Things to do for a budding Star Wars fan

[94bruin]

My DD1 is moving out of the Disney Princesses phase into the Star Wars phase.

I'm aware of the new Star Tours and the Jedi Training show. Is there anything else to see?

She asked if she could meet Princess Leia, Han Solo, etc at Disneyland. I told her that I didn't think they were there. Then she asked where she lived(!)

Um, in any case, you can't meet the characters at DL, right?

 

[Cali_Sparrow]

I'm not sure when you are planning to visit, but the Hollywood Bowl sometimes has a Star Wars concert, and you can bring your light sabers, I've heard it's pretty fun and everyone there is into it.

There's also a Star Wars pin trading event on June 24th at the Disneyland Hotel: http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/event?id=55867

Also, Legoland recently opened a new "miniland" devoted to Star Wars:
http://california.legoland.com/plan/shows_and_events/STAR-WARS-Miniland/

Within Disneyland, I've noticed there isn't a whole lot for Star Wars fans currently. But I bet when Star Tours reopens there will be tons of new merchandise/fan experiences.

 

[94bruin]

We went to Legoland over Spring Break. Got to see the new Star Wars Miniland. Very cool!

I didn't think there was much else in DL in terms of Star Wars. I've just been focused on Princesses for the past few trips, that I pretty much glossed over the Star Wars stuff. Wasn't sure if there was anything that I missed.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Brer Cameron]

There is a Star Wars related shop connected to Star Tours called the Star Trader. I haven't been back since they remodeled it, but I believe they still have a part of the store where you can build your own lightsaber. It's pretty neat.

 

[Nonsuch]

I'm aware of the new Star Tours and the Jedi Training show. Is there anything else to see?

If you want a very special Star Wars trip, visit Disneyland in early June
I expect there will be many Star Wars characters at the Star Tours Relaunch on June 3rd.

Star Wars in Concert plays the Hollywood Bowl the same weekend.
This is an excellent show.

There are also Star Wars Weekends at Disney World

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

If it's not too scary, being selected for the Jedi Training Academy would be a big experience. I would show her videos from YouTube to if it's something she would be interested in. There's more than one show throughout the day but I would start earlier so you have the other times to try in case she's not picked the first time around.

If you watch videos be sure to watch Disneyland shows only, very different than the WDW show - much better in my opinion!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

There's a small portion of the Remember, Dreams Come True fireworks show devoted to Star Tours and Star Wars. If you ever feel up to it, there's also ComiCon in San Diego, where there are always a lot of people dressed up in Star Wars costumes (my uncle is a huge Star Wars fan and goes to ComiCon every year, so I've seen several pictures of different people in Star Wars costumes at ComiCon and their costumes are amazing). Also, the newest edition of D-23 (with Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz on the cover) has an article on the new Star Tours ride.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Depending on how long it is until you go, I think your DD1 will be too young to participate in the Jedi show but I'm sure she will enjoy watching it anyway.
She'll see Darth, Dark Maul, Storm Troopers and a Jedi Master with a few assistants.

I think the other posts pretty much answered the question pretty well.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

If you want to meet Star Wars characters at a Disney park, either pray for Star Wars Weekends to come west in 2012 or just plan to visit WDW for Star Wars Weekends.

The Star Trader did offer a insert yourself into a Star Wars scene photograph. There were multiple scenes and characters to choose from. Posing for the photo is free and Disney will print it out and let you see it before you commit to buy it. I did it in 2003 and it cost about $30. That said, I don't know what the current price is or if it's even offered now with the new Star Tours coming.

Otherwise, you have the Jedi Training Academy and Star Tours. And if you're lucky, one of the princesses may make a big deal out of a Jedi if your DD is wearing something Star Wars related, including a lightsaber. My lanyard is split between my two favorite films (Star Wars and Sleeping Beauty), so I've had occasions where a princess asks me if I'm a Jedi. Even as an adult, it's insanely cool when a Disney Princess asks if you're a Jedi.