Do you hear that? It's the sound of the beautiful John Williams score from each of the Star Wars films, slowly waking you up. You decide to get breakfast and on your way, you run into a Tusken Raider who's utterly confused by the smartphone in your hand. As you turn a corner, a Stormtrooper stops and asks if you're a rebel spy.
No, you're not in a dream but aboard the Disney Fantasy cruise ship featuring a Star Wars Day at Sea. The event is a day-long celebration on eight select sailings this year. We were able to attend the first one ever, courtesy of Disney with all expenses paid, to see if the hype was actually worth it.
Worth it is, as the day is a memory you definitely couldn't forget even if you wanted to. Your journey across this galaxy takes place in every part of the ship, from the pool deck to the dining room. Perhaps best of all, the night ends with a dance party and firework show that would even make Kylo Ren smile.
The good news? Disney is offering this opportunity in a big way next year — it just confirmed that there will be 15 sailing dates in 2017 (up from eight in 2016). If you're already going on the cruise or planning to buy a ticket, don't forget to check out our tips to make the most out of your trip.
Ahead, check out which events and activities you can expect from a full day of living out your Star Wars dreams.
The Personal Navigator is an activity schedule that you receive every night on Disney cruises, outlining all the events you can look forward to. The Star Wars Day at Sea is obviously the most exciting!
Choosing between a location like Alderaan or title like Jedi is so hard to do, but you're happy with either one.
Sith or Jedi? The eternal question.
Throughout the day, the captain of the ship reminds you that they are on the hunt for rebels. The Stormtroopers take their job seriously and "arrest" anyone who looks even remotely suspicious.
This session is for little kids who want to color in Yoda and other characters. Other events, like "Galaxy Designers," are also for kids who want to do other arts and crafts activites. Both are events for kids ages three to 14 years old. If a tween or teen is so over crafts, they can also play Star Wars Battlefront or watch Star Wars Rebels.
. . . even if it's Kylo Ren and he might throw a fit at any point.
Here, kids sign up, learn the ways of the Force, and face the ultimate challenge with . . .
They each face him one by one and hurt him as he tries to convince them to join the Dark Side.
The show is a similar version of what you can expect at the parks.
The only thing going on in your head is, "How would a Jedi pose?"
At the beginning of the cruise, guests are each given a slip of paper and asked to rank in order which photo opportunity they'd like to have. The choices are Tatooine, Bespin, and the Dark Side. Through a lottery system, you get a certain time and name of the photo opp. However, you can still meet different characters in each of the set photo theme areas. For example, at the Dark Side, both Darth Vader and Captain Phasma are rotating through.
No sighting of BB-8 — yet!
It's Zam Wesell from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. She doesn't look that menacing!
The short half-hour event is a quick overview of the franchise and story, with some fun facts thrown in. For example, here is George Lucas at Comic-Con promoting Star Wars, way back in 1976.
Wendy Anderson, the Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering, was part of the Guest Speaker series on this particular sailing. Anderson delves into the details of the Star Wars adventures at the Disney theme parks.
This is one Sith you shouldn't screw with.
Guests gather in their respective groups: the Light Side, the Dark Side, and all of the aliens and creatures that make up the Star Wars world.
Whether you are Yoda or an Ewok, Disney cruise ship staff go around asking people how long their costumes took to make and other fun questions.
They are the last group to smile to the crowd and remind everyone of just how much of the future they hold in their hands.
How many ways can one person show off their lightsaber? The answer is infinite.
It's hard to digest, considering you're also drinking a specialty drink called "Planetoid Punch."
The movie is available six times during the day on the ship, three in Dolby 3D and three in regular film.
The Tusken Raider isn't sure whether he should steal or be afraid of your camera.
Out on the main pool deck, volunteers from the audience get up and perform each of the original trilogies in about five minutes.
Each of the characters from the photo opportunities come back out to say goodbye.
Oh Chewie, you loveable fuzzball, you.
It's also set to music from the films, so you can't help but remember pivotal scenes.
The music is from all of the films, complete with sound effects of different characters.
The Star Wars Superfan Contest has three rounds: Padawan, Jedi Knight, and Jedi Master. During the Padawan portion, everyone in the bar answers questions via a remote. Of course, not everyone makes it to the Jedi Knight round where guests answer open-ended trivia questions. At the very end, the Jedi Master round is decided by igniting a lightsaber to answer queries like "How many nostrils does a Tauntaun have?" If a tie happens, fans identify as many characters as fast as they can in a lightning round to determine the ultimate winner.
You're almost excited to go back home just to put this on your window.
. . . hoping it remains just as amazing!