EndorExpress » David Yeh

Price of Luxury Increase

David Yeh — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:30:48 +0000

Though the holidays have depleted the initial stock of the fantastic Starspeeder 1000 Vehicle Playsets, a new batch of them have finally arrived at Disneyland. The adventures can finally continue in your own home but at a higher price than before. The new price for the highly detailed playset has gone up to $69.95 (from $54.95).

The original $54.95 was certainly too low for a toy this good and a price increase is understandable. But $69.95 might be a bit too high. Still, it beats what many are paying on eBay for these things.

The Starspeeder 1000 is now in stock at Disneyland but currently sold out at Walt Disney World though they should be getting more in soon. Call Disney Delivears at 1-877-560-6477 to order from California’s stock.

Star Tours 25th Anniversary Merchandise

David Yeh — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:38:59 +0000

Starting last weekend the Star Trader store in Disneyland began selling a few new items to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Star Tours. Supplies are limited so check with the store for availability.

First up is the 25th Anniversary of Star Tours pin for $12.95. The pin has an edition size of 1000 and features a two two-sided display.

The 25th Anniversary Commemorative Tee is available at $27.95 to annual passholders only. The front display shows the Star Tours logo with “25 Years” behind it. The back is an action shot of the Starspeeder 1000 escaping from the Slave 1.

Also still available from last year is the Annual Passholder Silver Plated Commemorative Coin. Limited to 2011, this is a neat collectible in support of the attraction.

Of course if nothing else, there’s still plenty of time to get a loveable Ewok plush, as soon in the Star Tours safety video. Happy Hunting!

Disney Parks Blogs Star Tours

David Yeh — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:58:44 +0000

The Disney Parks Blog updated this week with two stories about our beloved Star Tours attraction. The first is a cute reminder of what began 25 years ago at Disneyland, showing a photo of Mickey Mouse along with our favorite droids. Note the marquee behind them as it says “A George Lucas Adventure” which was later changed to “The Ultimate Adventure STAR TOURS From the Creative Forces of Disney & George Lucas.” In the later years, “The Ultimate Adventure” was removed.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/25-years-ago-today-star-tours-debuts-at-disneyland-park/

The second story centers on the grand opening and dedication of Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which debut on January 13, 1990. Their queue included an Ewok Village and an Imperial AT-AT.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/vintage-walt-disney-world-the-force-lands-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

For those stories and much more, visit the Disney Parks Blog!

Industrial Light & Magic The Art Of Innovation

David Yeh — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:16:04 +0000

Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to pick up on the things you REALLY want. Like this new book from ABRAMS, INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC: THE ART OF INNOVATION by Pamela Glintenkamp. Within, you’ll find a behind-the-scenes look at many of the art and effects that went into the last sixteen years at ILM.

Read on to see the Star Tours Visual Effects Crew photo…

While Star Tours isn’t heavily featured, you will find the VFX Crew Photo featuring a rather large Yoda projection. Of course to satisfy the force, the book takes a closer look at The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and many more.

This is a great coffee table resource for fans of film and effects, now available at bookstores everywhere, retailing for $50.

Look, Sir… Stormtroopers

David Yeh — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:30:21 +0000

A duo of Stormtroopers have been having some extra curricular fun in Tomorrowland these days in between showings of the Jedi Training Academy. Our Bothan spies tell us that this pair of Stormtroopers (who aren’t at their post) visit with Disneyland guests, pose for photos, and even have some fun with the poor souls waiting in the over-flow queue area of Star Tours.

Click ahead to see more photos of this activity and go ahead and see them for yourselves! If you do see them, feel free to comment on your experience below.

While Boba Fett and The “Clone Wars” Captain REX haven’t been making appearances lately, it’s still nice to see some extra Star Wars magic in the area. You may recall R2-D2 visiting Disneyland guests last summer.

Muppets Star Wars action figure photo review

David Yeh — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:05:37 +0000

The Star Wars Universe and The Muppets have always had on-screen pairings, from appearances in The Muppet Show to Sesame Street all the way to the animated series Muppet Babies. Here at last, the Disney Theme Parks Merchandise Team have created four sets of your favorite Muppet characters playing in the Star Wars Galaxy.

For months, perhaps years, there was a Star Wars Muppets PVC set that was available at the parks, but the figurines were non-poseable. These figure pairings are probably some of the finer action figures produced by Disney ever. Yes, there really is a huge difference in production quality over the Mickey Mouse Star Wars toys.

For $19.95 a set, you get two articulated figures with accessories:

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia

Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew as C-3PO and R2-D2

Fozzie Bear and Link Hogthrob as Chewbacca and Han Solo

Sam the Eagle and Gonzo as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader with Camilla as Stormtrooper

These figures are not the same scale as the Palisades The Muppets action figures but are of a pretty decent size.

Camilla is not articulated but has a removable Stormtrooper Helmet. Dr. Bunsen Honeydew also wears an astromech dome. Gonzo and Beaker both have swappable heads which makes for added play value.

