Star Wars Weekends 1st & 2nd Day Report!

[brer_frog]

Hello Star Wars fans,

Just wanted to give you an update on what's happening at Star Wars Weekends. First of all, the pins went on sale today (Friday morning) at Tatooine Traders. There are no vouchers, it is first come first serve. The lines were long and it looks like they should be sold out by the evening. There were still pins avaliable before I left at around 1PM, but not many.

The pins that were available today were, Yoda and the Naboo Fighter. The event pin (LE 6000) which was supposed to be released today, was not yet completed and customers had the option to pre-order the pin. Disney will then mail it you, in about one-and-half weeks. Castmembers also said that the remainder of these pins would go on sale at Tatooine Traders later in the month.

There are no posters this year. What they have instead, is an original lithograph of the Star Wars Logo and new artwork image, signed by their Senior Graphic Artist, Randy Noble. The lithograph is a LE 1000 and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. On the lower left hand corner of each lithograph, there is the edition number that looks similar to this: 42/1000. From what I have seen they are good sellers. Most guests were getting their's signed by today's guests Kenny Baker and Doug Chaing. Also, one of the castmembers said there are no posters at this year's event because last year, they printed too many and didn't make enough profit on them, as originally planned. Regardless, they are still pretty cool and I bought one, although they are $30. The image is of R2D2 projecting a hologram of Mickey in the Sorcer's hat like R2 projected of Princess Leia in the original movie. This year's logo pin is the same image with Mickey being in 3D.

The autograph sessions this year are also better organized than last year. Numbered arm bands are issued at the park's opening for an autograph session with your favorite celebrity. If you are planning on having both celebrities sign your merchandise, you need to have two arm bands. When obtaining them in the morning, there are two separate lines for the arm band disbursment. Also, each celebrity has two autograph sessions per day, of one hour each. One in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Well, I hope this helps answer anyone's questions who is planning on attending the event.

May the force be with you,

Roy (Brer_Frog)

 

[holycow]

If I could go your info would be helpful...I wish I could so close and yet so far....sigh.............lol
HOlycow

 

[MeanLaureen]

Thanks for the info! Can't wait until we are there for the last weekend!

 

[Dom13]

Roy, or anyone else, do you know if the guests are allowed to sign thing not from the event? I have a poster I would love to get signed by Jeremy Bulloch, Boba Fett. I will be buying things from the event just would rather have the poster signed.

 

[brer_frog]

Hey Dom,

Here is a short report on day two from Star Wars Weekends 2001.

First, there were Naboo Fighter and Yoda pins avaliable on Saturday morning. I beleive they sold out later in the day and were only pre-selling the event logo pin. Also, there seem to be many litographs still available, too.

As for the autograph sessions, the rules are one item gets signed per guest. The item can be pretty much anything you want. I saw banners, posters, toys, books, post cards, and even some home made stuff. Also each celeberity gives out a free black and white publicity photo. Kenny Baker's signature was scanned and printed on his photo, whereas, Doug Chaing signed his personaly. I guess that will just depend on each individual celeberity. Also one final note. They are only giving out 100 wrist bands per autograph session, then if there was more time, a stand-by-line was available.

Roy (Brer_Frog)

 

[Dar20]

We were at Tatooine Traders today (Sat.) at about 12:30-1:00, and had no trouble getting the pins. There wasn't much of a line, either. The lithographs were still available, as well. I was surprised there wasn't too much of a crowd around... I thought the place would be crazy.

Dar

 

[Dom13]

Thanks Roy! Now I just have to find the poster!

 

[becka]

I love that idea about the wrist bands. I was really worried we would spend way too much time waiting in line for autographs.

How early would you suggest we get there in the morning next weekend for Carrie Fisher and Peter Mayhew?

 

[brer_frog]

Hi Becka,

At last year's Star Wars Weekends, guest began waiting in line, for Carrie Fisher, as of 1:00 am. MGM opens at 9:00 am, and I got there about 7:30am and all the days wrist band had been distributed and I had to wait in the stand-by line, if that gives you any idea. Luckly, I was the one of the first five in the stand-by line and barely got in and managed to get a autograph, but there were sure plenty of angry guests that had to wait until the following day and try again. Also, Carrie Fisher only had one session per day last year and signed on two days instead of three. I'm not sure what her schedule is like this year, but I will personaily be there early so I won't miss my chance to receive an autograph.

Also, the pins don't seem to be in high demand as I though they would be. As of 2:00 pm on Sunday there were still Naboo Fighter Pins remaining, but Yoda was sold out. This coming weekend I heard castmembers say the Millenium Falcon pins would be released which is the one pin I'm really after.

Good Luck and let me know what happens.

Roy (Brer_Frog)