Page 78 - CelebrationsSpring2020

and the First Order begins. The combination of laser- mapped projection effects, LED effects, and physical elements such as holes in the ship’s walls, false walls that are opened and illuminated to reveal significant battle damage, sparks, and smoke all combine to convince you that the blaster fire exchanged between the First Order and the Resistance is authentic.
Amidst the blaster fire, the ride vehicles take evasive action. As Bek instructs you to “find an alternate route,” the ride vehicles then enter one of the most jaw-dropping attraction scenes anywhere: a cavernous room where two massive, life-size All Terrain Armored Transport (AT-AT) Walkers peer down at you. It is impossible to accurately describe the enormity of the size and scope of this area. The scene is nothing less than cavernous and jaw dropping, and actually appears even larger than it really is thanks to the use of mirrors at the rear of the room. Even though there are only two actual AT-AT Walkers, a giant mirror in the back of the room make it appear as though there is a doorway leading to more. More Stormtroopers soon converge, and more blaster fire is exchanged, with shots creating sparks on the walls and even on the stationary AT-ATs.
The ride vehicles then move into an elevator shaft mechanism and are lifted up above the ground level. From this vantage point, you can see inside the cockpit of one of the AT-ATs. A First Order Officer and a Stormtrooper inside
that cockpit scramble to mobilize more forces at the sight of the escape attempt. The ride vehicles then back through an upper level opening and into a dark corridor as the familiar voices of Kylo Ren and General Hux can be heard in the distance:
Kylo: The Resistance will attempt to rescue the prisoners.
Hux: They have neither the resources nor the courage to engage us. Kylo: You underestimate their conviction. Raise the shields!
Hux: Shields? I see no evidence...
Kylo: NOW!
At that moment, you find yourself beneath the bridge of the Star Destroyer, with Kylo Ren and General Hux, in Audio- Animatronic form, standing right in front of you! A massive battle between Resistance and First Order ships can also be seen taking place outside of the Star Destroyer thanks to a large window in front of Kylo and Hux:
Hux: Sound the alarm! All personnel to their stations!
First Order Officer: Sir, the prisoners have escaped.
Kylo: How grave. But ultimately hopeless.
Kylo then turns around and comes face to face with your transport. As the ride vehicles retreat, Kylo calmly proclaims, “there is nowhere to run.”
This is where the action picks up, as Kylo begins his pursuit of the escaped prisoners. Doors to an elevator-type mechanism close just as Kylo is about to reach the Resistance escapees. In one of the coolest effects of the attraction, Kylo’s
78 · Celebrations