Disney Announces All-New Star Wars Virtual Reality Experience at Downtown Disney and Disney Springs

The opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney theme parks might still be years away, but for […]

September 5, 2017, 2:37pm

The opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney theme parks might still be years away, but for fans hoping to step into the world of Star Wars as soon as possible, you’ll be able to with the virtual reality experience “Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire” this holiday season.

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Announced on StarWars.com today, the experience, which will be located in Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort and Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, will “allow fans to move freely in an untethered, social, and multi-sensory experience, including interaction with friends, fans, and Star Wars characters.” The experience comes from a collaboration between ILMxLAB and THE VOID.

“At THE VOID, we combine the magic of illusions, advanced technology and virtual reality to create fully immersive social experiences that take guests to new worlds,” Curtis Hickman, co-founder and chief creative officer at THE VOID, explained. “A truly transformative experience is so much more than what you see with your eyes; it’s what you hear, feel, touch, and even smell. Through the power of THE VOID, guests who step into Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire won’t just see this world, they’ll know that they are part of this amazing story.“

“At ILMxLAB, we want people to step inside the worlds of our stories,” Vicki Dobbs Beck, executive in charge of ILMxLAB, divulged. “Through our collaboration with THE VOID, we can make this happen as guests become active participants in an unfolding Star Wars adventure. By combining Lucasfilm’s storytelling expertise with cutting-edge imagery, and immersive sound from the team at Skywalker Sound, while invoking all the senses, we hope to truly transport all those who experience Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire to a galaxy far, far away.”

With The Last Jedi hitting theaters this December, it’s unclear if the experience will incorporate elements from the new film of primarily feature familiar elements from the franchise, but stay tuned for future updates.

The Last Jedi will hit theaters on December 15.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the second film in the new Star Wars sequel trilogy that began with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. The film will deal with Luke training Rey to become a, and possibly the last, Jedi. Meanwhile, the Resistance, including Poe Dameron and First Order defector Finn, continues to fight against the First Order, led by General Hux, while Supreme Leader Snoke and his Dark Side follower Kylo Ren continue their mysterious plot.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran.