So, Thursday morning I had a tour of Parc Soleil in order to get the room cheap. I have vowed NEVER to do one of these ownership tours but here I was. NEVER AGAIN!!! Anyway, the guy started telling me all of these statistics and number as to why it's actually cheaper to buy a vacation rental instead of just going -- but he lied to me a couple of times so that put me off as well. First, he said you could NEVER get a discount on a hotel room at Disney except for through them (how wrong that is!). He also said you had to pay $30/day to park at a Disney Hotel (LIE!). So, that was two hours wasted. I knew I'd have to do it -- and had it scheduled for a long time, so I knew I wouldn't get to Celebration in time to make a streaming panel room, let alone a live one. I had seen on these boards that people had been lining up early the evening before. I was a bit jealous, but also knew I'd see if streaming. I figured if I got there by 10:30, enough of the crowd would already be inside that I'd be golden. SO WRONG! The lines were outrageous! Only one door was open.
I had a 1pm photograph with Mark Hamill (and all things Mark were my priority!), and I was freaking out. 12:30 came and I heard we were AT THE HALFWAY POINT. I was insanely freaked out!!! I was standing in line, though, by some members of the 501st. One of them went to the "back door" and told security, "listen, you have people in shape having issues out here out in the sun. If you don't open another door soon, you'd have to call paramedics instead." That security guard then checked and within 10 minutes, the back door was open. I was in!!! Someone was giving me his VIP card for autographs (he was just interested in the panels). He was going to meet me just after the panel to give me the VIP card before my Mark Hamill photo. I asked quickly where the showroom floor was. No one knew! I asked THREE different staff members. They had no idea. UNBELIEVABLE! I finally figured it out. I had watched most of the 40th panel on my phone. I got into the show floor and saw a big screen at the starwars.com stage showing it. I was thrilled! I was there just in time for the Carrie tribute. When John Williams showed up conducting the Orlando orchestra, I teared up. <3 Amazing!
I then went to the autograph VIP area and waited. My new best friend came and made sure with the Topps people (as he had with the VIP people earlier) that all was going to be good if he gave me his card. They assured us it was fine, as they were going to be marking off the uses anyway. So, they got me to the front of the line for Mark without any wait. I was SO excited! (And, I realized they hadn't marked off the card after I got the picture...hmmmmm.....) I heard some other VIPs just showed up at the line and were let up front. I had read they escorted you, but whatever. So, I had on my "Luke Skywalker as David Bowie Rebel Rebel" shirt. Mark said, "I LOVE your shirt!" I said, "well, I love YOU!!!" He grabbed my hand and was amazing. He squeezed my hand as we left. You can probably see the joy in my face here:
Standing in line, I realized from talking to folks, I could have my buddy Bill and his son, P, in the pictures with me. I texted him and asked if he wanted to meet up for my Billy Dee Williams photo. They were over the moon! So, I had the 2nd cutest kid on the planet (next to mine) with me, and Billy barely said "hello" to us. I had expected that and it was still cool to get a pic, but even a wink at the little boy would've been nice, Billy!
I then made some time to talk around and take some pics:
Princess Leia's actual dress from IV. <3
Next, it was pretty early, so I ran to get the Thrawn book. It was late enough the Celebration version was already sold out (DRAT!) but I grabbed the Barnes and Nobel edition. I thought I'd come back later to get Timothy Zahn's autograph. Bill and P and I went to the Star Wars art show. I had a pic I accidentally deleted of my favorite piece -- one of Darth in his chamber from the waste down and his helmet was off and in two pieces next to him. Bill bought an R2 art piece. I went back to Timothy Zahn's autograph session and there was a long line. I didn't have anything else to do, so I got in. Bill and P had to run to meet Toby and Pam at the parks. Bill was hoping to get the autograph later. I started chatting with all the nice people around me. I realized the water fountain didn't work and a really nice guy gave me an extra bottle he had. Between that and the 501st guy, I was feeling the force of nice souls! The guy in front of me wasn't able to even get the regular copy of Thrawn, but had Heir to the Empire he wanted Zahn to sign. We got up near the front and the Barnes and Noble lady said, "everyone who has bought the new Thrawn book can have things signed." The guy in front of me said, "wait, you have to have Thrawn?" She looked at him and me and said, "it's ok because you guys bought a copy." She obviously thought we were together, so I said something like, "it's fine, sweetie since we at least have one!" She walked away and I said, "well, I guess I'm your girlfriend for the next few minutes!" When we got to the front they asked if we were together. We said, "YES!" probably a little too loudly. LOL. WE both got our books and each got this cool poster. I had him sign it for my son:
Then, I parted ways and never saw my temporary boyfriend again. (My permanent boyfriend is probably happy about this! LOL!)
I bought a few more things, including these awesome items:
I was so weighed down, I figured I'd better go and rest up for the next day, as I wanted to get here BRIGHT AND EARLY for Mark's tribute to Carrie panel and the Last Jedi panel! As Mark was my priority, tomorrow was going to be an amazing day I just knew (but was a little apprehensive as I knew I'd be up really early and out really late at DHS's Galactic Night!). Tomorrow: I had lots of luck, met a guy my mom loves from Pawn Stars, got the souvenir of my son's dreams, and then lost my car...
It was already not working before that. She had a paper due in a couple of days too. I never saw her again to see if it worked. :|
