Star Wars: Galactic Nights

Star Wars: Galactic Nights

It’s no secret that I love Star Wars, especially the sequel trilogy. I had even Disney bounded as Dapper Rey for Dapper Day. So when Disney announced a Star Wars: Galactic Nights event at Hollywood Studios, I had to go.

Before the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land opened at Hollywood Studios, the most Star Wars we could get in the parks was the simple meet-and-greet area in Star Wars Launch Bay. To be honest, as much as I loved meeting Chewbacca and Kylo Ren, this was pretty weak. I was so stoked at the prospect of getting some Star Wars in the parks.

The first thing I had to do was plan out my outfit. My favorite Star Wars character is Ben Solo aka Kylo Ren, but he’s a boy character, and I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. Then again, I successfully Disney bounded as Donald Duck just fine, so I figured I could pass as female Kylo Ren.

I found a Kylo Ren mask at a local flea market for super cheap, so I figured that was a sign. I then found a leather dress at Nordstrom Rack, and the outfit was starting to come together. I had knee-high black boots with heels, but I opted for my Tory Burch thigh-high riding boots because I figured it would be easier to walk around the park in flats, even if the knee-high heels looked better. I got a plastic toy Kylo light saber and inexpensive elbow-length leather gloves from eBay, and I finished the look with some messy hair and red lipstick.

Because I was pregnant, I couldn’t go on any rides, so I spent most of my time going around, taking photos and admiring everyone else’s outfits. My husband and my friend Joy went on the rides with practically no wait though. That’s the nice thing about going to Disney’s After Hours events or parties like this one. We also got to see a panel hosted by Warwick Davis, who is known for his several appearances in multiple Star Wars movies, starting with his role as Wicket in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. We even watched a live interview with Joonas Suotamo, aka the new Chewbacca.

The whole event was so much fun and totally worth the price. It wasn’t any more expensive than a regular After Hours event, and it had so much more to offer, especially for a Star Wars fan — between the panels, interviews, special photo areas, extra character meet-and-greets (like Rey and Darth Vader), and more. I would highly recommend it if they ever offer this again. And it would be even better now that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is open. But if they don’t offer it again, then maybe I’ll try out either the holiday or the Halloween parties at Magic Kingdom next time.

Happy Stitch Day!

Happy Stitch Day!

In honor of Experiment 626, June 26 (6/26) is officially Stitch Day. To celebrate Stitch Day, here are some of my favorite photos with everyone’s favorite alien and Lilo’s best friend.

#liloandstitch #disneybound #ohana #hollywoodstudios #Disney #aloha #Lilo #disneybounding

A photo posted by Disney Desi (@disney.desi) on

The Best Places to Meet Mickey Mouse

The Best Places to Meet Mickey Mouse

If you’re only going to meet one character during your trip to Walt Disney World, it obviously has to be Mickey Mouse. He’s available for meet-and-greets at all four theme parks; however, not all meet-and-greets are created equally. Here’s a breakdown of the best places to meet everyone’s favorite mouse.

1. Magic Kingdom

So why is Magic Kingdom at the top of this list? It’s not just because you’re meeting Mickey in the happiest place on earth. It’s because…he talks. Yes, you read that correctly. Mickey Mouse talks when you visit him in Magic Kingdom. I honestly have no clue how this works, but it really freaked me out the first time, so I want you to be prepared. One time, the family in front of me told him they were from Mexico. “Oh, you’re from Mexico? ¡Hola!” And then when they were taking a photo, he said, “Say, ‘queso’!” And when I brought a friend’s two-year-old niece who was a little scared, he suggested that they act like choo-choo trains and marched along all over the room, yelling, “Chugga, chugga, choo choo!” Everything he says is in the Mickey Mouse voice, and his mouth moves in sync, and he blinks. It’s really wild to see. A very interactive experience!

MK_TSTHEATERBCHAR_7541894644

2. Animal Kingdom

I actually flirted with the idea of making Animal Kingdom the best place to meet Mickey only because this is the only place where you can actually meet Mickey and Minnie at the same time and see them interact together with you. Being able to see Mickey and Minnie together and get a photo with both of them at once is almost unheard of at the other parks, which is why Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite places to meet Mickey. Also, the line seems to move the fastest, and you’re in air conditioning the whole time. All plusses in my book.

Mickey and Minnie at Animal Kingdom

3. Epcot

There’s nothing wrong with meeting Mickey at Epcot; it’s just not at the top of my list because Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom’s meet and greets are just that awesome. There’s nothing that really stands out about meeting Mickey at Epcot other than the fact you can knock out seeing several characters at once (i.e., you’ll see Minnie and Goofy there too). However, unlike Animal Kingdom, you can’t get your photo with all of these characters at the same time. While they are in the same room, you can only have your photo taken with one at a time. There is a tiny chance you might see the characters interact with each other though. This is also the only place you’ll see Mickey and the gang in their “normal” clothes (e.g., Minnie is in her red dress with white polka dots).

PhotoPass_Visiting_EPCOT_7513829015

4. Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is my least favorite place to meet Mickey. The biggest reason is because the line to meet him is outside. While it’s covered so you’re at least in the shade, there’s really no getting away from the Florida heat and humidity. While you can meet Minnie at the same time, she’s in the first room, and then you have to walk to another room to meet Mickey. That makes for a nearly impossible chance to see them interact with each other. This also seems to be the slowest moving line. However, I really do love Mickey’s outfit and his room setup at Hollywood Studios.