Star Wars Weekends – Page 3

BREAKING: Star Wars Weekends Expands to Five Weekends & Adds Nightly Fireworks Show in 2014

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Just announced today by Walt Disney World, Star Wars Weekends 2014 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be expanding to 5 weekends and adding a nightly fireworks show…

The 5 weekends are:

Weekend I: May 16 – 18, 2014
Weekend II: May 23 – 25, 2014
Weekend III: May 30 – June 1, 2014
Weekend IV: June 6 – 8, 2014
Weekend V: June 13 – 15, 2014

James Arnold Taylor will also be returning to host the event.

The nighttime fireworks show is expected to be the same as the show from May the 4th last year, which you can see in this video:

The fireworks show will be presented every night of the event.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on Star Wars Weekends 2014!

Tom Corless’ 5/11-14/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

On Saturday and Tuesday I visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (respectively) and took some newsworthy photos to share with you, so let’s take a look:

The canopy is missing from the Haunted Mansion

Should be back soon

work progresses on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train in Fantasyland

The steak sandwich is gone from the Be Our Guest lunch menu, replaced with a prime chuck roast beef sandwich

For some reason, a Disney Visa card kiosk has been built near the Haunted Mansion

Signage for A Pirate’s Adventure has been uncovered

Pins are once again gone from Uptown Jewelers, replaced with ladies’ accessories

Moving over to Hollywood Studios, the Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket from Cars Land is being used at Backlot Express as a healthy meal bucket

Some of the new Haunted Mansion merchandise was released at Villains in Vogue, including this new shirt

New Haunted Mansion pillow

The Darth Maul face painting ad for Star Wars Weekends was turned into a t-shirt

Legends of Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard is now a store for women’s and girl’s accessories and apparel

Starting this week, there is a flash-mob with Disney characters being performed in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat daily at 3:30PM

Some new Star Wars pins came out a little early

A number of new or updated hats have been released sporting a new “Graphic Edge Collection” tag

Found a cute new tumbler at the Boardwalk

Boardwalk Bakery has some great options for breakfast

They now also have Mickey-shaped muffins!!!

I found more new hats at Beach Club

A new purchase-with-purchase watch is available featuring Sorcerer Mickey

Class of 2013 merchandise is also now available

“May The Fourth Be With You” Limited Time Magic At Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

For a long time, Star Wars fans have proclaimed May 4th as “May the Fourth be with you” and so this year Disney is playing on that term and using it as a Limited Time Magic offering over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For one day only, May 4th 2013, Disney will host an event separate from Star Wars Weekends called “May The Fourth Be With You”. What can we expect from this? Lets take a look.

On May 4th you’ll find special Star Wars characters, merchandise, a Star Wars dance party, and to top it all off… a special Star Wars themed Fireworks Show. Characters will also be making appearances around Star Tours: The Adventures Continue and if you are lucky enough, you’ll get to ride with some of them on the attraction. (Wouldn’t it be cool if you could ride Star Tours with Chewbacca?)

A special edition of Star Wars Jedi Academy will be performed on May 4th and this time, Disney invites the parents to take the stage with the kids to be part of the fun and help battle the Empire. As soon as the sun goes down, join Lobot as DJ for the biggest dance party and fireworks spectacular in the galaxy.

All this will be part of your regular park admission, all you have to do is show up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 4th 2013 and get ready to have fun!

Episode 121 Tom Morrow Chaser

WDWNT on June 1, 2013

Ep. 121 Tom Morrow Chaser

A long, long time ago. In a galaxy far, far away. Two intrepid podcasters set out to broadcast the news of Vinylmation to all known lands. They had on board a set of Star Wars series 3 to review and even talked to one of the set’s designers, Maria Clapsis. They encountered other special guests as well. But not all went as planned…

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Merchandise Revealed for Star Wars Weekends 2013

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

When Star Wars Weekends lands at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 17th, there will be an armada of new, exclusive merchandise for guests to purchase:

The title scroll from the films play a big role this year

We heard there wouldn’t be many more 9″ Vinylmation, but one of the last will be Jabba the Hutt with a Salacious Crumb 1.5″ junior

Some logo merchandise… notice the green customizable name-tag for this year

New action figures featuring Disney and Muppets characters playing… well, I guess they are now playing Disney characters…

A poster calendar, carbonite Vinylmation, and a annual passholder exclusive black name tag among other items

Jumbo pin

The Star Wars Weekends logo characters in plush form

Salacious Crumb collectible

The long-awaited series of Cars/Star Wars die-cast vehicles is coming

Jedi Mickey and R2-MK in Mickey’s Starfighter toy

Thermal Detonator hot potato game

Star Wars Vinylmation Series #3

Star Wars Droids Vinylmation Jr. series

At Star Wars Celebration VI in 2012, we got a closer look at some of the collectibles being released this year at Star Wars Weekends. We have video of the presentation where most of these items were announced for you to enjoy:

So what do you think? Will you be picking up any of these items?

