A DISers Guide to Star Wars Celebration

[atheistjs]

So I'm facing a very unexpected problem. I bought my photo op with Hayden, and they only just released the photo op schedule today and his photo op is at the same time as the Last Jedi panel, which I plan on sleeping over at the convention center for. I emailed them asking if there was any way I could exchange my photo op ticket for one at a the newly opened up times he has on Thursday and Saturday, but I don't know if that's going to work. Any advice? I refuse to have wasted $140, but I can't miss that panel.

 

[angryduck71]

I just have to say that by this time next week, I will have met Mark Hamill. Squeee! <3

 

[tstidm1]

Collider's Jedi Council has a Star Wars Celebration this week.

for the link to see more about the convention.

 

[angai379]

I had the same problem. I purchased for Thursday and they will refund Friday.

 

[Temp77]

So I'm facing a very unexpected problem. I bought my photo op with Hayden, and they only just released the photo op schedule today and his photo op is at the same time as the Last Jedi panel, which I plan on sleeping over at the convention center for. I emailed them asking if there was any way I could exchange my photo op ticket for one at a the newly opened up times he has on Thursday and Saturday, but I don't know if that's going to work. Any advice? I refuse to have wasted $140, but I can't miss that panel.

I have a similar problem. I purchased for the Hayden and Ian McDiarmid combo photo op which is also scheduled for the same time as the Last Jedi panel. The problem is this is the only time during the whole convention when they are doing a photo op together so there isn't another time I could swap to even if I was allowed to switch times. Now I really don't know what to do as if I'd known the photo op would clash with TLJ panel I never would have purchased it. I'm already going to be missing Mark's tribute to Carrie on the Friday to attend Galactic Nights and I really don't want to have to miss the Last Jedi panel as well.

 

[tstidm1]

I have a similar problem. I purchased for the Hayden and Ian McDiarmid combo photo op which is also scheduled for the same time as the Last Jedi panel. The problem is this is the only time during the whole convention when they are doing a photo op together so there isn't another time I could swap to even if I was allowed to switch times. Now I really don't know what to do as if I'd known the photo op would clash with TLJ panel I never would have purchased it. I'm already going to be missing Mark's tribute to Carrie on the Friday to attend Galactic Nights and I really don't want to have to miss the Last Jedi panel as well.

I would see if they would give you a Photo Op refund or on a different day if they are on a different day. Don't know if they will, but they easily could on the question.

 

[yulilin3]

well they opened another day for Hayden for autographs, I got the email last night like around 8pm, it sold out again hope everyone fixes their issues with the Last jedi panel and autographs.
Also Forest Whitaker is coming and signing ($150) As of now the only autographs/photo op that have sold out are Mark Hamill, Ian/Hayden, Hayden, Felicity/Alan and Felicity Jones

 

[Temp77]

I would see if they would give you a Photo Op refund or on a different day if they are on a different day. Don't know if they will, but they easily could on the question.

I've emailed them to see if they'll give me a refund or at least let me use the money spent on the Hayden/Ian photo op on a different photo op that won't clash with The Last Jedi panel. No response as yet so I guess I'll just have to wait and see what they say.

If anyone is still interested in Hayden photo ops as of this minute there's currently availability for the Thursday.

 

[yulilin3]

Just in case you guys haven't seen this (taken from the autograph page)

Autograph and Photo Op pre-sales will close Sunday, April 9 at 9pm EDT. For all autographs and photo ops that did not sell out prior to the show please head to the Autographing Hall onsite at Star Wars Celebration to purchase yours.

PLEASE NOTE: If an autograph or photo op is sold out prior to Star Wars Celebration then it is completely SOLD OUT. There will not be any additional autographs or photo ops sold onsite if they have been marked as sold out on the Star Wars Authentics website prior to the show.

 

[Temp77]

Good news, I received an email confirming they'll refund me for the Hayden/Ian combo op and I was able to purchase a Hayden photo op for Thursday instead.

There is also potentially further good news as the official Celebration site has updated the navigation guide and all references to the doors being locked at midnight on Wednesday and Thursday night have been removed. This is what it now says:

• After you receive your badge in Registration, and after 8pm Wednesday and Thursday nights, or after 5am Saturday and Sunday mornings, you can start to queue in the Celebration & Galaxy Stage wristband queues or the Celebration Experience Exhibition Hall chutes, accessed through security screening at the West Lobby E/F entrance.
• If you are not already in the queue hall at 5am, and are planning to enter at that time, please note that the Convention Center is not allowing queuing or camping out, outside the entrance before 5am. They have let us know they will disperse any fans gathering outside the entrances before 5am. Plan to arrive at 5am or later.

