May the Force Be With You..SWW opening day

[devores 382]

Excuse my lack of SW knowledge but who are the people in the cars?

Those are the actors who played parts in various SW movies or shows.

 

 

First car is Ray Park, he played Darth Maul

 

Second car is Jeremy Bulloch, he played Bobba Fett

 

Third car is Dee Bradley Baker, he is the voice of Capt Rex

 

Fourth car is Ashley Eckstein, she is the voice of Ahsoka Tano

 

Fifth car is James Arnold Taylor, he is the voice of Obi Won (clone Wars)

 

Every weekend they have different stars.

 

 

You got me, I don't read every word in a TR. In fact I don't read most words.

Are you saying that the both of you were going to get so sloshed that you'd fail the breathalyzer test if you got stopped?

 

Nice pics, almost like you knew what you were doing, now I won't have to go. Thanks a lot schmuck face.

Not sloshed, but if we have even one drink, we don't drive. Why risk it when you have a reliable transportation system to get you around? 

 

You will still go. Your inner nerd won't let you miss it in person.

 

Great pics!  Having never been to a SWW, I had no idea they did a parade with all those cool characters.  I shouldn't be surprised that Disney does a parade though, should I?  And that is actually one parade I'd stand in line to see. 

If you are a fan of Disney or Star Wars, you must make a point to attend one day. It is worth it.

 

For some of us, one single drop of alcohol is enough not to get behind the wheel.

This. After 22 years in the military, I don't drive after even a single drink. Too much too loose.

[devores 382]

Incredible costumes....  That is a parade I would like to see.  Thanks for letting me see something I never knew existed Dave !   I love the photos. 

Never knew existed? You have to remember this. SWW are the last 2 weekends in May/first 2 weekends in June. Use that to plan your next WDW visit.

 

 

Late to the hoopla, but i am here now.

Love the parade pics.

My older brother and his wife are 501st members.

They do a lot of events that include meet and greets for sick kids, etc.

Looking forward to more Dave.

The 501st does do allot of community stuff. Hospital visits, make a wish stuff, even habitat for humanity. Its a great group.

 

I am with you Carol. One of the big reasons I don't drink much anywhere besides Disney when I can ride the buses. And even then I don't drink much. 

I just don't take the chance.

 

The last three are actors who do the voices for characters on the Clone Wars cartoon. I could not see the name on the first car but He is either the same or an actor from the movies. 

I covered you in the above post.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

.

 

I covered you in the above post.

I saw that thanks. I haven't been up long 

[Beckers 1,136]

There is talks about lowering NJ Blood alcohol level to .05 from .08. I am all for it but lots of people are having a fit.

[devores 382]

Theres a nationwide push to lower the legal limit.

 

Its a no brainer for me. Why ruin a goodtime by possibly killing someone or even yourself?

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

I'm in late but here!

That parade looks cool. Why couldn't they do something like that minus the stars all the time. They obviously have the costumes.

[nutters4wdw......Amy 5]

We are going to be there for the very last day of Star Wars weekends, it will be our first time for it.  I was excited before but now I really can't wait!!!  Thanks for the great parade pics! 

[Lou... 3,118]

That parade looks cool. Why couldn't they do something like that minus the stars all the time. They obviously have the costumes.

 

Yes it is and I'm a big SW fan, but having a permanent SW parade may not be something that Disney should do. Less is more sometimes. Not everyone that goes to DHS is a SW fan.

Now that Disney owns it, I'm concerned that the brand is at risk of being diluted, not that it hasn't been already, and lose it's appeal to the casual SW fan.

The crazies that get dressed up in costume and center some of their lives around SW will always be there, but it needs more than those people to remain popular.

[devores 382]

I'm in late but here!

That parade looks cool. Why couldn't they do something like that minus the stars all the time. They obviously have the costumes.

Most of those costumes are personal items of the 501st members. Disney does not have that many. They would have to work with the 501st to do a daily parade like that.

 

We are going to be there for the very last day of Star Wars weekends, it will be our first time for it.  I was excited before but now I really can't wait!!!  Thanks for the great parade pics! 

You will have fun.

 

Theres more coming so keep reading.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Yes it is and I'm a big SW fan, but having a permanent SW parade may not be something that Disney should do. Less is more sometimes. Not everyone that goes to DHS is a SW fan.

Now that Disney owns it, I'm concerned that the brand is at risk of being diluted, not that it hasn't been already, and lose it's appeal to the casual SW fan.

The crazies that get dressed up in costume and center some of their lives around SW will always be there, but it needs more than those people to remain popular.

If they do a Star Wars land they can have some meet and greets. That would be enough i think.

No need for a permanent parade.

[momof3kids-Yvonne 594]

The parade pics are cool.

