Star Wars Weekends 2010!!!

[ukcatfan]

Here are a few pics from the parade yesterday at the Star Wars Weekends! Please post any you have.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2018.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2027.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2052.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2094.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2138.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2142.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2146.jpg

There are more here: http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/

We had a great time!!! Liza and I will also be attending the "Last Flight to Endor" party in August. We are very excited!!!!!!

[JoeDif]

Cool :thumbsup2

I'll be there this weekend!!! Can't wait :banana:

[Evad]

Very nice, thanks for sharing!!!

[SrisonS]

Early arrivals in the Merchandise line... at 5:24 AM. Of course, I was in an auto line at 4:00 AM though. ;)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4638300988_f1c9ac56fa_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4638300988/)

(click pic for its Flickr page)

[Marlton Mom]

:thumbsup2 Thanks for posting all the SWW pics!

My 11 year old son is a die hard fan and I am aiming for a trip to one of next years Star Wars Weekends.

I've been wondering how it's been going so these pictures are a real treat!

:banana: :banana: :banana:

:hug:
Marlton Mom

[devores]

I found the BEST spot for taking parade pics at Hollywood Studios....my secret.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs304.snc3/28799_393201923662_558493662_4138132_3948015_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs304.snc3/28799_393201983662_558493662_4138136_954257_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs324.snc3/28799_393202013662_558493662_4138139_5136060_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs304.snc3/28799_393202023662_558493662_4138140_5596971_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs324.snc3/28799_393202123662_558493662_4138148_524226_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs324.snc3/28799_393202143662_558493662_4138150_255130_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs304.snc3/28799_393202218662_558493662_4138155_4504317_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs304.snc3/28799_393202258662_558493662_4138158_5443721_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs304.snc3/28799_393202273662_558493662_4138159_8200582_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs304.snc3/28799_393202288662_558493662_4138161_1579001_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs333.ash1/28799_393202308662_558493662_4138163_6658098_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs304.snc3/28799_393202323662_558493662_4138164_1899034_n.jpg

Ive noticed allot more interaction from the characters when using a professional looking camera. You can see in some of the pics.

[lumpy08]

Wow! Great photos so far. We went in 2008 and had a blast. Thanks for sharing!

[ukcatfan]

Early arrivals in the Merchandise line... at 5:24 AM. Of course, I was in an auto line at 4:00 AM though. ;)


I don't know what day you were there, but if it was Saturday, you were in line about two and a half hours after I went to bed! We closed down the Rose & Crown Friday night...

[SrisonS]

Great shots everyone!!!!!!! The characters really do love the big cameras. :cool1:


I don't know what day you were there, but if it was Saturday, you were in line about two and a half hours after I went to bed! We closed down the Rose & Crown Friday night...

I was actually there Friday morning..... after only getting about 3 hours of sleep (I work later hours). :sad2:

[SrisonS]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/4641126954_1c59e91080_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4641126954/)

(click pic for its Flickr page)

[CJ1010]

Great pictures! Thanks for posting - we'll be at DHS this Sunday and I can't wait! :cheer2:

[SrisonS]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4643580897_72a6c9c7a7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4643580897/)

(click pic for its Flickr page)

[SrisonS]

Star Wars Weekends

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4646260105_bcde7331f8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4646260105/)

(click pic for its Flickr page)

[ukcatfan]

Here are some more of mine from last weekend.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2038.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2047.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2061.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2098.jpg

[Groucho]

Nice! I can't wait - I am really excited to head down next weekend. I am pretty terrified of the heat and the crowds considering out usual January trips, though.... :eek: As long as we get to see Billy Dee, I'll be happy.

I'm a little bummed that they don't do the pre-opening stormtrooper show on EMH mornings, which includes Friday... and we have dining reservations Saturday so we have only one chance to see it, on Sunday, which'll be after a few pretty late nights for me. It's hard work to have so much fun! :teeth:

[SrisonS]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4652531396_6a8f5f2039_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4652531396/)

(click pic for its Flickr page)

[SrisonS]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4656236516_0ee62a2493_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4656236516/)

(click pic for its Flickr page)

[ukcatfan]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4652531396_6a8f5f2039_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4652531396/)

(click pic for its Flickr page)

Nice Goofy shot! I missed getting him because he snuck up on me.

