One could say that I “grew up Disney.” My Dad started working for Disney when I was two years old and my earliest childhood memories revolve around Disney. Growing up in Orlando, Florida, with a parent that was a Disney “cast member” definitely had its perks. I got to go to the Disney parks all the time for free, I got in to advance screenings for Disney movies, my summer camps were at the Disney resorts, and I had special opportunities like going to live tapings of The Mickey Mouse Club. I bring this up because Disney was and always has been a MAJOR influence in my life and has definitely shaped the person I am today.
Being immersed in the Disney culture at such a young age taught me to dream big and to believe that my dreams could come true. Everything at Disney was always so big and grand and perfect! Everywhere you would turn, there would be examples of imagination coming to life, yet instead of just imagining the impossible, Disney made it real and tangible. Being exposed to such greatness and an early age, my imagination knew no limits. My parents definitely harvested such imagination with positive encouragement, teaching me that when I made my wish upon a star, if I worked hard enough, my dreams would come true.
I love my Mickey ears!
As a young girl, I knew I wanted to be an actress. You could say that my very first screen test was at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The week the Studios opened I got to make a “movie” with my siblings in one of the shops on Hollywood Boulevard. Yes it was cheesy and we had to pay for it, but hey, I could put it in the VCR and watch it…it was “real.” My next door neighbor was a cameraman for The Mickey Mouse Club and I got to go to a few live tapings when I was in elementary school. I got to see a real live TV show being filmed right in front of my eyes and then I would go home and watch it on my television. It made the dream of being on a TV set tangible. From that moment, I dreamed that one day I would be on a Disney Channel show too. That was my goal, and if Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake could do it, so could I. In high school, when I turned 16, it was my turn to be a Disney cast member. I wanted to work for Disney SO badly that I turned in my application on my 16th birthday. After several auditions, I finally got my big break and I was cast as a cheerleader in the Hercules Parade. I got to dance down Hollywood Blvd. Thanks to Disney, I was able to perform in front of thousands of people on the weekends and it made my dream, again, feel tangible.
Here I am in the Hercules Parade at Disney's Hollywood Studios when I was in high school
Several years later, I moved to Los Angeles and was cast as a character named Muffy on a TV show called That’s So Raven. Finally, my dream of being on The Disney Channel came true after several years believing it could happen. At the same time, I met my husband David Eckstein; he played for the Anaheim Angels, who were owned, at the time, by Disney. We met in California, but it turns out that we grew up 30 minutes apart from each other in Orlando. He shared my love of Disney and proposed to me at one of the Disney resorts. We had a Disney wedding reception…but I digress…are you getting the drift of the role Disney has played in my life?
That's So Raven! Here I am with Raven Symone!
Shortly after That’s So Raven ended, I was cast as this “new” character on the “new” Star Wars animated series for Lucasfilm. I didn’t realize it at the time but I was entering the Jedi Temple of life and I was now Dave Filoni’s Padawan. This “new” character that we now know as Ahsoka and this “new” show that we now know as The Clone Wars has truly changed my life. My outlook on life has always been more like a Disney fairytale. Wish upon a star, sprinkle a little pixie dust and have a magical day. Well…life isn’t always like that! The stories in Star Wars helped me learn how to handle the cruel, dark side of the world. There is evil and everyone has to deal with it. However, just like Ahsoka has grown up during The Clone Wars, so have I, and Star Wars has not only taught me to believe in the good but it’s taught me to never lose hope. Good will prevail and I have become a student of the Force. Using this newfound hope and belief, Lucasfilm has made so many of my wildest childhood, Disney dreams come true, which brings me right back to Disney for Disney’s Star Wars Weekends. I’ve had the honor and privilege to be a co-host for this amazing event for four years now. Once again, I return to Hollywood Boulevard, in yet another parade hoping to show a new little girl with big Disney dreams that anything is possible because, gosh darn it, if Ashley Eckstein can do it, so can she.
