What the Star Wars VR Experience at Downtown Disney Is Really Like
We entered into a small room in Anaheim decked out in concrete slabs adorned with ancient runes — quite fitting for a Rebel hideout. We were welcomed into the Rebel Alliance, filled out foreboding "don't sue us if you die in here" waivers and were prompted to use the force to open a nearby door to receive our mission briefing (a friendly castmember used a button to open the automatic door, but I swear I felt something when I waved my hand).
Ushered into the next room, our small group of four would-be rebels stood in rank file before a floor-to-ceiling video screen. Upon scanning our nifty new wristbands, the screen flashed to life and we were greeted by a familiar face: Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) from Rogue One. He briefed us on our mission (I won't spoil it, but it involves collecting some precious cargo while undercover as Stormtroopers) and were ready to be fitted for our spec-ops assignment.
Rows of backpack vests and helmets hung from the ceiling in the next room,...
With our backpacks strapped and our visors on, my team and I stood in a small corridor that magically transformed into a docking bay straight out of an Imperial cruiser. For me, a VR novice, this was incredible enough. Clearly I underestimated the technology's power. A door opened to our left and, lo and behold, we walked through it.
To my surprise, and my cohorts, the remainder of the VR experience was not us simply sitting in this transport, as it quickly docked and we were sent on our way to collect our bounty. In what undoubtedly must look hilarious from an outside perspective, my three squadmates and I ambled from room to room (which to us were incredible vistas of lava-filled space worlds and Imperial cruisers) in clunky helmets and tight backpacks, ooh-ing and aah-ing as we gave thumbs up and peace signs to passing creatures and stormtroopers.
Then things got intense. ...
Tickets for Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire are are on sale now at www.thevoid.com for $29.95 at Disney-adjacent locations.
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