Featured Item

Archive Calendar

May 2011
S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  

Past Archives

Buy Now Pay Later

Poll

Walt Disney World
What is your favorite WDW park?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Star Tours 3D: The Adventure Continues Meet-Up and Opening Day Highlights with Queue, Characters and More – Photos and Video

Hi everyone!

We had a terrific time at the Star Tours Meet-Up, which was at midnight on Thursday, May 20th – the grand opening day of  “Star Tours – The Adventure Continues“.  We’d already ridden this updated attraction twice in the previous week during soft openings. Parking was at Blizzard Beach, and we arrived at 10:45 to check in. We waited on the bus (below, left) for about 45 minutes until it was time to be taken to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The red carpet and smoke (below, right) from an event earlier in the evening was still out for us.

Apparently I look like a Wookie, or so I was told by Oopla (below, left) as she picked me to go onstage to start the event.  I was told to do my best Wookie impersonation! Snig and Oopla (below, right) are found each night of Star Wars Weekends entertaining guests at the Hyperspace Hoopla.

The new advertising for Star Tours (below, left) is high atop the Star Tours attraction. Mon Calamari guards (below, right) look over the crowd.

Departure times (below, left) are listed on this new high-definition screen, which also displays advertisements and information. The new Starspeeder 1000 (below, right) replaces the older Starspeeder 3000 model. The new version was introduced a year ago (in smaller form) at Star Wars Weekends.

Guests were treated to a wide variety of Star Wars walk-around characters, many of whom rode with us! Princess Leia walked past us in the Star Tours queue as we were taking photos and video (below left). C3Po is still in the queue, but with both gold legs – not the silver one as he had previously (below, right).

Rex is back in the Star Tours queue (below, left) with a sign that reads “Defective, Return to Factory“. There are other droids in this area that are similar to Rex (below, right). Rex was the captain of Star Tours before this refurbishment, C3Po is now in the driver’s seat.

Boba Fett (below, left) looks down on us as we entered the queue. One of the most fun parts of the queue is the baggage droid (below, right), who checks the luggage as it’s scanned (below, right). He comments on each piece of luggage as it goes through, with sometimes amusing results!

Luggage is scanned (below, left), and contents shown on the screen (below, right). We saw a wide variety of items being scanned, both Disney and non-Disney!

Star Wars characters walk past a window above the queue (below, left). Another droid scans humans as they walk by (below, right), with the verbal scans being visible just as the are on Test Track.

Near the entrance to the queue, there is a diagram of the new Starspeeder 1000 (below, left). Chewbacca joined us for our last ride of the evening (below, right). He was quite the celebrity in the module, with everyone pointing cameras his way!

Video #1 – Star Tours Meet-Up Opening Day Highlights with Queue, Characters and More 5/20/11 Disney World – This video was taken at a meet-up (hosted by Disney), and includes footage of the updated Star Tours queue as well as of the event.

During the evening there was a special presentation about the re-imagining of Star Tours. Guests asked Imagineers Kathy Rogers (below, right) and Steven Speigel (below, left) questions about the updated version of Star Tours 3D: The Adventure Continues.

Video #2 – Star Tours Imagineer Interviews 5/20/11 Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Meet-Up) Star Wars Disney World – Guests ask Kathy Rogers and Steven Speigel questions about the new Star Tours at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios.

There was a dedication later in the morning, featuring Star Wars creator George Lucas and Disney President and CEO Bob Iger. An abbreviated version of the Star Wars motorcade (below, left) proceeded down Hollywood Boulevard (below, left and right).

Tusken Raiders (below, left) walk down Hollywood Boulevard. Princess Leia, Chewbacca and Luke Skywalker (below, right) wave to guests along the motorcade route.

The Star Tours logo (below, left) is shown on the screen before the dedication. Cameras are hoisted in the air to get photos of the proceedings (below, right).

C3P0 looks at the large crowd gathered for the event (below, left). Figrin D’an and Anthony Daniels (below, right) join the group of Star Wars celebrities and characters onstage.

Darth Vader (below, left) made quite the entrance walking out onstage, attempting to shut down the proceedings with energy shields (below, right).

Boba Fett and Stormtroopers (below, left) guard the stage. Fireworks were set off in celebration (below, right) of the updated Star Tours attraction.

George Lucas (below, left) waves to the crowd. Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger wields a lightsaber as Darth Vader and George Lucas look on (below, right). Iger told Darth Vader, “prepare to meet your maker“.

Bree Starliner, Chief Holocommunications Officer, stands between Bob Iger and George Lucas (below, left). The multi-talented actor James Arnold Taylor from The Clone Wars (below, left) joins Dave Filoni, who directs the animated show.

A wider view of the stage reveals the variety of characters, actors and others from the Star Wars galaxy (below, left). George Lucas talks with Dave Filoni (below, right), as Chewbacca and C3P0 look on.

The Star Tours queue stretched from the Star Tours attraction (below, left and right) to the Streets of America. We didn’t see the queue filled and it likely wasn’t, but Disney was ready for long waits. The longest wait we ended up having was for merchandise, at nearly an hour and a half! We had a great time celebrating the opening of Star Tours, here is to 25 more years of adventure!

For many more great photos, please check out MouseSteps latest update HERE!

Latest Release – Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2011:

Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2011

Celebrate spring at one of Disney’s most anticipated events of the year: The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2011.

