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A long time ago in a Glendale far, far away…

One of the true highlights at the D23 Expo 2011, for us especially, was The Making of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, presented by Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald.  Much of what was shown to the audience was previously revealed in our interview with Tom back in June but during the presentation there were more details, more stories, and most importantly, more concept art to go along with them.   It was a joy to experience the linear backstory of the attraction and for those who weren’t able to attend, we have a summarized version and many of the concept art as well.

Read the full article in our Special Features archive here.

Trader Sam’s, the new “Enchanted Tiki Bar”, has been delighting guests at the Disneyland Hotel for months now and for good reason! Not only are the island style food and drink stellar, but there’s enough artifacts and decoration in the place to open up it’s own museum of unique artifacts and antiquities! What strikes our fancy specifically, however are the close ties to the man in the hat himself, Indiana Jones.

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When Star Tours: The Adventures Continue made its debut in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Hasbro was also there with two new sets of action figures.  We took a closer look at the STAR TOURS TRAVEL AGENCY last time but now it’s time to look at the more villainous AMBUSH AT STAR TOURS.

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Fans of Star Wars and Disney have even more to celebrate as a new character has been seen rolling around Tomorrowland.  No, WALL-E hasn’t yet made his appearance but astromech R2-D2, star of every Star Wars film to date has.

UPDATE: Visit Artoo at Disneyland “Off and on – through 8/18″.

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Up for grabs on the auction block at this year’s D23 Expo 2011 is a Star Tours Experience like no other.  Join Walt Disney Imagineer, Project Manager & Producer Steve Roach for a private tour of the newly updated attraction along with up to FIVE (5) guests!
The D23 Expo 2011 Live Auction will take place on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 8:00 PM at Stage 23 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Only registered Guests may participate in the Live Auction. Tickets for the D23 Live and Silent Auction Package are $45.00 each. No discounts will be offered in conjunction with this package. Separate D23 admission is required.
For more information, please visit:

http://www.disneynow.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x199891dba

We had a chance to sit down with Marianne McLean, Visual Effects Producer for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. She takes us behind the scenes on creating one of the most anticipated Disney attractions ever. You can read the entire interview here in our special feature archive.

Twenty years ago, Walt Disney Pictures released a film that was intended to be a great new franchise.  Instead, they got a stand-alone film that has become a cult classic and still pleases audiences today.  Based on the graphic novel created by Dave Stevens, THE ROCKETEER, played well with critics but in an age before the internet, word of mouth was quickly terminated after a disappointing debut weekend.

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We have the pleasure to introduce you to a brand new interview with Tom Fitzgerald; Vice President, Senior Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering and voice of droid G2-9T in the Star Tours queue. After doing an interview with us on the history of Star Tours before, we now take a look at the completely revamped Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Read the full exclusive interview here.

With the frenzy of opening a new park attraction comes the frenzy of finding the right merchandise to go with it.  Our friends at the online DisneyStore.com have made it easier for those unable to hit the parks to satisfy their galactic appetite for all things STAR TOURS.  They got your hats, tees, keychains, magnets, and yes, shot glasses (aka toothpick holders).

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After weeks of Cast Member and Annual Passholder previews, Disneyland was finally able to conduct the launch of STAR TOURS: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE on June 3, 2011.  There was no gala or explosions on the west coast but plenty of Stormtroopers, Jedi Knights, and Darth Vader were on hand for the celebration.

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