Photo TR: Celebration V 8/12 and 8/14/10

Rastuso · August 28, 2010

TR: Star Wars Celebration V 8/12 & 8/14/10

We went to Celebration IV in LA back in 07 and really had a fun time. Since this one was in Orlando, and with the new Potter ride, it was a no brainer. We weren’t real thrilled with the thought of the August heat while at Disney, but heck, last October welcomed us with a full week of days with highs in the mid 90s. So, we bit the bullet, scored some $250 plane tickets, and some other good ticket deals.

We got to the convention center before the con officially opened, but there was no cool 501st happening. Instead, there was a ginormous line that they led us into a big room to contain it. Apparently, lots of the groups of people (various levels of VIPS, hyperspace, etc) were let in late, so the normals were let in 40 minutes late. We were amazed at all the gladiator scene Padmes. And no Lando!

We finally go in the main room about one hour late and headed to the LEGO booth. I was amazed that they still had some Cube Dudes left. They were limited to 500 per day, but were a bit steep. We got some, and headed to the other LEGO area where they were building a huge mural of 10x10 LEGO sections. If you built one, you got a free white Boba Fett minifig. There was also an enormous LEGO diorama.

We looked around at all the various stores, getting free Hasbro card backs, Cartamundi Aces, and other swag.

This day I also premiered my Jedi costume. I got a middle quality outfit on eBay for a great price. I got my picture in the giant action figure card, and a few action photos with various Sith, including a Sith Ewok. I also finally got a pic in one of the life size action figure cards. Both modern and vintage figure poses!. And it’s a rare mistake with an Anakin figure on a Boba Fett card! We were there right when this awesome steam punk Fett got in the card. The flashes were going like crazy.

Of course, the highlight was my slave Leia threesome on the lifesize Jabba.

They had a ton of large scenes and props you could pose with, including a life size tie fighter! I got some good pics kickin back with Han and did I mention the slave Leia threesome?

Other characters were pimp Fett and Vader, an old lady in a scooter dressed as Salacious Crumb, a sith Ewok, Stormtrooper Elvis, and a weird swamp creater 3P0.

My son couldn’t go into the Hoth Ice bar, which wasn’t much. It had a few ice sculptures, fog, and a Wampa. While I was there this hot babe I’d seen earlier dressed as a female Wampa (Wampette?) came in for a great photo op.

We decided to hit the Steve Sansweet opening show which was a bit disappointing. He came out in a Star Wars bedsheet suit that was awesome. I still have my sheets exactly like it. No huge surprise guests, just a short video snippet from Harrison Ford. While we sat down, my son complained about the smell and wanted to move from the Mexican guy who sat next to him. I said that would be rude, but then got a whiff and quickly let him move. WOW, and it was only day one. The Force Unleashed II trailer was awesome.

I was a bit underwhelmed with the costumes on Thursday, but our Saturday return did better. Tons of original costumes. A few General Grievouses, Jedi Mario, Luigi, and Toad, and a humorous cardboard stormtrooper. There were lots of extended universe folks that I just don’t follow. And of course lots of slave Leias, since the Leiasmetalbikini.com photo was taken Saturday afternoon. I met the webmaster and thanked him for his great contribution to society. But all weekend we saw NO Landos!!!! WTF? And no ice cream maker guy. I guess there just aren’t many black Star Wars fans.

We also did two collectors forums. We did the prototype one that was interesting, and a sorta boring one about displays. This time, instead of free coins given at random forums, they gave out cereal boxes at each one. We got Hothsted Flakes and Troop Loops. I wish we could have gotten the Admiral Ackbar Cereal (yes they really made it).

We didn’t do any other panels. I would have liked to have done the Mark Hamill one, or Robot Chicken. But we just didn’t have the time. We only hit for a few hours on Saturday, since Disney Studios’ Last Tour to Endor event was that night. We skipped the Lucas show, since it was so limited. We found out that you need to have been in the line by 3-4 am to actually be in the room with him. He did briefly walk around the show floor on Friday. He did a decent job at being at the show at least.

IT was a real fun time, and we’ll be at Celebration VI in 3 years. Hopefully in a better climate so I can wear my costume more. It was just too damn hot to wear it, especially the robe. Although I saw plenty of guys in heavier costumes than mine. They had to be miserable.