A DISers Guide to Star Wars Celebration

[doombuggy]

Yeah, I just might bring a stadium cushion with me this time, lol!
One thing I do expect since it will be back in Orlando is a Disney Merchandise presence in the dealer room. They did NOT have this in Anaheim.
I cant remember if I bought anything at the Celebration shop this time, for the reasons you mentioned. They had a real hard time with all those lines in Anaheim; that convention center, while beautiful, wasn't meant for that many people. The idea of 50k people seems a bit high, but maybe this is the total tickets sold.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Yeah, I just might bring a stadium cushion with me this time, lol!
One thing I do expect since it will be back in Orlando is a Disney Merchandise presence in the dealer room. They did NOT have this in Anaheim.
I cant remember if I bought anything at the Celebration shop this time, for the reasons you mentioned. They had a real hard time with all those lines in Anaheim; that convention center, while beautiful, wasn't meant for that many people. The idea of 50k people seems a bit high, but maybe this is the total tickets sold.

I know that many of the volunteers were having to fly by the seat of their pants too because those that orgnaized the event weren't getting the info out to the volunteers either

Yeah I tell you I sat on the floor many times during our waits, and this time out we have some plans for prepping for the lines.

There was announcements of Disney/Star Wars merch but not a lot sold, all the merch was gearing up for SWW in Orlando which was a few months later... we went there as well, we even did the SWW pre merch event in Orlando what cost a pretty penny to attend....

BUT I wouldn't count on too much disney/SW cross over merch.... notice that the parks really don't have cross over merch anymore either?!? What I mean is take note of how little new merch has Jedi Mickey and his friends in SW costumes....

 

[P&L@WDW]

Hello Gang, Following along...

Little background: I and my Hubby are members of the 501st Legion and we attened SW Celebration Anhiem last year. We also go to Disney World very often and have had the privilage of marching during SWW with the 501st in the SW motorcade.
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I am also a member of the 501st Legion (and Rebel Legion and working on the Mandalorian Mercs!) and was at SW Celebration Anaheim last year as well. I'm planning on going to Celebration 8 next year - they announced it just AFTER my bf and I booked our flights, etc, for Disney this fall. So we're upgrading our tickets to AP's and we're going to stick around a couple extra days before and after the convention!

Like Sunshine Student, I'm happy to offer insights or answer any questions I can!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I think it is a pretty common thing for convention volunteers to not know what is going on (due to no fault of their own). That is just the way of these conventions.

I attended all the conventions when they were held in Indy, I'm still debating going to this one or not.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I am also a member of the 501st Legion (and Rebel Legion and working on the Mandalorian Mercs!) and was at SW Celebration Anaheim last year as well. I'm planning on going to Celebration 8 next year - they announced it just AFTER my bf and I booked our flights, etc, for Disney this fall. So we're upgrading our tickets to AP's and we're going to stick around a couple extra days before and after the convention!

Like Sunshine Student, I'm happy to offer insights or answer any questions I can!

Hello @P&L@WDW

We have a big family trip to Orlando booked for this fall and we moved what would have been our trip to "March for the Mouse" (if they had held SWW) to December... so we were already on track for APs when they announced SWC in Orlando for 2017.

I know from the CO of the 501st Flordia Garrision they were already in planning stages moments after the anouncement hit. I imagine without there being a SWW this year at Disney they are raring to go. Last year my husband and I volunteered to work at the 501st booth at SWC Anaheim and plan to help out where we can this year as well. We haven't decided what costumes we are brining yet, we have more than a few projects in the works AND it will all depend on if we drive down or fly.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I think it is a pretty common thing for convention volunteers to not know what is going on (due to no fault of their own). That is just the way of these conventions.

I attended all the conventions when they were held in Indy, I'm still debating going to this one or not.

*WAVES* @OhioStateBuckeye It's been a while

Yes I would agree that can be the case but I know from the convetions we get involved in locally (and there are many) that SWC Anaheim had some above and beyond hicups. And I know many of my fellow 501st members that have shyed away from going to SWCs because of some past experiences, but my Garrision CO and many other long standing 501st memebers in our group tell me it's gotten better over the years, they kinda have for the most part figured out some stuff Sooooo.... I hope you take a chance and maybe I'll get to meet you in person

 

[tstidm1]

I think it is a pretty common thing for convention volunteers to not know what is going on (due to no fault of their own). That is just the way of these conventions.

I attended all the conventions when they were held in Indy, I'm still debating going to this one or not.

