Star Wars Celebration in Orlando 2017-anyone?

[LadyZod]

Anyone else jumping into that most wretched hive of scum and villainy?

Just joking. I love Star Wars Celebration (and I love not having to travel far for it.)

I'll be there for all 4 days digging through vintage Kenner stuff to complete our collection, and hanging out at some of the fan panels.

[Hedji]

I wish. Not this time unfortunately. Have a blast!

[Spawn67]

I will be there! Got some relatives that live about 3 miles from the convention center so I'll be coming down. Saturday only.
This will be my first Star Wars convention. What should I expect? Any tips on anything I should know?

[LadyZod]

Tips:

Know what your priorities are and have a plan. Buying vintage stuff? Exclusives? Collecting Track? Collector Panels? Media Panels? Cosplaying? Video Gaming? Droid Derby? You can't do it all in one day.

Check the schedule of events for all panels you might be interested and have back up plans in case you're in a "limited seating available" situation. Don't expect to get into any of the big panels at the "Celebration Stage" unless you are camping out over night at the OCCC with hopes of scoring a bracelet at 6AM when they hand them out for seating.

For example, Saturday I'm hoping to hit these collector panels:

12-1pm40 Years Later: Star Wars Original Film Memorabilia
3-4pmStar Wars at the Movies: Vintage Theatrical Advertising and CollectibleEphemera

And try to get seating for 1:30-2:30pmAnthony Daniels: 40 Years with Threepio at the Celebration Stage.

If I cannot get in for Anthony Daniels, no biggie. The rest of the day is open for dealer room fun.

Check the map and the vendors list and know where you are heading before stepping foot into the dealer floor. This is easy to do since everyone waits in a holding pen for like 1-2hrs before the free flow is established.

Bring a backpack, or messenger bag, or rolling file box for purchases or holding stuff.

Pack a sandwich. OCCC food is notoriously expensive!

If you see something at a dealer table don't be afraid to negotiate. Most dealers at celebration are open to trade. There are a few that may be jerks, but word gets around FAST about them. You'll hear about it on line in the que pen.

If the price is fair and you want it, buy it then. Don't wait. Remember, what you saw now and said "I'll buy later," is the same thing someone else saw earlier and is on the way to buy now.

Star Wars fans may divide along the original/prequel lines, but the atmosphere is very welcoming regardless of where you land. It's understood that the prequels are beloved by many children through the Clone Wars cartoon, and though Jar Jar is still open game, no one obnoxiously poo poos on them around where the kids are.

Also, do yourself a favor and schedule yourself some time for Steve Sansweet's Rancho Obi Wan exhibit. Each year he bring different pieces from his collection.

TL;DR

Make a plan. Bring food. Have fun.

[4NDR01D]

Nope, already been this year. I did get to do the Star Wars Tour group though so that was fun. Cannot wait for Star Wars Land to open, its going to be insane!!

[palitoy]

I'm not a big SW guy but I'd like to see the spectacle someday.

[SKotK]

Full confession: I've been to every domestic Star Wars Celebration since Denver in 1999. And I'll be going to this one as well. You could say I love it, and you'd be right!

In the beginning it was all about seeing and sometimes meeting the cast and crew in person, as well as viewing original movie props in the prop museum (which I don't think they do anymore, sadly) - such an amazing opportunity! But once I'd seen most of that, it became more about finding vintage items and enjoying time with friends there, as well as taking in panels and such.

I'd like to ditto what LadyZod said: you can't possibly see and do everything, especially when some panels you want to see are scheduled during other panels you want to see. Or, more often you'll find you have to be in line while missing other panels you'd like to see. Having friends or family willing to hold your place in line helps.

Definitely plan your days. And again, I can't count the number of times I've kicked myself for saying "I'll come back for this later", only to find someone bought it 2 minutes after I turned away. If it's rare and you've been looking for it, buy it then or not at all. Don't waste time buying new items you can easily find online for the same or similar price...the real prizes are the vintage treasures and Celebration exclusives (some of which you can find online later, but you never know). If you go in costume, bear in mind that you'll have trouble getting from place to place quickly because people are going to want to stop you constantly to take pictures.

It's absolutely overwhelming, but absolutely overwhelmingly fun. If you like Star Wars at all, you'll love it. I've had some of the most amazing experiences of my life there.

