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!)
That is awesome!