Experience these unique panoramic displays throughout Epcot’s Future World and all around World Showcase!

Running Time: 64 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2010, Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 09, Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2008

All New Releases – Adventureland Classics and Liberty Square Classics:

Jeff Lange Remembers: Adventureland Classics

Take a trip back in time to experience classic Walt Disney World “Adventureland” attractions. This third volume in the series features the following: Adventureland Tour (1992-1997), Jungle Cruise (1993), Enchanted Tiki Birds Tropical Serenade (1992), Pirates of the Caribbean (original version including Barker Bird 1992), Pirates of the Caribbean (1997) and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Fantasyland Classics

Jeff Lange Remembers: Liberty Square Classics

Take a trip back in time to experience classic Walt Disney World “Liberty Square” attractions. This third volume in the series features the following: The Hall of Presidents (Original Version – 1993), Mike Fink Keel Boats (opening day attraction – 1992), Haunted Mansion (original version – 1992), Haunted Mansion Bonus Ride (my final recording of the original version with some special surprises – 2006)!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Tomorrowland Classics

Epcot Center Historical DVDs – Available Now:

For fans of classic Epcot Center, I present my Epcot Center Historical Collection!

Click on any cover for more information

Holiday Treat 2010 DVD – Available Now:

Jeff Lange’s Holiday Treat 2010 (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2010)

Seasons Greetings from Jeff Lange! Celebrate the holidays with this new DVD featuring the 2010 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World.

Features yearly favorites such as: “Cinderella’s Holiday Wish (Castle Lighting)“, “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade“, “Holiday Wishes Fireworks – Celebrate the Spirit of the Season“, “Celebrate the Season Show“, Very Merry Party Scenes, and much more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Halloween Time at Disneyland (Mickey’s Halloween Party 2010)

Jeff Lange’s Disneyland Trick or Treat (Mickey’s Halloween Party 2010)

Jeff Lange presents this all-new DVD from the 2010 Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland!

Featuring: Spooky Halloween Party Scenes, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Mickey’s Costume Party Cavalcade, Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy, Halloween Screams – A Villainous Surprise in the Skies Fireworks, Haunted Mansion Holiday and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Halloween Titles (Including Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties 2003-2010) – Click HERE

More Halloween Fun (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party’s 2003 – 2010 Available)

Jeff Lange’s Trick or Treat 7 (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2010)

Jeff Lange presents this all-new DVD from the 2010 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World!

Featuring: Alice & Mad Hatters Treat Party, TheHeadless Horseman, Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Villains Mix and Mingle, Not So Scary Party Scenes, Haunted Mansion at Midnight and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Trick or Treat vol 1 – 6 (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties 2003-2009) – Click HERE

Magic Kingdom Summertime 2010:

Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Summertime 2010 (Featuring SpectroMagic, Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Show, Main Street Electrical Parade and more!)

Jeff Lange brings the grandeur of Spectromagic, the brilliance of the Main Street Electrical Parade, and the dazzling display of the Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Show to your door with Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Summertime 2010.

Featurers: SpectroMagic (Final showing of the season 06/05/10), Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Show (Premiere 06/06/10), Main Street Electrical Parade (Premiere 06/06/10) plus, BONUS: “Top of the World” Fireworks Viewing (2010)!

Running Time: 66 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Vintage Disney-MGM Studios:

Jeff Lange Remembers: Disney-MGM Studios Classics – Vol 1

Jeff Lange takes you on a trip back in time to experience the early years of the Disney-MGM Studios. This first volume in a series features the following vintage footage:

Studios Entrance Scenes (1989-1992), Here Come The Muppets (1991), Soundstage Restaurant (1992), The Studio Showcase (1992), Star Today Ceremony (1992), The Great Movie Ride (1991) and more!

Running Time: 66 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange’s Disney-MGM Studios Parade Classics – 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition DVD

Wishes Fireworks – All Versions!

Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Wishes DVD

Jeff Lange takes you to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom to experience the best of all the “Wishes” nighttime fireworks spectaculars!

Features: Wishes – A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Holiday Wishes – Celebrate The Spirit of the Season plus Bonus: Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks!

Running Time: 61 Min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Walt Disney World Vintage Footage:

Jeff Lange DVD Presents: Bob Welbaum’s Walt Disney World 1986 DVD

Jeff Lange turns back the clock to 1986, where you will experience Walt Disney World through the eyes of Disneyana documentarian Bob Welbaum. This incredible vintage footage includes select narration from Mr. Welbaum, who shot this video before recording was commonplace.

Walt Disney World 1986 contains clips from the following: Walt Disney World Resorts, Original Disney Shopping Village, Epcot Center, Discovery Island, Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and much more!

Running Time: 65 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Fantasyland Classics and Jeff Lange Remembers: Tomorrowland Classics

Disneyland Vintage Footage (5 Volumes Available):

Jeff Lange Remembers Disneyland Classics Vol 5

Jeff Lange takes you on a trip back in time to experience classic Disneyland attractions. This fifth volume in the series features the following:

Aladdin’s Royal Caravan (1993), Disneyland Railroad(1992) including the burning settlers cabin, Big Thunder Ranch and more, Beauty and the Beast Show (1993),Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (1993), Alice in Wonderland (1993) andFantasy in the Sky Fireworks (1993)!

Running Time: 66 Min

For more information or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Disneyland Classics Volume 1 – 4.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.