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Now here’s a story this morning that will certainly have Matt Hochberg from MGMStudios.org percolating with jealousy.  Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel writes about his experience during a rather interesting backstage tour at the Tower of Terror.

The folks at Disney offered me quite the treat: to hang out outside the Tower — 13 stories up. This is what we call in the biz “CrazyTalk.” I did it anyway. Was I feeling lucky?

Those catwalks aren’t all just decoration. I was taken to the level right behind the HOLLYWOOD TOWER lettering. The walkway is a few feet wide and runs a few feet above the heads of passengers at their peeking peak, right where the doors open for a look at the park.

“Crazy Talk”?  Is he kidding?  I hate heights, can’t stand even the idea of heights.  But even I would brave it just to say I did this!  Everyone talks about their dream job at Disney, well being a reporter covering the parks for the Orlando Sentinel does seem pretty darn fun!

So, when do you think they’ll add this little excursion to the “Backstage Magic” tour?  I can see it now, blogging from a tether atop the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Let’s start this week off with some interesting details regarding the rumored upgrade to Star Tours, provided by LaughingPlace.com.  This is one of those rumors that have been around so long, I have a hard time remembering a time when this wasn’t discussed on the internet.  Having said all that, it does seem as though this rumor is really picking up some steam over the last few weeks.

Included in the rumored changes are…

Each simulator equipped with 5 rear-projected Disney Digital 3-D screens with one screen in the front and two smaller screens on both the left and right sides of the simulator.

Front-projected modified (for polarization) IMAX HD DOME projectors facing upwards will be used during the ride and will be totally external of the simulators.

Part of the reason I never truly loved this attraction, even though I am a big Star Wars fan, was the fact that it just didn’t seem very detailed.  To me, I was watching a movie in a theater that jerked around.  Having just the one screen did not offer the kind of motion simulation that really makes your senses fool you.  This could change all that.

Three remote controlled AAs are used in the ride, with two of the same type simulating walking, but only featuring upper torsos and a third which does not move from its permanent location, but can be “puppeted” both in motions and statements, or can run in a generic mode

Another thing I was always hoping for.  Like Muppet Vision 3D, Star Tours introduced a new character to help tell the story for the attraction.  And in the same regard as Waldo, Rex was no where near as interesting as the characters already available.  I would like nothing better that to see a Star Wars attraction starring Star Wars characters in audio-animatronics form.

There are even more interesting details so read the article for all the ideas.  One thing left out of the rumor is what set of films this update will be based on.  I think all of us 30-somethings are dreading the idea of the prequels taking over Star Tours.  I can’t say anything for sure, but right now I would bet against that.

Thanks to Matt Hochberg of MGMStudios.org for finding some more information regarding the soon-to-be-permanent Jedi Training Academy coming to the Disney-MGM Studios sometime in the near future.

Disney has filed plans with the Orange County Comptroller’s Office to begin construction on a permanent stage for Jedi Training Academy. According to the plans, the stage will be built where the Endor village currently is.

The description of the project offered within the official files is “to design, engineer, construct, and install an outdoor stage reminiscent of the Imperial Bunker on Endor from Star Wars”.  Not withstanding the fact that the bunker was in Return of the Jedi and not Star Wars, we can only assume that such a stage must be for the Academy, although in the file I read there is not mention of the Academy.

If this is the case, and construction begins soon, do we then feel more confident in the validity of the rest of the rumored changes going on over at the Disney-MGM Studios that accompanied this one?

Screamscape.com has an interesting rumor today regarding a long discussed update to Star Tours.  This particular rumor is unlike almost any other one you will find, because it is actually sourced…

The latest information however comes right out of the mouth of Anthony Daniels (C-3P0) himself. According to a Screamscape reader who attended the Adventure Con comic book convention in Knoxville last Saturday, someone from the crowd asked him if he had ridden Star Tours during the Q&A session. “He responded by saying yes and he just got finished filming the new digitalized upgrade for the ride. He said this update will start up around the end of the year and from what he has seen it looks very, very exciting.” That was all they could get out of him apparently. So there you have it, right from the mouth of 3-CP0 via the internet.

If this is absolutely correct, and that is a big if, then the famed Star Tours 2 will be here sooner rather than later.  The mistake most people seemed to be assuming is that if Daniels is correct than this is only a slight change, perhaps just an upgrade to the film technology.  I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion.  The great advantage of a simulator ride is that you can change the entire story of the ride by uploading the next film and reprogramming the movements of the simulator itself.  This would not take a year of down time to accomplish.

For those who think this most be wrong because we have no other information floating around confirming it, let me just remind you that George Lucas is perhaps the most secretive filmmaker around.  If he wants to shield this until the last minute, then that’s what will happen.

Perhaps the longest running rumor in Walt Disney World’s history is that of a new Star Tours attraction. Since the time of Pee Wee Herman’s movie theater fiasco, we have heard rumors that a new attraction was in development. Then with the prequel trilogy, rumors were hot and heavy that an updated movie would replace the old with a focus on the newer films. Now it seems every spring with the arrival of Star Wars weekends at Disney MGM Studios, these rumors start anew. The latest one had George Lucas spotted at the park discussing new ideas with Imagineers.

A newer film representing the prequels would be nice (especially if its 3D), but this, I feel, would be too small-scale. I think we need a Star Wars area or “land.” Universal has created a series lands based on movie tie-ins and this one is the best Disney’s got. With the continued hardcore fan base, merchandise bonanza, upcoming TV series, pending re-release of the movies in 3D, and the aforementioned weekends at the park, its a perfect choice for expansion.

First of all, I would keep the current Star Tours as is. I have always found the ride fun and would hate to lose an attraction based on the better of the two trilogies. Instead, I would add and one idea is this: you and other passengers in your vehicle are padawans in a chase through the city planet of Coruscant pitted against bounty hunters, droids, and, for the grand finale, Darth Maul. This would combine a track system, motion simulation, and 3-D technology for a great experience.

Here’s another idea: You board an individual starfighter designed like the pods of CyberSpace Mountain. These motion simulators would be linked via a computer system in one great space battle based on either trilogy. This would seem to be relatively easy in light of today’s computer power and the interplay of shared on-line fantasy/role-playing games. You would all be in the same five to ten minute battle, steering and firing in real-time with others.

Now, lets say we can expand the area even more. Lucas himself has been instrumental in the advancement of sound technology for the movie industry. You could easily convert Sounds Dangerous into an attraction based on recent tech from THX using Star Wars and/or other films using that systems, including many recent Disney films.

Disney-MGM Studios is also famous for its heavily themed eating establishments. I can’t understand why the Studios hasn’t created a Mos Eisley Cantina. CMs walking around in costumes as aliens and stormtroopers could mix with people eating bar food and cocktails with strange sounding names. Who wouldn’t want an autograph from Greedo? You could even have an audio-animatronic band playing famous tunes from the movie every half hour or so. So lets demolish the Backlot Express and create a little futuristic desert town.

Finally, Star Tours is right next door the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. With the new Indy film coming soon, rumors are out there about a possible redo here, or maybe even a ride. You could create an entire LucasArts area. Heck, the Sci-Fi Dine Theatre next door fits the theme, as well. Lucas has always been a great admirer of those cheesy flicks.

Todays installment of Building My Imagineering Resume is by Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra

Screamscape.com reported a very interesting rumor yesterday regarding the future of the Disney-MGM Studios.  Beside the often reported name change to Disney-Pixar Studios, the rumor says changes may be far more sweeping than just a simple re-branding… Read the rest of this entry »