[ukcatfan]

And some more... :thumbsup2 :)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2101.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2105.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2114.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/kmhobs/SW%20Weekends%202010/IMGP2118.jpg

[SrisonS]

Celebrity Welcome

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/4660064378_b5a74d3225_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4660064378/)

(Click pic for its Flickr page)

[JoeDif]

From last weekend

http://joedif.smugmug.com/Vacation/Disney-World/May-2010/052910WDW001/890151841_Q624E-L.jpg

[giantstu]

Ukcatfan, i was opposite and just to the right of you near the stage area, i was the guy with the white Canon L series lenses (70-200L 2.8 IS and 400 2.8L )!

Was curious to see if i appeared on anyones photo's

[ukcatfan]

Ukcatfan, i was opposite and just to the right of you near the stage area, i was the guy with the white Canon L series lenses (70-200L 2.8 IS and 400 2.8L )!

Was curious to see if i appeared on anyones photo's

I do not see you in any of mine. I didn't take too many shots in that direction except close-ups. the people sitting right beside me were also from the UK.

[JoeDif]

Another from last Saturday

http://joedif.smugmug.com/Vacation/Disney-World/May-2010/052910WDW002/890438813_DjVTC-L.jpg

[Marlton Mom]

Hi everyone this, is Evan, son of Marlton Mom. I just wanted to say thank you for posting your pictures. I am a huge Star Wars fan and I really like all the characters and seeing them in your pictures is a lot of fun.

Thanks again and keep up the good work! :darth: :yoda: :ewok: :chewy:

Evan

[SrisonS]

Me and Billy Dee :cool1:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1303/4674607111_a260fef463_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4674607111/)

[choco_latae]

Here is a few that I took.......
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9463.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9467.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9482.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9477.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9486.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9553.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9554.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9564.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9459.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/choco_latae/Disney/100_9461.jpg

[Groucho]

Me and Billy Dee :cool1:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1303/4674607111_a260fef463_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11654579@N07/4674607111/)
Awesome! How long did you have to stand in line? We were there at 8am on Friday and already we were told that we were unlikely to even get a standby ticket. The first people had been waiting in line since 2pm on Thursday! :crazy2:

I'm not a big autograph hunter so I wasn't too heartbroken... (I have a couple DVDs that I've had signed by a couple of my favorite directors, George Romero and Werner Herzog, and I think I got Tom Savini's autograph years ago, but that's about it.) I did bring a couple old Topps trading cards from my childhood in my wallet in case I was able to get him to sign something. :)

[Docarino]

Here are a few of mine! I was there the first Sunday and the second Saturday.

http://katiemarino.smugmug.com/2010/May/Disney/20100529-IMG1400edit4x6-1/893553838_FCCNX-L.jpg

http://katiemarino.smugmug.com/2010/May/Disney/20100523-IMG7564edit4x6/892539179_ztyXM-L.jpg

http://katiemarino.smugmug.com/2010/May/Disney/20100523-IMG7718edit4x6/893798258_cqf7B-L.jpg

http://katiemarino.smugmug.com/2010/May/Disney/20100523-IMG7563edit4x6/892537578_Y6jJB-L.jpg

[SrisonS]

Awesome! How long did you have to stand in line? We were there at 8am on Friday and already we were told that we were unlikely to even get a standby ticket. The first people had been waiting in line since 2pm on Thursday! :crazy2:

I'm not a big autograph hunter so I wasn't too heartbroken... (I have a couple DVDs that I've had signed by a couple of my favorite directors, George Romero and Werner Herzog, and I think I got Tom Savini's autograph years ago, but that's about it.) I did bring a couple old Topps trading cards from my childhood in my wallet in case I was able to get him to sign something. :)

I got that at 330 AM. And I'm sure those same people that were there at 2pm thursday, kept doing that same thing that whole weekend.

[Dman67]

SrisonS...I sure wish I could see your images here at work. They're blocked for some reason. :confused3

Here's my contribution...

http://www.dldigitalimages.com/misc/SWW_2010_Stormtrooper1_sm.jpg

[Groucho]

I got that at 330 AM. And I'm sure those same people that were there at 2pm thursday, kept doing that same thing that whole weekend.
:faint: I can't imagine! My wife would have killed me... but it's different being local. I do remember that I took time off work to go wait in line for tickets for Episode One when it came out... :) How long do you see him when you get the autograph? Just long enough to sign, say hi, and maybe grab a photo? I take it they only sign one thing?