Disney's Star Wars Weekends!
Believing in your dreams and never losing hope…two powerful messages that I take away from two powerful companies that have shaped my life. Many people have been asking me my thoughts on Disney buying Lucasfilm. For me, it’s a natural partnership. Two companies that have already been doing amazing work together for years, who both have similar standards for excellence, messages, and fans are now coming together to tell more stories and make fans happy for years to come. I’m not sure what the future holds in all of this, but my Padawan journey keeps bringing me back to Disney. I’m going to keep on dreaming, believing, and I will never lose hope that great things are ahead!
Just for giggles...this is me and my husband in a photo we took at Disney!
Ashley Eckstein is the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and also the founder of Her Universe, the first merchandise line made exclusively for female Star Wars fans! You can follow Ashley on Facebook and Twitter.
Tags: Ashley Eckstein, disney, Disney Weekends
Thank You soooo much for doing this post! As Disney was to you so are You and the rest of Star Wars to me. I am soo excited to be able to experience going to see a new star wars film on the tearter! You and the rest of the Clone Wars/Star Wars cast have inspired me to work to fulfill my dreams. Thank you for all that you do
(:
lilashley
Love the picture of you and your husband as han and leia!
Great post, Ashley! My family is very excited about the new developments. And WE think Dave Filoni should play some role in directing SWVII ! Thoughts?
Love the photo, by the way.
It’s wonderful to hear your perspective on things!
Disney has had a huge effect on my life as well, and I am extremely excited to see them partner with Lucasfilms for what I’m sure will be a fantastic new exploration of the ideas both companies have espoused for so long- the fight between good and evil, the importance of being true to yourself, and the power of doing the right thing. I’m so excited to see what Disney has in store for us!
I feel like I’m in a similar position to where you were when you started out- I’m about to graduate from college and the only thing in the world I want is to work for Disney! To be involved in this new acquisition of Lucasfilms and work on the new Star Wars films would be a dream come true.
You’re such an inspiration to all of us starting out and dreaming big!
Thank you for sharing your story!
Maddie
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[one of your SDCC three blonde jedi friends
[...] the daughter of a Disney “cast member,” Ashley Eckstein has never made a secret of her Disney love, and she writes at length about the effects of “being immersed in the Disney culture at such [...]
Wonderful post, Ashley! You had a dream and stuck with with it until it came true. You’re a living example of one of Walt Disney’s famous quotes about perseverance: “Get a good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work at it until it’s done right.”
Awesome post! So glad Disney and Star Wars are one big happy family!
[...] about the big Lucasfilm purchase and what this means for the future of both companies. Over at the official Star Wars Blog, Ashley talks about her history with Disney. One could say that I “grew up Disney.” My Dad [...]
So glad to read you expressing how you came up in the business through Disney and LucasFilm. It really shows how Disney has been a part of the Star Wars universe for so long, and that only great things will come from this deal.
Great post!!!
Where in Disney did you get married?! I was married there too!!
Just saw the man who should play Han Solo in episode 7. Watch the last 10 min of the Castle TV ep about a SciFi Con and tell me if Ed Quin (Eureka) doesn’t channel Han. He has the look, the cockiness, the quips and the attitude
I think you shiuld know this story is exactly the kind of thing thats going to kill your fanbase. Disney after the Marvel purchase is getting a reputation for pervasive ownership. Mickey mouse ears on the star wars page? Not a good idea.
Fans are either hostile or hesitant to this whole thing in the first place. However, the stewardship of Marvel (ie The Avengers) has shown Disney can placate the nerd masses and sell a billion Chinese plastic things. We’re open to being courted. Don’t whip out the mouse ears on the first date.
Also please fire whoever is writing your comments above. Mitt Romney sounds more organic.
The bar is unbelievably low here guys. Make an effort and pick up your feet.
Thanks.
