Taking The Kids: To a galaxy far, far away, with Disney
Darth Vader thinks I'm a spy. "I sense that your loyalty is not with the Empire," Darth Vader declares.
"We are looking for a Rebel Spy. Perhaps it is you..."
I'm speechless. You would be too with a menacing Darth haranguing you behind his black helmet and costume. But then I laugh and we pose for a picture. This is Disneyland, after all, at its immersive best.
Welcome to Star Wars Season of the Force, a new celebration of all things "Star Wars" unveiled at Disneyland, along with its holiday attractions in the midst of the park's 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration and just before "Star Wars Episode VII" is set to debut in theaters Dec. 18.
By the time I met Darth Vader, I'd already blasted through the galaxy during a battle between Rebel X-wings and Imperial TIE fighters on Hyperspace Mountain, journeyed to a new destination on Star Tours-The Adventures Continue and relived iconic moments from the films in the Tomorrowland Theater during "Star Wars: Path of the Jedi."
(A tip: Expect big crowds. Plan to arrive early and immediately get your FastPass for Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours -- The Adventures Continue or they will be gone for the day.)
I sample a First Order Specialty Burger on a dark bun, sip a brightly colored drink with a light-up Death Star and nibble Darth by Chocolate for dessert, all the while considering if my budget could spring for a life-sized $9,000 Storm Trooper statue. Perhaps my own "Star Wars" personalized smartphone case would be a better bet -- or a light saber I build myself.
In case you didn't know, Disney now owns Lucasfilm -- George Lucas, of course, is the creator of "Star Wars" -- and there has, perhaps, never been such a cross-promotion involving a film franchise, new theme park attractions on both coasts and on the Disney Cruise Line and merchandise. Need some "Star Wars" boxers or maybe a skirt decorated with a light saber design?
"It's a new golden age for 'Star Wars,'" said Brent Strong, a creative director of Disney Imagineering, who has been a lead on the project in the two parks and admits he has a collection of droids (you can design your own in the park) in his office. He believes there is something for fans of all ages here -- those who grew up with the movies and young fans who know the Disney Infinity video game and TV series.
Strong said Disney's creative teams have been working on this for the past 15 months, adding more of a story arc to Space Mountain, for example. "It's like stepping into the 'Star Wars' world," he said.
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