In what was a suspiciously auspicious start to my day I discovered that the road leading from the M4 motorway to the edge of Windsor was infact Imperial Road, and on it was a toilet showroom called Imperial Bathrooms. I had a giggle at the thought of a stormtrooper sitting on the other kind of throne.


Right at The Beginning of the park there was evidence of Star Wars, with signs directing visitors down to My Town where the centre of the party was located. Instead of following the crowds we decided to pay a visit to the Imagination Centre where there are some examples of the first toys LEGO ever made, the LEGO creators have their office and there is some hidden Star Wars content.


The main Star Wars events were held in the Circus Tent attraction which, instead of being full of clowns and acrobats, was under the control of Imperial stormtroopers from the UK Garrison. Inside were numerous LEGO activities such as a world speed building attempt on the LEGO Imperial Star Destroyer and a large display of the new LEGO Revenge of the Sith toy line. Not to be outdone, Giant had a bank of PCs for visitors to play their new LEGO Star Wars The Video Game, and on Saturday hosted their own showcase with the game's developers in attendance. Richard Chasemore and Hans Jenssen, illustrators of the Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections book, were signing copies for free, and LEGO was giving out promotional posters and Merlin Revenge of the Sith sticker albums.



Accompanying all this excitement were stormtroopers and biker scouts under the command of Darth Vader, with a number of Rebel troops and an array of Jedis protecting Han Solo and Princess Leia from harm. The UK Garrison also had their photography booth, allowing visitors to have their picture taken with any of the available characters in front of a Death Star corridor backdrop.

The Circus Tent display was a small affair, but was busy throughout both of the days. If LEGO wanted to push awareness of their Star Wars license they did a good job of it, with particular help from the stormtroopers outside who proved an eyecatching draw for the crowds.

The Afterdark spectacular was similarly enthralling, with a laser and pyrotechnic show that was synchorised with the video footage. While we watched a LEGO advert, the Revenge of the Sith trailer and a featurette of the LEGO Revenge of the Bricks mini-movie (first in the world!) the five hundred strong audience was treated to rockets, flash bangs, sparklers, lasers and Roman candles timed to the lightsabres and blasters on the big screen. Following the "official" footage was a techno remix of the Main Theme set to what can only be described as a 3D-rendered screensaver. Enjoyable as it was it sent me back to the days when I had to sit through my sister's tap dance performances to the tune of the MECO Star Wars theme.


With the end of the fireworks and music the LEGOLAND Star Wars Afterdark show came to a close and the crowds began to disperse. Congratulations to Martin, Lilah, John and the UK Garrison plus everyone else involved.