Star Wars 3 Explained

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Star Wars Series 3
Release Date: (varies, see below)
Disney is spreading out the SW vinyl releases over the four Star Wars Weekends:

Vinylmation™ – Star Wars™ Series 3

Release Date at Darth’s Mall DHS: May 17, 2013
Release Date other WDW and DLR locations: May 20, 2013

Edition Size: Limited Release

Retail: $12.95, plus tax per figure

Vinylmation™ – Star Wars™ Series #3 – Jabba the Hutt & Salacious B. Crumb Set

Release Date at Darth’s Mall DHS: May 24, 2013
Release Date at D-Street Disneyland: May 27, 2013

Edition Size: 1,000

Retail: $59.95, plus tax

Vinylmation™ Juniors Series 9: Star Wars™ Droids

Release Date at Darth’s Mall DHS: May 31, 2013
Release Date other WDW and DLR locations: June 3, 2013

Edition Size: Mystery Box

Retail: $9.95, plus tax per figure

Vinylmation™ – Star Wars™ Series #3 – Han Solo in Carbonite

Release Date at Darth’s Mall DHS: June 7, 2013
Release Date at D-Street Disneyland: June 10, 2013

Edition Size: 2,000

Retail: $32.95, plus tax

Update 04/30/13 Star Wars 3 Variant and Chaser revealed.

Update 04/01/13 Steven Miller released some product info for the Star Wars 3 series. The highlights include a $13 price point for blind boxes as opposed to the $15 of SW2. Also, the 2000 LE size for the Han Solo. His price point is a whopping $33 and he will be available at Disneyland as well.

The Disney Park Blog has released a photo of 11 of the figures for the upcoming Return of the Jedi themed Star Wars Series 3 Vinylmation set plus 2 Limited Edition figures. These will all debut, along with the Vinylmation Series 9 Jr. Droids, at Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning on May 17th. (then presumably later at Disneyland)

Star Wars #3 – Limited Release Mystery Series

Top Row: Imperial Guard, Logray, Scout Trooper, Wicket, Bib Fortuna

Middle Row: Lando in disguise, Gamorrean Guard, Nien Nunb, Leia in disguise

Bottom Row: Admiral Ackbar, Jedi Master Skywalker

Retail: $12.95 each

Item Number: 400007392601

A few of the highlights: 2 Ewoks. We knew there had to be at least one. Another Luke… this time in black Jedi robes. Another Lando… this time in disguise and it seems to use the same helmet shaped head Vader had in Series 2. A continued use of ears to show back grounds, such as the stars in space and the trees on Endor. I think it is an well chosen lineup out of the film.

Jabba The Hutt and Salacious B. Crumb – 9-inch + 1.5-inch set

Retail $59.95

Edition Size: 1,000

Han Solo in Carbonite – 3-inch figure

Retail $32.95

Edition Size: 2,000

Item Number: 400007435711

Dirk Wallen’s 5/14-16/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Walt Disney World theme parks over the last three days and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. We’ll take a look at New Fantasyland, Star Wars Weekends preparation, and more from around the Vacation Kingdom of the World, so let’s get started:

The Main Street Bakery is still behind tarps (I’m starting to think this has something to do with Starbucks moving in)

Facade work continues on the Confectionary and Chapeau

The temporary Tangled meet and greet rolls on

Work was completed on the Main Street bridge

Work on the Princess Merida meet and greet has been completed

A nearby cart has Brave merchandise

I find it hard to believe that they will sell much before the movie is released

I fully expect to get shot with arrows by smaller guests on a regular basis now…

The second Dumbo spinner is rapidly nearing completion

If I were a betting man… and I am…

I’d wager that the second spinner will be open by Memorial Day

The official opening is July, along with the interactive queue

The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station looks nearly complete

We’re still not entirely sure if the center portion will spin at a slow speed like a roundhouse

98? An Animal Kingdom reference? We think about these things too much…

A look at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Near the construction of what we assume is a new Pooh meet and greet, a mysterious box has appeared

The Castle Wall is rising…

More scaffolding finally went up on the detailed portion near Village Haus

This steel frame should be covered soon

This side is further along

Some walkway work being done near the Carousel as well

I had to stare at this for a while to realize what I was seeing… this is the view from the Haunted Mansion across the old Skyway site. I assume this will be addressed as construction moves forward.

Construction of the Grand Floridian DVC wing continues

A new parking lot being built across the way

Going up!

Star wars Weekends preparation underway at Studios

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

You can still become an unwanted action figure… ZING!

The Droid Factory recently opened at Tatooine Traders. You can make your own R2 unit toy!

Scott Smith just died

Brave banners up in the Animation Courtyard

Work was completed on the Disney Junior queue

Looks like they just replaced the awning

The same seems to be happening to the meet and greet area

Goodbye Kim…

Work continues on the new, separate Turtle Talk entrance at the Seas

The Vinylmation Station – May 6th, 2012

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Since news is usually slow on the weekends and we are called WDW News Today (which should include every day of the week), we have decided to install a weekly column with news on the world of Vinylmation. Brian Shapiro, who was in charge of the Vinylmation Station website until its demise last week, will bring us a weekly dose of news & more on this growing hobby starting today. Enjoy!

