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You are here: Home / Hollywood Studios / How to be Picked as the Rebel Spy on Star Tours

How to be Picked as the Rebel Spy on Star Tours

March 3, 2014 by Becky 20 Comments

If you’ve been on Star Tours since it was redone, you know that one of the fun elements of the show is the fact that they take a picture of an audience member and incorporate it into the story.  That person is shown on screen as the “rebel spy” and it’s why Darth Vader is chasing your ship (or some variation of that story, since the plot does change depending on what showing you get).

Suffice it to say that there is no sure fire way to be picked as the rebel spy.  However, there are a few things you can do to try and increase your chances that seem to work.  Keep in mind that this is all speculation and observation.  What may work one day won’t work another!  And a lot depends on the cast member who is picking the photo.  I’ve been chosen as the rebel spy twice now, and here are some of the things that I’ve noticed:

Be knowledgeable about when they take the pictures. 

Disney hasn’t said for certain, but it’s a pretty good guess that they take the pictures during the pre-show bit, when you’re seated and they’re going over the safety instructions, buckling your seat belt, etc.   People have said that they just take a picture of everyone and then the cast member decides which picture to use, so whether or not you are chosen is purely subjective.

 Face forward.

Stay facing forward as much as possible before the ride starts.  They need a face that is looking straight ahead, so keep still and eyes forward.  This may be a reason why kids don’t seem to be selected as often as adults, since they tend to fidget more.

Don’t put your 3D glasses on until the show is just about to start.

If you already have the 3D glasses on blocking your face, odds are pretty good they won’t pick you, as they want  someone whose face is clear.  It may also help to remove real glasses if you have those as well.  Though people have been chosen that are wearing glasses, if there’s any glare in the picture they won’t use it.

Sit towards the middle.

The rebel spy can be in any seat, but being towards the middle means the camera has a better angle of you, which means that your picture is likely to come out better and be more usable.

If you ride multiple times in a row, look for a pattern.

Some CMs may tend toward one “type” of person over another.  For instance, when I went one day and rode 4 times in a row, the CM always chose someone with a serious looking face, not someone who was smiling or acting silly.  I tried this tactic the next time I was on and didn’t smile during the entire bit before the ride – and sure enough, I was the rebel spy!  It could be coincidence, but noting a pattern definitely helps.  However, I’ve heard that other times they look for the silliest face.  Some CMs may go for kids more often, and some may choose adults.  It’s all up to their discretion.

It may help to be in a big group.

The CMs know that a lot of the fun of the rebel spy is getting a reaction out of the crowd.  So if you’re part of a large group, they may tend to pick someone from that group because they know that it will be more of a reaction.

The bottom line is, there’s nothing you can do to guarantee being chosen!  But the big things that will definitely help are looking forward and not putting your glasses on until they tell you to.  Good luck, and may you be chosen as the next rebel spy!

Have you ever been chosen as the rebel spy?  What’s something you’ve noticed about the people they choose?

Filed Under: Hollywood Studios, Rides Tagged With: Hollywood Studios, rides, Star Tours, Star Wars

Comments

  1. sandykarpie says

    March 5, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Some good observational skills. I will keep this in mind next time I go. Thanks.

    Reply
    • beckyginther says

      March 5, 2014 at 1:43 pm

      Thanks! It’s fun to try and see how they make the choice!

      Reply
  2. sue @ tea, love, and cookies says

    March 15, 2014 at 8:47 am

    This was the ride I was most interested in riding, since I hadn’t been there since the refurb. I thought the rebel spy aspect was ridiculously cool… even I was never picked. And I rode it three times in a row! Heheh.

    Reply
    • beckyginther says

      March 16, 2014 at 4:07 pm

      I agree, I think the re-do on this ride was fantastic! I love how it’s different every time. The first time we went to the parks after it had been redone we rode it 4 times that day.

      Reply
  3. Leah Joan says

    October 5, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    Another tip: it helps if you’re wearing a birthday or “first visit” pin, which you can get from any Disney employee!

    Reply
  4. Smarty says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    Sit in the last row 3 from the right ^o^

    Reply
  5. Steven Good says

    January 19, 2016 at 7:05 am

    Also, try wearing a funny hat. That worked for me. xD

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      January 19, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      Ha yes, that can definitely make you stand out!

      Reply
  6. Sean Thomas says

    February 8, 2016 at 11:03 pm

    I was selected as the spy this last weekend. My girlfriend and I were wearing our Han Solo/Leia shirts (“I love you” “I know”), and I made sure to take my jacket off and sit so that my shirt was clearly visible.

    So I think that wearing a Star Wars themed shirt may make the cast member more inclined to pick you.

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      February 9, 2016 at 12:08 am

      That’s another great idea!

      Reply
  7. stetnieb says

    November 28, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    The only time i knew the person chosen was actually 1 of my all time fav wdw memories ever. we were a group of 12 (grandparents, parents & kids) and my 70-yr-old father was chosen as the rebel spy!! Biggest laugh by all – even him..it was hilarious. Of course I bought him the t-shirt at the end. I’ve been back on this ride many times since & I’ve nvr been chosen nor anyone with me again. But everytime a rebel spy is chosen it’s still fun for me & i go back to that great memory!

    BTW..My dad went back last year again & rode it with my mom…can you believe he was chosen again! I missed it that time but my mom says it was classic.

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      November 30, 2016 at 2:05 pm

      That is such a great story and wonderful memory for you all to have! It sounds like your father must actually be the rebel spy to be picked every time, haha!

      Reply
  8. Katherine Fromm says

    April 25, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    I was selected as the rebel spy when I was there this past weekend!! I was with my children in a group of four and I was totally shocked when I saw my picture on the screen!! I kinda freaked and was like omg that’s me!!!!!! And I really have no idea why I was the one picked. I did have a super bright orange romper on so maybe I just stood out, but it came as a complete surprise! Great ride! It was such a thrill, can’t wait to go back!! I love WDW❤️

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      June 28, 2017 at 8:42 pm

      Yay, isn’t it so exciting? I love that they do extra little things like that, it truly stands out and makes the trip so special!

      Reply
  9. Jenn @ Fairest Run of All says

    December 30, 2017 at 12:42 am

    I was picked when I wore my tiger hat! I bet having something unique about your person helps.

    Reply
    • Becky @ Disney in your Day says

      December 30, 2017 at 2:27 am

      Awesome! That probably helps too. I’ve seen a couple of kids get picked wearing something Star Wars related!

      Reply
  10. Grace says

    December 6, 2021 at 10:32 pm

    My almost sure fire way to get picked is to do your hair in Leia buns (if possible) it worked 3 times all on the same day and made the experience extra special for my family and also the people on the ride with us!!

    Reply
    • Becky says

      January 23, 2022 at 11:55 am

      Ooh, that’s a great tip, I love it! I think if they notice you wearing something Star Wars related or doing something like that it also gives you an edge.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. In Case You Missed It: March 19, 2014 | FOOD · FITNESS · FANTASY says:
    March 19, 2014 at 1:26 am

    […] in Your Day offers tips on how to get picked as the rebel spy on Star Tours! I’m always on that attraction by myself; no wonder I’ve never been […]

    Reply
  2. Thank you for a great 2014! | Disney in Your Day says:
    December 31, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    […] 3.  How to be picked as the rebel spy on Star Tours […]

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About Me

Hi, I'm Becky!

I'm a huge Disney fan in my early 30's and always trying to find a way to put a little bit of Disney into everyday life. I live in Pennsylvania but travel to the theme parks several times a year - I'm an annual passholder at Disney World! In addition to Disney I love traveling, running, and theater.

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