Surreal moment!!!

[tarheelalum]

So, now that I’m back home, the whole story:

A totally random set of circumstances led to me being on Star Tours at that exact moment, and I almost changed my mind multiple times! But thankfully I didn’t (the force must have led me-wait, that’s not how the force works)!

When I got to the front of the queue, I was sent down to Gate D along with other people around me. Something felt weird because there was a group of people standing along one of the walls and another couple of Disney execs (no one I recognized, they just had the aura of authority) on the other wall. I began to think maybe they were famous (they were filming for the Christmas special today too), but didn’t recognize anyone. I also saw someone with a small professional video camera and a sign for Disney Filming by our gate. The CMs filled up all other rows except for the first one, and led the group of people onto that one.

We boarded and for buckled in, and I realized we didn’t have the preshow video at the gate. There also was an empty seat, front row center. I also noticed a couple GoPros in the shuttle. Originally I figured, probably some Disney Channel Star they are filming going on rides for the Christmas special. Maybe, at best, it could be Idina Menzel or Kristen Bell, who were singing later that night.

A CM stayed up at the front, with a clipboard. I don’t remember his full spiel, but once he started talking more about Star Wars I started to get suspicious. He then pointed out the empty chair and called over our last passenger. Because of where I was sitting I had a perfect view down the front row catwalk and almost immediately recognized Mark Hamill’s silhouette! I definitely gave a loud gasp and my jaw dropped to the floor!

Everyone went crazy! Just sooo many screams and phones being pulled out! I did take a couple quick photos, but wanted to be more in the moment, so didn’t film the whole interaction.

Mark was sooo nice! Constantly making jokes, and just seemed so genuinely happy to make us so excited! He took a selfie and Disney took some more photos. I will have to see if I end up in any of those, but I was sitting all the way to the end of a row, so maybe not! (He also rode it a couple times-I think twice because the CMs at the end said there will only be 100 people who ride with him.)

Some funny SW jokes:
-Took a poll about if people thought Luke would have any lines in the next movie
-The rows are numbered 1-5, with 5 being the front row. When he realized that, he said that was weird and it must really be in a galaxy far, far away!
-There was a slight delay getting the ride started, and he turned to us all and said “I have a bad feeling about this!”

Of course Mark was the Rebel Spy! He warned us that is a spoiler for Episode 8! And in case you are wondering, we got Hoth/BB-8/Geonosis as our sequence.

Afterwards, he thanked us and ran out before anyone could take photos or bother him (understandably so). CMs also stopped everyone to get us to sign waivers so they could post videos to social media!

When I left I was in such a daze! Just absolutely amazing! I honestly don’t know if any experience will ever top that one!
(I would end up seeing Idina and Kristen perform later that night, which was pretty cool too, but nothing compared to Star Tours!)

Now that was a trip report !

 

[SteveMP]

So totally awesome! Glad it happened to someone who could appreciate it!!

I follow Mark on Twitter, he is great, I like how he embraces the whole star wars culture and knows he is a huge part of it, and realises it is so much more than just an acting gig he once did.

Same here, have seen him retweet spoofs and stuff that would probably make other celebs mad.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

This makes me so happy!

 

[Frozen2014]

Wow...that is so cool! Thanks for sharing. So happy for you that you had some amazing unexpected magic!

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, I'm not even a big Star Wars person, but that is FREAKING AWESOME!

 

[WonkaKid]

Very, very, very cool! So lucky!

 

[disneydreamer74]

OMG!! I am so jelly!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[xlsm]

Oh my gosh, I just saw the video on Instagram this morning and sent it to my husband. I am so excited that happened while you were riding, OMG!!

 

[JJZMgailey]

Here's a quick story I wrote over on wdwinfo.com that includes official video!!

So fun that you were there and saw, OP!!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...ar-tours-attraction-at-the-disneyland-resort/

 

[DnA2010]

This is so cool, thanks for sharing!

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I would have burst into tears! What an amazing experience!

 

[Gretchen1973]

What a fantastic day you had! That is so awesome!

 

[mnmrmustard]

Pure Awesomeness - a story you can tell around the campfire (or spaceport) for years to come!

 

[Tink1987]

That is sooooo cool! You are so lucky - what a memory to treasure forever!

 

[BrianL]

Amazing! That must have been so cool. All the celebs hang out at Disneyland, ha ha!

 

[figment_jii]

That's cool! Talk about being at right place at the right time...soooo lucky! Thanks for the report.

 

[jlhinvegas]

Wow! What a great experience. As someone who grew up on the original SW series - I would have loved seeing him!

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Wow how COOL!!!!!

 

[lurpee]

I just got off Star Tours and rode with LUKE SKYWALKER!!!! Mark Hamill was the rebel spy! It was filmed for social media!

I’m honestly in such a daze right now (so that’s how I also just spent $120 on Star Wars clothing)... The most surreal moment of my life!

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I also just realized they had gopros everywhere as we boarded and I was the first one on, managing to hit my legs on all the seats! So-that will be amusing if it makes it on the video!

That is awesome!!!

 

[JenniferFolsomCa]

Lucky!!!