George Lucas was famously picky. When he walked into Imagineering in the mid-1980s, theme park rides were mostly slow-moving boats or gravity-based coasters. He wanted more. He wanted a flight simulator. Specifically, he wanted the same multimillion-dollar technology used to train commercial airline pilots, but he wanted to use it to throw tourists into a mosh pit of TIE fighters and asteroid fields. This was the birth of Star Tours Disney MGM Studios, an attraction that didn't just open a ride—it essentially birthed the modern era of "IP" land immersion we see today in places like Galaxy’s Edge.
It’s hard to explain to someone who grew up with VR headsets just how mind-blowing this was in 1989. You weren't watching a movie. You were in the movie. The hydraulic pitch and roll of the Starspeeder 3000 were synchronized so perfectly with the 70mm film that your inner ear genuinely believed you were pulling a hard right turn into a docking bay. It was visceral.
The 1989 Gamble: Why MGM Studios Needed a Starship
When Disney-MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) opened in May 1989, it was actually a bit light on rides. It was mostly a "working" studio tour. Michael Eisner, then CEO of Disney, knew they needed a heavy hitter to compete with the looming threat of Universal Studios Florida. He turned to the partnership he’d already forged with Lucas for Captain EO.
The result was a masterpiece of kinetic energy. While the original Star Tours had already debuted at Disneyland in 1987, the Florida version at Star Tours Disney MGM Studios felt like the attraction’s true spiritual home because it was surrounded by the literal "magic of the movies" aesthetic.
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The queue was an experience in itself. Most people remember the massive AT-AT walker standing guard outside—an actual full-scale prop that looked like it had stepped off the set of The Empire Strikes Back. Inside, you saw C-3PO and R2-D2 bickering. It wasn't a loop of recorded dialogue; it was a living scene. Imagineers like Joe Rohde and Tom Fitzgerald worked tirelessly to ensure the "Star Wars" lived-in look—the grease, the wires, the rust—was present everywhere.
Rex, the Rookie Pilot We All Loved to Hate
The heart of the original ride was RX-24, or "Rex." Voiced by Paul Reubens (best known as Pee-wee Herman), Rex was a brand-new droid who had never actually flown a ship before. That was the "hook." You weren't with an expert; you were with a terrified rookie.
"I'm still getting used to my programming!" Rex would shriek as the ship plummeted toward a Star Destroyer. This was a stroke of genius. It gave the ride stakes. If you were flying with Han Solo, you knew you’d be fine. With Rex? You were pretty sure you were going to die in a vacuum.
The Technical Magic Behind the Starspeeder
- The Motion Base: Each Starspeeder sat on an Atlas motion base. These were massive hydraulic legs that could move in six degrees of freedom.
- The Projection: 70mm film at 24 frames per second. It was incredibly crisp for the era, though by the late 2000s, it started to look a bit grainy compared to digital standards.
- The Audio: Lucasfilm’s Sound Department (Skywalker Sound) handled the mix. When the lasers fired, the bass rattled your teeth.
The Transition to Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Everything changes. By 2010, the original film was looking dated. The ride at Star Tours Disney MGM Studios (by then renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios) closed on September 7, 2010, for a massive overhaul. Fans were heartbroken, but what came next was arguably better in every technical way.
The "Adventures Continue" version introduced the randomized sequence. Instead of one flight to the Moon of Endor, you now had over 50 possible combinations of planets, characters, and "hologram" messages. One day you’re on Hoth; the next, you’re underwater on Naboo. This solved the "re-rideability" problem that plagues most simulator rides.
What Most People Get Wrong About the History
A common misconception is that George Lucas just handed over the keys. In reality, he was deeply involved in the storyboards. He pushed for the "trench run" feel even though the ride took place after the events of A New Hope. There’s also a myth that the ride was originally going to be based on the movie The Black Hole. While Disney did consider a ride for that film, the Star Tours we know was always envisioned as a Lucas collaboration once the deal was inked in the mid-80s.
Another thing? The AT-AT outside. People think it’s just a statue. It’s actually a sophisticated piece of engineering designed to withstand Florida’s hurricane-force winds. It’s bolted deep into the concrete. During the 1990s, it even used to spray water on unsuspecting guests from its "cannons," a feature that comes and goes depending on the park's maintenance schedule.
The Cultural Legacy of the Ride
Without Star Tours, we don't get Rise of the Resistance. We don't get Avatar: Flight of Passage. It proved that you could move people emotionally without moving them physically more than a few feet in any direction. It was the "black box" of storytelling.
It also bridged the gap between the Original Trilogy and the Prequels. When the ride was updated, it became a bridge for the entire saga. You might see Darth Vader in one scene and then find yourself being chased by Boba Fett in another. It’s a "greatest hits" of the galaxy.
Why It Still Holds Up
Honestly, even with the massive $1 billion Galaxy’s Edge expansion right around the corner, many purists still prefer the classic Star Tours area. There’s something nostalgic about that 80s/90s vision of the future. It’s "retro-future." It’s the Star Wars we grew up with—shiny but dirty, epic but personal.
Actionable Tips for Visiting Today
If you are heading to Hollywood Studios to experience the current iteration of the ride, keep these things in mind:
1. Check the "Update" Schedule: Disney frequently adds new scenes when a new movie or Disney+ series (like Ahsoka or The Mandalorian) drops. If you haven't been in a year, the ride is likely different than you remember.
2. The "Spy" Trick: One passenger is randomly selected to be the "Rebel Spy" in every show. Their face appears on the screen. To increase your chances, don't look at your phone. Look straight ahead, stay still, and don't put on your 3D glasses until the ride actually starts. The cast members and cameras are looking for someone whose face is clearly visible and well-lit.
3. Motion Sickness is Real: Because this is a flight simulator, the "disconnect" between what your eyes see and what your inner ear feels is high. If you’re prone to vertigo, sit in the middle of the row. The ends of the rows (seats 1 and 7) have the most dramatic "swing" and are the most likely to make you feel green.
4. Look for the Easter Eggs: In the queue, look for the baskets of droid parts. You can often find "remnants" of the original Rex droid (RX-24) tucked away in the back of the repair bays. It’s a nice nod to the history of Star Tours Disney MGM Studios.
The ride remains a cornerstone of the park because it represents the first time Disney let another creator play in their sandbox so completely. It wasn't just a ride about a movie; it was a ride by the people who made the movie. That level of authenticity is why, decades later, the line is still 45 minutes long on a Tuesday afternoon.
To truly appreciate the evolution of theme park design, compare the seating of Star Tours to the trackless system of Runaway Railway nearby. You’ll see how we went from shaking a box to moving through a living environment, all thanks to a "flawed" droid named Rex and a dream George Lucas had about airline simulators.