Disney’s Hollywood Studios held the grand opening today for its newly revamped Star Wars attraction Star Tours: The Adventure Continues. The festivities included appearances by George Lucas, Darth Vader, Jango and his son Boba Fett, Aurra Sing, Chewbacca, R2D2, C3PO, and some Disney character named Bob Iger.

The new Star Tours attraction is presented in 3-D and features 54 different simulations, among them trips to Tatooine, Coruscant, Hoth, Naboo, and an unfinished Death Star! Along the way, travelers may also encounter familiar faces such as Vader, Yoda, Boba Fett, Princess Leia, Admiral Ackbar, and Chewie.

Also cool: James Earl Jones, Frank Oz, and Carrie Fisher all recorded new dialogue for Vader, Yoda, and Leia respectively.

If you’re from Cali and can’t dig up enough druggats to buy a plane ticket to Orlando, FL, Star Tours: The Adventure Continues opens at Disneyland in Anaheim on June 3.

Peep the ride:

Planning next year’s summer vacation? Why not save up your druggats and book a Star Tours Getaway Package at Disneyland and Disney World! The happiest place on earth has joined forces with Lucasfilms to revamp the theme parks’ Star Tours attraction, first introduced in 1987 as part of Tomorrowland.

A commercial for the upcoming Star Tours: the Adventures Continue was premiered at the Star Wars Celebration V convention this week in Orlando, Florida. The promo teases trips to Bespin’s Cloud City, the forest moon of Endor, and Princess Leia’s home planet of Alderaan, voted the safest place in the galaxy.

Take a look:

The new Star Tours attraction will feature a variety of updated visual effects and be presented in 3-D much like the recently unveiled King Kong ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Of course, before booking any trip to the Star Wars galaxy, it’s highly recommended that one take the time to check the weather conditions on any given planet. To do so, go here.

Universal Studios Hollywood will open the doors to Rob Zombie’s “House of a 1000 Corpses” at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, running Sept. 24th-thru-Oct. 31st. Though the theme park has yet to officially announce any of attractions scheduled for the annual event, Zombie has already spilled the beans on the 3-D maze inspired by his 2003 feature film directorial debut.

He tells NoiseCreep:

Universal is doing it in 3D, so you’ll wear glasses as you go through,” Zombie said. “And they’re doing full makeups on everybody in the house and all of the characters from the movie. It’s gonna be pretty amazing.

When you think about it, it’s pretty cool and ironic since that’s the studio that originally made the movie, but never released it. And now we’re back in the park doing this attraction. But it’s great and they’re putting a lot of work into it, so it’s going to be really awesome.

Universal Studios Hollywood and Zombie are also sponsoring the “Halloween Horror Nights – Rob Zombie Film Competition.” The winner of the contest will have their short-film premiered on Chiller TV, collect a $1000, and receive a trip for two to the opening night of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood (click here for more info).

Halloween Horror Nights are always a blast. To read about last year’s event, go here.

Universal Studios Orlando held a grand-opening celebration for its new $200 million-plus attraction The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on Wednesday night. The event included a fireworks display over Hogwarts castle set to music from all six Harry Potter films, performed live by legendary composer John Williams (Star Wars, Jaws) and the Orlando Symphony Orchestra.

Among the franchise suits in attendance were the film’s stars Daniel Radcliffe, Tom Felton, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, Michael Gambon, Mathew Lewis, twins Oliver and James Phelps, Warwick Davis, and Potter creator and author J.K. Rowling.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter features attractions, shops, and restaurants themed after the Potter films.

Rides include the Dragon Challenge, a twin high-speed roller coaster set to a Triwizard Tournament backdrop, Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster set to simulate a Hippogriff training flight over Hogwarts Castle, and the state-of-the-art interactive attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, located inside Hogwarts castle.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens to the public on June 18.

Check out the gallery:

[View with PicLens]

Universal Studios Orlando is set to open its latest themed attraction The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on June 18. Star Emma Watson, however, got to visit the park yesterday.