It's hard to do, but not impossible to do. Reed Pop has gotten better at this over the years itself. It is very hard with a few hundred Volunteers for them to know everything. Good ones know when to use their chain of command to get the help or information they need. My hope is that Reed Pop will do better with this at Europe in two months to help us get a better sense on this for Orlando.

Since people are talking about Pre or Post Plans, My tentative plan is to spend a couple of post days at Universal since I would like to see Kong. If Rivers of Light is up and running, I may move to an off-site near WDW and buy a two or three day hopper.

 

[yulilin3]

MegaCon is next weekend, already got my tickets for Saturday. I'm sure they are very happy that SWW got cancelled. Jeremy Bulloch, Anthony Daniel, Daniel Logan and James Arnold Taylor are coming. I'm not meeting any of them since a) I've got all their autographs and pictures and b)they charge per autograph or photo, but it'll be nice to see them. Some of them even have Q&A panels.
I'm excited to get a pic with The Luggabeast from Force Awakens Someone is bringing a full scale one, also Roxy the Rancor

 

[The Sunrise Student]

MegaCon is next weekend, already got my tickets for Saturday. I'm sure they are very happy that SWW got cancelled. Jeremy Bulloch, Anthony Daniel, Daniel Logan and James Arnold Taylor are coming....

That is very telling... Both JTA and Bulloch being at Mega Con good for the con but a sign that they were free when they would normally be at SWW... If you see JTA asking if he is getting involved with SWC Orlando?

Is MEGA CON always during this time frame?

Very cool on the picture ops... say Hi to Roxy for me

 

[yulilin3]

That is very telling... Both JTA and Bulloch being at Mega Con good for the con but a sign that they were free when they would normally be at SWW... If you see JTA asking if he is getting involved with SWC Orlando?

Is MEGA CON always during this time frame?

Very cool on the picture ops... say Hi to Roxy for me

no last year it was in April, they didn't announce SW guests until about a month ago so not sure if they already knew or not.
If I see him I'll ask about SWC Orlando

 

[The Sunrise Student]

no last year it was in April, they didn't announce SW guests until about a month ago so not sure if they already knew or not.
If I see him I'll ask about SWC Orlando

Gotchya... wonder when it will be next year with Celebration in April.

 

[yulilin3]

Here are the prices of the autographs and photos if you want to compare with Celebration
Daniel Logan autograph $30 picture $35
James A Taylor $25 $15
Anthony Daniel $70 $80
Jeremy Bulloch $30 $50

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

MegaCon is next weekend, already got my tickets for Saturday. I'm sure they are very happy that SWW got cancelled. Jeremy Bulloch, Anthony Daniel, Daniel Logan and James Arnold Taylor are coming. I'm not meeting any of them since a) I've got all their autographs and pictures and b)they charge per autograph or photo, but it'll be nice to see them. Some of them even have Q&A panels.
I'm excited to get a pic with The Luggabeast from Force Awakens Someone is bringing a full scale one, also Roxy the Rancor

Here are the prices of the autographs and photos if you want to compare with Celebration
Daniel Logan autograph $30 picture $35
James A Taylor $25 $15
Anthony Daniel $70 $80
Jeremy Bulloch $30 $50

I'm hoping to attend Dallas Fan Expo the first weekend of June. Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Jeremy Bullock, Daniel Logan, JAT and Peter Mayhew will be in attendance (along with 20 other of my favorite celebrities like the Phelps twins and Lena Heady and Jack Gleeson). I think their prices are about the same as what you posted for yours. Carrie Fisher is $90/95. Anthony Daniels has been a favorite of mine for a while so I'd like a picture and an autograph, same with Carrie Fisher. Luckily I've already met Jeremy Bullock and Peter Mayhew at the earlier SW cons, and their autographs were much cheaper then and pics were included. I've met JAT and had him record a voice mail for me at SWW but I'd like to meet him again and he isn't that expensive. I guess it makes sense to charge for pictures since selfies are kind of the new autograph, but it sucks.