I take it its your goal in life to be a mean person every chance you get. If you cant say something nice don’t say nothing at all. And By the way have you not seen that disney have bin putting ears on the characters ever since the ride opened up? I don’t know why you need to act like that when she was saying something totally positive and nice. And how is this story going to kill her fan base? every normal person loves Disney!… You can be a real downer with no imagination.
So Thanks!!!!!!
-sincerely,
A person writing her a comment that apparently to you “Mitt Romney could make sound more organic.”
ps. Its not unbelievably low! Its imagination, love and being daring to dream!
I completely agree with you Robbie. Disney will just destroy the whole idea of starwars. They are the one who brought us Lion King 1/2. It is clear that Dictator Disney is going to make Starwars disgusting.
Ashley thank you so much for writing this. It was truly inspiring and I loved it. Thank you for sharing all those pictures! You looked so awesome in the Hercules Parade! And it’s so fun rewatching That’s So Raven and seeing you play a snobby character–you’re just so sweet it’s so different seeing you act like that! And I LOVE you and Mr. Eckstein as Han and Leia. I had to do a double take because It’s so good and looks so real!
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~Walt Disney
♥Lilly
Despite me applauding your success; which is inspiring to see, I still have mixed feelings towards Disney taking over the whole Star Wars franchise. I do hope that whoever will direct the 7th episode, will have the same authenticity as George Lucas had when he written and directed all 6 films.
I like some Disney films and some shows, but I’m not much of a hardcore fan of Disney per say. Despite me growing up watching them as a child. Hence why I have mixed feelings.
@Jezzy, I know I’m getting technical (and rightfully so) however; Episodes 5 and 6 are not written and directed by Lucas. Irvin Kirshner directed 5, the greatest of the bunch because of his direction. Richard Marquand directed 6. Lucas is great with coming up with ideas, but really lacks at writing screenplays; especially dialogue. Lucas helped write some of 6, but the main brains of those movies was Lawrence Kasdan whom I’ve been told is to write episodes 8 and 9. Kirshner did such a fantastic job that credit needs to be given where it’s due.
Ashely. Thank you. Towards the end of this post I couldn’t help but get a little choked up. I myself have a dream of working with Disney as an imagineer. Sometimes I feel like the cards are stacked against me and I feel like I have no direction but if I work hard and keep dreaming I know I will make my dreams come true. Thank you Ashley.
None of Michael Arndt’s movies were very well done… the actors werent chosen properly… and if star wars is ruined alot of people are going to be very angry! They should just continue off the books because those are exceptionally well written already! PLEASE DISNEY RETHINK THIS!
Yeah, they will replace the characters with slaphappy people.
Dear Ashley,
Please tell the powers that be that SW VII needs Ahsoka Tano to bring balance to the force!
Brian, I’m sure Ahsoka is killed in the Great Jedi Purge after Order 66. Besides, with everybody complaining about Disney possibly screwing this up do you really want a character that was written for a cartoon series in the movies. You’ll have a Jar Jar problem with the adult fans who have been around since the 70’s.
AWESOME POST, ASHLEY!!! thank you for sharing.
Interesting read. You could say it was your……destiny.
I think Ashley would be great as a Disney Princess if they are still doing 2D animated films. I always got that vibe from her even on her That 70’s Show days.
Such a great post! Not only is Ashley a fantastic actress, but a great writer too. This was such a great story that I read it twice:)
I’m torn between saying that Lucas did somthing good for a change and that he did’nt. For instance, I, II, and III destroyed what Lucas had in mind. Even tha Japanese could have made a better choice. In other words, I like the clone wars, hate the episodes.
PS. Do not judge me by any means. I am voicing my opinion and that is all.
