Star Wars Weekend 2014: Making Friends with a Jawa

Derek and I were only able to attend Star Wars Weekends together one day this year but it happen to be the best weekend to go!  For those of you who don't know, Star Wars Weekends is a weekend event that takes place in Disney's Hollywood Studios usually over the late weekends of May and early June. It is the ultimate event for any Star Wars fan, as it gives guests the unique opportunity of seeing some of their favorite Star Wars celebrities and characters!

Ready for the day :)

We started our day mid morning with my personal favorite part of Star Wars Weekends, the Motorcade. I love the Motorcade because it allows you to see Mickey and the gang in their Star Wars costumes, along with the 501st Legion, and the celebrities for that weekend! 

The 501st!

My favorite Droid :)

Then it was celebrity time! 

Ashley Eckstein:

 Taylor Gray:

Ray Park:

Billy Dee Williams:

Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill:

And James Arnold Taylor:

The Motorcade makes its way to the Hat Stage where James Arnold Taylor does a little welcome, then all the celebrities get back in their cars and make their way back down the street! This allowed us to get even more pictures.

After the Motorcade, Derek and I made a little lunch stop and tried out the Brown Derby Lounge. We both got a Cobb Salad and enjoyed the peaceful break from the festivities.

 

We then checked out Darth's Mall to see what Star Wars Goodies were available. Then it was time for the big event of the day, A Conversation with Mark Hamill. Unfortunately, we were not able to get Fastpasses to see the show and decided to not spend hours waiting in line to get into the theater with him. Luckily, Disney showed the whole show live in various placed in the park. Derek and I decided to watch from inside the American Idol Theater. And even though we weren't in the theater with him, it was still a great experience and so much fun to hear Mark talk about his time with Star Wars.

We did have a fastpass for our next activity of the day, Stars of the Saga! In this show James Arnold Taylor sat down with Ray Park and Billy Dee Williams.  It was a very entertaining show and I especially loved the Storm Trooper show that happens before it. A definite must see if you ever attend SWW! 

The all dressed as Lando!

When we got out of the Stars of the Saga, I was delighted to see Jawas trading on the Streets of America! This interaction was probably my favorite moment of the day. Derek and I were just watching people trade with a Jawa, when another Jawa came up to me and started pointing at my skirt! We then decided to trade with him a Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card and received an extra large playing card in return. The Jawa went on his way, but then not two minutes later returned, pointing at the skirt again! I had to take a picture with him at this point :) 

 

Derek and I now had some time to kill before our next Star Wars Activity. I had made Fastpasses earlier in the month for a few rides so we did those. Then it was time for Obi Wan and Beyond, a highly entertaining show with James Arnold Taylor where he discusses what it is like to be a voice actor and then amazes you with his voices.  

We then ended our day at Star Wars Weekends with Symphony in the Stars, an amazing fireworks show new to the Weekends this year. We had a fabulous time at Star Wars Weekends and can't wait till next year! 

I hope you enjoy a few pictures from the fireworks:

Courtney's Birthday in a Rainy Magic Kingdom

   It's become sort of a tradition to make a trip to Disney for my Birthday! (And Mother Nature has made it a tradition to have it rain every year!) This year we decided to start the day early with breakfast at Kona Cafe over at the Polynesian.  

 
We had done lunch and dinner at Kona but never breakfast, so I was excited to try it. It did not disappoint! Kona Cafe is known for it's Tonga Toast: French Toast stuffed with bananas and covered with sugar! Derek ordered the Tonga Toast and I got the Big Kahuna. Both were delicious.

Tip: You can also get Tonga Toast at the counter service restaurant at the Polynesian!

 It was a great start to our morning and we were both stuffed at the end! We then continued our day at the Magic Kingdom where we were able to get in some rides before the rain started.

Taking a stroll down the river.

We got to meet Anna and Elsa for the first time! (Thanks to FP+)

They loved my bow and the "little green snowman"

We also go to see Aurora!

May 2nd was also the dedication day for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Later in the day my brother, Peter, got to ride the attraction (he worked on the attraction). We caught him on a few of his rides!

Overall, we had a great day in the Magic Kingdom for my Birthday, even with the rain.  A rainy day in Disney is always better then not being there!

The Dapper Dans sang me a Birthday Song!