The ever popular STAR WARS Weekends started last Friday (21st. May and run through until June 11 - 13

Held at Disneys Hollywood Studios, it unbelievably celebrates it’s 30th. year getting more and more popular as the years go by. The  Jedi Knights, Sith Lords and Star Wars are all there for special shows, presentations and photo opportunities. There is no need for you to travel to another Universe or Galaxy to come face to face with droids, alien creatures and Star Wars characters.

The young ones can have fights with their lightsabers (naturallly on sale!!!) and prepare to do battle with Darth Vader. There are prize giveaways, rides on a Starspeeder and a parade of distant Worlds.Plus, there are plenty of conversations, autograph sessions and motorcades with the celebrities and creators.

 This year’s celebrity hosts for all 4 weekends are Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) and Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka) where you can choose from either the Light Side or the Dark Side of the Force to hear a special message from a Star Wars character inviting you to be a part of this special event!

This is a must for all STAR WAR Fans. A good tip is to grab a FASTPASS before the Park opens to ensure your place in line for celebrity autographs.You will see the autograph FASTPASS kiosk outside the Front Gate entrance, be early as they will go fast and ther numbers are limited.

Each day ends with the Hyperspace Hoopla! show, where many favorites let loose with music, comedy, dancing and more. With Ewoks, Wookiees, stormtroopers, Jawas and more invading all yoiu young Padawan Learners and their parents would be wise to have your  cameras ready.It all sounds great to us old Grandparents, just wish we were over there.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

Mary & Larry

There was no respite as the earthquake worsened, and now the tanker was leaking fuel. Soon the power lines could resist no longer and came crashing to the ground sending sparks dancing in all directions. Rivers of gasoline were ignited and within seconds the truck exploded in a huge fire ball.

The rain had been relentless and without any further warning a flash flood hurtled down the canyon walls towards us. The foaming wall of water threatens our very existence but mercifully stops just short of our tram. As the cascade subsides we can see that the fires have been extinguished and the ground is no longer shaking…but it had been a close call.

This was Catastrophe Canyon, the highlight of Hollywood Studios Back Lot Tour.

The excitement begins after exiting the Harbour Attack special effects movie shoot and as you board the tram there is no inkling of the terror you are about to face.

In fact, at this time, your knowledgeable guide is happy to point out photo opportunities for the iconic Earful Tower and bombard you with a plethora of mesmerising statistics about its height and weight.

Even moving on through the Boneyard which is home to a number of props from some major film successes such as Star Wars, Herbie the Love Bug and Pirates of the Caribbean,  there was still no indication of what dangers lay ahead.

Then we slowly turned the corner and entered through the narrow walls of the canyon ….you know what happened next.

The fascinating thing, after the flash flood subsides, is to watch the whole set reset itself ready for the next tram load of unsuspecting guests.

Our ride continues around the back of Catastrophe Canyon where the huge tanks and water canon are housed. Another chance for our guide to shower us (forgive the pun) with more mind blowing facts and figures. But it was interesting to understand how the special effects were performed.

Towards the end of the ride the tram passes an old Dakota aircraft affectionately known as ‘The Mouse’. This, we are informed, was the original plane that Walt Disney flew in when looking for the ideal location in Florida to build his theme park dream.

We are returned to our start point and guide bids us a cheery farewell.

It had certainly been an eventful trip.