**Official** Star Wars at DHS, Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party/Galactic Nights/Launch Bay/JT

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If they are going to do away with Star Wars characters dressed as Disney characters then don't sell me the merchandise that reflects that type of marketing.

I assume they won't anymore, if this is true.

 

[soniam]

I would be bummed if they don't do SWW, and they only do SOF during February and March. It seems like they could run SOF longer and still get people wanting to go. Look at FSF. However, I don't know what Disney is thinking or what factors are involved. I am planning a contingency trip for March, but WDW won't make as much money off of us if we only go in March. We can only stay during Spring Break about 5-6 days at WDW; whereas, early June we would stay at WDW for 8-9 days. Plus, if they are doing SW stuff, we would probably do a VIP tour or premium package and more character meals. Oh well, more waiting

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I would be bummed if they don't do SWW, and they only do SOF during February and March. It seems like they could run SOF longer and still get people wanting to go. Look at FSF. However, I don't know what Disney is thinking or what factors are involved. I am planning a contingency trip for March, but WDW won't make as much money off of us if we only go in March. We can only stay during Spring Break about 5-6 days at WDW; whereas, early June we would stay at WDW for 8-9 days. Plus, if they are doing SW stuff, we would probably do a VIP tour or premium package and more character meals. Oh well, more waiting

agreed - and on a side note I seriously think Disney is trying to mess with my head!

 

[HCinKC]

Spring breaks is why I think this sounds so odd... Why have something designed to draw MORE people at one of your busiest times?? Ugh.

Yeah...but, as you said, they love the nonsensical! On one hand, I suppose it would help drive traffic to HS which will otherwise be even less desirable than it already is (according to many, not me!). On the other hand, why drive people there when it will be smaller, tighter quarters with limited attractions due to construction? I also agree wi whoever mentioned running it for an extended period. They are milking the ish out of Frozen and FSF, one would presume they could/should do that with SW, too. I suppose an argument could be made that they don't know how successful the relaunch will be...but, given they are already filming at least two more movies, they are well invested. Plus, fans don't care. They will go even if its garbage lol.

 

[hiroMYhero]

@Skywise - I know you asked earlier about a Disney-style shadowbox. I'm in FL now and staying with a CM friend who has this Disneyland shadowbox. At least this is what we've always considered a shadowbox so maybe the Osborne Lights one will be similar:


Off to DTD now and if anyone wants me to check on the availability of any SW items, let me know!

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

That's a bummer about the Disney characters not wearing SW costumes anymore.

 

[AngiTN]

I assume they won't anymore, if this is true.

You would think but they just put out a bunch of new ones

 

[hiroMYhero]

You would think but they just put out a bunch of new ones

There's only two different cross-branded shirts on the Shop Disney Parks app. Nothing cross-branded in Once Upon a Toy when I walked through a few minutes ago... was looking to see if I could find anything with Leia Minnie. Fortunately, yulilin picked up the Jedi Mickey Tervis for me at SWW. Sad to see them go.

 

[AngiTN]

There's only two different cross-branded shirts on the Shop Disney Parks app. Nothing cross-branded in Once Upon a Toy when I walked through a few minutes ago... was looking to see if I could find anything with Leia Minnie. Fortunately, yulilin picked up the Jedi Mickey Tervis for me at SWW. Sad to see them go.

Now that I think on it the ones I saw were star wars characters with Mickey ears rather than Disney characters in star wars gear. Which also seems to go against making the characters more serious, which is what I read to be the reason for eliminating Jedi Mickey and friends.

 

[AngiTN]

I was just telling DH about the elimination of the Disney star wars characters. DGD is in the other room working on her rainbow loom. I had no idea she could hear me or that she cared but she let out a huge groan. I thought something went wrong with her project. Nope, it was because of what I told DH. If she cares that much this is really going to make some kids very sad

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Now that I think on it the ones I saw were star wars characters with Mickey ears rather than Disney characters in star wars gear. Which also seems to go against making the characters more serious, which is what I read to be the reason for eliminating Jedi Mickey and friends.

I've been thinking about it this way: with the new films, there will be that many more potential SW characters to M&G. Freeing up the Disney SW guys puts those regular characters out in the park for all those non-SW folks to meet. With SW having a greater and then permanent presence in DHS over time, this doesn't seem nuts to me.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Now that I think on it the ones I saw were star wars characters with Mickey ears rather than Disney characters in star wars gear. Which also seems to go against making the characters more serious, which is what I read to be the reason for eliminating Jedi Mickey and friends.

I just saw those and was thinking the same. Disney just doesn't want the VIP characters in SW garb but SW characters can wear ears. Strange.

