This week as we gear up for Star Wars Celebration, we’ll take a walk through the park, stop by the shops and peek through the fence.

Star Wars Keeps A Tight Grip On Tomorrowland

With cooler temperatures returning to Southern California this week, the Season Of The Force is still the hottest ticket in the park. Let’s take a visit to Star Wars in Tomorrowland.

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By far the most popular attraction in Disneyland right now, Hyperspace Mountain is in dire need of a bath.
By far the most popular attraction in Disneyland right now, Hyperspace Mountain is in dire need of a bath.

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C-3P0 welcomes passengers on Star Tours.
C-3P0 welcomes passengers on Star Tours.
R2-D2 and IC-360 prepare for launch.
R2-D2 and IC-360 prepare for launch.
Alderaan: The safest planet in the galaxy!
Alderaan: The safest planet in the galaxy!
Baggage check!
Baggage check!
Just a quick security scan…no need to empty your pockets.
Just a quick security scan…no need to empty your pockets.
First Order Troops keeping the citizens safe.
First Order Troops keeping the citizens safe.

New Merchandise for Back To School

The coolest items for your dorm or backpack are starting to creep into the stores. Here’s some of the best so far…

@Star Trader - Pencil and eraser set.
@Star Trader – Pencil and eraser set.
@Star Trader & Off The Page – Maybe not necessarily for school. But who doesn’t love to color?
@Star Trader & Off The Page – Maybe not necessarily for school. But who doesn’t love to color?
@Launch Bay – Logo Bookends
@Launch Bay – Logo Bookends
@Launch Bay – Madalorian Insignia Bookends
@Launch Bay – Madalorian Insignia Bookends
@Launch Bay – AT-AT Bookends
@Launch Bay – AT-AT Bookends

Star Wars Celebration Next Week

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Friday, July 15 marks the start of this year’s Star Wars Celebration in London. The Star Wars Celebration Website describes the event as follows:

“Star Wars Celebration is the ultimate fan experience focused on a galaxy far, far away…
There has never been a more exciting time to be a Star Wars fan, and Star Wars Celebration Europe in London, UK will bring fans of all ages together, from all around the world, to celebrate the pop culture phenomenon that is Star Wars — all on the cusp of new Star Wars movies and television shows! Looking ahead, while celebrating all that has come before, there’s something for everyone at Star Wars Celebration!
Celebration – Lucasfilm’s love letter to fans – is three fun-filled days of costumes, exhibits, a vibrant, interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, and other surprises celebrating all things Star Wars! Star Wars Celebrations deliver a landmark experience where memories are made, families brought together, old friends reunited, and new friendships formed — all in the setting of the ever-evolving Star Wars universe.”

Celebration is fantastic opportunity for fans to get together and share their love for Star Wars. Cosplayers from last year’s celebration in Anaheim rocked the house. Here’s a couple of my favorites:

Han Cholo and Chuy
Han Cholo and Chuy
Kristoff Solo and Slave Elsa
Kristoff Solo and Slave Elsa

This is also an opportunity for big announcements in the Star Wars universe. Highlights from the scheduled panels include a session with Gareth Edwards, the Director of “Rogue One” on Friday and the Future Filmmaker Discussion with the directors of Episode VIII and IX as well as the Han Solo movie.

Look for big news throughout the weekend. Will Rogue One have an opening crawl? Does the new Han Solo, Alden Ehrenreich, have a cameo in Rogue One? The biggest piece of news expected is the announcement of the title for Star Wars: Episode VIII. Rumors have been swirling for a couple months on what the title will be. Here’s my favorite:
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New Rogue One Trailer On ABC

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News has already leaked that we will see a new trailer for Rogue One on Friday as part of the Rogue One panel discussion at Celebration. Friday night at 8pm, ABC will air a special titled, ”Secrets of the Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey” which is basically the special features from the home video release. During this show it is expected that the new trailer will be aired. However, it is also anticipated that once it shows at Celebration, it will be available online. The panel starts at 4pm London time, which is 8am our time. Look for it online soon after.

Can’t Make It To London?

StarWars.com announced this week that The Star Wars Show will be streaming live from Celebration all weekend. Part of the webcast is said to include the major panel events. The schedule will be released next week. Check out this week’s episode of the The Star Wars Show for more:

A Little Background…

The fan gathering began in 1999 as a celebration of the release of Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It was held in Denver, which was the home of the original Star Wars Fan Club. An estimated 10,000 fans attended. Subsequent Celebrations were held for the release of Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, both were in Indianapolis.

Star Wars Celebration
Star Wars Celebration I

In 2007, it became a yearly event and has been hosted in several U.S. cities as well as in Japan, Germany and the U.K. Last year’s Celebration in Anaheim was attended by an estimated 150,000 fans.

Celebration Anaheim 2015
Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2015

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Celebration Next Year

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In 2017, Celebration returns to the U.S. in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center. Expect a ton of focus on Star Wars: Episode VIII. We’ll definitely know the full title by then.

Star Wars Land Construction Celebration

Since we’re celebrating, let’s raise a toast to Star Wars Land starting to go vertical!

In the north area of Star Wars Land, the dirt hill is slowly being taken away, one truckload at a time.
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The big action this week is on the east side of SWL, where a wall is going up alongside the back of the Fantasyland Theater.

The new wall as seen from the train on Big Thunder Mountain.
The new wall as seen from the train on Big Thunder Mountain.

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Workers are building the rebar skeleton of a wall.
Workers are building the rebar skeleton of a wall.

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Where the Skyway Chalet stood, workers are planting new bushes on the side facing Fantasyland.
Where the Skyway Chalet stood, workers are planting new bushes on the side facing Fantasyland.

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With footers in place, another wall is beginning to form.
With footers in place, another wall is beginning to form.
From Big Thunder, a view through the wall.
From Big Thunder, a view through the wall.
Conduit is in place as foundations are being built.
Conduit is in place as foundations are being built.

In the south side of SWL, more footers and equipment are in play.
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Near the Hungry Bear Restaurant, the turn is starting to take shape.
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SWL-July 6-HB 2

That’s it for this week’s news. Just one more photo from Launch Bay:
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