Star Wars Weekends, Weeks 1 and 2
So last weekend was the first week of Star Wars Weekends, an annual event at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I haven't been in attendance lately, but after going to Celebration V in August, I knew I had to start attending Star Wars Weekends again. Plus, new Star Tours 3D!
I had planned to attend last Saturday, but then the rumors started flying that George Lucas would be in attendance for the Opening Ceremonies on Friday morning. So I begged my boss for the day off and switched my plans. I arrived bright and early Friday morning and met with Shannon, one of my fanfic friends, and her roommates. We waited for several hours until the big event. And it was totally worth it! The show was quite cute, and, as rumored, GL was there and came out in a Jedi cloak and all. It was awesome.
After that excitement we ate lunch, then went on Star Tours. Thankfully, the people I were with had a pass where we could get to the front of the line, which was awesome! And so is the ride! I usually get sick on simulator type rides, but this one didn't bother me at all. Best of all is that you go to different planets, so the ride is always different. Let me just say that jumping to hyperspace is completely and totally awesome.
Next we went to the Behind the Force show with Ashley Eckstein (who is the BtF host for all four weekends) and Dave Filoni. They showed the new Season 4 Clone Wars trailer which featured Admiral Ackbar, which made Shannon and I squeal like fangirls. And of course kids asked Dave Filoni uncomfortable questions.
After that was the Stars of the Saga show with Daniel Logan and Anthony Daniels, hosted by James Arnold Taylor, the event host for all four weeks. All three were awesome and the highlight of the show was Anthony Daniels mimicking a C-3PO tape dispenser by laying on the coffee table. Oh, Anthony, you never cease to amuse me.
Then we were pretty much done of the day thanks to the early start, so Shannon and I went to the merchandise hut so I could buy a new Her Universe t-shirt, then we left.
Today (Saturday) was weekend 2. We decided to go later so we wouldn't be so tired and would want to stay for the later shows that we missed on Week 1. Once we arrived we got in place for the parade, and had a good time cheering for all the characters and especially the 501st and Rebel Legion.
The highlight of the day (and probably my month) came immediately after that. Once the parade was over Shannon and I made our way to the theatre where they were having all the Star Wars shows. As we're walking I heard people yelling "Her Universe!" behind me. I didn't realize what they were doing and kept walking. Finally the woman behind me said "Where'd you get your bag?" (It was my purple Her Universe reusable shopping bag.) I realized she was talking to me and turned around to tell her that I had gotten it at Celebration V, when I bought my Her Universe shirt. I managed to get out "At Celebration V", when I realized that ASHLEY FREAKING ECKSTEIN was with the woman. I think I made a really dumb face while saying "oh my god" which made Shannon, Ashley, and the other woman laugh at me really hard. So of course Ashley thanked me for buying Her Universe products, and then she looked at me and asked, "Are you Nanci on Twitter?" !!!!!!! I mentally facepalmed and said, "Yes, I am..." And she said thank you for all my posts, and I replied, "Yeah I kind of stalk people on Twitter, I'm sorry!" And she said, "No, thank you so much for all the support and posts!" And then I tried to be cool so I asked her about the tote bag that they're designing and how I was looking forward to buying it. If I had been more coherent and had more time, I would have asked her about the Mara Jade t-shirt. But anyway, it was only maybe 30 seconds that we talked before she got where she needed to go, but I flailed for the rest of the day knowing that Ashley Eckstein recognized me from my Twitter avatar. How cool is that?!
So of course after that we went to see Ashley's show, which we were planning to do anyway. She interviewed Dee Bradley Baker, who does the voice of all the clones on The Clone Wars. That guy is hysterical and has tons of energy. He was running around the theatre like a madman. Also during the show, James Arnold Taylor came out to introduce Ashley, and he was wearing Jedi robes, which was really awesome. Then Dee and Ashley did a scene together, then James came out and joined in the fun. It made me laugh and laugh and laugh.
