Credit: DisneyLong before there was Galaxy’s Edge, there was Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – the closest Star Wars fans could get to jetting off to a galaxy far, far away at the majority of Disney resorts (sans Hong Kong and Shanghai) worldwide.
This immersive Disney attraction, first launched in 2011 as an update to the original Star Tours, takes guests on a 3D motion-simulated journey across iconic planets from the Star Wars saga. With its randomized storytelling mechanic, no two rides are ever exactly the same, adding an element of surprise that keeps fans coming back for more.
The ride’s ever-changing narrative is built on a system of interchangeable sequences, which combine various destinations, characters, and scenarios. Riders might encounter Darth Vader, Poe Dameron, or Kylo Ren, visit planets like Naboo, Jakku, or Exegol, and even take part in the battle for the Death Star.
Despite endless speculation among fans, no one seems to agree on the exact number of combinations possible. Some say there are over 50; others claim it’s as much as 2,000, depending on different variations of certain scenes. Regardless of the exact math, the ride’s ever-changing nature creates a dynamic experience that feels fresh every time, with Lucasfilm adding extra segments with the release of new TV shows and films.
Whether you’re soaring through an asteroid field, navigating the oceans of Naboo, or getting a message from Finn (John Boyega), Star Tours – The Adventures Continue makes every ride feel like your own personal chapter in the Star Wars universe. We may not be sure of the actual numbers, but we are sure of the options you can expect along the way.
Opening Threat
Poor C-3PO is just settling into some maintenance work when your speeder is hijacked. That part is constant—your hijacker is not.
Darth Vader
Darth Vader and stormtroopers demand a Rebel spy aboard the StarSpeeder, but R2-D2 takes action. Using The Force, Vader holds the ship in place until R2 fires, forcing him to deflect with his lightsaber. Seizing the moment, the StarSpeeder escapes into hyperspace.
Kylo Ren
If you luck out and get Kylo Ren as your villain, then things will play out pretty similarly to the Darth Vader scenario. Except, you know, it’s Kylo Ren. (Sadly, no Adam Driver cameos are involved).
Droids and Stormtroopers
The third opening option is arguably the most boring. A droid attaches itself to the StarSpeeder’s viewscreen as stormtroopers search for a Rebel spy. In the background, stormtroopers investigate the Millennium Falcon, which tries to escape just as the Star Tours ship does. Riders follow the Falcon out of the dock and jump to hyperspace.
There are variations in this scene: the Falcon can be piloted by Rey or Han Solo, with the stormtroopers’ appearance changing accordingly. In the latest version, the ship is Ahsoka Tano’s T-6 Jedi Shuttle instead of the Falcon.
First Destination
After jumping to hyperspace, you’ll visit one of multiple planets from the prequel, original, or sequel trilogies.
Hoth
If you land on the ice planet from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980), the Star Tours ship becomes caught in a battle between the Empire and the Rebellion. The ship weaves between the legs of Imperial AT-ATs before getting stuck on a cliff’s edge, but managing to escape at the last minute.
Kashyyk
The Wookiee planet didn’t get nearly enough screentime in the films, which makes visiting it on Star Tours a real treat. Should you end up on Kashyyk, you’ll witness a high-speed chase between Stormtroopers and Wookiees before Chewbacca himself slams into the screen (leaving a trail in his wake) and you soar back up into the treetrops.
Kef Bir
We’ll be honest: the Kef Bir sequence in Star Wars: Episode XI – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) makes absolutely no sense, but it makes for a cool addition to Star Tours.
You spend most of the time bouncing around the planet’s waves around the remains of the second Death Star before a brief entanglement with a dianoga preludes your return back to space.
Jakku
Your StarSpeeder 1000 could also arrive on Jakku, where it chases the Millennium Falcon, piloted by either Finn or Rey, as they flee from First Order TIE fighters over the desert.
The StarSpeeder follows the Falcon into a derelict Star Destroyer. After the Falcon accidentally shoots the StarSpeeder with its turret, it crash-lands in the wreckage, where scavengers pry off the Star Tours logo. Power is briefly lost, but the StarSpeeder regains control, takes off, and escapes into space. It’s quick, but fun.
Tattooine
Your final option involves landing on prequels-era Tatooine, where you barrel into the middle of a pod race. Somehow, C-3PO pulls off the impossible and wins the race before flying back into space, nearly hitting the crowd in the process.
An Urgent Message
As the StarSpeeder soars back into space, it receives a holographic message requesting that you help transport the Rebel Spy to a secret location.
The message is pretty consistent, but its speaker is not. Star Wars characters such as Admiral Ackbar, Princess Leia, Yoda, Maz Kanata, Poe Dameron, BB-8, Lando Calrissian, Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor, or The Mandalorian with Grogu are all options.
Second Destination
At this point, you’re off to your second destination – none of which are the same as the first round of planets.
Coruscant
Home to the Senate and both Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), your trip to Coruscant sadly doesn’t involve appearances from either actor. Instead, you fly over the city planet, dodging traffic along the way. You either land and head to a hanger containing StarSpeeders, or the Millennium Falcon.
Naboo
The Star Tours ship can plunge into the chaos of a battle in Naboo, soaring through the skies before diving into the ocean. As you glide past the Gungan city, massive sea creatures launch an attack, forcing a daring escape.
After narrowly avoiding the predators, you race towards the hangar for another bumpy landing. Depending on the outcome, the ship either crashes into the tip of an N1 Starfighter, or slams into the fighter’s nose, sending cracks through the screen.
Crait
Controversial though it may be, the finale of Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017) makes for a visually stunning addition to the ride. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaacs) makes a cameo to guide through an attack on the First Order and out of the fire.
Geonosis
One thrilling option sees your ship fly in orbit around Geonosis, where Jango Fett launches an attack to eliminate the spy. (An unsuccessful attack, of course. Everyone makes it off this ride alive).
Exegol
For better or worse, Star Wars: Episode XI—The Rise of Skywalker was a back-to-back nostalgia fest. One of the film’s better moments saw resistance fighters gather from all over the galaxy to take on Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), united by a resounding score from John Williams. if you end up in Exegol, this part of the ride will see you join the fray, jumping out of hyperspace into battle with the rest of the rebels.
Seatol
One of the most recently added scenes involves Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), who accompanies you to Seatos, where the ship flies among a species of space whales called Purgill. It’s much more peaceful than some of the other options but not exactly the most thrilling way to end the ride.
Endings
Spaceport THX1138
Luckily for C-3PO, one scenario sees the ride end where it began: back at the Spaceport where the poor droid was just trying to get a job done. This time around, you’re free of Darth Vader and Kylo Ren – but you might anger a few other droids when you make a crash landing.
Batuu
Your final option is landing in Batuu, AKA Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. While you won’t spot many tourists, you’ll spot a few familiar sights as you soar over Black Spire Outpost and in the village.
What’s your favorite combo of Star Tours – The Adventures Continue?