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both the front and rear of the vehicles. Essentially, Disney’s Imagineers utilized a motion simulator as part of the attraction’s pre-show!
Once the ITS takes flight, Lieutenant Bek provides a greeting to the Resistance recruits as trouble quickly ensues. Specifically, a swarm of TIE Fighters surrounds the ITS. Shots are fired in all directions between the TIE Fighters and the X-Wings as Poe commands the squadron. Unfortunately, Poe’s wingmen are destroyed as First Order Star Destroyers appear in the distance. As Poe realizes the crew is facing dire odds, he decides to retreat for reinforcements and says, “Don’t worry! I will come back for you! Stay strong!”
The ITS is pulled into the Star Destroyer by a tractor beam and, following Poe’s somewhat worrisome last words, a First Order officer now appears on the ITS video screens: Officer: Hello vessel TR141. Identify yourselves and prepare to be
boarded.
Bek: This TR141, we are a civilian vessel. By whose authority are we
being detained?
[General Hux appears on the screen]
Hux: By the authority of the First Order, Resistance scum. Now bring down your shields and prepare to boarded.”
As a somber mood overcomes the ride vehicle, which is now being pulled inside the Star Destroyer, Bek provides
solemn guidance to the new recruits:
“They will want the location of our secret base. Tell them nothing. The future of the Resistance is at stake. I have a bad feeling about this...stand back from those doors!”
Stepping Inside a Star Destroyer
Part of what makes the effect of stepping off the ITS and into the Star Destroyer so convincing is that you actually exit from the same ITS door that they first boarded the ship through. This is accomplished through a turntable inside the ITS that rotates, much like Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, in conjunction with the video footage shown inside the vehicle, while the exterior of the ITS remains static.
Upon exiting the ITS, you see what is, in my opinion, the most visually stunning area in any Walt Disney World attraction: the massive hangar bay of a First Order Star Destroyer. The room includes a huge 100-foot wide window (video screen) that looks out into space, showing other Star Destroyers and TIE Fighters in the distance. A large and formidable garrison of 50 First Order Stormtroopers stands in front of the window awaiting commands. Pay close attention to the Stormtroopers, as you will see subtle head turns, nudges, and other small movements. As if that were not enough, a life-size TIE Fighter is docked to the
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