Star Wars Celebration V, Lucasfilm Ltd.’s official convention for fans of the sci-fi saga, wrapped up Sunday at the Orange County Convention Center, following four days of celebrity presentations, interactive activities, live entertainment, autograph sessions, and merchandise showcases. To coincide with the gathering, Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios hosted the Last Tour to Endor, an after-hours send-off party for the park’s Star Tours flight simulator, on Saturday night.
“The annual Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has become one of our most popular signature events over the past decade,” said Anne Hamilton, vice president of resort sales and services for Disney Destinations. “We know this audience well and were able to create an event that would be just as exhilarating for the Star Wars novice and hardcore fan alike.”
More than 5,000 Star Wars fans, many dressed as their favorite characters, purchased the $75 ticket—or $89 at the door—to check out the Star Tours ride before it closes September 8, to be updated into a 3-D attraction renamed Star Tours II that will open in late spring 2011. The ticket also provided them entry to Hollywood Studios starting at 4 p.m., four hours before the party started.
In addition to all of Hollywood Studios’ usual attractions, the party included Disney characters in Star Wars attire, a Death Star Disco dance area named for the movie's Galactic Empire battle stations, a Star Wars-themed fireworks show, and movie trivia challenges.
The park’s restaurants remained open throughout the night, which ended around 12:50 a.m., following the official closing of the movie attraction.
