Rode several times today and I'm simply amazed. This is absolutely the best thing Disney could have done with this overhaul!
THOUGHTS: (this contains SPOILERS, so if you want to be totally surprised, skip this post)
- Everything looks so fresh, clean, modern, and awesome. All the TVs were replaced with HD monitors. All the signage and lighting replaced. You'd never know this was the run down, dumpy ride it was 10 months ago.
- The simulators must have gotten some serious overhaul and not just cosmetically, because they too seem like brand new vehicles. They no longer rattle and squeek like they did near the end of Star Tours' life. The movement is noticeably more aggressive, fast, and accurate, making the ride considerably more thrilling than before.
- The screens look amazing and the 3D is great and not gimmicky.
- The ride is CGI, but the best looking CGI for a simulator yet. Blows The Simpsons ride away (even though that was CGI representing animation)
- Some people will probably complain about it being CGI, but it needed to be CGI to be that incredibly crisp and vibrant and smooth, and also enables them to more accurately program the vehicle motions. That said, this is the most accurate, realistic simulator I've ever experienced.
- The random sequences adds much excitement to the ride. People cheer when they arrive at a planet they haven't seen yet. With 54 different combinations that all flow awesomely, this is how random SHOULD be done!
- C3P0 as your pilot is awesome, and the animatronics are great! They even turn to look at the person who is the "spy" (which I'm still confused as to how they're chosen or how the picture is taken)
- This version is a MUCH better tribute to the Star Wars universe than the original ride. All the different characters, locations, etc, and with the light-hearted humor and quirkiness of the original trilogy.
- Thankfully, Lucas knew his audience, and while the ride is a perfect mix of original and new trilogy material, you don't have to be a "prequel nerd" to appreciate or understand any of this.
- Rex is in the second room of the queue, and he is labeled as "defective". Great touch! There are other various nods to the original here and there, but I don't want to spoil them.
- Locations/variations: I was able to catch all the sequences except the Speederbike one. They're all great, though it will take me more rides to pick my favorite. The transitions from light speed to planet surface (and planet surface to space) are very well done. Also, each finale has a totally different ending. Instead of just saying the same things at a different location, different things happen at the end of each scenario.
- The different environments you see are great - actually being on planets increases the sensation of speed, and its cool how your journey could take you to two planets, or a planet and space battle.
Very minor nitpicks:
- I know the ride film basically had to be CGI to have this kind of 3D effect to stay crisp while moving around, but I wish the pre-show scenes had not been CGI.
- What was the point of creating Ally San-San and Ace and making a big deal out of them? They are barely in it and I don't think their names are even mentioned or what their purpose is.
- Should have had James Earl Jones play Darth Vader. Oh, wait, apparently it WAS him. It didn't sound much like him.
- Why is it called "The Adventure Continues..." if this is a prequel?
All in all, Disney absolutely knocked it out of the park with this remake. They spared no expenses, and all of our worries about this being a cheap overhaul like what Space Mountain got can be put to rest! This wasn't just an overhaul and re-theme, this is a full-fledged, brand new E-Ticket attraction. In my opinion, this is by far the best thing to hit WDW since Expedition: Everest, and I think its going to be a huge hit!
Bravo, WDI! I knew you still had it in you!
