Day 941: Snig and Oopla

Because of a really slow internet speed at home, I spent a good portion of my time in my car, driving back to my college campus to use the faster internet and keep up to date on all the projects I'm working on. If you've ever been with me in the car, especially if I'm driving (which I usually am), you'll know that I love to have music on, or at least some sort of noise. What kind of music changes depending on who I'm with, but most of the time, when I'm by myself, I'll just throw on the radio and call it good.

Well this morning on my drive in to college, I happened to be listening to the radio and one of the morning shows when what comes on? The intro music from the Hyperspace Hoopla at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Star Wars Weekends. 

If you don't remember the show, it was a dance off sort of show featuring the characters of Star Wars that was canceled a couple of years ago, much to my own dismay. I loved watching Snig and Oopla and their Hyperspace Hoopla, and when the some came on this morning I figured it was just some other song that Disney used to start off their own version that was also now on the radio, but nope. The beginning of the song happened and then it went into the very real Star Wars theme that goes directly with the Hoopla. Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out the video from Inside the Magic below: 

Yep, that's what came on the radio this morning and it led to me being very confused for quite some time. I did a bit of research and eventually found that the song is actually by Meco and is called Star Wars Galactic Funk. The simple fact that this exists and was on my radio here in Wisconsin this morning pretty much made my day. Listen to the whole song below: 

Have a magical day!

Day 893: Disney World Mini Haul

Disney World definitely means shopping...because as Disney fans we basically earn our money to give right back to Disney, which is actually a common problem for us! However, since I recently went on two trips, I figured I would make this into one post to share items from both! First, obviously, I went to Walt Disney World, where I really didn't spend that much, and then this past week I tagged along on the band trip as their videographer. We headed to Minnesota for four days and that meant a stop at the Mall of America...and you know what's at the Mall of America? A DISNEY STORE!

Let's start with all the Starbucks awesomess that I got in Florida, including the amazing tumbler that you can see above and two more of the You Are Here Series mugs down below! I'm only missing the Disneyland mugs and Animal Kingdom mug, all of which I'm excited to get my hands on as the year continues so I can have my complete Disney set! 

Now, I wasn't planning on getting any Vinylmation this trip, but when I made my way through Darth's Mall and found this set for Star Wars Weekends, I was done. They were coming home. 

Also at Star Wars Weekends, you might remember this glow fighter from the Rebal Hangar or other locations during the event. Mom got one and gave it to me, as Jonny ordered one with his drink but I couldn't get one because I just had water. 

Thinking ahead to later this year, I'm all ready for a new iPhone with a Disney case to put on right away! It actually matches my current phone case because sometimes you find a case you love so much that you just don't want to get rid of it...even when you get a bigger phone! 

One of the things specifically on my list for Walt Disney World this trip was my own set of Minnie Ears, which I found at Magic Kingdom in the middle of the trip! You can bet they'll be making more appearances as time goes on! 

And of course, did you really think I would leave without some new Tsum Tsums to add to my collection! I always get them in multiples of three so I can stack them easily, bringing my current count up to 12! I couldn't resist the adorable Inside Out characters of Joy and Sadness, and Duffy just had to happen! 

Speaking of Inside Out, I found these adorable mugs at the Disney Store at the Mall of America and knew instantly that they'd be coming home with me! I joked with my friends in Minnesota that I'd come home and the first thing my parents would say would be "You didn't get the whole set?" and sure enough, that prediction came true. I just figured that with my already extensive mug collection they wouldn't really appreaciate me returning home with SIX new mugs. So I only brought three. 

Also at Mall of America, we happened upon a little store called Marbles "The Brain Store," where we spent a solid half hour playing around with various things. It was a spectacular store and I definitely recommend checking it out if you have one near you! It was there that I picked up this little model Millennium Falcon, which I'll be sure to share once it's completed! 

And finally we found Chapel, the Hat Store Chain that just opened a shop at Disney Springs! Jonny got a hat from the one at Disney a few weeks ago, so when I found this Sunhat at the Mall of America shop, I knew it was the perfect buy! I can't wait to wear it out at California this August! 

As you can see, I'm pretty happy with everything I got this trip, although there are two little things not pictured: My Star Wars Weekends Pin and my Wilderness Lodge pin, which I had already put away in the cases by the time I took the pictures, and taking them back out of the cases takes time! It's probably noteworthy how little stuff there is, especially considering the fact that this is from TWO trips and not just one (although one wasn't to Disney technically), especially since in just a few months I'll come back from Disneyland with an extra suitcase probably. 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on June 23 due to travel).

Day 888: That Time I Met A Wookiee

If there was one thing I was excited for going into this trip, it was getting to attend my very first Star Wars Weekend. And if there was one thing about SWW that I was excited about, it was meeting Chewbacca.