 

[yulilin3]

we must remember that Disney Merchandise and Disney Park Operations are two different branches, while one might want to have SW in a more serious, classic way the other knows how much Disney/SW cross over items will sell.
The new Watto's Grotto is pretty straight up SW only, old movies and Force Awakens, while at Mickey's of Hollywood and Tattooine Traders you can still find cross over items,

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I just saw those and was thinking the same. Disney just doesn't want the VIP characters in SW garb but SW characters can wear ears. Strange.

Only strange if their reasoning for eliminating the Disney characters in SW garb is what people are saying / assuming about "brand purity".

That may not be the reason at all. I suspect it's not given how many places SW characters or turning up (from Lucky Charms to Jelly Belly). May be a more practical one like I posited above.

And maybe not... I'm adding this to my "who knows?!?" list re: Disney.


ETA: I also think that to the extent that they want to keep SW seeming "cool" to teen boys -- where PERHAPS the Disney SW guys might hurt -- the shirts with Stormtroopers eating Mickey Bars etc are comical and appeal to adults -- and as a result, I suspect seem cool enough to teens as well. I know I've had more than one teen boy say "cool shirt" about my "get a taste of the dark side" shirt.

 

[frisbeego]

While we wait for official news, I'll solicit help for throwing my first birthday party. I'd like to re-create Jedi Training Academy for my son's 7th birthday in January. Does anyone have suggestions for a convincing Vader and Jedi Master in the Chicago area for hire/donation? I checked out the 501st Legion, but, according to its website, they don't do light saber battles or mock fighting. I could rent a costume and hire a college student, but would prefer one-stop-shopping if possible. And, if you have any cool SW party ideas, feel free to PM me.

 

[LoKiHB]

Update on my email to Disney:

While waiting in the deli line at Stop & Shop this evening, I received a call from Disney Gues Services.

The girl I spoke to was very friendly and very concerned about my concerns regarding SWW.

I will tell you what she told me, and we can discuss and speculate as necessary....

1. She told me that SWW is still on the web site and that she doesn't think they would leave it up as it would be confusing to many people looking to book. When I told her that I had updated many websites in my day and the ease with which I could change a 5 to a 6 as a placeholder, she agreed but reiterated that she didn't think they'd just leave it.

2. When I told her I felt that an event as big and popular as SWW at the very least should deserve an announcement and a send off at the very least with one more year, she agreed and said that normally with an event of this size and popularity they normally make an announcement way ahead and would not normally just quietly end it.

3. She acknowledged that with the new lands coming that things are always changing, but again seemed more like she was inclined to believe there wouldn't be any major changes this year.

In the end, she unsurprisingly had nothing concrete. It's pretty clear that the CM's I Guest Services don't have any inside information, and at this point the only folks who may or may not know the fate of SWW are not the folks that have to answer the calls.

I'd like to take this as a positive, but I guess we'll see.

 

[yulilin3]

@LoKiHB thanks for the update. I will also take that as a positive. Even though Guest Relations and WDW Communications have very little info ahead of time they do log in all the calls and complaints so at least there should be a fairly large folder about SWW somewhere. I tend to agree that at this point we would've heard a negative announcement on the event. Disney's fiscal year ends Sept. 27th and if I don't hear any news about SWW 2016 by then I'll take it as it is happening

 

[yulilin3]

was at DHS yesterday and here is a pic of a beanie that just came in, it's very cute. I call it BB-Beanie

my most recent update from DHS
http://parksintransition.weebly.com/blog/construction-update-dhs

 

[LoKiHB]

@LoKiHB thanks for the update. I will also take that as a positive. Even though Guest Relations and WDW Communications have very little info ahead of time they do log in all the calls and complaints so at least there should be a fairly large folder about SWW somewhere. I tend to agree that at this point we would've heard a negative announcement on the event. Disney's fiscal year ends Sept. 27th and if I don't hear any news about SWW 2016 by then I'll take it as it is happening

Now if we can just get them to do the Galactic Breakfast and the Jedi Mickey dinner....

 

[AngiTN]

Update on my email to Disney:

While waiting in the deli line at Stop & Shop this evening, I received a call from Disney Gues Services.

The girl I spoke to was very friendly and very concerned about my concerns regarding SWW.

2. When I told her I felt that an event as big and popular as SWW at the very least should deserve an announcement and a send off at the very least with one more year, she agreed and said that normally with an event of this size and popularity they normally make an announcement way ahead and would not normally just quietly end it.

The fact that this is how they handled Osborn Lights says to me that this is a correct line of thinking.