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Saturday, May 31, 2014

Star Wars Weekends: Legends of the Force Motorcade - 5/30/2014

In 2014 I attended my first Star Wars Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios. One of the featured events during each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of each Weekend is the Legends of the Force Motorcade, which features Disney characters in Star Wars costumes, a variety of characters from the Star Wars movies, and several visiting celebrities. I saw this parade and accompanying stage from from a VIP viewing area as part of the Feel the Force Premium Package.

Prior to the show Boba Fett and stormtroopers patrol the event stage

Your hosts for the motorcade announce each character as they take to the street (though their commentary was out of sync with what I was seeing, since my viewing spot was near the end of the parade route)







An X-wing pilot led off the parade

The Disney stars were on hand




Jedi Training Academy padawan got to march down the street and watch the parade from right in front of the stage










The Empire was well represented


And, the Dark Side made its presence felt








Quite a variety of stormtroopers and other Imperial forces were part of the parade












This character turned the tables on the many photographers in the crowd

The sand people didn't appear to be walking in single to conceal their numbers


Jawas could also be found on the Streets of America and the Star Wars Din-In Galactic Breakfast






This Wookie (I believe the announcers said it was female), led the procession of "good guys"

Assorted Jedi


More Rebel Forces







R2-D2 rolled down the parade root






Ahsoka Tano ...

... followed by the voice of Ahsoka Tano, Ashley Eckstein, a participant in each 2014 Star Wars Weekend



Taylor Gray, voice of Ezra Bridger in Star Wars Rebels

Sabine Wren, from Star Wars Rebels

Chopper, from Star Wars Rebels






Ray Park, who played Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace and also appeared in A Visit to the Maul during the weekend



John Ratzenberger, best known as Cliff Clavin in Cheers and for his appearances in many Pixar films, also had a small role in The Empire Strikes Back









James Arnold Taylor hosted the brief stage show following the Motorcade and most of the other events of the weekend. In addition to his numerous Star Wars hosting duties and other voiceover work, Taylor is know as the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in several animated forms.

Still the most recognizable character in the Star Wars universe, Darth Vader was last to appear in the parade






On stage for the brief post-parade stage show

Despite my VIP location for the Motorcade, I was still behind quite a few people when the stage show began

Scenes around the stage













A photo opportunity, with the stars of the Motorcade

Show's over when this guy says it is