Star Wars Celebration
attendees reflect on the franchise’s history and look to the Star Wars land set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019.
Four decades after its debut, the “Star Wars” franchise inspires fans to stand in long, hot lines, camp overnight in a convention center, dress up like ewoks and get sentimental.
The crowd assembled for Star Wars Celebration looked back Thursday, the first day of the four-day gathering at Orange County Convention Center, and peered forward toward a starry future at Walt Disney World.
The event’s first panel, dubbed “40 Years of Star Wars” included appearances by mastermind George Lucas alongside actors Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, plus a tribute to the late Carrie Fisher.
Some attendees spanned the generations of the film series.
“I was a kid when I saw it in the theater in ’77,” said Clermont’s Cary Ursey, who came dressed as a Jedi master, complete with lightsaber, Thursday. “Now my daughter, she’s dressed as Rey from [2015’s] ‘The Force Awakens’ movie. My wife actually made my outfit and her outfit,” Ursey said.
He and his 15-year-old daughter Katie had wish lists for “Star Wars” elements they’d like to see when a land devoted to the franchise opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in 2019. They want thrill rides and more character interaction.
“Something, maybe, for an older audience,” Katie Ursey suggested. “I’d like to see a roller coaster like Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. … As much as it aims to the little kids, there’s a lot of fans that grew up with ‘Star Wars.’ ”
Among the upcoming park experiences announced by Walt Disney Co. is the ability to pilot the Millennium Falcon ship. A similar “Star Wars” project is underway in California for Disneyland.
“I can’t wait for something like that because I’ve always wanted to do that,” said Jenna Famiglietta of Orlando, attending her first Star Wars Celebration decked out in a dress inspired by BB-8, the round droid from “The Force Awakens.” Her initial “Star Wars” attraction was a family affair.
“My dad had the movies on VHS,” she said. “I immediately fell in love with it.”
Joanna Kucharska traveled from Poland to Orlando for the event. She attended Star Wars Celebration in London last year.
“I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t watching ‘Star Wars,’ ” she said. “My father was a big fan. I think my first early memory of watching anything was ‘Return of the Jedi.’ ”
She dabbled in the prequel trilogy as a child, going to the theater dressed as Padme Amidala. On Thursday, she wore an orange and white ensemble.
“This is a dress based on a x-wing pilot uniform,” Kucharska said.
During her Florida trip, she visited Hollywood Studios. Moving forward, she hoped for additional meet and greets, she said.
“I love the interactivity with the characters,” she said.
An immersive environment appeals to Todd Felton, a San Diego resident dressed as Han Solo as seen in 1977. (Also in his suitcase: costumes for an xwing pilot and a scout trooper.)
He said he trusted Disney’s Imagineers to come up with “cool” experiences in the land, and he liked a rumor about roving droids.
“Not somebody there with a controller,” he said. “Almost like a Roomba, where it senses people and goes a different direction.”
Ted Healey came from Toronto with friends Doug Cottrell, David Tennant and Michel Paquette. They wore hoods that formed ewok faces and tank tops.
“You’ve got to dress up; you’ve got to show your fandom,” Healey said. “We didn’t want to do something hot and crazy.”
The plans for Star Wars land suited him.
“There’s a bit of a mystery of what’s coming in there as well,” he said. “I like that they’re keeping some stuff under wraps.”