Disneyland had two incredible years to Tomorrowland back in the 80s. 1986 brought us the enclosure of the Tomorrowland Stage and the creation of the Magic Eye Theater. "Magic Journey's" had played in the outdoor theater at night. It began playing inside the Magic Eye Theater while production wrapped up on Captain Eo, which opened early 1986. The premiere was held with a 60 hour party - where the park stayed open for 60 hours straight. I remember stopping by late on the Friday night opening. The line at that time was running down to Main Street.
The next year, Disneyland again held a 60 hour party for the premiere of Star Tours. Adventure through Inner Space closed in September 1985. Almost a full year went by before it was actually revealed that a Star Wars themed attraction was replacing it. I remember imagining what the ride would be like, wrongly assuming the omni mover system would still used. Ride simulators had just come on the scene. Small self-enclosed units were beginning to pop up around amusement parks at that time. Disney made sure to take advantage of the new technology and make it their own.
Star Tours opened to much fan fair and long lines. Four ride cabins kept the line moving but during the first few years, the line often exceeded 2 hours on most days.
While these days, E-ticket attractions often open in Florida first and are later brought to Disneyland or co-debuted, Star Tours did not open up a travel hub in Florida until the opening of the Disney/MGM studios in 1989.
For the reboot, I imagine the ride mechanism will remain the same. Hopefully the queue area is only mildly plussed. The concept of multiple destinations is intriguing. We'll have to see what the new 3D attraction experience when it returns in 2011.