Unfortunately meeting Chewbacca didn't happen...at least not right away.

Star Wars Weekends, on the other hand, was absolutely amazing, so we'll start there!

Considering the fact that it was my very first time at Star Wars Weekends, I didn't really know what to expect, but I have to say I was blown away by the magical things that happen on these weekends. In fact, by the time we got to the fireworks, which I'll talk about later, I was so blown away that I didn't even have words anymore.

To start things off, we made it to the park fairly early, but because we had a VIP package didn't want to get there right away, especially since the night before had been late and most of what we wanted to do was included in the package anyway (I'll talk more about that in a moment). With special viewing for the Motorcade, we had a pretty good spot, although getting in a few minutes earlier probably would have meant front row. As you can see though, we by no means had a bad view. I personally loved the motorcade, allowing for everyone to see the stars of the Saga without heading into an autograph signing or specific show. Plus, it was pretty great to see all your favorite characters...even if some were a bit...frozen. 

Also a part of our package was prime seating for one of the day's shows. We chose the Stars of the Saga "talk show," featuring the special guests of the weekend. Of course, each weekend has different stars, and we were fortunate enough to have Ray Park (yes that's him with the tail), the actor behind Darth Maul, and Jeremy Bulloch, the guy behind Boba Fett's mask. James Arnold Taylor, the voice of Obi Wan Kenobi in the Clone Wars hosted the weekend, and was honestly a joy to watch throughout the day. 

I can't leave without mentioning the Stormtroopers though. As one of the most underrated characters of the saga, despite the fact that there's more of them than the other characters combined, I think Disney has done a wonderful job bringing them to the forefront in a humerous way. The Stormtroopers show up throughout the day, including in their own preshow to the theater shows such as Stars of the Saga. I think I laughed harder watching them than I recently did at a comedy show. 

Of course, we did things here and there throughout the day, but the next part of our package was the dessert party with special fireworks viewing. We didn't get the largest package, but got the moderately priced one (I believe it was around $70 per person), but it was completely worth it. In your pacakge, you had the prime viewing for the parade (including free unlimited beverages, popcorn and ice cream!), the special seating for a show of your choice, prints of each actor for the weekend AND the dessert party with unlimited desserts and beverages as well as that prime fireworks viewing. We all quickly agreed that it was well worth the price. The desserts were amazing, and I definitely enjoyed the chance to try each of the specialty Star Wars Weekend Cupcakes in Mini Form. Personally, I think the Yoda was my favorite. Of course, there were plenty of other treats too, all of which we enjoyed while rocking out to the end of the dance party! 

Finally, to round the day out, there's the absolutely magical Summon the Force and Symphony in the Stars. During Summon the Force, just about every Star Wars character you can image appeared on stage. Our view was a bit blocked by parts of the stage, but it didn't stop me from seeing my personal favorite character: HAN SOLO! 

And then we come to Symphony in the Stars, which is by far one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen. I had a video camera in one hand and my phone in the other, meaning I'm not sure how much of the show I actually watched, but it was obviously enough for me to be left speechless. There's just something extra magical when the music of Star Wars is timed to fireworks, all in front of the Chinese Theatre, and I can't wait to return and see it again someday. 

Of course, in my usual style, I just HAD to DisneyBound for the day, coming up with an R2-D2 DisneyBound that felt the most real when I found this Lego version of our favorite droid! 

But wait, there's more! While we couldn't get a reservation on Sunday for the Rebel Hangar, luckily they were serving all week long, so we headed back to Hollywood Studios the following day for dinner with the rebels! Now, as you all know, I was really, really, REALLY excited about meeting Chewbacca on this trip, and when it didn't happen on Sunday I was fairly dissapointed. So you can imagine my excitement when Chewie walked into the hangar, right past our table. The characters at the meal are different from your regular character experience, only staying for a few minutes, and you have to grab them more than they stop at individual tables. The Stormtroopers came by a few times, and I had the chance to trade with one of the Jawas, but Chewie took a while. In fact, he came and went twice before we managed to catch him, because when he was coming up the ramp that last time, I was all over getting a picture with him. And so, I finally got to meet Chewbacca, and it was the greatest moment of the entire trip to be honest. 

You can also see the pictures of our meal, which was great! They serve it more in an appetizer style, so it's a great opportunity to go with friends and try just about everything on the menu, which is all themed to Star Wars. The entire thing was pretty makeshift, but I'd put some money on the idea that this was a test run for possible Star Wars dining experiences of the future, and boy do I ever hope they happen. 

Overall, Star Wars Weekends was amazing. Hot and crowded, yes, but amazing. I can't wait for more Star Wars Weekend experiences in the future, because really, when else can you casually follow members of your favorite band around Hollywood Studios? 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on June 23 due to travel).