There is still an element of doubt that people will be able to enter before 5 am because of the reference in the second part to not allowing queuing outside the Convention Center before 5 am but the first part clearly no longer mentions the wristband queues closing at midnight and I've seen more than a few people comment elsewhere that now that they've removed reference to the wristband queues closing at midnight they are now assuming badge holders can join between midnight and 5 am. I did note that the official site still says that registration will close at midnight on Wednesday and re-open at 5 am so maybe it will just be registration that will be closed between that period and if you have your badge already you'll be able to join the wristband queues between midnight and 5 am. Hopefully we'll get an official announcement one way or the other before Wednesday to confirm for definite whether badge holders will be allowed to join the wristband chutes between midnight and 5 am. Certainly for me I'm hoping we will be able to enter between midnight and 5 am as I know I'm bound to be awake very early and would love the option to join the line between say 3 am and 4 am.

 

[Temp77]

The official site's Navigation Guide has been updated once again this time to re-include the reference to the doors closing for the night on Wednesday and Thursday at midnight. This is what it now says:

• Celebration Sleepover nights will be Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13, 2017.
• On each night, the process will be the same for participating:
  • Starting at 8pm Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the queues will open. We will have separate Wristband queues for each show on the Celebration and Galaxy Stages, and also a separate queue for those wanting to access the Celebration Exhibit Hall or other programming (no wristbands).
  • Doors for registration and the queue lines will stay open until 12 midnight Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
  • At 12 midnight the doors will close for the night, with no one else allowed in. There will be concessions and bathrooms open inside overnight.
  • Please note that no camping cots, and no chairs larger than will collapse and fit in a backpack.
  • If you choose to leave after 12 midnight Wednesday and Thursday, you will not be allowed back in the Registration and Queue Hall until 5am the next morning.
  • Wristbanding for Celebration and Galaxy Stage performances will begin at 6am in the associated Wristbanding queues.
  • Bag & Coat Check will open at 8am each morning in W231, near the Queue Hall. You can exit to check your bags and coats, but will need to reenter through the security screening.

They've also highlighted the following in red:

• If you are not already in the queue hall at 5am, and are planning to enter at that time, please note that the Convention Center is not allowing queuing or camping out, outside the entrance before 5am. They have let us know they will disperse any fans gathering outside the entrances before 5am. Plan to arrive at 5am or later.

Unless they make any further changes it seems pretty clear now that the doors will be closing at midnight and won't be re-opening until 5 am. There also doesn't seem much point arriving at say 4 am as you won't be allowed to start queuing outside before 5 am. I'm staying at the Rosen Plaza so I think I'll just be making my way over the short distance to the entrance shortly before 5 am.

 

[tstidm1]

Going to close the Dis Boards Celebration meet poll early. Since people want to meet on Thursday over other days, I would like to have this on Thursday night over Saturday or Sunday nights. Location for the meet is Rosen Center Lobby Bar between 6 PM-7 PM Thursday April 13th. Rosen Center is across the Hall E/F Skybridge (Gary Sain memorial Bridge) from the convention center. This is to allow people who want to go to the Drowning in Moonlight event time to get ready afterwards and go to it. If your interested in joining me for the meet, Message me by Wednesday April 12th at 12 Noon ET. This gives me an opportunity to give a heads up on the group if it's big. Other Disney Parks/Star Wars Friends/Family are welcome to come.

 

[lovethattink]

Going to close the Dis Boards Celebration meet poll early. Since people want to meet on Thursday over other days, I would like to have this on Thursday night over Saturday or Sunday nights. Location for the meet is Rosen Center Lobby Bar between 6 PM-7 PM Thursday April 13th. Rosen Center is across the Hall E/F Skybridge (Gary Sain memorial Bridge) from the convention center. This is to allow people who want to go to the Drowning in Moonlight event time to get ready afterwards and go to it. If your interested in joining me for the meet, Message me by Wednesday April 12th at 12 Noon ET. This gives me an opportunity to give a heads up on the group if it's big. Other Disney Parks/Star Wars Friends/Family are welcome to come.

Not sure I'll be able to make it. DH has a photo shoot at 5:30 at the convention. Depends on how quick that is.

 

[atheistjs]

So if we plan to buy autograph or photograph tickets on site, where do we go to do that? Is there a booth specifically for that? And do they take a card or do you have to have cash?

