A few thoughts on Star Tours 1.0

Disneyland had two incredible years to Tomorrowland back in the 80s.  1986 brought us the enclosure of the Tomorrowland Stage and the creation of the Magic Eye Theater.  "Magic Journey's" had played in the outdoor theater at night.  It began playing inside the Magic Eye Theater while production wrapped up on Captain Eo, which opened early 1986.  The premiere was held with a 60 hour party - where the park stayed open for 60 hours straight.  I remember stopping by late on the Friday night opening.  The line at that time was running down to Main Street.

The next year, Disneyland again held a 60 hour party for the premiere of Star Tours.  Adventure through Inner Space closed in September 1985.  Almost a full year went by before it was actually revealed that a Star Wars themed attraction was replacing it.  I remember imagining what the ride would be like, wrongly assuming the omni mover system would still used.  Ride simulators had just come on the scene.  Small self-enclosed units were beginning to pop up around amusement parks at that time.  Disney made sure to take advantage of the new technology and make it their own.

Star Tours opened to much fan fair and long lines.  Four ride cabins kept the line moving but during the first few years, the line often exceeded 2 hours on most days.

While these days, E-ticket attractions often open in Florida first and are later brought to Disneyland or co-debuted, Star Tours did not open up a travel hub in Florida until the opening of the Disney/MGM studios in 1989.

For the reboot, I imagine the ride mechanism will remain the same.  Hopefully the queue area is only mildly plussed.  The concept of multiple destinations is intriguing.  We'll have to see what the new 3D attraction experience when it returns in 2011.

Alice in Wonderland blues

As reported by Al Lutz at Miceage.com, Alice in Wonderland has been closed at the behest of Cal OSHA for a safety violation.  The outdoor leaf portion of the ride (where I actually proposed to my wife!) has no safety handrails in the event of a loss of electricity and/or evacuation of the ride.  Disney now must come up with a solution that fits the aesthetics as well as complying with the legal safety issues.  This could take awhile...

Happy 55th Birthday Disneyland

I can't believe it's been here that long!

Today's special events:
July 17 – 55th Anniversary Product release from 9-11am at The Disney Gallery with Dave Avanzino, Jody Daily, Kevin Kidney and Noah.

July 17 – Special Disneyland park 55th Anniversary collection of Dooney & Bourke handbags revealed at the Disney Vault 28 at Downtown Disney.

July 17 – Celebrate the 55th Anniversary of Disneyland by heading to a headwear location at the park where premium embroidery will be offered on standard Mickey Mouse ear hats. The embroidery will read “D 55th – July 17, 2010.”

A re-dedication event is also planned.

Rainy Disneyland means Character Cavalcade

When the rains come down, the parades get canceled and the "Character Cavalcade" rolls out.  It's the double decker bus with about 8 characters on it, staying dry.  A nice cool thought after a day like today with 100 degree it hitting the park.

Summer Savings at the Disneyland Resort

Now through August 29th, Southern Californians can get a 3 day ticket (non-park hopper) for $108 or $36 per day.  That's a great way to get in to see World of Color if you don't have an annual passport and would like to go on the less crowded weekends.

The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2010 (Unofficial Guides)