The "Star Tours" ride has existed since the late 80s when the section of the Florida park was called MGM Studios (and also existed at Disneyland).
Interesting history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Tours
Star Tours still exists at Disneyland, and was recently remodeled.
Re:Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd.
by MartinCron on Tuesday October 30, 2012 @05:49PM
(#4719860)
They also do the Jedi Training Academy show at Disneyland in California. It's a great production and just fits perfectly with the rest of the feel of Disneyland.
I agree. After we visited Disneyland this year with my kids, I looked up the profit to Disney from movies vs theme parks, and they make a lot more profit on theme parks than movies. So, you could consider that the media arm is just an advertisement to get people to visit Disneyland/World parks.
You got that right.
I think that this deal, like the Pixar one, brings in something that Disney hasn't been able to create on it's own for a long time - enduring and loved characters. It's all very well trying to get a 5 year old to be 'into' Mickey Mouse, but they are far more interested in Buzz Lightyear or Nemo or Lightning McQueen.
Disney itself hasn't been very good at 'coining' characters for a while, and there is no doubt the real cream is in the merchandising. A successful movie, therefore, is not just about getting box office, but also in spawning characters that can become cashcows.
I was surprised at seeing Lucasfilm licensing these valuable properties to Disney for use in a theme park. I guess the two companies have been working together for years.