Star Tours to Close Early For Renovations

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​As we announced in September, Disney had plans to shut down Star Tours in Disneyland to make improvements--and updates--to the dated ride.

But Disney announced today that the ride will close July 27 for almost a year. Originally, the ride was scheduled for rehab in October.

​During the all-things-Disney D23 Expo Imagineering panel that took place in September, former Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo made the announcement that Star Tours would be closing in 2010... and right on cue, the "Imperial March" played on the speakers, out filed Storm Troopers and Darth Vader himself appeared.

The ride, as we know now, was not to be shut down forever, just changed as we know it--both Disney World and Disneyland would soon see some major revamping, including a 3D feature and the incorporation of the (bleh) prequels. Instead of riding on a daily express tourist's ship to Endor, "guests aboard Starspeeders will join in a high-speed pod race through the desert canyons of Tatooine," a la The Phantom Menace (bleh) promises Disney.

A video of what's to come, that we also previously posted back in September:


Though Disney World has a farewell event scheduled for their Star Tours attraction, Disneyland has, unfortunately, not announced anything similar.

Star Tours at Disneyland Park will be closing July 27.

We'll miss the RX-24 pilot, Rex, the most. Sad face.