Monday, April 17, 2017

Star Wars Celebration

Another perk to living so close to Orlando, besides having Disney so close is when Star Wars Celebration chooses the Orlando Convention Center as their location. My husband and I visited back in 2010 a few months before I became pregnant. Things have definitely changed a lot since then! Back before Disney purchased Lucasfilm and before their was any talk of more movies it definitely wasn't as crazy. Back then, we just walked up and waited in a very short line to meet and take a picture with Peter Mayhew and then walked up and met Jake Lloyd with no wait. 

This year we had just purchased a one day pass for Saturday and brought our son with us as well. I had been following the days before and was a little nervous hearing about the horror stories of people waiting 2-3 hours just to get in the building! (3 hours with no bathroom and a 5 year old, um no thank you!) Over the next 2 days they opened more entrances and things seemed to move a little smoother, when it came to entering the building anyway. Some friends we were with had pre-purchased an autograph/photo time with Peter Mayhew and unfortunately ended up spending half their day waiting in line for it. 

We got there a little before it opened and were in about 30 minutes after opening. We swung by and picked up some wristbands for the Star Wars and Disney Parks panel later that day and then headed into the showroom floor.  





When you first enter you are greeted by a very large AT-AT along with a snowspeeder photo op, lego displays, and some cool Star Wars inspired cars.






There are always so many awesome people who come dressed in some really impressive costumes who spend their time taking pictures with people.







The showroom is filled with so many vendors. We didn't even get a chance to see everything! There were many talented artists selling their artwork, Star Wars inspired furniture (who doesn't need a Han Solo in carbonite coffee table?), clothing, costumes, purses, luggage, and so many toys. Funko Pop was releasing new figures and my husband really wanted the Rey on her Speeder, but unfortunately we did not win the lottery to get in early to purchase and they were all sold out by the time we could get in. Lego, Funko Pop, Hasbro, and the Celebration Store were all next to impossible to get any exclusive merchandise. Unless you wanted to spend hours in line that is or were lucky enough to win their lotteries for early entrance. 

My Son's favorite character is R2-D2, and he was beyond thrilled to meet and interact with him! He also got to partake in some droid racing! 



Beyond the showroom floor they also had panels throughout the day. Some you had to line up the night before and that still didn't get you entrance (Last Jedi trailer anyone?) and some you could just show up to. I watched the 40th anniversary panel and Last Jedi panel live streams from the comfort of my home with snacks and no lines! I did attend a panel in the afternoon by myself, behind the scenes of the Cantina. I am currently in the middle of planning my sons Star Wars birthday party and am turning our dining room into the Cantina, so I was hoping for some creative inspiration! Later that day we all attended the Disney Parks panel. We were hoping for some fun new reveals for the new Star Wars land, but it is still too far off that only a few small details were announced, but Anthony Daniels did join the panel, so that was fun!

Overall we had a great time. My son walked away spending the most out of all of us! (He had some leftover Christmas money, he still had!) There was just so much to see and do, we didn't even hit half of what we would have liked to. Next time if we are lucky enough for Celebration to come to Orlando we will definitely purchase a 4 day pass. 




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