We needed food then so we went and got lunch/dinner, or as I call it--linner, and then we got back in line (what we SW fans do best) for the Stars of the Saga show with Bruce Spence (Tion Medon from ROTS) and Anthony Daniels, who was there for a second weekend. It was a really good show. James and Bruce did a scene from the Matrix, where Bruce played his character Trainman and James played Keanu Reeves. Then Anthony came out and was Anthony.
Then we got back in line again for Anthony Daniels' one-man show. He is hysterical and such a diva. There's really not much more to say about him. I did learn that Star Wars In Concert is going on tour again this summer, which makes me so happy. It's such a fantastic show and I will go see it for the third time.
Then finally was James's one-man show, which was INCREDIBLE. He is such an amazing talent. He did so many voices, and he read the lines for the Immolation Scene which tore my heart out. I <3 him.
D'oh, forgot to mention that Dee Bradley Baker sat next to us during James's show. Pretty cool, huh?
After that we went on Star Tours twice, then it was time for the Hyperspace Hoopla, which was so incredibly wrong. The best part were Luke and Leia dancing together to "I've Had the Time of My Life" and Vader and Padme fighting with each other. CLASSIC.
Now I am debating whether to read or write; I think reading will win out because I am beat.
Week 3 of Star Wars Weekends will feature the beautiful Matt Lanter. My heart is feeling all flippy just thinking about it. I want to get his autograph. And I really hope that James comes out during the Behind the Force show again, because I want to see Matt and Ashley and James do a scene together.
And NOW, I think my bed is calling me. LATER.
EDIT: I forgot to mention the variations I got on my Star Tours ride.
First ride: Falcon opening, Kashyyyk, Ackbar hologram, Geonosis.
Second ride: Falcon opening, Kashyyyk, Leia hologram, Geonosis.
Third ride: Vader opening, Tatooine, Ackbar hologram, Coruscant.
I need to see Hoth, the Yoda hologram, and Naboo and then I'll have seen them all. My favorites so far are the Vader opening, Tatooine, Ackbar hologram, and Geonosis.
I had planned to attend last Saturday, but then the rumors started flying that George Lucas would be in attendance for the Opening Ceremonies on Friday morning. So I begged my boss for the day off and switched my plans. I arrived bright and early Friday morning and met with Shannon, one of my fanfic friends, and her roommates. We waited for several hours until the big event. And it was totally worth it! The show was quite cute, and, as rumored, GL was there and came out in a Jedi cloak and all. It was awesome.
After that excitement we ate lunch, then went on Star Tours. Thankfully, the people I were with had a pass where we could get to the front of the line, which was awesome! And so is the ride! I usually get sick on simulator type rides, but this one didn't bother me at all. Best of all is that you go to different planets, so the ride is always different. Let me just say that jumping to hyperspace is completely and totally awesome.
Next we went to the Behind the Force show with Ashley Eckstein (who is the BtF host for all four weekends) and Dave Filoni. They showed the new Season 4 Clone Wars trailer which featured Admiral Ackbar, which made Shannon and I squeal like fangirls. And of course kids asked Dave Filoni uncomfortable questions.
After that was the Stars of the Saga show with Daniel Logan and Anthony Daniels, hosted by James Arnold Taylor, the event host for all four weeks. All three were awesome and the highlight of the show was Anthony Daniels mimicking a C-3PO tape dispenser by laying on the coffee table. Oh, Anthony, you never cease to amuse me.
Then we were pretty much done of the day thanks to the early start, so Shannon and I went to the merchandise hut so I could buy a new Her Universe t-shirt, then we left.
Today (Saturday) was weekend 2. We decided to go later so we wouldn't be so tired and would want to stay for the later shows that we missed on Week 1. Once we arrived we got in place for the parade, and had a good time cheering for all the characters and especially the 501st and Rebel Legion.
