Disney's Star Tours closing for renovations

Disney World is planning another "reimagining" of a popular attraction, this time Disney is closing down the Star Tours simulator ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios by the end of the summer--it is tentatively scheduled to close on September 8--with plans to reopen the ride with new special effects sometime in 2011.

Star Tours opened in 1989 at Disney's Hollywood Studios (at the time the park was known as Disney-MGM Studios). George Lucas, director of the Star Wars films, actually assisted in the development of the ride, which simulates a flight to the planet of Endor. Star Tours can also be found at Disneyland in California and the international Disney parks, and will also be closing down for renovations.

The updated ride system will consist of a High Definition, Disney Real-D 3D screen, an improved motion simulator as well as several other special effects. Star Wars fans will more than likely see more similarities to the newer Star Wars films (episodes 1 - 3) as well.