 

[lovethattink]

So if we plan to buy autograph or photograph tickets on site, where do we go to do that? Is there a booth specifically for that? And do they take a card or do you have to have cash?

It's a different company running autographs than in 2012. But back then, there was a series of cash registers. You went up and bought a ticket. Then you stood in that particular celeb's line.

I remember Ashley Eckstein staying to make sure all those that bought tickets from her got an autograph.

 

[tstidm1]

So if we plan to buy autograph or photograph tickets on site, where do we go to do that? Is there a booth specifically for that? And do they take a card or do you have to have cash?

Topps Authentics will take Visa, Mastercard or Cash for autograph/photo Ops Payment. On the far end of the Exhibit Hall from the entrance is the Autograph Hall (West Hall A), there will be a booth where you can buy remaining autograph/photo tickets.

 

[Torrentia]

Going to close the Dis Boards Celebration meet poll early. Since people want to meet on Thursday over other days, I would like to have this on Thursday night over Saturday or Sunday nights. Location for the meet is Rosen Center Lobby Bar between 6 PM-7 PM Thursday April 13th. Rosen Center is across the Hall E/F Skybridge (Gary Sain memorial Bridge) from the convention center. This is to allow people who want to go to the Drowning in Moonlight event time to get ready afterwards and go to it. If your interested in joining me for the meet, Message me by Wednesday April 12th at 12 Noon ET. This gives me an opportunity to give a heads up on the group if it's big. Other Disney Parks/Star Wars Friends/Family are welcome to come.

We fly in at 4:30 that afternoon and want to hit the convention floor first so I don't think we can make it D: Also, this is my first time hearing about Drowning in Moonlight, anybody going/know what to expect? I definitely want to attend Mark Hamill's tribute to Carrie on Fri...

Also a question for veteran Celebration attendees, say I want to torture myself and arrive at the convention at 5am for TLJ bands...they say that they start handing out wristbands at 6am...how long should I expect to be there? If we do get wristbands, when should we come back to line up to get into the actual panel? Also, I assume you will need a band to get into the Carrie tribute panel that evening...Should we line up for that right after we get banded for TLJ?

Thanks everyone, I've been to other conventions before and none have been this exciting...or anxiety inducing.

 

[yulilin3]

We fly in at 4:30 that afternoon and want to hit the convention floor first so I don't think we can make it D: Also, this is my first time hearing about Drowning in Moonlight, anybody going/know what to expect? I definitely want to attend Mark Hamill's tribute to Carrie on Fri...

Also a question for veteran Celebration attendees, say I want to torture myself and arrive at the convention at 5am for TLJ bands...they say that they start handing out wristbands at 6am...how long should I expect to be there? If we do get wristbands, when should we come back to line up to get into the actual panel? Also, I assume you will need a band to get into the Carrie tribute panel that evening...Should we line up for that right after we get banded for TLJ?

Thanks everyone, I've been to other conventions before and none have been this exciting...or anxiety inducing.

by the looks of it arriving at 5am for TLJ panel will not guarantee a wristband, most likely you will get into one of the overflow, streaming rooms, just a heads up on that.
You can only get 2 wristbands per day for the shows, so after you get (hopefully) a wristband for TLJ get back in line in the correct line for the Mark Hamill wristband. All bands for the day will be distributed at 6am
The 11am panel will start loading at 10am, so if you have a wristband you ae guaranteed a seat but it depends how close/far you want to be from the stage, and that will determine if you line up right after 6am or wait until later

 

[xApril]

So I'm planning to camp out for the 40th Anniversary and Last Jedi panels. After I get those, I understand I can get a 2nd band. Are all the panels available to get a band or is it only certain bigger ones?

 

[Torrentia]

by the looks of it arriving at 5am for TLJ panel will not guarantee a wristband, most likely you will get into one of the overflow, streaming rooms, just a heads up on that.
You can only get 2 wristbands per day for the shows, so after you get (hopefully) a wristband for TLJ get back in line in the correct line for the Mark Hamill wristband. All bands for the day will be distributed at 6am
The 11am panel will start loading at 10am, so if you have a wristband you ae guaranteed a seat but it depends how close/far you want to be from the stage, and that will determine if you line up right after 6am or wait until later

6,000 people will be camping overnight?? D: We should have just nixed the hotel for our first night and camped out at the con! I'm okay with a streaming room I guess, just want to be part of the excitement Thanks for the super helpful info. Hoping the 40th panel recording will be avail as soon as we land