Aaron, do your brother and his wife live in Michigan too? If so, I wonder if they know my cousin and her husband. I believe they are part of the same group.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Not to belabor the drinking thing, but I also take the buses if I am going to have any beers at Epcot or elsewhere at Disney.  Not only because of the safety factor and not having to worry, as I have a fairly high tolerance to alcohol...but I don't want to set a bad example to my kids.  Granted, telling them it is ok to ride the buses is bad enough, but not as bad as driving under the influence.   

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Aaron, do your brother and his wife live in Michigan too? If so, I wonder if they know my cousin and her husband. I believe they are part of the same group.

 

They live outside of Washington DC.

 

 

Not to belabor the drinking thing, but I also take the buses if I am going to have any beers at Epcot or elsewhere at Disney.  Not only because of the safety factor and not having to worry, as I have a fairly high tolerance to alcohol...but I don't want to set a bad example to my kids.  Granted, telling them it is ok to ride the buses is bad enough, but not as bad as driving under the influence.   

 

Or, take the boat to the Contemporary and do drinks around the monorail line.

[Beckers 1,136]

The 501st people are awesome. They come out to our food allergy walk every year. It's in September so it's usually pretty warm still and they walk the whole 3 miles of it in costume. I don't know how they do it.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Not to belabor the drinking thing, but I also take the buses if I am going to have any beers at Epcot or elsewhere at Disney. Not only because of the safety factor and not having to worry, as I have a fairly high tolerance to alcohol...but I don't want to set a bad example to my kids. Granted, telling them it is ok to ride the buses is bad enough, but not as bad as driving under the influence.

I'm with you on not drinking and driving, and setting a good example for our kids to follow. Most of the time we don't have a car at Disney. Disney transportation is one of the biggest +'s of staying on property. I know we all joke about Staying off the buses, etc but I want to give the all the transportation personnel kudos for doing a great job. Even Lou and the lever pushers.

[alexwyattmommy 181]

Back home with internet and able to catch up on stuff I missed.

Is this parade only on the first day?  You took some great pictures.  Hope you wife had a great birthday.

[Lou... 3,118]

 I want to give the all the transportation personnel kudos for doing a great job. Even Lou and the lever pushers.

 

Thanks Ray 

I think WDW transportation does as good a job as can possibly be done considering the task.

[devores 382]

If they do a Star Wars land they can have some meet and greets. That would be enough i think.

No need for a permanent parade.

I agree. A parade every day would dilute the awesomeness of it. The land itself would be good.

 

The parade pics are cool.

Aaron, do your brother and his wife live in Michigan too? If so, I wonder if they know my cousin and her husband. I believe they are part of the same group.

The parade is good. Its not very long but has allot to see.

 

Not to belabor the drinking thing, but I also take the buses if I am going to have any beers at Epcot or elsewhere at Disney.  Not only because of the safety factor and not having to worry, as I have a fairly high tolerance to alcohol...but I don't want to set a bad example to my kids.  Granted, telling them it is ok to ride the buses is bad enough, but not as bad as driving under the influence.   

Good point. Setting an example for the kids is another reason. Plus, you just never know what will happen. Always have a plan.

 

They live outside of Washington DC.

 

 

 

Or, take the boat to the Contemporary and do drinks around the monorail line.

Never did the drinks around the monorail line. May have to try that one night.

 

The 501st people are awesome. They come out to our food allergy walk every year. It's in September so it's usually pretty warm still and they walk the whole 3 miles of it in costume. I don't know how they do it.

They do allot of charity. There are garrisons all over the US.

 

I'm with you on not drinking and driving, and setting a good example for our kids to follow. Most of the time we don't have a car at Disney. Disney transportation is one of the biggest +'s of staying on property. I know we all joke about Staying off the buses, etc but I want to give the all the transportation personnel kudos for doing a great job. Even Lou and the lever pushers.

True, we do pay for the convenience of having the transportation, so might as well use it.

 

Back home with internet and able to catch up on stuff I missed.

Is this parade only on the first day?  You took some great pictures.  Hope you wife had a great birthday.

The parade is everyday of SWW.

 

Thanks Ray 

I think WDW transportation does as good a job as can possibly be done considering the task.

Great, now Lou and TJ are going to have a big head.

[Lou... 3,118]

 

Great, now Lou and TJ are going to have a big head.

 

Too late.

[devores 382]

Lets get in another quick update.

 

After the parade, all the characters and stars gather on the stage for a photo op and to tell everyone about the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all a good parade. I liked it better when it went all the way back to Star Tours. It was a longer route and you didn't have to be crammed in like sardines. Gave everyone more room to spread out and enjoy the parade. But I also like the bigger stage where you can see better.

 

Heres another tip. They broadcast the stage show (the character/star intro and hyperspace hoopla) on the American Idol screen if you didn't want to cram in front of the stage.

 

After the parade,  we went to grab some lunch.

 

We hit the commissary. We expected long lines, but only had to wait a min for the next register.

 

DW is a cupcake fiend. So when she saw the SW cupcake, we had to get one.

