Welcome to the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Yellow. Enjoy the ride as we take you to a galaxy far, far away… Disney-style.
This is an astronomical year for Star Wars fans who happen to be Disney lovers. The announcement last October that Walt Disney Co. paid $4 billion for Lucasfilm sent shock waves through the cosmos; the joining of forces of the Star Wars franchise and Disney’s creative platforms means the sky really is the limit. While the Wookiees are abuzz with promises of a new celestial trilogy, I have more pressing and earthly concerns. How will this acquisition affect Star Wars Weekends?!
My family has been talking about visiting during one of these weekends since they were introduced in 1997 (though they didn’t become a regularly scheduled Disney annual event until 2003), and we finally made it there last May. I was impressed with the Star Wars celebrities that ride in the Celebrity Motorcade and sign mementos, Hyperspace Hoopla stage show, and specialty snacks, (yes, we still have our R2D2 churro bucket), but I was sent into outer space with the Star Wars Weekend Merchandise.
My goodness, they even built their own mall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Located behind The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, this huge tented area makes Tatooine Traders look like, well, child’s play.
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| Star Wars Vinylmations galore. |
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| Proper Star Wars Weekend attire. |
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| Where else would you put your light saber? |
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| For $99 you could be eternally imprisoned in carbonite… |
This year, in answer to the annual fan-created Star Wars Day, Disney has created a day of special “Limited Time Magic”. “May the Fourth Be With You” (Saturday, May 4th) ill be recognized with Star Wars characters (some of them riding Star Tours- The Adventures Continue throughout the day), entertainment, a unique edition of Jedi Training Academy (parents can participate with their children on a first-come, first-served basis) and Star Wars-themed fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You guessed it, commemorative merchandise will be part of that event.
The 2013 Star Wars Weekends then kicks off on May 17th, and will mark the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. Though the entire merchandise line has not been announced, you can review some images here. Some items that caught my eye are:
– Muppets Star Wars Action Figures (Darth Gonzo!)
– Custom Engraved Star Tours Name Badges (with a black Passholder edition)
– Mickey Jedi Star Fighter toy
– Disney Character Plush (Rebel Mickey with Chip and Dale Ewoks)
– large “Jediversary” 30 pin
– 9 inch Jabba the Hut Figure
– ** Mashup: “Car Wars”; Cars character cars with Star Wars theming**
(This just in- the Carbon-Freeze Me Experience will return, along with a *new* Custom Stormtrooper opportunity, selling for $99.95.)
Chances are, more details will be released over the next two weeks on the Disney Parks Blog. Until then, remember what Yoda says~ “Already know that which you need.”
Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is
Delightfully Disney.
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1st Stop~ DIStherapy (You are here.)
2nd Stop~ Delightfully Disney
3rd Stop~ Magical Mouse Schoolhouse
4th Stop~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts
Final Stop~ Magik Mouse
Wow! What fun! I would go broke if I took my youngest to the Darth Mall, lol!
Temptation is everywhere Jodi!!
That's awesome! I had no idea they made a "mall!" My son would love it!
It was mind boggling…!
I can't wait, just to see all the merchandise at the Darth Mall this year. It will be a awesome 🙂 Thanks for sharing
And how many Star Wars Vinylmations will you be buying this year Miss Diane??!
We love Darth's Mall or Jabba's Hut! It is always fun to see the festival merchandise.
Mary, don't you just love the Disney creativity involved, even in its shopping enterprises? (Or maybe I should say especially in that realm?!)