I figured that he'd be a pretty huge draw. When I thought about it, I can't think of anyone in the Star Wars celebrity universe who I'd rather see than him, so that he was booked the same weekend as us was a real thrill. My wife thought that he looked a little grumpy to be there but I thought he looked happy enough - heck, he's not as young as he used to be so I don't expect him to be bouncing around like Ray Park. :)

[ukcatfan]

SrisonS...I sure wish I could see your images here at work. They're blocked for some reason. :confused3

Here's my contribution...

http://www.dldigitalimages.com/misc/SWW_2010_Stormtrooper1_sm.jpg

Really nice shot!

[SrisonS]

:faint: I can't imagine! My wife would have killed me... but it's different being local. I do remember that I took time off work to go wait in line for tickets for Episode One when it came out... :) How long do you see him when you get the autograph? Just long enough to sign, say hi, and maybe grab a photo? I take it they only sign one thing?

I figured that he'd be a pretty huge draw. When I thought about it, I can't think of anyone in the Star Wars celebrity universe who I'd rather see than him, so that he was booked the same weekend as us was a real thrill. My wife thought that he looked a little grumpy to be there but I thought he looked happy enough - heck, he's not as young as he used to be so I don't expect him to be bouncing around like Ray Park. :)

Yep, it was pretty much just hi, sign, photo, and bye. But he was pleasant enough. I don't think anyone could complain about him (although quite a few people don't care for Anthony Daniels (C3PO) as much). But I think Billy Dee just looked completely tired when I saw him during my auto session. It was towards the end of the day, plus the extreme heat didn't help.

Some celebrities do get pretty chatty though. It's sort of good to have that interaction; but when they're trying to get people through the line, it's not too great. I remember the Disney people were really trying to hurry things up the last time Jake Lloyd was there. I remember that I was even trying to move along a little bit, so the other guaranteed pass holders could get through.

[Groucho]

Yep, it was pretty much just hi, sign, photo, and bye. But he was pleasant enough. I don't think anyone could complain about him (although quite a few people don't care for Anthony Daniels (C3PO) as much). But I think Billy Dee just looked completely tired when I saw him during my auto session. It was towards the end of the day, plus the extreme heat didn't help.

Some celebrities do get pretty chatty though. It's sort of good to have that interaction; but when they're trying to get people through the line, it's not too great. I remember the Disney people were really trying to hurry things up the last time Jake Lloyd was there. I remember that I was even trying to move along a little bit, so the other guaranteed pass holders could get through.
Ray Park seemed very social. I was hoping to catch the Visit to the Maul but the timing just didn't work out for us. He really looked very happy to be there, and Jeremy Bulloch seemed to be enjoying himself as well. The heat was pretty miserable but I figured that's normal for this time of year...? (I really felt bad the for costumed performers!) And of course, Gay Days made Friday even more crowded.

Billy Dee seemed like a class act, but also maybe a little bit like he might have rather have been at home relaxing - but he put on a brave face and I'm really pleased to have seen him in person.

[sabrinadv1]

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000745.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000740.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000739.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000737.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000731.jpg

[SrisonS]

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000745.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000740.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000739.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000737.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/sabrinadv1/P1000731.jpg

Were these from Saturday 6/5???? If so, what were you wearing??? You might be in some of my pics. :cool1: I was shooting in this direction during the parade. I was in front of Sounds Dangerous.

[sabrinadv1]

No that was May 28th. I don't remember what I was wearing :rotfl:. It was too HOT!

[Victoria3]

Here's a few of mine.

http://i45.tinypic.com/29cxm0.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/ezo4n7.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/2d85n9t.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/aomeq9.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/2hn96rb.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/30wxb9v.jpg

[Marlton Mom]

These pictures are so awesome!

Now let me get this straight, you either have to be along the parade route, or at the stage early to claim a good viewing spot for the characters but you cant get a spot for the parade and them go over to the stage to see what is going on over there because of the huge crowds and grid lock?