Back in the day (haha I'm not even old) I just walked around the autograph area at the Indy SW celebration and talked to all the celebrities who didn't have any line and most of them just let me get a picture without paying for an autograph.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

*WAVES* @OhioStateBuckeye It's been a while

Yes I would agree that can be the case but I know from the convetions we get involved in locally (and there are many) that SWC Anaheim had some above and beyond hicups. And I know many of my fellow 501st members that have shyed away from going to SWCs because of some past experiences, but my Garrision CO and many other long standing 501st memebers in our group tell me it's gotten better over the years, they kinda have for the most part figured out some stuff Sooooo.... I hope you take a chance and maybe I'll get to meet you in person

My boyfriend and I are attending Dallas Fan Expo in early June. Are any of your friends going to that one? Brian is very interested in talking to the Droid Builders, he has been on their forums a lot lately. He is purchasing a 3D printer and is then going to start the long process of making a Chopper droid. Once that nears completion I was thinking of attempting a Hera costume to join the Rebel Legion. I've always wanted to be an x wing pilot but if I'm Hera I will fit with Chopper. The head tails and make up will probably suck, but I guess we'll figure it out.

I remember meeting 501st members way back in Indy. I think my favorite was a Grand Admiral Thrawn. Is the USA Flag stormtrooper armor guy still around? Actually, maybe he wasn't 501st since his armor wouldn't be movie ready.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

My boyfriend and I are attending Dallas Fan Expo in early June. Are any of your friends going to that one? Brian is very interested in talking to the Droid Builders, he has been on their forums a lot lately. He is purchasing a 3D printer and is then going to start the long process of making a Chopper droid. Once that nears completion I was thinking of attempting a Hera costume to join the Rebel Legion. I've always wanted to be an x wing pilot but if I'm Hera I will fit with Chopper. The head tails and make up will probably suck, but I guess we'll figure it out.

I remember meeting 501st members way back in Indy. I think my favorite was a Grand Admiral Thrawn. Is the USA Flag stormtrooper armor guy still around? Actually, maybe he wasn't 501st since his armor wouldn't be movie ready.

Grand Admiral Throne does alot more costumes now and is the XO of the garrison He is doing a really cool Emprior these days. I have never meet USA Flag Stormtrooper he might have retired prior to my joining the garrison.

I am not sure about Texas, I know very few from that area, however there are bound to be 501st there

Check your messages

 

[P&L@WDW]

Hello @P&L@WDW
I know from the CO of the 501st Flordia Garrision they were already in planning stages moments after the anouncement hit. I imagine without there being a SWW this year at Disney they are raring to go. Last year my husband and I volunteered to work at the 501st booth at SWC Anaheim and plan to help out where we can this year as well. We haven't decided what costumes we are brining yet, we have more than a few projects in the works AND it will all depend on if we drive down or fly.

I know the Florida Garrison is on top of things already - from what I hear of the last Celebration that was in Florida, it was absolutely fantastic! I'm excited to go again!

I volunteered at the 501st booth alot last year, as well - At the time, my main 501st costume was Visas Marr and a female Tusken (with baby!). I also participated in the MAW troop on the one morning, which was a special experience (I'd only been an official member for about a month at that point!). I'm sure I'll end up volunteering this year as well.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I know the Florida Garrison is on top of things already - from what I hear of the last Celebration that was in Florida, it was absolutely fantastic! I'm excited to go again!

I volunteered at the 501st booth alot last year, as well - At the time, my main 501st costume was Visas Marr and a female Tusken (with baby!). I also participated in the MAW troop on the one morning, which was a special experience (I'd only been an official member for about a month at that point!). I'm sure I'll end up volunteering this year as well.

Wait did you say you were at the MAW Troop... are you talking about the Make a Wish troop? For the little guy that wanted to meet Darth Vader!?!?! If so my husband and I were there!!!! We were the officers helping with the photo ops, keeping the lines organized and helping Helen and her husband with collecting donations.

 

[P&L@WDW]

Wait did you say you were at the MAW Troop... are you talking about the Make a Wish troop? For the little guy that wanted to meet Darth Vader!?!?! If so my husband and I were there!!!! We were the officers helping with the photo ops, keeping the lines organized and helping Helen and her husband with collecting donations.

Yup! I was the Visas Marr right up at the front of the lines, to the right hand side of the Emperor (when you were facing him). My CO was the Revan across from me.

Small world!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Yup! I was the Visas Marr right up at the front of the lines, to the right hand side of the Emperor (when you were facing him). My CO was the Revan across from me.

Small world!

LOL ok we were there... My husband also does Darth Revan but didn't bring that costume because we flew out and didn't want to worry about it getting damanaged... so we brought the officers. After the Troop we continued organizing the photo ops.

 

[tstidm1]

Disney announced the date that the new Date for Galactic Spectacular Fireworks. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...t-disneys-hollywood-studios-starting-june-17/ for the information. Something new to look forward to during Star Wars Celebration pre or post visits to the resort.