Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire (DLR)

[Viator]

Officially revealed today, Lucasfilm announced that they; alongside IMLxLab and TheVoid will be bringing a brand new Star Wars HR experience at Disneyland Resort in California, and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire Hyper-Reality Experience Coming This Holiday Season | StarWars.com

Star Wars Multi-Player VR Experience Coming to Disneyland Resorts | Variety

The new experiences will open to the public at a new location at Downtown Disney at California, and Disney Springs in Florida. No official date was given, and that there will be more news in the coming months.

For those unaware of The Void, The Void has been a rising chain of places to try unique HR experiences at locations like Dubai, New York, London, and Toronto Canada, that has included a Ghostbusters HR experience.

What do you think? Are you interested to see what happens with the partnership between the three, alongside it being at Disney Property? And if so, do you want to see it potentially canon to the Star Wars universe? Comment below!!

 

[Yabbadabba Doh]

LOL - we posted threads at exactly the same time.

As I asked in my thread, is this a new, long-term venue or a popup experience?

 

[Viator]

LOL - we posted threads at exactly the same time.

As I asked in my thread, is this a new, long-term venue or a popup experience?

I have to assume it's long-term, and that I am not surprised. Me and Justyn accidentally setted up the Ash vs. Evil Dead thread's for Hollywood when that was announced, so it doesn't phased me.

As for locations, I have to wonder if this is the replacement for Build a Bear and Ridemakerz.

 

[Yabbadabba Doh]

Oh wait, you posed in DLR side, mine is in DS side, so all is good. Wonder where there is space in DS for this?

 

[LieutLaww]

I am sure they will shoehorn it in somewhere

 

[Viator]

I am sure they will shoehorn it in somewhere

Considering that The Void seemed to use a bit more space than one would think; I almost have to think it'll be more carefully handled than just to shoehorn it in, as I also think it's for the long haul.

Meanwhile, if you have never seen their work..

 

[LieutLaww]

I wonder when it will open

 

[HereWeGo]

That actually seems really cool.

 

[k_peek_2000]

I wonder when it will open

The article in the OP literally says "coming this holiday season" haha.

I can see them erecting a giant tent like the Blade Runner Experience at SDCC. I'm not sure where else they could possibly put it. Unless they put it in one of the soon to be vacant shops during they transform the building into a restaurant? The article mentions two new "VOID Experience Centers".

With that said, The Void is probably the best VR company in the world. It'll surely be an amazing experience.

 

[HereWeGo]

I'm curious if this will be a permanent thing or not.

Also what do we think the cost of this bad boy will be?

 

[Viator]

I'm curious if this will be a permanent thing or not.

Also what do we think the cost of this bad boy will be?

If it's anything like The Void's Ghostbusters Hyper-Reality attraction at NYC; it'd be under 60.

Which, when you think about it; mades potential sense due to what is required to make it work, as essentially you are renting their products while you are in any particular VOID attraction.

 

[Viator]

TheOCRegister is reporting that Fossil and Vault 28 will be closed to make way for SotE.

 

[k_peek_2000]

They're really trying hard to kill Downtown Disney....

 

[UNIrd]

Vault 28 was a decent store. Too bad.

 

[Viator]

Secrets of The Empire Tickets are now on sale, with the new experience opening on January 5th, next year.

Tickets Available Now for Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire Hyper-Reality Experience by ILMxLAB and The VOID | Disney Parks Blog

 

[JunoSynth]

Secrets of The Empire Tickets are now on sale, with the new experience opening on January 5th, next year.

Tickets Available Now for Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire Hyper-Reality Experience by ILMxLAB and The VOID | Disney Parks Blog

Looks pretty neat.

I sure hope this technology is better than that "The Repository" junk.

 

[Skubersky]

Looks pretty neat.

I sure hope this technology is better than that "The Repository" junk.

Repository was from VRCade, which also did the Ghost Town VR at Knotts. This is The Void, which is a much better free roaming system like Zero Latency’s at Pointe Orlando.

 

[Viator]

Repository was from VRCade, which also did the Ghost Town VR at Knotts. This is The Void, which is a much better free roaming system like Zero Latency’s at Pointe Orlando.

Perhaps it's also wise to mention that VOID has also done Ghostbusters at Madame; which as far as I understand, has received rave reviews. And that is more expensive than SoTE.

 

[Chris]

I have done this experience and I must admit it is first class! Two Thumbs WAY up!

 

[Viator]

I want to post some quick thoughts of Secrets of The Empire, as I got the chance to experience it at The Venetian at Las Vegas, and some notes.

• The Glasses-Friendly aspect of Secrets of The Empire was great for me as someone who has prescription glasses for seeing. Made it work rather nicely for what was shown.
• The effects felt in the environment was outstanding, as at multiple times, it felt like I was there. Perhaps it was just more of how they had the effects strapped onto you.
• The visuals are extremely impressive, and lends itself very nicely. You feel like you are in that portion of the galaxy, even for a slight moment.
• I wish it was a longer experience, as while it was appealing to me as a Star Wars fan, I can see why people may find it as a rip-off in the amount of time in the VR.
• The ending was outstanding, and for me, was absolutely worth the experience.
• Some of the controls in the experience were a bit off in how they responded, but I have to give them credit where credit is due (when used effectively)

Overall: For my first true foray into VR, VOID did a great (but somewhat flawed) job in Secret's of The Empire. I want to see what they can do in horror, or hell; Marvel Entertainment, as there is a lot of potential in VR, especially if it's done in a way like this.

Grading - 8/10