Watson, who plays Hermione Granger, was joined by Potter costars Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Oliver and James Phelps (George and Fred Weasley) and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom).

Take a look:

Said Watson:

A film set has a cut-off point, you know, you’re only using a particular section of it, but this is a completely immersive environment. Being here was actually really moving and emotional for me, because I know that the sets are going to come down, but this will be here forever.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature attractions, shops, and restaurants themed after the Harry Potter films. Rides include the Dragon Challenge, a twin high-speed roller coaster set to a Triwizard Tournament backdrop and Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster set to simulate a Hippogriff training flight over Hogwarts Castle. The castle, itself, plays a role in the state-of-the-art interactive attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

Guests of Universal Studios Hollywood will go ape-shit this summer when they come face-to-face with a 3-D King Kong. Created by Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson and his F/X team Weta Digital, the two-and-a-half minute attraction will be part of the theme park’s back lot studio tram tour.

“King Kong 360 3-D, created by Peter Jackson (the attraction’s official name)” was built on a 200-foot-long sound stage with a “tram-mover” system capable of rocking the tram back and forth, up and down. The attraction also features two 180-foot-long by 40-foot-tall screens that wrap around the tram to create an all encompassing 3-D environment.

Universal Studios show producer Valerie Johnson-Redrow promises:

You are really going to be immersed in every part of the show. We are going to bring you to Skull Island. We are going to bring you right in the middle of a knock- down, drag-out fight with a T. rex.

The new King Kong attraction replaces the 30-foot-tall animatronic Kong that was destroyed during the park’s 2008 back lot fire.

To read about the Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios Orlando, click here.

It’s a magical time for middle-aged virgins Harry Potter fans. Universal Studios Orlando is set to open its new attraction The Wizarding World of Harry Potter this spring. Hogwarts Castle (pictured above) is the first official image released by Universal.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature attractions, shops, and restaurants themed after the Harry Potter films. Rides include the Dragon Challenge, a twin high-speed roller coaster set to a Triwizard Tournament backdrop and Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster set to simulate a Hippogriff training flight over Hogwarts Castle. The castle, itself, plays a role in the state-of-the-art interactive attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

From the press release:

The expectations of Harry Potter fans are high and Universal Orlando Resort is collaborating closely with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the Warner Bros. Harry Potter brand team to ensure that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be an experience of a lifetime.  The Harry Potter films’ production designer, Stuart Craig and art director, Alan Gilmore, in cooperation with a corps of artisans from Universal Creative are working daily to construct the most authentic Harry Potter experience possible.  Guests will be able to sip Butterbeer in Three Broomsticks, buy Extendable Ears at Zonko’s and experience a state-of-the-art attraction that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life in a way never before imagined.

“All of the action and adventures of Harry Potter’s world will come to life here at Universal Orlando Resort,” said Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks and Resorts.  “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be unlike any other experience on earth and we can’t wait to see the looks on our guests’ faces as they enter this rich environment.”

From the front archway of Hogsmeade to the immensity of Hogwarts castle, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature the locations listed below:

At the entrance of Hogsmeade, billowing steam and an iconic whistle signal the arrival of the Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade station.

Across the way is Zonko’s, a joke shop with a collection of tricks and jokes, including Extendable Ears, Boxing Telescopes and Sneakoscopes.

Honeydukes is next door and full of treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.

The Three Broomsticks and adjacent Hog’s Head pub will serve traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice.

Across from the Three Broomsticks is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery.

The Owl Post sends letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sells official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Ollivanders wand shop is an incredible interactive experience where the wand chooses the wizard.

Completing Hogsmeade is Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.

The first attraction, Dragon Challenge, features a twin high-speed roller coaster with many iconic elements from the Triwizard Tournament.

Next is Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle.

Located in Hogwarts castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced.

Before exiting back into Hogsmeade, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods is full of Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches.