STAR WARS SMUGGLERS RUN

I have great memories of playing on monkey bars that all the kids thought looked like a spaceship on my elementary school playground during recess imagining having Star Wars adventures playing with classmates in our pretend Millennium Falcon. That was the closest I'd figured to ever be when it came to taking a ride on science fiction's most famous spacecraft. My inner child was ecstatic to pilot the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs with my son as co-pilot during our own Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge theme park within Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Smugglers Run is a motion simulator within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge that provides riders with the experience of flying in the Millennium Falcon. It is a more intimate version of Star Tours that seats no more than six people in a cabin and has interactive elements that let riders control the ship's actions and impact elements of the simulation. Dodge obstacles, fire weapons at threatening TIE Fighters, and escape into Hyper Space as realistic digital imagery immerses you in a flight through the Star Wars galaxy. Hit it Chewie!!!

A visit to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge transports you to the planet Batuu in a galaxy far, far away. While wandering through this remote outer rim planet's Black Spire Outpost you will discover a life-size model of the Millennium Falcon parked outside the entrance to Ohnaka Transport Solutions. The ride queue for those who want to take a spin on this piece of junk wraps you through this space port owned by the infamous Hondo Ohnaka.

My kids were geeked to see Hondo at Galaxy's Edge as this character connects the theme park with the animated Star Wars series. My kids have grown up watching the Clone Wars, Rebels and Bad Batch animated series and actually are much more fans of the Star Wars cartoons than the movies. I actually am more a fan of the animated and live action television shows than the recent Disney Star Wars movies so have to admit being glad to see Hondo there myself. In fact, Hondo is there in all his glory with an incredible animatronic of the Weequay pirate voiced by Jim Cummings who portrays Ohnaka's character in the animated series.  

Hondo recruits you to participate in a Smugglers Run utilizing the Millennium Falcon and ushers you aboard. Entering the spaceship is like walking onto the set of a Star Wars movie. Leaving the space port the hallways of the Millennium Falcon are filled with screen accurate details. You can even sit at the holochess table! 

Eventually making your way to the cockpit, each member of your crew is given an assignment. Two pilots sit in the front row–the left side moves the ship left and right, and the right side moves the ship up and down. The next row controls the weapons where riders press buttons to shoot down enemies and obstacles in the way. The back row holds the engineers who work to repair the ship during the flight. You want to ride in the front row because it has the most immersive content and best view. While the ride is still fun wherever you sit, honestly the best experience is with front row seats!

The ride is made up of several interconnected simulators on one giant turntable. Riders that manipulate the simulator's controls more skillfully and quickly than other cabins can actually earn more to do in their mission such as capturing more cargo or navigating an asteroid field as the other platforms catch up. So, there is a benefit to trying to master the simulator's controls versus just going along for the ride.

Riding the Millennium Falcon was a blast! The experience absolutely earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for the spectacular Imagineering efforts put into crafting the space port and Millennium Falcon ride queue elements and the thrilling Star Wars adventure you are able to partake in with the motion simulator. If you are heading to Disneyland or Walt Disney World don't miss out on blasting off in the Millennium Falcon ride!

THE FASTEST HUNK OF JUNK IN THE GALAXY

** This post contains affiliate links for Sideshow Collectibles**

When it comes to Star Wars when people ask who my favorite character is, I could very easily reply the Millennium Falcon because there is just as much of an emotional connection with that spacecraft as there is with any of the characters in the space opera.  One of the reasons the Millennium Falcon is such an iconic vehicle is probably because most people can relate to having a beat up car at some time in their life that despite its flaws they've loved similar to Han Solo and his spaceship in Star Wars. 

For me it was the used Buick Skyhawk that I purchased as my first car in high school. That car was always overheating and breaking down yet was a source of freedom from the supervision of parents that took me and my friends on a countless number of adventures.  So I've always had a fondness for the Falcon because, like my Skyhawk, despite all its flaws it always came through in the end. Plus through the Falcon, I had the chance to travel to a galaxy far, far away as a diehard Star Wars fan.  In fact, the first time seeing The Force Awakens I unexpectedly became rather upset about how the Millennium Falcon had been abandoned on a junk planet which caught me a bit off guard because who'd think that was the part of the movie someone would get emotional about.

I've thought the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy was a cool ride since first watching A New Hope as a kid in the '70s.  So I was excited to discover this incredible diecast replica of the Millennium Falcon as it was portrayed in the original trilogy of movies from Sideshow Collectibles.  Collaborating with the Lucasfilm Museum of Narrative Arts Archives and utilizing a digital scan of the actual surviving special effects miniature and original model kit parts from the original movie trilogy, the Star Wars Millennium Falcon Star Wars Scaled Replica is an accurate approximate 1:100 scale reproduction of this iconic part of the Star Wars saga.

How cool would it be to have this incredible model displayed on your desk at work or in a home office?!  In addition to intricately replicating the exterior details of the Millennium Falcon, this model also has some impressive lighting effects for the ship's cockpit, headlights and engines.

The model is approximately 8.5" H x 16.25" W X 19" L and rests upon a nice EFX mirror display base.  If you are a Star Wars fan looking for a memento to commemorate this year's 40th anniversary of the debut of A New Hope and the galactic adventures that followed it this would make an excellent collectible to spruce up a home decor or office space with.

Click here for more information -->  Star Wars Millennium Falcon Star Wars Scaled Replica

Enjoy Star Wars all summer long with SwimWays pool toys

**A Geek Daddy received the featured products for free**

We received a great May the Fourth treat from the nice folks at SwimWays who sent us some samples of their pool toys to help celebrate Star Wars Day.  Unfortunately, May in Michigan is still a bit too cold for swimming but SwimWays gesture still helped make our May the Fourth a "water-full" day!  My kids can't wait for summer weather to arrive so we can go swimming and enjoy these wonderful Star Wars themed pool toys and floats that this leisure and recreational water products manufacturer sent our family to try out.

A Geek Daddy's box of goodies from SwimWays included noodle lightsabers, dive ships, pool floats and a light up Death Star beach ball:

STAR WARS MILLENNIUM FALCON RIDE-ON

Blast through the pool just like Millennium Falcon co-pilots Han Solo and Chewbacca on the Star Wars Millennium Falcon Ride-On. This durable vinyl ride-on features 2 heavy-duty grab handles.  Inflatable float is over 5 feet long! Actual inflated dimensions are 61 in. X 46 in. X 13 in. 

STAR WARS DIVE SHIPS

Star Wars Dive Ships from SwimWays are a collection of 3-D molded dive sticks featuring popular ships from the Star Wars movies! Great water toys for swim practice to encourage new swimmers or to play with out of the pool on a rainy day. This set of dive toys comes in the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Episode 7) packaging, making it a great gift for the Star Wars collector, too! Three ships in every pack, one each of Tie Fighter, Millennium Falcon and X-Wing Fighter.

STAR WARS SPRING FLOAT KIDS’ BOAT

The Star Wars Spring Float Kid's Boat from SwimWays is a float designed for the way kids really like to play! This durable pool float for kids has fabric-covered inflation, Star Wars graphics kids love on the comfortable mesh seat, and side handles that are easy to grip. They can ride the float on their belly, sit up in the float, or lay back and relax. The patented inner spring sewn into the outer edge of the float adds comfort and stability in the water, and makes folding and unfolding the float a snap. Folds flat and compact into the included carry tote, making this a great choice for travel, too! One float per pack.  

STAR WARS LIGHT-UP BEACH BALL

There's no escape from the Galactic Empire when the Star Wars Death Star Light-Up Beach Ball from SwimWays invades your pool! This inflatable beach ball looks like the infamous spacecraft from the Star Wars films. Impact-activated LED lights inside create a cool nighttime effect and show off the details of the Death Star graphics. Grab a few for your next Star Wars themed party - your guests will love it! Also makes a fun gift for the Star Wars collector. Includes (non-replaceable) button cell batteries. Sold individually. 

STAR WARS NOODLE LIGHTSABER

Wage an epic battle between good and evil with the SwimWays Star Wars Noodle Lightsaber! These pool noodle toys have lightsaber grips at the bottom and a foam noodle on top, so you can display your fighting skills in the water or on dry land. Choose from blue (Luke Skywalker), green (Yoda) or red (Darth Vader). Sold individually. 

CLICK HERE to check out all the Star Wars products available from SwimWays and for more information regarding pricing and availability of these really fun pool toys and floats. 

#MayTheFourthBeWithYou #StarWarsDay

Glow-in-the-Dark fun with Uncle Milton's Millennium Falcon UV Light Laser

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review **

Learn the science behind Star Wars with Uncle Milton's educational toys and gadgets.  Uncle Milton is one of our family's favorite brands because it does a great job of introducing children to scientific concepts in a fun and entertaining way.  The originators of the toy industry icon, the Ant Farm, since 1946 Uncle Milton has created toys that inspire imagination and learning while encouraging kids to explore the world around them.  We recently tried out the Millennium Falcon UV Light Laser kit from Uncle Milton's Star Wars Science line of products.  Recreate a Star Wars space battle on the wall of a room with ultraviolet light and a pinpoint laser. A Geek Daddy has to say this product is pretty darn cool!



