Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Star Wars Weekends 2014 Explained

Star Wars Weekends 2014 Explained
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 16 - June 15

A fifth weekend, nightly fireworks and a ticked event were added this year. Hyperspace Hoopla was taken away. Join Star Wars celebrities and characters for special shows, exciting presentations and more! From Friday to Sunday each weekend, immerse yourself in the beloved saga that takes place in a galaxy far, far away.

We will focus on merchandise on this page, for detailed information visit Disney's event page.

Update 05/23/15 The Week 5 Vinylmation were revealed as an LE 2000 Jawa and R5-D4 Droid. Will be released at Darth's Mall on June 13 for $29.95. It will also be released at Disneyland on June 16th. This makes it the only LE Star Wars 4 release with a stated Disneyland release as well.



Update 05/15/14 It was Rebel Rendezvous today (check out a look inside Darth's Mall, the SWW shop, here) and we got a first peek at merchandise along with the release of the R2 Eachez! Although the boxes said Limited Release and there was no printed edition size on the feet, we were assured this was an LE 2,500 product. However, no purchase limits were adhered to. Normally guests are limited to 2 LE items.


The figure itself was designed by Thomas Scott and has an amazing all over gloss finish that must be seen in person to appreciate. It is a stunning figure. Solid feel and crisp, clear design. R2-MK was seeded in 9 out of every 10 boxes. While R2-D2, the variant was 1 in 10.

Star Wars 4 was also released today and we reviewed the set while at DHS (thanks to Ian) and you can hear that on the upcoming podcast.

A Luke Skywalker variant was also revealed. It depicts Luke after being beat up by the Wampa and the ears are changed to depict being inside the cave. LOVE IT!

Update 04/22/14 At last night's WDW Trade Night, Disney previewed the 2014 Star Wars Weekends lineup. There will a new release each weekend and they previewed the first fourth and told us the fifth was a surprise and would include a surprise D-Tech release as well. The R2 Eachez was also explained in more detail. Here is a look week-by-week:

Rebel Rendezvous - May 15th

The LE 2,500 R2 Eachez will be first available to Rebel Rendezvous attendees. This is a ticketed event, and guests were allowed to pre-purchase up to two of these Eachez blind boxes. Guests will be allowed to purchase up to two more at the event itself. The remaining unsold quantity will be made available the next day, the first day of Star Wars Weekends. There will be none specifically held over for the 16th, only those not sold on the 15th.


Week 1 - May 16th

The 4th blind box Star Wars set will be released on the first weekend (May 19th at Disneyland). We know 4 figures in this set: Hoth Luke, Hoth Han, Snowtrooper and, the big reveal last night, Bossk the Bounty Hunter.

Week 2 - May 23rd

A 3"/Jr. combo featuring Luke Skywalker and Yoda training on Dagobah will be released on weekend number 2.It is an LE 2000, with a retail price of $29.95.




Week 3 - May 30th

The third week will see the release of the LE 1000 9" Rancor with 3" Trainer. Designed by Casey Jones it will retail for $59.95. 


Week 4 - June 6th

Continuing the hologram collection, Emperor Palpatine will be released as an LE 2,000 for $16.95 on weekend four.


Week 5 - June 13th


Jawa and Droid. LE 2000, $29.95.

Update 03/04/14 The Rebel Rendezvous catalog was released today. See all the merchandise here. We have also updated sections below.

VINYLMATION

Update 03/04/14 The following Vinylmation offerings will be at Star Wars Weekends.



A selection of Star Wars Vinylmation will be available at the ticketed Rebel Rendezvous event including Star Wars series 4 and the LE 9" Rancor and 3" keeper. There will also seemingly be the opportunity to purchase Star Wars 4 as a complete set, but only at the ticketed event. The "Complete Set" now seemingly refers to the pre-production 1 of 1 lot above.

The merchandise store, Darth's Mall, at Star Wars Weekends will have Star Wars 4 blind boxes, the LE Rancor and hopefully more.



REBEL RENDEZVOUS

The Alliance leaders are summoning the most loyal Rebels in the galaxy to gather at the Rebel Rendezvous on Thursday, May 15, 2014 between 10AM and 5PM at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Join the Rebel Alliance at this covert meeting place to gather supplies and other limited edition acquisitions in preparation for the upcoming Star Wars Weekends engagement. Look alert!  The Rendezvous Point is located on the Outer Rim near the known whereabouts of Bounty Hunters and an Imperial presence!

Packages for the Rebel Rendezvous are $250 per person and include the following:

- Exclusive access to Darth’s Mall one day before it opens to the public.
- Limited edition recruitment pack (includes a custom messenger bag, cadet hat, tumbler, lanyard, pin & medal set). Items are only available to Rebel Rendezvous attendees on May 15, 2014.
- Preferential opportunity to purchase select 2014 Star Wars™ Weekends merchandise, including, but not limited to:

  • Customized Rebel Rendezvous merchandise, including D-Tech on Demand cell phone cases and Aurebesh nametags
  • Special bundle pack that includes a unique Disney Gift Card design with Rebel carrying case
  • Limited edition merchandise created for Star Wars™ Weekends 2014
  • Star Wars™ Weekends 2014 event logo apparel and souvenir items
  • New Vinylmation™ releases, including opportunities to acquire full sets

- Ashley Eckstein meet &greet and product signing, featuring the new collection of Her Universe apparel
- Rebel activities, including special meet & greet and signing opportunities with characters and Disney artists
...And more

Rebel Rendezvous reservations will begin online March 4, 2014 at 1pm Eastern at www.DisneyParksMerchandise.com.

OTHER MERCHANDISE






Saturday, May 17, 2014

Episode 159 Dizturbed Rocker





Ep. 159 Dizturbed Rocker

This week we have interviews from Thomas Scott, Maria Claspis, Ron Cohee and John Henselmeier recorded at Rebel Rendezvous. We also have a review of the event, its releases and Star Wars Weekends. Also, a listener Ian joins us to review Star Wars 4.
Download podcast

Monday, May 5, 2014

Star Wars 4 Explained

Star Wars 4 Explained

Release Date: May 16th at WDW and May 19th at DLR and Online
Artists: Casey Jones and Maria Clapsis
Price: $12.95 per blind box


Star Wars 4 is a blind box series of 11 figures and a mystery chaser.

Update: 05/18/14 Added chaser below


Leia on Bespin

Nice, different design and great background in the ears.



Luke on Hoth

The face is not as great as the LE Luke/Yoda, but I like the design overall. Great detail from the movie.



Han on Hoth

Love the smirk. Would have liked an accessory too here though.



Tauntaun

A hilarious edition to the set. Beautiful design. Sliced open variant? Scratch and sniff?



Snowtrooper

This will make a great companion to the other 'troopers' that we have.



Zuckuss

Another bounty hunter. Awesome design but would have liked an accessory here.



Dengar

Another bounty hunter. I wish he had a different gun accessory from 4-LOM.



Bossk

The Bounty Hunter. This guy was previewed at the Trading Night this month. Perfect, detailed design. Great weapon.



4-Lom

Another bounty hunter, very cool design.



Ugnaught

Part of a group of slaves on Cloud City. Kind of boring design for me.



R2 on Dagobah

Nice way to vary up the R2 figure. The mud fits perfectly into the story and the ears are wonderful.



Mystery Chaser
Wampa