Welcome to our new weekly Vinylmation report! This week got off to a magical start with Vinylmation collectors granting wishes through a rare Sunday release. Disney Stores and DisneyStore.com released a special three-inch Jiminy Cricket figure in a windowed box. The design featured Jiminy with glistening skin in a silver and white tuxedo, and included two terrific accessories, a white top hat and umbrella. Disney donated one dollar from the sale of each figure to the Make a Wish Foundation. No edition size was given, but it quickly sold out online and in many stores.

The end of the week saw some releases on Friday. Just when you thought you hadseen the last of The Nightmare Before Christmas figures, Disney surprised everyone with a unique combo set at D-streets and on DisneyStore.com. The set included a nineinch Behemoth, a three-inch Easter Bunny (“Bunny!”), and a junior Nutcracker. With an edition size of 2000, all three figures have great details, and was designed by Disney Design Group artist, Casey Jones. The Behemoth certainly has a clever, edgy design with the axe in his head incorporated on the figure’s ear.

The other Friday release was the Facebook exclusive set inspired by the upcoming Disney-Pixar movie, Brave. This set included a three-inch figure of Merida, the movie’s heroine, and three identical junior figures of the triplets, Harris, Hubert, and Hamish. The Merida figure is one of the most detailed three-inch figures around, and her wild, curly red hair is depicted perfectly. She has a quiver and sword painted on her back, but she comes complete with an accessory bow in her hand. The set is open edition and will be coming to Disney Stores and the Parks on May 18.

No week would be complete without an announcement of upcoming releases and events, and there’s plenty to be excited about! On May 11, there will be a Disney Trading Night at the Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World in the Fantasia G Ballroom from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Disney Design Group artists Thomas Scott, Caley Hicks, Maria Clapsis, Casey Jones, and Billy Davis will be there to sign Urban 9 and Urban 9 combo sets.

On May 18, the six highly anticipated figures of the Star Wars – Disney Characters as Star Wars Characters figures will be released at Darth’s Mall during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and at D-Street in California. All six figures have astounding detail and come with some amazing accessories. These window boxed figures will be open edition and are sure to be a hit!

Phineas & Ferb fans will be excited to know that the six open edition figures based on the popular series will be released at D-Streets and at Disney Stores on May 25.

After several publicized delays, the long awaited Disney Store 25th Anniversary limited release series will come to Disney Stores on May 28. Collectors will have the opportunity to purchase complete trays or individual blind boxes as well as the Sorcerer Mickey combo with a light up base. As a special gift with purchase promo, guests who purchase a complete tray will receive a free Sorcerer Mickey combo with a light up base.

Finally, just when you thought it was safe this summer, beware! Vinylmation Villains Series 3 will be coming to Disney Stores on June 18. The artwork for this series hasn’t been released, but expect to see something soon.

Until next week, start making room on your shelves. It’s going to be an exciting spring and summer for Vinylmation enthusiasts!

Take a Video Trip to Star Wars Weekends 2012

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

If you’re a Star Wars fan who won’t be getting out to Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year, you’ll be very happy about what we have to share. Our friend Jeff Lange over at JeffLangeDVD.com and MouseSteps.com (both awesome sites you should check out all the time) captured some highlights of the first day of Star Wars Weekends 2012 for your enjoyment:

Here’s a very funny skit featuring some Stormtroopers that is performed while guests are waiting for Stars of the Saga

Some children were dressed up as Snig and Oopla (characters from various Star Wars Weekends activities)

Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Welcome with James Arnold Taylor, Ashley Eckstein, and Ray Park

And last, but certainly not least, this year’s Hyperspace Hoopla:

Adam Roth’s 5/19-20/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom this past weekend, so let’s take a look at his photos, including an in-depth look at the Fantasyland model now on display at Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream:

Darth Vader cupcake

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Adam had himself frozen in carbonite in the ABC sound Studio, former home of Sounds Dangerous

Pretty neat for $120

Star Wars Weekends merchandise is in the tent behind Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster again, Darth’s Mall

The huge Fantasyland model has moved in at One Man’s Dream

super cool

Princess Fairytale Hall won’t change the exterior of Snow White too much according to the model

A sign explains the model to guests

Some stuff isn’t labeled, like Triton’s Treasures, Ariel’s Grotto, and some minor facilities like restrooms, food stands, etc.

Some interesting points to note from this artwork:

Pete’s Silly Sideshow is the entire second tent towards the back and it appears it will remain a meet and greet experience only. We know Goofy should be there, but no other characters have been announced yet.
The unlabeled building next to Pete’s Silly Sideshow is probably the Humphrey the Bear counter service location that has been rumored, but again, we have no further confirmation.
You can make out the train lines that lead to the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station if you look closely at Storybook Circus.
Triton’s Treasures (the Little Mermaid gift shop) does not appear behind the Mine Train anymore, so it may be gone from the plans altogether.
The unlabeled building between Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour Village Gifts is a restroom facility.
You can see the track layout of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, including when it goes through the show building with the dark-ride type scenes.