Disneyland’s New Ride Escalates Park Wars

The future has arrived at Disneyland--and it’s making some people sick.

That’s all right with the Magic Kingdom, though.

While the dips and dives of the park’s new George Lucas-designed “Star Tours” attraction may be making some customers queasy--Disneyland officials had even considered including motion sickness bags on the ride--the profits are likely to be healthy when it officially opens Jan. 9.

The spaceflight simulation, which ends a two-week sneak preview Friday, was developed by “Star Wars” director Lucas as part of a package that also brought Disney the recently opened “Captain Eo” attraction.

After three years and millions of dollars--Disney officials are mum on the exact cost--the ride will be only the second major attraction unveiled at the Magic Kingdom in the seven years since the Thunder Mountain Railroad premiered.

Disney officials hope that the new attraction will help draw record crowds to the park, which this year reportedly matched the 30th birthday-bash record of 12 million guests in 1985.

“Star Tours” already has caught the eye of rival Knott’s Berry Farm, which over the next five years plans to pump $30 million into improvements and new rides at its Buena Park facility in hopes of remaining competitive with Disneyland.

“Star Tours” ensconces the audience in a spaceship simulator that features amazingly realistic dips, swoops and acceleration as viewers chase through space.

About 1,650 Star Wars junkies an hour can get a major fix by following the five-minute movie. “It takes the best climaxes of ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi,’ and you feel like it’s actually happening,” said Jerry Martinez of Torrance.