SWC19 The Good, the Bad, and What Made You Want to Scream

With Celebration drawing to a close, let us know what you liked, hated, and what would have made you turn to the Dark Side about the events, planning, queues, etc.

 

Darkside: first two days of the app not working at all. Hotel not having a fridge or microwave so I had to buy food all five days.

Hated: guy in front of me who had to be escorted away from Paul Bettany and screwed me over from even being able to talk during my auto signing.

Liked: darn near everything else.

Heavenly (like wasn't strong enough):
Meeting all the other celebrities, the Mando panel, being there for TPM right now!

 

I loved the lottery system, but was disappointed at the lack of lotteries I won. I actually thought reedpop and Chicago security did a great job, especially compared to Orlando. The weather was miserable for this kind of co invention, so thank God Reedpop and security got everyone in at a reasonable hour. Also wished Sideshow/Hot Toys was there and had something to show off. Overall loved it, and the best part was being with the people =)

 

Haha, ok, I liked, excuse me, *LOVED* the CW panel. That was absolutely amazing. I got a photo op with Ashley and gave her some of my Ahsoka art, and she hugged me and said I was so talented, Didn’t really hate anything, but only being there for one day, there are a bunch of things I wish I had done but didn’t have time for. The longest line I had to wait in was only like 2 hours, (to get into the show floor) so that was pretty good. Super excited for the next Cele though, and I am 1000% going to attend. (As long as it’s not way too far away ) This was my first Celebration, but I want to go every single time

 

I only got to go one day, the first. The problems with the official store were a nightmare, and I didn't even bother going into line because I had to make sure I got my prepaid photo ops. And then the line closed at 4:30.

I know when I go to Celebration again, I will go more than one day. Or I won't go the first day.

I liked my photo ops, I liked going in the Falcon exhibit. I liked getting to see someone I graduated from college with. I'm glad I experienced the atmosphere. I just know I will do things very different next time, and hope ReedPop and Lucasfilm will too.

 

This is the first ever celebration that they've had a "preview night" like they did for Thursday.

 

The downside for me is that Will Call wasn’t clearly marked. You had to go through the VIP entrance and I didn’t think I could even go in there, so I kind of wandered around aimlessly on Friday until I worked up the guts to walk in there. The other thing was the mad chaos of the food court and there was very few vegetarian options because I couldn’t eat meat that day.

Everything else was a blast. My highlight of the day was meeting James Arnold Taylor and Catherine Taber from the Clone Wars. My best friend works for a podcast and she interviewed Catherine when I was there and James tagged along. They were both really nice, and we were able to chat a bit. I got a picture with them and then I saw James again when I went for my autograph. It was my first celebration and I will totally go again and aim for going all five days.

 

Negative: getting the Galaxy’s Edge panel instead of TROS.

Positives: everything else.

Seriously, of the three Celebrations I’ve done, I would rank them:

2019 Chicago
2015 Anaheim
2017 Orlando

Excited for 2020 Anaheim, which may have the added benefit of not being as massive as the last three due to no more Episodes coming out. We shall see.

 

Negative: getting the Galaxy’s Edge panel instead of TROS.

Positives: everything else.

Seriously, of the three Celebrations I’ve done, I would rank them:

2019 Chicago
2015 Anaheim
2017 Orlando

Excited for 2020 Anaheim, which may have the added benefit of not being as massive as the last three due to no more Episodes coming out. We shall see.

 

The downside for me is that Will Call wasn’t clearly marked. You had to go through the VIP entrance and I didn’t think I could even go in there, so I kind of wandered around aimlessly on Friday until I worked up the guts to walk in there. The other thing was the mad chaos of the food court and there was very few vegetarian options because I couldn’t eat meat that day.

Everything else was a blast. My highlight of the day was meeting James Arnold Taylor and Catherine Taber from the Clone Wars. My best friend works for a podcast and she interviewed Catherine when I was there and James tagged along. They were both really nice, and we were able to chat a bit. I got a picture with them and then I saw James again when I went for my autograph. It was my first celebration and I will totally go again and aim for going all five days.

 

Negative: getting the Galaxy’s Edge panel instead of TROS.

Positives: everything else.

Seriously, of the three Celebrations I’ve done, I would rank them:

2019 Chicago
2015 Anaheim
2017 Orlando

Excited for 2020 Anaheim, which may have the added benefit of not being as massive as the last three due to no more Episodes coming out. We shall see.

 

Apologies for the duplicate posts, board was acting weird, maybe because of the Anaheim announcement.

 

I don't want to write a novel so I will summarize briefly. This was so much better than Orlando '17. I had low expectations going in and I am leaving very happy with how everything worked out! This was comparable to my favorite Celebration of all, V was my best and this is a close second. A big "BRAVO" to Topps this time. After the nightmare they created in Orlando they definitely learned. The whole process was flawless this time around.

Worst thing for me was similar to Gamma626. The guy in front of me with Warwick Davis was getting 100 autographs and conned the handlers into letting him go behind the table and take a bunch of pictures with Warwick. He was annoyed and distracted so I didn't get a chance to engage with him at all. Very frustrating!

 

Darkside: the system crash at the show store on Thursday that made me waste 2 hours and for others a lot more

Hated: Ray Park being fluid with time. It’s all cool but when it affects so many others peoples time it sucks. He is a great guy and all and I love him but yeah, someone needs to set his watch an hour early so he shows up somewhat on time. Many people had to bail today cause of flights and one kid and his dad didn’t get their photo because the kid is autistic and the line wait got to him and became too much. It was heartbreaking to see the dad have to take him home when it was the one thing the kid had looked forward to that day.

Loved: Meeting many of you and so many other fans throughout the 5 days. The atmosphere was overall positive and felt like a family again. The celebrities were also super friendly and so were the staff.

Heavenly: having front row for TROS and the cast being in front of me when it came time to view the trailer. Also Oscar hearing me yell how hot he is and how much I love him

 

A few things sucked for me: the store line, not getting the lightspeed part of the app to work, missing panels because of the two things i just mentioned. People who just stop walking regardless of the fact others are behind them and just create chaos. Not getting into the IX panel. Some of the food prices were a bit steep.

The panels i did get into were great. The Mandalorian being my favorite, man that show looks amazing. I did get some great merch, not everything i wanted but more than enough. Meeting and talking to some cool people.Seeing all the great cosplay. Getting some freebie posters.

Overall, I really enjoyed the celebration and want to go to the next one. I'll definitely be better prepared to know what to bring and how to plan for it.

 

As someone who could only watch via live stream from the UK I really enjoyed the weekend. However I would very much like if Disney dropped Josh Gad as a host.

 

It was nice to finally get some actual sleep. I get so amped up during cons. I probably averaged around three hours of sleep a night despite my efforts to go to bed really early some nights.

The good:

-The Mandalorian panel was the highlight for me. It looks so good. I'm also a Favreau fan, so seeing him in person was great.

- I love the IX trailer

- meeting Katee Sackhoff, Warwick Davis and Paul Bettany. I wish the overall guest list would have been stronger, but it is what it is.

- the people I met. The forum meet up was a lot of fun. I didn't expect as many people to show up as they did and I ended up hanging out with a couple of you throughout the weekend which really enhanced the experience

- the lightsaber dueling at the bean. Thanks to @Amon_Amarth for suggesting this because it was just so much fun

- the CW panel. The new stuff looks great

- the Rebels Remembered panel was good, although not having Freddie or Blum there hurt a little

- hanging out at the SWS set and seeing guests throughout the weekend

- Tudyk did not disappoint with his panel

- riding the el train back and forth each day worked well. The complaints about hotel distances was overblown, although it would have been tougher if I was cosplaying

- successfully stealing @Padme501st's badge

The Bad:

- I still hate the lottery system. Not getting in the room for IX is the * that holds this back from really being a perfect week. The big morning panels had a number of empty seats which made it even more frustrating.

- people didn't know about panel reservations or struggled to get the app to work. This worked to my advantage, but it shouldn't be that way

- I never went to the store, but my condolences to those who did

- I was able to get in the TPM panel (thanks @groove790), but that panel was partially ruined by a fan who was standing in front of us during the panel and was really rude when politely asked to sit down. Really my only bad experience for the week.

Overall, after the lottery system, I was afraid I was going to regret making the trip, but I'm so glad I went because I had a lot of fun.

 

The Unforgettable: AHMED BEST smiling from ear-to-ear, as I told him about my grandson's love for Jar-Jar Binks! As we shook
hands, Mr. Best did not release my grip until he gave me a heartwarming, "Thank you. I appreciate that." Yeah, I teared up.

The Bad/The Ugly: Line jumpers who didn't give a d*mn and thought they were entitled. I would say more but I'd be banded from this site.

The Good/The So-So: Lottery was a first for me but I never got the email telling me I didn't win Galaxy Edge and Wintrust confirmation.

The Screaming/The Cheering: Standing in line for the Celebration Store on Thursday and being told that there was a "cap" on shoppers. Of course, I was the 20th person standing behind the attendant who made the announcement. However, on Friday I made it inside the Celebration
Store and completed my shopping from beginning to end in 48 minutes!

 

Good: Everything else

Bad: Anxiety attack right after the TPM panel

Scream: The lottery system

 

Bad:

• Maid throwing away my son's Celebration Happy Meal box even though it wasn't near the trash. Grrr.
• The Lines for exhibit hall experiences
• Missing Episode IX Panel

Good:

• The celebrities. So much fun.
  
• Matthew Wood making a video for my 9 year old.
• Great Panels.

Scream: Lottery System and show store on Thursday

 

Good
Watching and meeting people
Panels, esp IX and Mandalorian
Having VIP
Shuttles
Bad
Not meeting any of you guys
Not being able to bring chair for line waits
The Thursday store ordeal
The Ashley Eckstein 4 hour and four different times to get a single autograph.
The waiting for 2.5 hours, always being near front of VIP line, and not getting Fantasy Flight Vader exclusive 3 days in a row due to exhibtors and FF staff not caring to check badges.
Very minor annoyance of having maid take my change ( only $2) on counter in room. Probably thought it was a tip

Looking forward to Anaheim!

 

Good:

• The Bounty Hunt - This was so much fun. My team (Big League Chewie) finished second on Sunday and they gave away a TON of great prizes.
• The Mandalorian Panel - It was electric to be in the room with my son for the footage of this show, which looks AMAZING.
• Artists - The artists who were willing to sign my SW: Propaganda book that I brought from home (Brian Miller, Joe Corroney, Russell Walks, Chris Trevas)
• The ReedPop staff member who gave my group of 3 bracelets for the store because the app was not working and Sunday was my only day. (Sorry for those of you who waited so many hours)
• The pre-show "entertainment" in the arena. Whether it was corny or not, it sure helped to pass the time.
• The family at dinner Sunday night who I exchanged pins with. After telling them I am a former Cast Member & a huge Galaxy's Edge fan, they gave me an extra of the GE Coca-Cola shirt giveaway!
• The Galaxy's Edge booth. I didn't get a chance to leave a video message, but seeing the ride vehicle and everything else was very exciting.

Bad:

• All the lottery system drama leading up to the convention and the last minute nature of the organizers.
• Missing out on the Boba Fett pin (my son's favorite character) in the show store because it was old out by Sunday. (Maybe more pins are needed as they seem to sell out every year?)
• Empty seats in the arena during the Mandalorian panel.
• The impossible line for the FACPOV signing. I would have had to sacrifice a large portion of my only day there in order to get through this line, & I just wasn't willing to do that.

All in all, I had a great time at my second Celebration. I'm hoping I can find a way to get to Anaheim next year. Anticipating date announcement and whether or not ReedPop will be back on board.