Star Wars Weekends

I have been attending SWW for the past several years, and each year I usually focus on a specific event or task. Last year I took my nephews (ages 9 & 8), and helped them attend several of the kids activities like the Jedi Academy, Kid's Trivia Challenge, and the Hyperspace Hoopla. This year I was on my own, and my focus was on one goal, to meet the Dark Lord of the Empire - Darth Vader! I knew David Prowse would draw a big crowd, so my Friday the 13th began at 4:00am with a drive from Largo, FL near Tampa Bay. I arrived at the park at 6:00am, where I found the David Prowse line past the ticket booths, past the baggage security point, almost to where the trams drop you off. I had packed a backpack with drinks and snacks, and began to have my breakfast and get acquainted with my neighbors in front and behind me. Everyone was in good spirits, and we began filing into the park at 7:00am, as I had read from several week #1 reports. After 8:00am we began lining up around the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, where a couple cast members began to tell us we probably wouldn't get guaranteed Fast Passes - GEE THANKS! Sure enough, at 10:00am I received my STANDBY Pass #33, and decided I hadn't waited in line long enough and went to ride Toy Story Midway Mania. A bit of advice, DON'T wait in line more than 10 minutes for this ride - nuff said.

I made my way to Hollywood Blvd. to watch the Star Wars parade at 11:00am (I ALWAYS watch the parade), and enjoyed some popcorn and soda while my childhood idols passed by. I had noticed while I was wandering around the crowds of fans, that no one seemed to have a Force FX Lightsaber like I had brought to get signed. "What if security won't let me bring it into the park?" I began to wonder. I made my way over to Wicket's Warehouse, and spent a good hour examining all the merchandise for sale. I have never been one of the die-hard merchandise fans, but found several general items, including a matted photo of the villain of the hour - VADER! Maybe I could at least get this signed if I couldn't bring in my lightsaber. It's past noon! I better head out to the parking lot to get my lightsaber if I'm going to have enough time to grab something for lunch and check out the standby situation at the 2:25pm David Prowse signing.

Okay, I've got my lightsaber and am walking up to the security area - PLEASE let it be okay! The security guard checks out the Jedi weapon of choice, smiles and says he has 2 of these at home. "Aren't they great!" he says. I make my way back to the Star Tours corner of the park, my lightsaber now sticking out of my backpack, and get a bite to eat. After lunch I have just enough time to get over to Echo Lake and pace back and forth with all the other standby victims, watching as the GUARANTEED Fastpass holders get their autographs. At 3:15pm, a cast member yells, "All right - STANDBYS!" I watch as the teens and twenties get in line. "30...31...32...33!" she yells. I meet my movie hero Darth Vader aka David Prowse. He politely signs my photo that I had bought earlier, and inscribes on my lightsaber, "Dave Prowse is Darth Vader", which is now on it's display stand behind me at this very moment.