--SKot

[Klosterheim]

Tips:

Know what your priorities are and have a plan. Buying vintage stuff? Exclusives? Collecting Track? Collector Panels? Media Panels? Cosplaying? Video Gaming? Droid Derby? You can't do it all in one day.

Check the schedule of events for all panels you might be interested and have back up plans in case you're in a "limited seating available" situation. Don't expect to get into any of the big panels at the "Celebration Stage" unless you are camping out over night at the OCCC with hopes of scoring a bracelet at 6AM when they hand them out for seating.

For example, Saturday I'm hoping to hit these collector panels:

12-1pm40 Years Later: Star Wars Original Film Memorabilia
3-4pmStar Wars at the Movies: Vintage Theatrical Advertising and CollectibleEphemera

And try to get seating for 1:30-2:30pmAnthony Daniels: 40 Years with Threepio at the Celebration Stage.

If I cannot get in for Anthony Daniels, no biggie. The rest of the day is open for dealer room fun.

Check the map and the vendors list and know where you are heading before stepping foot into the dealer floor. This is easy to do since everyone waits in a holding pen for like 1-2hrs before the free flow is established.

Bring a backpack, or messenger bag, or rolling file box for purchases or holding stuff.

Pack a sandwich. OCCC food is notoriously expensive!

If you see something at a dealer table don't be afraid to negotiate. Most dealers at celebration are open to trade. There are a few that may be jerks, but word gets around FAST about them. You'll hear about it on line in the que pen.

If the price is fair and you want it, buy it then. Don't wait. Remember, what you saw now and said "I'll buy later," is the same thing someone else saw earlier and is on the way to buy now.

Star Wars fans may divide along the original/prequel lines, but the atmosphere is very welcoming regardless of where you land. It's understood that the prequels are beloved by many children through the Clone Wars cartoon, and though Jar Jar is still open game, no one obnoxiously poo poos on them around where the kids are.

Also, do yourself a favor and schedule yourself some time for Steve Sansweet's Rancho Obi Wan exhibit. Each year he bring different pieces from his collection.

TL;DR

Make a plan. Bring food. Have fun.

I would like to go some day. I am not going this time, but this sounds excellent!

[LadyZod]

If anyone wants to meet up or just play phone tag via text during Celebration, pm me for my number.

Stuff like this comes in handy in case you're lost, need another set of eyes for something you're looking for, or are just bored in the cue line. (Also helps if we're all heading to the same panel... first one there snags a spot in line.)

[drquest]

I'd love to go to these. The closest thing I've done is the Star Wars Weekends they used to do at Disney's Hollywood Studios. My oldest son and I went by ourselves in May 2014. It was an absolute blast of a trip, we had a wonderful time. 2015 was the last year they did that so I'm happy we were able to get to go at least one time.

[Nostalgiabuff]

I'd love to go to these. The closest thing I've done is the Star Wars Weekends they used to do at Disney's Hollywood Studios. My oldest son and I went by ourselves in May 2014. It was an absolute blast of a trip, we had a wonderful time. 2015 was the last year they did that so I'm happy we were able to get to go at least one time.

they stopped doing Star Wars weekends? I did not know that. I took the family 3 times to the weekends. it's a lot of fun, although the park is a lot more crowded during the SW weekends. I'd love to get to SW celebration some day

[drquest]

they stopped doing Star Wars weekends? I did not know that. I took the family 3 times to the weekends. it's a lot of fun, although the park is a lot more crowded during the SW weekends. I'd love to get to SW celebration some day

2015 was the last time for it. They said because they are building a Star Wars land in Hollywood Studios that it would basically replace the SW Weekends. I'm looking forward to the SW Land, but the special weekends were a blast!

[Spawn67]

Question how much does Anthony Daniels charge for a autograph?

[LadyZod]

Question how much does Anthony Daniels charge for a autograph?

$75

Prices for everyone at Celebration

[Spawn67]

Im also wondering if they will have those model displays you can take your picture in (creature cantina, deathstar, jabba the hut etc.). Ive seen them at past conventions on youtube and hope there will be some there.

Also, since the panel will be jam packed Im wondering if they will show the preview on screens throughout the convention center when it happens.