 

 

Its chocolate and peanutbutter and the darth is chocolate.

 

The icing is really rich.

 

After lunch, we went to checkout the store again. Back by the Mall, they had a few photographers set up doing magic shots.

 

You could battle Darth in a light saber fight

 

 

or use your inner force to dispose of some storm troopers.

 

 

The last one is brand new and just debuted today.

 

The line for the mall was still 2 hours at this point. No thanks. We just wanted to look around, 2 hours is way too long.

 

So we decided to walk around and see what characters were out.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Great job, Dave.

 

I was really bummed not to be at the opening weekend, but your photos make up for that.

 

You had an excellent spot for the parade- and your photos are professional quality.  (which I guess they should be-right?)

 

I didn't know about the new photopass magic shot with the Storm Troopers.  Did the same photographer do both of those magic shots for you?

 

I am looking forward to your Hyperspace Hoopla photos!

 

TCD

[Starbuc71 162]

Since SWW are such a huge hit, we discussed why they would not have it more often.  The Epcot Flower and Garden show goes on for months and I'm sure it cost a heck of alot more for plants and upkeep to keep that running.  Again, hopefully with the aquisition of Lucas we will see more Star Wars

[devores 382]

Great job, Dave.

 

I was really bummed not to be at the opening weekend, but your photos make up for that.

 

You had an excellent spot for the parade- and your photos are professional quality.  (which I guess they should be-right?)

 

I didn't know about the new photopass magic shot with the Storm Troopers.  Did the same photographer do both of those magic shots for you?

 

I am looking forward to your Hyperspace Hoopla photos!

 

TCD

The magic shots were done by different photographers. They had stations set up back by the mall and that's all they did. The shots were set up and all you did was stand on the mark and do what youre told.

 

Thanks for the compliments. I try.

 

Since SWW are such a huge hit, we discussed why they would not have it more often.  The Epcot Flower and Garden show goes on for months and I'm sure it cost a heck of alot more for plants and upkeep to keep that running.  Again, hopefully with the aquisition of Lucas we will see more Star Wars

Rumor is, now that Disney owns the Star Wars franchise they will happen more often or last longer. Previous years, they were limited to what Lucas would allow them. The characters, the themes, the dates were all dictated by the agreement. This year, everything was already set and planned when Disney bought the franchise, so they could not change anything. Next year should be the year of change.

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

This looks fun, and I'm not even a Star Wars fan. Z is already getting into it though, so I see a lot of this in my future.

 

And now you have me wondering if those guys would come to our March of Dimes charity walk..... hmmmmm......

[devores 382]

Ok, we left off walking around.

 

We do not wait in line to meet the characters.

 

The DW calls me the stalker because I know when and where the characters come out and wait for them. Then get my pictures of them.

 

Only a few we actually meet.

 

Im not a fan of how they do the lines for meet and greets during SWW. They have you wait in this long line, then the characters all rotate, so the one you think youre in line for may not be the one you meet.

 

And once you meet one, you have to get back in line to hopefully meet the others.

 

They do have some that just roam around

 

Like this guy

 

 

But first order of business was the Dark Lord himself

 

 

That's him in the back being escorted to his meet location

 

 

 

After dropping off their VIP, the storm troopers came back for us

 

 

DW got a little lippy with them and they took her into custody

 

 

But they saw a bigger prize and went after it

 

 

But I guess they radioed for back up and a bounty hunter arrived to take DW in

 

 

 

After talking our way out of that, we decided to check out the Fab 5

 

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and R2MK

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mickey never did make an appearance while we were there. You are not guaranteed to meet a certain character, so it is all hit or miss.

 

Since it was DWs birthday, she got to meet her character

 

 

 

We walked around a bit and happened upon this stand

 

 

We got one of each

 

 

The red was too sweet for me so I chose the blue. It was basically a fruit punch with the alcohol added. The plunger thing is just the fruit punch itself. We thought it was a shot of alcohol but the bartender informed us it was non alcoholic. All the alcohol was in the cup. And there was allot. It definitely packed a punch. Not sure if that was normal, or if it just happened to be the batch we got.

 

We ran into some old friends

 

 

 

We left around 3.

 

Yes, left.

 

Sorry Andrew, no Hyperspace Hoopla this time.

 

Remember back at the beginning we had dinner reservations?

 

Well, it was at BOG.

 

And we had to get to the MK.

 

I know allot of you have already had dinner there.

 

But this was our first dinner at BOG.

 

And we were excited.

 

 

We were put in the West Wing and the master came to welcome us to his house

 

 

We were seated next to the rose

 

 

I had the scrimp and scallops and DW had the steak.

 

Both were delicious.

 

And of course, she got this

 

 

Then the master invited us into his study to meet with him

 

 

 

After dinner, we met with some friends for drinks and called it a night.

 

Not a very exciting end, but that's it.