets for a preview on May 24th. That's... one week from now.

Still too long...