Disneyland plans Friday (today) to reopen a gift shop with an expanded "Star Wars" section in time for the debut of the upgraded Star Tours ride. Star Trader in Tomorrowland is set to return after undergoing renovations for almost three months, beginning Feb. 14. The remodeled store will have a larger selection of "Star Wars" merchandise and items promoting the Star Tours ride, which is based on the movie series, said Michelle Harker, a spokeswoman for Disneyland Resort merchandise.
Star Tours officially returns June 3 after a transformation into a simulated 3D journey through locations in the "Star Wars" movies. Disneyland usually holds preview dates or soft openings before official ride openings, but Disney has yet to make an announcement. Keep checking in the Around Disney blog for updates on Star Tours.
Star Tours riders must exit the attraction through the Star Trader gift shop. "They are integrating more of the Star Tours feel into it," Harker said. The store will carry a limited number of Star Tours items when it reopens Friday. But it plans to add a larger selection mid May and early June, when the ride is done, Harker said. The store will carry fewer generic Disneyland items than before the renovations.
The Star Trader will be larger than before, expanding into the Starcade video arcade area that has sold merchandise during the store's closure, Harker said. Now, the store and arcade will run together. The entire store will span 5,064 square feet. The renovated store will have an expanded Build Your Own Light Saber kiosk. The X Wing Fighter, a vehicle in the "Star Wars" movies, will hang above shoppers in the store. Read more about Star Tours and find other Disney news on the Around Disney blog.