Star Wars Weekends

Ok, Merchandise news!!! StarWars.com has finally come out with a list of items that will be available this year. At last we have some pictures and some idea on what we might find once the gates open for Star Wars Weekends. I’ve gone over and over the pictures, like a kid in a candy store who can’t decide which sweet to choose. There is a lot for everyone to like this year. If you are a pin collector, this is really a good year. This year offers a wide variety of pins from straight Star Wars to some great Disney/Star Wars selections. There are also several other items that are sure to get the attention of collectors and fans alike. It is important to remember that the list that has been presented is not the total of what will be available. Already we are hearing that there will be additional items such as two collector’s watches with art work that was specifically approved by George Lucas. Still since we have a list I figured I would put my two cents worth in on how this ranks.

For me personally, seeing the Figs can be purchased (just not available to take home yet) is a silver lining. Still the cloud within this silver lining is the Jar Jar Goofy Fig. I know it is just my opinion being voiced here, but I really don’t see these selling well. If it is on your want list, don’t worry, it will be still available come Weekend 4. The other Fig’s look great! Now I just have to decide if it is worth it to skip the Jar Jar Fig and ruin my complete collection or not. Even the wife said “No way” to the Jar Jar Fig. It isn’t looking good. So the Figs for the 3^rd year in a row, despite that one piece, still rank #1 to me as the top merchandise. After that it breaks down like this to me:

This might help….

http://www.starwars.com/collecting/news/misc/20080529_picview/pictureviewer.html?imgNum=21&world=collecting

• LE Clones Jumbo Pin. This looks great and is a must for the serious Star Wars Fan. -
• Mickey’s Pin Odyssey. These Limited Edition Pins are high on my list. To me they are very appealing and I love how they use Mickey.
• Storm Trooper Zippered Sweatshirt. –I want this and think it just looks great. The only thing that would make it better would be if they made one with Darth Vader’s helmet on it. Then I’d need two. -
• Disney Star Wars Character Pins. These pins have some real hits with me like Emperor Stitch and Anakin Mickey along with some real reaches with Chewbacca Goofy (Pluto just seems to me to be a natural fit here). I like this overall, but collecting is made more difficult by the fact that they are packaged so that you cannot see which one you are purchasing, making collecting the entire set much more difficult. But then again, this should promote more pin trading during the event.
• Star Wars Weekends Pins, Featuring characters paired with Clones/Storm Troopers. There is a lot to like about these pins. I don’t know how difficult it will be to procure many of these, but pin collectors should take note of these Clone pairings and such. Very cool, especially the Obi Wan and Anakin pins. IMO
• Mickey and Darth Vader T-Shirt. –Fun shirt with Mickey snapping a picture of Darth in front of the HAT. I like this one a lot and will most likely pick it up in spite of it being on BLACK.
• Who doesn’t like the Get a taste of the Dark Side T-Shirt?
• Mickey Mouse Rebel and Imperial icon pins. –These are an absolute must. They are a terrific idea and look fantastic. I love the simplicity that screams Disney’s Star Wars Weekends!
• The SWW MUG- Another MUST HAVE for me. I like this year’s mug! Again, Vader with Mickey.
• LE framed coin set- This is my sleeper pick. I think this is a very slick looking set and I hope to be able to afford it.

On the Fence

• The art work poster. I love Storm Troopers, but the poster looks too washed out. Donald is great, but where is Mickey? I’ll most likely pick one up, but it is low on my list.
• Star Tours Featured Attraction Pin. I’m on the fence here again. Overall I like the pin, but Mickey just looks slightly off to me. This will be a last minute decision for me.
• Limited Edition Helmet Pins. –Helmets are one of the more defining things about Star Wars. Still I am luke warm on this set and need to see them in person. That said, they are not on my list… right now.
• 2008 Magnet Set- Let’s just say I’m not into the magnets. Still Clones/Storm Troopers/501^st fans will want these.
• LE Clone Pin Set- These are very cool, but I prefer the Jumbo Pin set. I won’t say no to these, but don’t plan on buying them unless I can’t get the Jumbo set.
• Leia & Amidala dress up sets- This should also be available for a while, but how about the fact that they finally have something cool for the girls! My daughter will love this.
• Maul Donald and Goofy Vader T-Shirt- Again, very nicely done. Only problem is that it is on BLACK.
• Disney Racers- Again these should be available for a while since they are not exclusive to the event. The Darth Maul, Boba Fett, & Imperial Guard Cars are cool. The other two just don’t look right to me. Maybe it is the picture.
• The Darth Maul/Donald Watch and the Anakin/Mickey Watch- I like the watches. I have a thing for these, although these are not the Limited edition watches. I have a feeling I won’t like the price and the wristbands are a little thick.
• The Logo Crystal. –These crystals have really started to grow on me over the past two years. Anyone going each year could have a very clever collection with these. I have one from a few years ago and now wish I’d been doing these all along.

Not on my list but may be on yours….

• Muppets Toy Sets- You should be able to find this any time in the next year at Star Tours.
• Droid Play Set- DITTO Minnie &
• Mickey Storm Trooper Shirt- Nice shirt and it’s not BLACK.
• The Poster Image Shirt. –Again, I worry that the image is too washed out with all of that white. Still this shirt could look decent. I’m going to wait until I see this to make the call.
• The Single Packaged Coins- Good package design, a possibility. The Storm Trooper looking down at Donald is pretty funny.
• SWW Coffee Tumbler- This looks very cool, but it is white and quite likely pricey. A White Coffee Tumbler could be as much an irritant as a joy. Still it looks good!
• Judge me by my size, Travel Mug Set. –These are a play off a T-shirt they’ve had for a few years now. The sense of humor in many of these items is part of what makes them special. If you have multiple people to satisfy this could be worth while. If you have anyone who is vertically challenged this may or may not go over real well. (I’d say go for it!)

I’m still hoping to see Beenies for this year. My Jedi Mickey’s, Luke Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Mickey and Darth Goofy could all use some more company. But at least we have an idea of what to expect. I still don’t think this makes the merchandise line a priority for me this year, but there are some things that I’m going to have to get! Then there is that Jar Jar Fig….. Bantha Po.. I better stop myself. I may talk myself into getting it!