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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

SWC17 Wristbands and attending big panels at Star Wars Celebration Orlando (a mini guide)

Discussion in 'Star Wars Celebrations' started by TK--421, Mar 27, 2017.

  1. 80ninjas

    80ninjas Jedi Master star 1

    Registered:
    Apr 25, 2014
    That's kind of what my wife and I are doing this year. We're going to a few of the bigger panels (mostly evening ones like the Ray Park/Ian McDiarmid one) but we're hitting a lot of panels in the BTS/University/Fan stages. We both said the same thing: the big panels are being live streamed on YouTube so we can always watch them later. The smaller panels are something you can only experience at celebration.
     
  2. MotivateR5D4

    MotivateR5D4 Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Apr 20, 2015
    Docgeo: Unfortunately, demand for these events has become so high that waiting in line overnight and for hours at a time is often required in order to see the panels you want to see. It is what it is. Everyone else is paying the same money to be there as well.

    But as a first time attendee, I think you're in luck actually that you can wait overnight for the two biggest panels, see them in the morning, and still have the rest of your day to do what you want do and see everything Celebration has to offer. Because like others have already mentioned, there's plenty else to do than see big panels. I'll elaborate on that probably this weekend and make a post here detailing some recommendations I have for first time Celebration attendees based on my own experience having attended for the first time two years ago.
     
  3. Rox

    Rox Administrator Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Nov 24, 2000
    Because I'm stressing myself out over this and want to be right...

    I'm doing the overnight camp out getting in line at 8pm for the 40th panel. Once I get my wristband in the morning does it have our seat number on it? Or do I then go wait in a separate line for the 40th panel to get the best available seat?

    I would really like to hit a second line for a second wrist band but I want the best possible seat for the 40th panel and if that means skipping a second wrist band that morning I will. I just want to be on the correct path because I want to take in the most I can.


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  4. Padme501st

    Padme501st Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 4, 2006
    no seat numbers, you will have to go to a separate line. From what I can tell from their instructions for 40th and TLJ only there will be a separate line so they can escort us to the room, instead of going to the main waiting line
     
  5. star_wars_is_good

    star_wars_is_good Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 14, 2002
    Keep in mind that even if you're first in line for the camp out, you still won't be in the very front. After the VIP'S and medical badges, the best you can do is probably 10 rows back or so.
     
  6. Rox

    Rox Administrator Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Nov 24, 2000
    Right, I've been to Celebration before just not one with the wristbands so I didn't want to get it wrong. I understand that VIPs, studio executives and others will be let in first. I just don't want to be 40 rows back.


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  7. MotivateR5D4

    MotivateR5D4 Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Apr 20, 2015
  8. star_wars_is_good

    star_wars_is_good Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 14, 2002
    Haha. I really am not trying to brag (although I am really pumped). I just don't want people who get there at 8 to think they are going to be in the front row and end up disappointed. Believe me, if I didn't have VIP, I would be right there with you guys.
     
  9. MotivateR5D4

    MotivateR5D4 Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Apr 20, 2015
  10. Darksider13

    Darksider13 Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Apr 2, 2017
    To be honest, as long as I'm in the galaxy stage room at all I'll be happy. I'd love to be close, don't get me wrong, but this is my first major star wars event (Star Wars weekends 2005 and 2006 doesn't count really) so to go from nothing to one of the biggest panels at the convention is a pretty big deal.
     
  11. Jamtia

    Jamtia Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Apr 5, 2016


    This would be great! First time Celebration goer. Really wish I didn't miss out on the VIP badge. Debating how much I really want to be there live for the big panels or not.
     
  12. Torz

    Torz Jedi Knight

    Registered:
    Aug 12, 2015

    Yep, same. Happy to get somewhere in the live stages - doesn't have to be close. I'd rather lock in my second panel for the day than guarantee a good seat.
     
