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Here is an all new image released from the new Star Tours adventure: the Starspeeder zipping along in the skies of Coruscant.

“Another thrilling time with the Imagineers on Star Tours. We’ll all have to wait till 2011 to experience the finished ride but it’s worth the wait!”

Interesting! Until production images will surface, we’ll just have to settle with pictures from the original 1986 making! On the right you see the original C-3PO Animatronic being dressed.

This billboard from the Clone Wars animated series features Aurebesh type which says “Star Tours” and includes a fake phone number to call for information on what appears to be a destination to visit with Jedi Master Kit Fisto’s people, the Nautolans.

Is this a Lucasfilm cross-marketing opportunity that ties in to Star Tours 2.0 or potential merchandise on the “new” ride?

Time and speculation will tell!

View the complete poster here

For more information on the episode, check out StarWars.com.

Although lines for the popular new thrill ride subsided over the 60-hour period, guests could take time out to sample other new park fare, including the new Captain Eo 3D film, the all-new Big Thunder Barbecue, the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree stage show, or the upbeat Totally Minnie parade. Last year at the D23 Expo, it was announced that the Star Tours attraction will be renovated as Star Tours 2.0, set to launch in 2011. Read more Disney facts over at D23

In the lobby of Great Moments you can find a look at Disneyland past, present, and future. Among Captain EO and Hannah Montana we find a window devoted to the long awaited Star Tours II. 

We also take a look at D STREET, the new Disney high-end store, featuring a lot of new art prints!

Let’s take a look at the display:

The Star Tours II window offers guests a glimpse at some clear looks at the new Starspeeder 1000, special conceptual art, podracing, and the a modernized logo.

The exit queue of “Great Moments”, highlights the American Spirit and portraits can be found gracing the walls including one of Captain EO.

And in Downtown Disney, a brand new store for Vinylmation and other higher end Disney memorabilia can be found.  D STREET, replacing Illuminations, is also a good stop for the Star Wars fan, with a collection of art, animation cels, and T-shirts.

There’s plenty of reason for good cheer this year and next at Disneyland.  Happy Holidays!

Enjoy the pictures at MiceChat.com.

Since George Lucas took the stage at Celebration 3 in 2005 and announced Star Tours 2 everyone has been speculating what the story is going to be. But the wait is over! Star Tours 2 just got announced for 2011! Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo came with the surprise at the end of the show:

“I’m sorry to tell you that as of October 2010, Star Tours will be closing,”followed by an invasion of stormtroopers on-stage (with the Imperial March of course. Then the Dark Lord Of The Sith, Darth Vader himself, came on a video link, to bring the Disney crew “back on schedule.”

“You didn’t let me finish! We’re closing Star Tours in order to create a spectacular new adventure. We’re going to do things with Star Tours that have never been done in any theme park attraction, at any theme park anywhere,” added Rasulo.

The new experience will be in 3-D, an all new ride that includes many of the new worlds and elements from the more recent Star Wars movies. Rasulo introduced a Disney Real-D 3-D clip that threw the Starspeeder 1000 (yes, not 3000, the released promo images showed us a brown / gray tinted Starspeeder 1000) into the thick of the Boonta Eve Podrace. Disney fans in attendance were also given one of three exclusive numbered Star Tours II preview poster, one with the iconic mask of Darth Vader topped with the title, “JOIN ME.”  The Yoda poster with the title, “THE FORCE IS STRONG IN THIS ONE.” The third poster features C-3P0 with the classic line “HERE WE GO AGAIN.”

For now the updates only will only hit California and Florida, with no word on Paris or Tokyo.

Watch the exclusive video here.

“We were contacted by the Galactic Empire and have been advised that Imperial dignitaries will be attending Disney’s D23 Expo. As a result, a squadron of Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion will be patrolling the Anaheim Convention Center on Saturday, Sept. 12.”

But what exactly does this mean ? Let’s speculate!

• Star Tours 2
  Logical, right? During SW Celebration III, George Lucas himself said that Star Tours 2 was underway. But … that’s not the sole possible answer. Let’s look at some different options.
• Star Wars Weekends in California
  As a follow up to the very popular formula in Florida and the unofficial Star Wars Fan days, will the Mouse finally serve west-coast fans?
• Star Wars Weekends 2010 Dates
  Booooring. Let’s hope for something more exciting!
• Star Wars Celebration 5 in Florida
  After Denver, Indianapolis and L.A., might the biggest Star Wars event in the world move to the West coast?
• Star Wars Series
  We all know the Clone Wars, and the upcoming Live Action series. But might a Lucasfilm / Disney collaboration be in the works?

What will it be? Check back September 10th-13th for the answer as we have people at the expo.