The highlight of the day (and probably my month) came immediately after that. Once the parade was over Shannon and I made our way to the theatre where they were having all the Star Wars shows. As we're walking I heard people yelling "Her Universe!" behind me. I didn't realize what they were doing and kept walking. Finally the woman behind me said "Where'd you get your bag?" (It was my purple Her Universe reusable shopping bag.) I realized she was talking to me and turned around to tell her that I had gotten it at Celebration V, when I bought my Her Universe shirt. I managed to get out "At Celebration V", when I realized that ASHLEY FREAKING ECKSTEIN was with the woman. I think I made a really dumb face while saying "oh my god" which made Shannon, Ashley, and the other woman laugh at me really hard. So of course Ashley thanked me for buying Her Universe products, and then she looked at me and asked, "Are you Nanci on Twitter?" !!!!!!! I mentally facepalmed and said, "Yes, I am..." And she said thank you for all my posts, and I replied, "Yeah I kind of stalk people on Twitter, I'm sorry!" And she said, "No, thank you so much for all the support and posts!" And then I tried to be cool so I asked her about the tote bag that they're designing and how I was looking forward to buying it. If I had been more coherent and had more time, I would have asked her about the Mara Jade t-shirt. But anyway, it was only maybe 30 seconds that we talked before she got where she needed to go, but I flailed for the rest of the day knowing that Ashley Eckstein recognized me from my Twitter avatar. How cool is that?!
So of course after that we went to see Ashley's show, which we were planning to do anyway. She interviewed Dee Bradley Baker, who does the voice of all the clones on The Clone Wars. That guy is hysterical and has tons of energy. He was running around the theatre like a madman. Also during the show, James Arnold Taylor came out to introduce Ashley, and he was wearing Jedi robes, which was really awesome. Then Dee and Ashley did a scene together, then James came out and joined in the fun. It made me laugh and laugh and laugh.
We needed food then so we went and got lunch/dinner, or as I call it--linner, and then we got back in line (what we SW fans do best) for the Stars of the Saga show with Bruce Spence (Tion Medon from ROTS) and Anthony Daniels, who was there for a second weekend. It was a really good show. James and Bruce did a scene from the Matrix, where Bruce played his character Trainman and James played Keanu Reeves. Then Anthony came out and was Anthony.
Then we got back in line again for Anthony Daniels' one-man show. He is hysterical and such a diva. There's really not much more to say about him. I did learn that Star Wars In Concert is going on tour again this summer, which makes me so happy. It's such a fantastic show and I will go see it for the third time.
Then finally was James's one-man show, which was INCREDIBLE. He is such an amazing talent. He did so many voices, and he read the lines for the Immolation Scene which tore my heart out. I <3 him.
D'oh, forgot to mention that Dee Bradley Baker sat next to us during James's show. Pretty cool, huh?
After that we went on Star Tours twice, then it was time for the Hyperspace Hoopla, which was so incredibly wrong. The best part were Luke and Leia dancing together to "I've Had the Time of My Life" and Vader and Padme fighting with each other. CLASSIC.
Now I am debating whether to read or write; I think reading will win out because I am beat.
Week 3 of Star Wars Weekends will feature the beautiful Matt Lanter. My heart is feeling all flippy just thinking about it. I want to get his autograph. And I really hope that James comes out during the Behind the Force show again, because I want to see Matt and Ashley and James do a scene together.
And NOW, I think my bed is calling me. LATER.
EDIT: I forgot to mention the variations I got on my Star Tours ride.
First ride: Falcon opening, Kashyyyk, Ackbar hologram, Geonosis.
Second ride: Falcon opening, Kashyyyk, Leia hologram, Geonosis.
Third ride: Vader opening, Tatooine, Ackbar hologram, Coruscant.
I need to see Hoth, the Yoda hologram, and Naboo and then I'll have seen them all. My favorites so far are the Vader opening, Tatooine, Ackbar hologram, and Geonosis.