If you want to see more Muppets as Star Wars characters, head to your nearest park and pick these up! Buy them at either Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resorts or try Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Merchandise Guest Services at 1-877-560-6477 or send an email to
merchandiseguestservices@disney.go.com

To read up on the 31 year history of Star Wars and The Muppets, visit
http://www.starwars.com/news/star_wars_muppet_figures.html

Paging Mr Tom Morrow

David Yeh — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:38:42 +0000

There’s a new Tee available at Disneyland that doesn’t just make reference to the classic PeopleMover attraction, it’s actually there in plain sight! “Paging Mr. Tom Morrow!” with the classic vehicles and a look at the city of Tomorrow can now be bought at the Emporium at Disneyland.
Isn’t it great when when the folks in Merchandise make stuff that we actually want? Go out and get yours now!

Photo Review: Star Tours Starspeeder 1000 Vehicle Playset

David Yeh — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:46:38 +0000

Since 1987, fans of Disney’s popular STAR TOURS attraction have clamored for a full sized STARSPEEDER for their Hasbro figure’s travel needs. Unfortunately for them, Hasbro never felt the desire or need to do such an exclusive but with this year’s revamped attraction, STAR TOURS: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE, Disney has pulled out all the stops and delivered the Starspeeder 1000 VEHICLE PLAYSET available at Disneyland’s StarTrader and Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tatooine Traders for $54.95. (other figures sold separately)

Updated 12-13-11 more photos added

The all new Starspeeder 1000 features authentic lights and sounds, functioning passenger doors, changeable destination screens, and concealed laser cannons. The set also comes with two figures: R2-D2 and IC-360 Camera Droid. R2 has articulated dome and can be swapped out with any astromech droid of your choosing.

The four plastic changeable destination screens when not in use can be stowed in the back of the cabin. Each one when plugged into the front activates a different sound effect:

Tatooine – C-3PO dialogue: “Oh my, a Podrace! I always wanted to do this!”

Hoth – C-3PO dialogue: “Hold onto your circuits!”

Yoda Hologram – Yoda dialogue: “May the Force be with you.”

Death Star – C-3PO dialogue: “I have a bad feeling about this.”

(l-r) STARSPEEDER 1000 R2-D2, Hasbro Vintage Collection R2-D2

Fully compatible with your Hasbro Star Wars action figures, the Starspeeder 1000 can hold up to ten standard figures; eleven if you count the astromech port on the exterior. There are three rows that fit three figures each and a pilot chair that can fit one more.

The pilot chair is removable and can be substituted with RX-24 or Captain REX!

This Starspeeder 1000 playset is not messing around and is the most impressive toy that Disney has produced so far.

You can purchase the Starspeeder 1000 vehicle – playset and other exclusive Hasbro figure sets – “Star Tours Travel Agency” – “Ambush at Star Tours” – and “Star Tours Boarding Party” at Disney Theme Parks or try Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Merchandise Guest Services at 1-877-560-6477 or send an email to merchandiseguestservices@disney.go.com

Star Tours Special Holiday Delivery

David Yeh — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:41:18 +0000

Santa flew in a large sack of goodies to both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios for your shopping convenience this past week, just in time for Christmas and Life Day. Let’s take a look at the latest in store for us…

First up is the highly sought after Starspeeder 1000 VEHICLE PLAYSET ($54.95). This large recreation of the vehicle from STAR TOURS: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE features authentic lights and sounds and compatible with your Hasbro Star Wars action figures. For those who have the RX-24 droid will be happy to know that he’ll fit right in.

Star Wars and The Muppets have long had a great working relationship in the past with both The Muppet Show and Muppet Babies as well as the character of Yoda. Now available are four sets of figures of your favorite Muppets as your favorite Star Wars characters. These are smaller in scale than the Palisades action figure line but are sure to please the young ones in the family. Each set of figures is $19.95 each.

Lastly, is something I’ve been looking forward to adding to my wall is the Star Tours attraction poster ($35.00). This pre-matted print is ready for framing.

All items are available at the Disney Parks and also for ordering with the Disney Delivears service. They can be contacted at 1-877-560-6477. Happy Hunting!

The ART(ifacts) of Trader Sam’s

David Yeh — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:31:25 +0000

Brave explorers coming to the Disneyland Hotel can enjoy island style food and cocktails at TRADER SAM’S ENCHANTED TIKI ROOM, one of the newest hot spots at the resort. Inspired by the Jungle Cruise’s head salesman of the same name, this intimate location serves up more fun than the God’s will tolerate. But it’s not just the island “cruise”-ine that brings worldly travelers to this “Tiki Room” it’s the thousand plus trinkets, artifacts, photographs, props, and artwork that adorn the space that really make coming here something special. Here at EndorExpress, we have a huge appreciation of all things Indiana Jones and The Rocketeer so we went straight to Brandon Kleyla, “head” decorator of Trader Sam’s to tell us about the unique décor that went into creating one of Southern Californian’s hottest bars.

Read our interview with Imagineer Brandon Kleyla here