Disneyland Resort update: Star Tours, Blackbeard, Mermaid and more
The big news at the Disneyland Resort this week is the soft-opening of Star Tours:
This morning, the ride was open only to annual passholders with advance reservations. AP previews will continue all week, but I wouldn't be surprised to see soft-opens at times when the APs aren't scheduled.
Inside the queue, R2D2's working on top of the Starspeeder 1000:
And C-3P0 is still on the control panel.
Inside the droid room, the changes are subtle. Look carefully, and you might see Captain Rex, marked "defective," packed up and being sent to who-knows-where.
The "Droid Security Agent" is checking passengers as they get ready to board.
On board, I got the stormtroopers, the Tatooine pod race, Yoda and the ride through the traffic of Coruscant. You know that Facebook meme where women would post their bra color as their status, to the complete befuddlement of men? I propose that Star Tours fans start their own version of the meme. Whenever you ride, post the four options that you encountered on your visit. Remember, your options are:
So, this morning I posted: "Stormtroopers Tatooine Yoda Coruscant". Join in, and amuse or confuse your friends! ;^)
The other change at Disneyland Park this week is the replacement of Davy Jones with Blackbeard inside Pirates of the Caribbean. Here's what it looks like:
I noticed that the skull before the drop is still warning riders about Davy Jones, though. Personally, I prefer Davy's otherworldly look in this place in the ride. Blackbeard looked just too, well, real.
Across the plaza, at California Adventure, you can see the "Hollywood Studios"-style entrance plaza emerging underneath the tarps.
The Little Mermaid building is now open for cast member previews.
I love the relief detail of Ariel's sisters, framing the entryway windows.
Down the pathway, I noticed a test train running on Goofy's Sky School, scheduled to open July 1.
Work also continues on the Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta restaurant
Finally, Disney's torn down the awnings and archways that had obscured the view of the Zephyr train and station that lines the edge of the Sunshine Plaza.
Work on Cars Land continues, too, as insiders expect an opening early in 2012.
The Little Mermaid and Star Tours open officially on June 3. No word yet on public previews for The Little Mermaid, though initial reviews from cast members who've ridden have been almost exclusively positive. We'll be there to cover the opening ceremonies on June 2 and 3.
Replies (9)
I don't like the new blackbeard effect as much as the one before. I felt the other one fit that effect more. But then again, I guess I need to see POTC4 before I judge.
I figured we had enough Star Tours opinions on the site in the past couple of days. I'll wait a few days to talk about it more in-depth, from my perspective.
I think Davy Jones should stay. He has more of the supernaturall feeling to him with "dead men tell no tales". Maybe a rotation of Blackbeard and Davy Jones?
So is it open 2moorow? for Regular guests or just AP
Agreed on Jones vs. Beard. Hopefully Blackbeard is just a temporary thing for the release of the movie and following months. Once it's done, I'd rather see Jones come back. As you so aptly put, it's the more logical face to show when the effect is so otherworldy.
I heard that yesterday evening, the park opened the ride to all annual passholders, after the official AP preview time for the day was finished.
I have read a news report that Blackbeard will be integrated along with Davy Jones eventually. I sent Robert the link a few days ago.
My family and I went on Pirates of the Caribbean last weekend and we felt that the projection of Blackbeard could have been enlarged so that it filled the foggy area like Davy Jones image did. It was odd seeing Blackbeard's image small and not filling the whole foggy area.
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Thanks for the report, Robert, but, uh... you didn't discuss your opinions on Star Tours. Are you waiting for an official opening?