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  13. Chewies_bandolier

    Chewies_bandolier Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    May 5, 2002
    They have multiple massive screens - you won't see as well even from the 10 th row or whatever, as you would on the screen. The thing that is amazing is the atmosphere and the fans ... I sat near some 501er x wing pilots and it was so funny and cool to see them exchanging salutes with anyone else who passed by in a flightsuit :)
     
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  14. wookieebusiness

    wookieebusiness Jedi Knight star 1

    Registered:
    Mar 30, 2017
    I'm starting to wonder about whether they will cap the overnight group at all. I know people have said that there's no way that 6,000+ people are going to sleep overnight, but I'm not so sure. Also, the doors are supposed to open at 8 PM for overnighters, but then doesn't that create a line situation outside? So, what time is everyone arriving for the overnight lock-in? Supposedly they will not be allowing lines outside the OCCC, but I'm positive people will be chomping at the bit just to get inside and get their place in the overnight line.

    Also, will Thursday attendees have an edge to get in the overnight panel (for Friday's TLJ) since they are already in the building, or will the staff clear out the OCCC and make them all re-enter and be security searched again for the overnight line.

    Maybe I'm overthinking this, like Rox, but this is my first SWC, I've only got Friday, and I will have my son with me, and I want to make sure I understand things before I end up in a room full of forgotten people wondering why no one has let us in to our panel.
     
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  15. Padme501st

    Padme501st Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 4, 2006
    I'm planning on being in the approximate area of the center around 7:30-7.45pm on Wednesday night. Ready to go through security at 8pm. As for Thursday night, I have Rancho Obi-Wan volunteering orientation at 6:45pm till probably 7ish so I will just loiter around, whether in the con or outside, or find a really close and quick place to eat so I can be ready for security at 8pm again, whatever they allow. There's a Reedpop volunteer that is doing line control on the Facebook group, they have an orientation on how to handle lines Wednesday morning so he is going to update us with whatever info he gets. Whatever he says I'll post on here and if needs be I'll ask on Wednesday night what they plan to do for Thursday night so I can let you know.
     
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  16. Docgeo

    Docgeo Jedi Knight star 1

    Registered:
    Oct 26, 2013

    Thursday night I was considering the Drowning in Moonlight Gala which means I wouldn't get to the doors until around 1130pm. will it still be worth it in your opinion?
     
  17. star_wars_is_good

    star_wars_is_good Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 14, 2002
    If you're there by midnight, I'm guessing you'll be okay.
     
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  18. Rox

    Rox Administrator Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Nov 24, 2000
    I'm going to walk over around 7:15pm and just see how it goes. As much as I love Star Wars I think I'd like to spend some time at the killer pool at the Hilton beforehand.


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  19. Padme501st

    Padme501st Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 4, 2006
    I'm foregoing my ticket but you should be close by so I would check updates on crowds and be prepared to rush out in case demand is more than we thought. But I doubt it
     
    Docgeo likes this.
  20. m.skywaIkr

    m.skywaIkr Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Apr 4, 2017
    I have only a friday ticket. And a Hayden photo op for this day. Do you think i can try to get a wristband. Do the photoshoot and rush over to the TLJ Panel? If a friend holds free a seat. Or will doors be closed once the panel started?


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  21. Padme501st

    Padme501st Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 4, 2006
    That I don't know. I think it's up to the Reedpop workers for that one. You can always try to email them and ask
     
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  22. Dayman76

    Dayman76 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Apr 6, 2017
    Actually, there's no separate, early medical badge entry for the Galaxy/Celebration stage panels. The medical badge is only good for non-Galaxy/Celebration stage panels and entry into the Exhibition Hall.
     
  23. jerejerebinks

    jerejerebinks Jedi Padawan star 1

    Registered:
    Mar 24, 2017
    Is it pretty obvious where the entrance is and everything? My plan was to order my uber at the hotel at 7pm to head on over (about a 22 minute drive). Just don't want to get there at 730ish and have no idea where to go.

    Also, excited to hear what he's able to provide!
     
    star_wars_is_good likes this.
  24. star_wars_is_good

    star_wars_is_good Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 14, 2002
    Gotcha. Anyone know about how the media badges work?
     
  25. TK--421

    TK--421 Jedi Grand Master star 2

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2002
    Not true. There's no separate medical badge lines for the wristband queues, but there is a separate line for the galaxy/celebration stages. Confirmed in the email they sent to medical people Wednesday here: