Page 76 - CelebrationsSpring2020

right-hand side of the hangar. This area is nothing short of incredible! Fortunately, you are allowed plenty of time to linger in the hangar and, of course, take pictures. Cast Members then lead you down a series of passageways to a holding area for the Star Destroyer’s detention cells. A pair of armed Audio-Animatronic Stormtroopers stand guard over this area.
Cast Members play a critical role in Rise of the Resistance, including the detention cell area. The Cast Members stay in their roles as First Order troops, keep serious looks on their faces at all times, and often refer to Guests as “Resistance scum” or “Resistance spies.”
The hallways of the Star Destroyer are very convincing and look very much like the interior of ships seen in the Star Wars films. Electronic panels and displays of varying shapes and sizes can been seen almost everywhere, along with flashing lights and beacons. First Order troops are constantly monitoring and walking the sterile hallways.
The Detention Cell Interrogation
Once the doors to the detention cell open, you are instructed to enter so that the interrogation process can begin. Once inside the cell, you will see a second floor terrace above the entrance doors. A Stormtrooper stands guard from high atop the terrace and speaks into a communicator that, “prisoners are secure.” The Stormtrooper is convincingly shown through the use of a projection as opposed to Audio-Animatronic form. General Hux then enters and the interrogation begins:
Hux: Leave us.
Trooper: Yes General.
Hux: Enemies of the First Order, we will soon snuff out your meager
Resistance. You chose the wrong side, and now, you will pay. [Kylo Ren enters]
Kylo: You have what I want! [As Kylo raises his hand, the detention cell goes almost completely dark]
Kylo: You know the location of the secret base and I will take it from you. [the lights in the cell come back up]
Hux: You are needed on the bridge.
Kylo: Keep the prisoners here. I will return to finish this personally.
One of the best Imagineering details in the entire attraction can be found in this scene, literally in the shadows. Even though the three characters that appear on the terrace are all represented using projections rather than Audio-Animatronics, Imagineers still worked their magic to have shadows of the characters cast on the bars on
the terrace. This small detail adds tremendous authenticity to the experience.
As both Kylo and Hux depart the detention cell, another projection makes it look as though a laser cuts through a side wall of the room. A freshly cut door opens and a Cast Member yells, “we are with the Resistance, we are going to get you out of here!” (or similar words). Be sure to look back at the door once you pass through it, as the metal from the door has melted away.
Making Your Escape
You’ll next be riding aboard a “First Order Fleet Transport.” These Transports have two rows with each row accommodating four Guests each. An R5 droid is stationed at the front of the Transport to pilot the vessel. The Transports use “trackless technology,” in that they do not travel upon an actual track or predetermined path. This adds a nice surprise factor for the attraction, as you are unable to guess what happens next based on the ride track.
Electronic schematics of the Star Destroyer are displayed on video screens as Finn (in video form) instructs:
“OK, take this corridor...then head down to the escape pod base. Those droids are programmed to return you to Batuu. Hurry and don’t get caught. Lieutenant Bek will guide you.”
As Finn talks, images on the screens showing the Star Destroyer schematics reveal the path that you will follow to actually get to the escape pods. Finally, a set of doors in front of the ride vehicles open and the attraction begins as the transports begin their journey through the industrial corridors of the Star Destroyer.
The ride vehicles pass by a couple of empty ride vehicles (save for the R5 units). You hear an unintelligible robotic inquiry from one of these empty vehicles. Lieutenant Bek’s response makes clear what is going on:
Bek: Tell them it’s a prisoner transfer. [R5 response]
Bek: Did it work? [R5 response].
Bek: Good. Now get a move on!
Although the empty ride vehicles play in well with the
story of the attraction, in reality, they are actually moving from the unload area at the end of the attraction back to the load area that you just departed from.
Lieutenant Bek directs you towards the Star Destroyer’s “turbo lifts.” However, a pair of Stormtroopers spot the escape attempt, and an epic battle between the Resistance
76 · Celebrations
Photo © Disney