Is this correct?

Does the stage "show" with the characters happen after the parade, i.e. they wind up there or is the stage 'show' something different all together?

We are planning a trip for next years Star Wars weekend so it would help to know the difference between the parade and other character "happenings" so to speak.

Please fill me in on all the juicy details so I know how it works and I can get my Star Wars Fanatic son in the right spot for character entertainment. He is too big now for Jedi training, plus he has done it before so we don't need to do that or get anybody's autograph. We just want to see the characters and Mom wants to take some pictures..... we think. Is there anything we are missing?

Thanks for the assistance!

:grouphug:
Marlton Mom

[Groucho]

Getting a character's autograph entails waiting in a line of various lengths, not unlike regular Disney characters but probably a longer line. You can usually get fairly close to the side of the characters and they will often wave to you when they're between guests. R2-D2 even rolled over to my son to say hi, maybe because he was playing with his new spinning R2-D2 toy nonstop!

The schedules are a little hard to find info on online, so here's what it was this year:
Jedi Training takes place eight times a day, approximately at hour intervals. It is the normal show except with the addition of Asajj Ventris and Ahsoka who work with another set of kids on the area in front of the stage, taking the rolls of Darth Vadar and the Jedi trainer. They are not miked but do talk to the kids and the audience.

Padawan Mind Challenge is a Clone Wars trivia game that is on the same stage at 11am and 5:45pm. They bring up kids and ask them easy questions. There are two hosts (one of which is Deevy See from the DVC ads! love her!) and a Star Wars hero - we saw it twice and once it was Ahsoka, once it was Luke.

There are 2-3 different stage shows - Behind the Force (talk about Clone Wars) at 11am and 3:35p, Stars of the Saga (funny stormtrooper preshow and then talks with the live-action actors) at 1:15pm, and when Ray Park is there, Visit to the Maul, which was at 5:45pm but it's not listed on the guides so the times may change.

The parade starts at 11:40 and it ends at the Jedi Training stage. The two Padawan Mind Challenge hosts do voiceovers during the parade from the stage and are joined by various characters from the parade plus all the celebrity guests, until the stage is full of people (around 12pm.) They pose for a photo and fireworks go off.

The Hyperspace Hoopla show - the one with the dancing - is at 7pm. Crowd control is an issue - there are initially ropes that are set up for the extra Jedi Training area. The ropes are moved forward about 10 minutes or so before the Hoopla begins. CMs beg everyone to not move forward while they adjust the ropes - difficult because there is less "front row" when the ropes move up since there in a circle. We had been waiting an hour and twenty minutes in the front row, in the rain even, and of course, the group of people on the right side crept forward and then the whole crowd surged forward and we ended up three or four rows back. My wife was furious and I wasn't all that pleased either! We had our stroller so it was hard to make a fast move, and my son was not able to see, so I spent half the Hoopla holding him up. I wish they'd moved the ropes forward as soon as Jedi Training was over to cut down on the number of late arrivers who are able to muscle their way to the front.

There is also a stormtrooper show at the entrance before the park opens, but not on days with early Extra Magic Hours. I think it starts maybe 15 minutes before the park opens - we never were able to catch it. :(

Based on what I learned this trip - the must-dos are the parade, the Stars of the Saga show, and the Hoopla. If you're early enough for the Hoopla, you'll catch the Mind Challenge and the Jedi Training, too. The best place for the parade is by the stage. We waited early on Friday, but on Sunday, we were going past and just happened to get a good spot by the Fastpass entrance to Star Tours. I was able to see the parade (when it came down the road, not so much right in front of me) and the stage pretty clearly despite our late arrival - maybe 5-10 minutes or so before the parade arrived there.

[SrisonS]

You'll be able to get a good spot for the parade, and still be able to get pretty close for the big photo op of celebrities/characters on the stage. In fact, it almost seems better to be further from the stage for the parade. For instance, I was over near Sounds Dangerous for the parade, and after it was 'done', I just walked behind the end part for the short distance to the stage. And a lot of people either don't know that the characters meet at the stage, or just don't care. So it's not the masses that you might expect. Then again, it looks like an endless amount of people approaching if you're already in front of Star Tours.

[Docarino]

My advice for the parade- make sure that you ask someone if you will be able to stand there before you stake out a spot. The first day we tried to see it, we were standing across from the stage. We had asked a CM if we could stand there but it was a vendor and not someone involved in the parade/crowd control. About 10 minutes before the parade, we were told that we had to move because it was right where the vehicles turn and they needed that spot clear for safety. So we were shuffled into a spot near the stage about 10 people deep :( Luckily, we had another Star Wars day the next weekend and we got a spot across and about 15 feet down from American Idol (towards Star Tours). This was a great spot because it was essentially one person deep- we could sit until the parade started and then stand once it started.

After our experience with losing our spot for the parade, we decided to get great spots for the Hoopla. We actually got in our spots at 5 pm, which I know, is a little extreme, but it went quickly because there were 2 Jedi Training Academies and 1 Padawan mind challenge while we waited. We were right on the rope at the left side of the stage. It was a great spot!

[ukcatfan]

The left side of Hollywood Blvd is a good place because it is still in the shade until around noon. You need to be lined up about an hour early to get a spot there. We saw many spots with about an hour and fifteen minutes to go and then there were none in the shade with about fifty minutes to go, so we sat in the sun and IT WAS HOT!!!

[Docarino]

We had been waiting an hour and twenty minutes in the front row, in the rain even, and of course, the group of people on the right side crept forward and then the whole crowd surged forward and we ended up three or four rows back. My wife was furious and I wasn't all that pleased either! We had our stroller so it was hard to make a fast move, and my son was not able to see, so I spent half the Hoopla holding him up. I wish they'd moved the ropes forward as soon as Jedi Training was over to cut down on the number of late arrivers who are able to muscle their way to the front.

We were luckily on the left side at the rope that they did not move. I remember feeling really bad for the people on the side that they moved the rope because there was definitely a mad dash when they moved it.

[JoeDif]

Two more from May 29

http://joedif.smugmug.com/Vacation/Disney-World/May-2010/052910WDW005/896922559_HHJeV-L.jpg

http://joedif.smugmug.com/Vacation/Disney-World/May-2010/052910WDW004/896922093_fSy53-L.jpg

[Groucho]

The left side of Hollywood Blvd is a good place because it is still in the shade until around noon. You need to be lined up about an hour early to get a spot there. We saw many spots with about an hour and fifteen minutes to go and then there were none in the shade with about fifty minutes to go, so we sat in the sun and IT WAS HOT!!!
Do you get to hear the commentators from the other locations, or is it just music? That was a big plus, IMHO, of being near the stage.

We were luckily on the left side at the rope that they did not move. I remember feeling really bad for the people on the side that they moved the rope because there was definitely a mad dash when they moved it.
Yeah, it was a bummer. I didn't feel too bad since I'm tall enough to still see - but we had it all set where we were right there at the front, and of course it meant that my wife couldn't see well and my son really couldn't see at all unless I held him up. (We eventually got him seeing some of it by standing on park of the stroller - did I mention that we love our new stroller?) I suppose in retrospect, we should have parked the stroller and put the baby in her carrier (which we never used) so we could be more mobile when the time came!

[ukcatfan]

Do you get to hear the commentators from the other locations, or is it just music? That was a big plus, IMHO, of being near the stage.


I don't know what you hear over there, but there is someone announcing the stars as they go by in their cars and they give a few facts on them. They said a few other things, but I didn't pay too much attention.

[Groucho]

I don't know what you hear over there, but there is someone announcing the stars as they go by in their cars and they give a few facts on them. They said a few other things, but I didn't pay too much attention.
I checked a few YouTube videos - you definitely do not hear the same thing! It looks like, everywhere but by the stage, you get fairly generic announcements. By the stage, the two hosts of the Mind Challenge (one of which is Deevy See, as I mentioned), come out before the parade begins and talk non-stop - lots of jokes and such. For example, when Darth Goofy comes by, they tell him how he's forgotten something... "You've got your helmet... your cape... your boots..." etc, while he stops and checks each thing. They also talk to C-3PO when he comes up a little and eventually Jeremy Bulloch takes the mike before everyone poses for the photograph.

So, that's another reason to try to see it near the stage. :)