~ Caleb ~
Ashley, Great blog like so many others on here both Disney and Lucasfilms have shaped and change my life as well. When I heard that Disney bought Lucsasfilms I can honestly say at least among the area of California that was happy and sad at the same time. I was sad that George is retiring because I believe he still had many more years of films in him but glad that his legacy is in the most caring hands of Disney. I know a lot of people have mixed feelings on this but I never did. I can honestly say what made me even think of Disney can pull this off is when I went to the Opening day of Star Tours at Disneyland. When I saw how of amazing job that they did bring back new life into this treasured ride I knew that Disney should be the only company working with Lucas not Fox,Warner Brothers or even Universal Studios. Also knowing that Lucas and Disney both had the same journey made it even more clear. Both companies like you said inspire dream giving and imagination in so many of us. They also have showed us that so many of us are not alone in what is right and good in our world and that we should not let the bad things in life get us down. Now Like so many i also have had my own Journeys. I was in the Boy Scouts for over 18 years of my life and made it to Eagle Scout. when we make eagle it is tradition to invite people of interest in our nations and others and people who inspired you. I sent a letter and Mr. Lucas invited him to my eagle court of honor. Of course he was not able to make it but I sent me a beautiful letter of congratulations of my achievement. That touched my heart that he took the time to even send that to me. Like you Ashley my dream is to become a film director and maybe with a lot of luck be the C.E.O of Disney. Right now my dream is on hold because I’m helping father build a business which I believe will help me in some way fulfill my dream. People like Ashley, Disney, and Lucas that tell me that any one of us can live our dreams.
Hi! You are a perfect embodiment of the union between Disney and Star Wars. As a massive Disney/Star Wars fan myself, my twin and I made a comedy short about their union – I would love it if you could watch it and comment on it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lWRMm1Fyyo
I LOVED you in That’s So Raven – so was thrilled when you started playing Ahsoka!
Thanks Ashley!
Future of sw part 3 should be on the site now…they made a mistake…this was supposed to continue/be updated weekly…!!!!!
I hate to be negative here, but I have a bad feeling about this. These new movies and prequels I never considered true star wars. The true star wars lives in fan fiction. All these new movies will do is over saturate a dying franchise that has been marketed to death for children since the first Ewok made someone feel warm inside.
True Star Wars is about homicidal Dark Side force users who feed on pain and suffering. it’s the reason they keep enslaving and torturing and murdering sentient species en-mass, it feeds their power in the dark side. the Jedi order was designed and was purposed to defeat these evil force users.
Lucas for a shining moment in revenge of the sith when anakin killed the younglings for the first time showed us that vader was not the character that he was back in the 70’s and 80’s and earned his right to be evil and a villain. it was the first time as a fan, Lucas (for a short moment) showed that star wars was not just about funny one liners and Ewoks and jar-jar.
But that was one moment in time…like tears in the rain it will be lost forever on these new directors and writers hand picked by Disney to try and make a family oriented theme park ride selling mishmash of Disney pop-stars playing cute teenage Jedi who can beat that meany bad sith who looks allot like justin bieber because he wants to cement his bad boy break-out role as a sith teenager in episode 7
i just got back from disney this week and the new star tours is awsome. but i rode it twice in a row and it was the same adventure on the screen. but i rode it alot and never had the same one.
I agree with much of what AFAN has said, and I also dislike being negative, but this shift has made me absulutely enraged with Disney, and wondering why Disney. When I first got notice of this change, I was awe-struck with fear for the beloved movie series that crafted my childhood would be demolished and disgraced. My dream job has always been to go and work for Lucas Ltd. as a character designer, not for the movies because I am rather content with the saga ending at the release of Revenge of the Sith, but now I just cringe at the thought of working under Disney on Episode VIII, VIII, and IX.
That was a neato post and all but, I really am bumed that my
greatest hero -Gorge Lucas sold Star Wars to dumb Disney!
See, Star Wars is the greatest movie series of all time and Disney is,well,a step lower and mabye,well I think-mabye Star Wars deserves a little better than Disney.Now,there are tons of other things that all go in to this to.And all you people can think what you want but I’m just one of the millions of people madly enraged with stupid Disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So cool! I didn’t know she did the voice of Ahsoka!