The Disney Channel's Dateline Disney - Star Tours (1987)

Dateline Disney was an ongoing segment on the Disney Channel that would air between programs that kept the general public abreast on the latest happenings with the Walt Disney Company. This covered film releases, theme park events and updates, Disney Channel projects and more. This installment centers around opening of Star Tours.

Star Tours was the first ever Star Wars theme park attraction ever built. In the 1970’s there has been discussions to build a Star Wars themed roller coaster featuring audio animatronics of the characters. Riders would decide if they would choose the light side or the dark side of the force. In the mock up most chose the dark side three to one to see the villains so the idea was scrapped and eventually evolved into Star Tours.

Star Tours was rooted in a concept for an unrealized attraction based on the Walt Disney Productions’ film The Black Hole. When the film bombed plans ceased. The technology was later adapted for the theme park attraction Captain EO. Star Wars creator George Lucas collaborated on that attraction and allowed for a Star Wars version to proceed.

The ride opened January 9, 1987 and since then there have been several editions of Star Tours.

Original airdate January 1987

Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.