Saturday, December 22, 2012

Scott And Carol Present - Stars Wars At Legoland Florida




Having been open for just over one year, Legoland Florida has breathed new life into Winterhaven. There is also a waterpark, open during the summer season. 


Here is a fisheye view of the massive Miniland, from the eating deck outside the restaurant. 


It's not hard to find the new Star Wars displays, you just have to follow the pennants. 


This video, courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine, demonstrates the exciting opening. Too bad it was just 2 days before we arrived at Orlando for IAAPA 2012. 



Episode I: Naboo is one of the most geographically varied planets in the Star Wars movies. This scene depicts the Battle of Naboo and the capital Theed – both the Royal Palace and the hangar can be seen. The space ship moves while the battle rages on in the hanger...


In this battle scene, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn encounter and fight the Sith apprentice, Darth Maul.


Episode II: Geonosis: In this scene, visitors have a fantastic view of the Geonosis arena, in which Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker battle ferocious creatures...


Witness the clash between Count Dooku’s droid army and the Grand Army of the Republic.



Episode III: Kashyyyk and Mustafar: In this scene, two planets are revealed: Kashyyyk and Mustafar. On one side, you'll be placed right into the Battle of Kashyyyk – the home of Chewbacca and the Wookiees. Here you'll discover fantastic vehicles modeled from LEGO bricks, such as the massive Clone Turbo Tank...


On the other side, catch a glimpse of the fateful duel on Mustafar between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Mechanically animated, you can hear the sounds of the lightsabers.


Episode IV: Tatooine: Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO and R2-D2 can be spotted in this desert planet, Tatooine. Here you'll discover Uncle Owen’s moisture farm, where Luke Skywalker lived as a child; peek inside the Cantina where the animated Cantina Band plays...


and stand above the spaceport where the largest LEGO model of Han Solo's famous starship, the Millennium Falcon, blasts off. For some of the displays you push a button to start is, while others have passive sensors to detect passersby.

Episode V: Hoth: The Rebels take refuge on this icy planet, Hoth, but the Empire tracks them down and the Rebels are forced to flee. This scene features LEGO models of the Imperial AT-ATs, Rebel snowspeeders...


and Luke Skywalker’s X-wing starfighter. Look closely and you'll see Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia.



Episode VI: Endor - Next we travel to a forest moon and home of the Ewoks, who fight against the Imperial Forces alongside the Rebels. The Endor system plays a key role in Return of the Jedi as the site of the Battle of Endor, fought to prevent construction of the second Death Star. This scene presents the final victory of the Rebel Alliance over the Empire.


Here you can view a large-scale model of an Imperial shuttle on its landing platform, delivering a fearsome passenger - the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader. 


The Clone Wars: Christophsis - The seventh area brings us to a scene from the animated series The Clone Wars on the planet Christophsis. Chronologically, the series takes place between Episode II and Episode III and focuses on the adventures of Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The LEGO scene depicts part of the planet’s surface...


with the largest of all LEGO Star Wars models: an approximately 8-foot tall building from the Crystal City. You will also see a scene showing a battle between Separatist battle droids and Republic clone troopers, complete with smoke from the explosions.


While previously at Legoland Florida all by himself, Darth Vader now occupies part of the plaza on the edge of Miniland. He never said how he felt about the move...


Everyone's favorite robot, R2 D2 is artificial life sized and standing close to Darth Vader. Luckily he is not mobile, else he would scurry far away and nobody could take a picture with him. So our thanks to Samantha, who made this Legoland Florida update possible. And a really big thanks to the modelers of Legoland, who made all these cool displays. It just has to be the best job around. May the Force be with you!


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