The VOID's Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire Now Open in Anaheim
by Doug Marsh | Jan 9, 2018 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Tags: Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney, Star Wars, The VOID
Downtown Disney Anaheim welcomed a new guest experience on Friday, January 5th. The VOID debuted the west coast version of the hyper-reality adventure Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire that is already open at Disney Springs in Orlando. The attraction is a joint venture of ILMxLAB and Utah based The VOID.
The Void at Downtown Disney Anaheim
Hosting the ceremony was Disneyland Ambassador Mikey Trujillo. Welcoming The VOID to Downtown Disney was Director Todd Bennett. Executive in Charge Vicki Dobbs Beck and Executive Creative Producer Mark Miller shared perspectives from ILMxLAB, part of Industrial Light and Magic in San Francisco. CEO Cliff Plumer and CCO Curtis Hickman represented The VOID.
Before the ribbon cutting, there was an inevitable visit from a group of stormtroopers. The quartet threatened the crowd before finding at least one suspected rebel. Fortunately, most guests had been equipped with lightsabers, so the confrontation was kept to a minimum. Immediately following the ceremony, a large group of creative personnel and executives gathered for photos.
Disneyland Ambassador Mikey Trujillo welcomes the crowd
Downtown Disney Director Todd Bennett
Curtis Hickman (Chief Creative Officer and co-founder) and Cliff Plumer (CEO) of The Void
Vicki Dobbs Beck (Executive in Charge) and Mark Miller (Executive Creative Producer) of ILMxLAB
Opening day cast members watched the opening ceremony
Storm troopers made an appearance during the event
There was at least one rebel in the crowd
The ribbon cutting
Secrets of the Empire is a hyper-reality experience. While some aspects are familiar, the overall experience is a unique combination. Guests will not only see and hear what is happening but also engage in other ways as well.
The premise of Secrets of the Empire will be familiar to fans of the Star Wars films. Guests are dispatched through the experience in teams of up to four. Shortly after registering and receiving a coded wristband, teams are briefed, with the type of exposition that is usually related a little over halfway through the average movie. In this case, the group is needed to help recover a container that is being held by the Empire. A tracking device has been placed, and the team, disguised as stormtroopers, will locate it after shuttling to an Imperial facility on the planet Mustafar.
[td_block_video_youtube playlist_title="The VOID Grand Opening (Downtown Disney)" playlist_yt="ysvetnzkKVk,uHSNm7iSeNo,xbrIJdu6Gn0″ playlist_auto_play="0″]
Following the briefing, guests suit up, receiving vests and helmets. Once goggles and ear pieces are in place, virtual reality is augmented with sets that lead the group through a series of environments, while avoiding pitfalls and battling with Imperial troops. While gliding over the surface of Mustafar one can feel the heat. There are seats in the shuttles, doors that need to be opened, and blasters that can be picked up and carried from room to room. Some of the sights are familiar, as are some of the characters encountered along the way. And, of course, we do learn the contents of the container, but only after a very close encounter with an iconic villain.
A look inside the lobby of The Void
Registration area
The suiting up room
Vests and helmets are hung in groups of four
A closer look at the vest and helmet used in The Void
A publicity image for Secrets of the Empire, showing the team gliding across the surface of Mustafar
Another publicity image showing a battle scene
Guests can leave immediate feedback at this kiosk in the lobby
Admission for Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire is $29.95 per person, although handling charges makes it a total cost of $32.80. There is a small selection of souvenirs available in the lobby ticketing area. Guests are also offered an option to purchase a photo in souvenir folder for $15.00, which includes a digital download.
A group of opening day rebels
Souvenir photo in folder
A group shot of many in the creative team
Curtis Hickman of The Void and Mark Miller of ILMxLAB
Disneyland Ambassador Mikey Trujillo
Some of the souvenirs available in The Void
Laughing Place recommends MouseFanTravel.com for all your Disneyland Resort travel planning
"Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire"…
Tickets Available for Star Wars: Secrets of the…
The VOID at Disneyland Resort is Hiring for Opening Team
The VOID Bringing "Star Wars: Secrets of the…