A classic motion simulator with 3D visuals and random Star Wars adventures. Bumpy, jolty, and beloved by children who love Star Wars.
Last updated: April 2026
| Height Requirement | 40 in (102 cm) |
| Ride Type | Motion simulator |
| Duration | ~5 min |
| Intensity | Moderate |
| Motion Sickness Risk | High risk |
| Park | Hollywood Studios |
Bottom line: YES for most children 4+. Star Tours is one of the original Disney motion simulators — you board a StarSpeeder vehicle and experience a 3D Star Wars adventure with random scenarios each time. It's bumpy and jolty and uses 3D glasses, but nothing is dark or thematically frightening. The 40-inch height requirement screens out the youngest children. The main concern for parents is motion sickness — the simulator movement combined with 3D visuals can cause queasiness in sensitive riders. Children who are fine with car rides and screen time generally handle it well.
You walk through a Star Wars spaceport hangar filled with equipment, droids, and luggage scanning machines. R2-D2 and other recognizable droids appear throughout. The hangar atmosphere is well-detailed and gives Star Wars fans a lot to look at. The queue moves at a reasonable pace and has interactive elements that keep children engaged. The overall tone is fun and adventurous rather than threatening.
A brief safety video features C-3PO and R2-D2 in a humorous scenario. This is one of the better pre-shows at Disney — it's funny, it includes beloved characters, and it explains the premise in an engaging way. Children who know Star Wars characters will enjoy this section. Even young children unfamiliar with the franchise tend to find C-3PO's comedic energy charming.
You board a StarSpeeder vehicle that seats a full row of guests side by side. Everyone gets 3D glasses before boarding. The ride begins when the StarSpeeder launches into a randomized scenario — the destination, characters encountered, and events are different each time, pulled from a large pool of possible combinations. The seat moves in sync with the screen: banking, lurching, jolting as the StarSpeeder is hit or changes course. Explosions and near-misses are common. The overall effect is exciting rather than frightening, and the 3D visuals make the Star Wars world feel genuinely immersive.
Most scenarios conclude with a tense escape sequence before the StarSpeeder makes it back safely. The seat settles, the 3D glasses come off, and the doors open. Children who enjoyed it almost immediately start discussing which scenario they got and want to know what other possibilities exist. The random element is a significant part of the appeal — knowing each ride could show different characters and locations is compelling for repeat visits.
Tell them it's random and different every time. This reframes any uncertainty into excitement. Instead of "I don't know what will happen," it becomes "we could get any scenario — let's find out which one." Older children especially love this framing.
Skip this if your child gets carsick easily. The 3D glasses plus the seat movement is the most significant motion sickness combination in this ride. If your child struggled on other simulators, this is not the ride to push through.
The 3D glasses are required and worth framing positively. For very young first-timers, the glasses can feel strange. Mentioning them ahead of time helps: "You'll get special glasses that make everything look like it's coming right at you." Framed right, it becomes exciting rather than odd.