Star Wars Identities%2C O2 London

To mark Star Wars Day this week, Group Leisure has picked out some activities that relate to the popular sci-fi franchise for groups to indulge in; not just today but in the future as well.

Star Wars Day, falling on 4th May each year, celebrates all things Star Wars related. The date was chosen for the easy pun on the catchphrase "May the Force be with you" as "May the Fourth be with you" – and gives fans worldwide the chance to rejoice in their adoration for the films and subesquent spin-offs.

And there are plenty of places to visit and activities to enjoy, both in the UK and overseas, to mark this dedicated day.

So may the force be with you, Group Leisure reader, as you head out on your next travel adventure to enjoy all that this galaxy, and the galaxies beyond, offer by way of group travel.

Marvel at Lego model displays

The Force is strong at Legoland Windsor Resort, via the theme park’s indoor Lego Star Wars Miniland Model Display. Visitors can enjoy seven of the most famous scenes from the six live-action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

You can follow the chronological path through the Star Wars timeline and retrace the major events of the saga featuring 1,500 Lego models, authentic sounds and lighting effects. The expansive model includes an underwater scene in Naboo and a Jawa sandcrawler on Tatooine.

Discover who you really are

Find out what your own Star Wars character would be by visiting the interactive Star Wars Identities exhibition, running until September at The O2 in London. Star Wars Identities places the visitor at the centre of the exhibition experience with an interactive identity quest that spans the duration of the visit.

As well as finding out who you would be in the fictional universe, you’ll get to see a collection of some 200 props, models, costumes and artwork from the original films. Group rates for ten or more people are available.

Take a ride at Disney

Fans can seek thrills on the Star Wars ride that has lived in Disneyland, California since 1987: Star Tours. The ride has been replicated at all of Disney’s parks and has received a technological and thematic upgrade at locations including Florida and Japan.

Star Tours ushers intergalactic tourists onto a flight simulator for an exploration of the galaxy. But as the ship takes off, the audience is quickly caught up in hectic battles from the film. The ride offers 54 different experiences so it’s likely you’ll get to see lots of different galactic scenarios if you go on it multiple times.

Spot your favourite character

Star Wars fans who want a slice of the action from a safer distance might like to consider a trip to Madame Tussauds in London. Created in close collaboration with Disney and Lucasfilm, Star Wars at Madame Tussauds is an immersive experience starring life-like wax figures of the favourite heroes and villains of Star Wars Episodes I-VI.

Groups, who can benefit from discounted entry rates at this attraction, can explore a galaxy of locations, including the swamps of Dagobah, Jabba's Throne Room and the flight deck of the Millennium Falcon.

One for the future: wait patiently for Star Wars Land

Two new theme parks, one at Disneyland California, the other at Walt Disney World Florida, are hoped to open by 2019. Both will be called Star Wars Land and will offer guests a totally immersive experience lasting several days that depicts many of the Star Wars locations.

Disney CEO Bob Iger recently revealed that the parks will “transport guests to a whole new Star Wars planet, including an epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.” Hold fire for more information, to be revealed shortly.

Lead image: Star Wars Identities at the O2, London. (Photo credit: Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM).

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