To create your battle scene first peel and attach the included UV screen onto a wall.  It is about the size of a standard 3-tab file folder.

Next take the provided battle scene film and gently brush it across the UV screen with your fingers so that it clings to it.

The Millennium Falcon laser light device has two functions.  A lower button on its trigger releases broad UV light and pressing the upper button shoots out a laser beam.  Illuminate and charge the scene by pressing the lower button and moving the light all around the scene.  Quickly peel away the film from the UV screen to reveal a glow-in-the dark Star Wars battle scene.

Aim and press the upper button on the Millennium Falcon laser light device to shoot pinpoint blasts at the glowing ships pretending you are Han Solo and Chewbacca flying into battle versus the evil Empire.  See how many TIE fighters you can hit with your laser before the scene fades away. The Millennium Falcon makes laser blaster sound effects to enhance imaginative play plus the kit comes with glow-in-the-dark stickers so children can customize the experience beyond the the Star Wars space scene cling.  Then recharge the scene again with your UV light and start the fun all over again.

In addition to the space battle game, you can also have a lot of fun creating drawings on the UV screen.  Instead of using the Star Wars battle scene cling be creative and make your own designs on the UV screen.  Place your hand or different objects in front of the blank UV screen and illuminate them with the light function on your Millennium Falcon to create different glow-in-the-dark shapes.  Then use the pinpoint laser to draw additional details onto your image.  Have a blast making all sorts of glow-in-the-dark artwork.

A science learning poster packaged with the toy set provides children with information about lasers, ultraviolet light, and phosphorescence.  Then kids learn about how these topics that they are probably familiar with through Star Wars work in real life by enjoying themselves with the Uncle Milton Millennium Falcon UV Laser Light which combines phosphorescence, UV light, and lasers to make the toy set work.

Uncle Milton's Millennium Falcon UV Laser Light gets A Geek Daddy nod of approval for being an entertaining toy my kids really enjoyed that also did an excellent job of educating them on scientific principals.  This is an item we've stored on our game shelf so that we can use it over and over again. For more information on the Star Wars Science products from Uncle Milton visit unclemilton.com.

SPORTSNATION Star Wars Special on ESPN2 Celebrates Halloween

Disney is merging its Star Wars and cable sports network properties together in a fun synergy of Halloween awesomeness on Thursday, October 30, 2014.  ESPN2's SportsNation is teaming up with Star Wars for a special 1/2 hour Halloween show starting at 7:30pm.  The show will feature popular characters from the Star Wars franchise interacting with the show's cast along with a cameo by the greatest jedi master of them all, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (no wonder he was a record setting 6-time NBA MVP and 19 time All-Star Team selection with the Force behind him - being an athletic 7'2" probably helped too).

This episode of SportsNation will have the studio decked out to look like the inside of the Millennium Falcon and feature highlight clips under Star Wars inspired categories such as "Best Jedi Mind Trick" and "Most Unstoppable Skywalkers."

The Hollywood Reporter premiered the opening segment of this SportsNation Halloween special and as Darth Vader would say it is impressive, most impressive.  It features SportsNation host Michelle Beadle as a Jedi on a mission to save colleagues Max Kellerman and Marcellus Wiley from Vader and his legion of stormtroopers who have invaded the  ESPN2 studio.  Check out the segment in advance of the show courtesy of HollywoodReporter.com:

There is a specific marketing purpose for this special believe it or not...Disney understands that the SportsNation audience is also a demographic that may be interested in another brand new show airing on one of its other cable channels called Star Wars: Rebels.  In addition to the Star Wars features and gags during SportsNation the show will also feature an exclusive sneak peak of an upcoming episode of Disney XD's Star Wars: Rebels animated television series.

If the whole SportsNation episode is as good as its opening sequence this is absolutely a show not to be missed!

Star Wars Battle Pod Video Game Flies Into Arcades January 2015

With the proliferation of home video game consoles and the fact that most phones probably have at least one game loaded on them (I happen to have Angry Birds: Star Wars and Star Wars Pinball on my iPhone) you wouldn't consider there to be much of a market for manufacturers to be creating new video arcade games.   Bandai Namco Games Inc. is betting that arcades aren't dead just yet though and has invested in a brand new video game titled Star Wars: Battle Pod.  It allows players to take command of vehicles from the original trilogy of films such as X-wings, the Millennium Falcon, snowspeeders, and speederbikes and race through digitally reproduced scenes from the movies in arcade-exclusive game play beginning in January 2015 within the United States and a global release will follow later in the year.   The Battle Pod features a unique dome screen enveloping a player's entire area of sight that leaving him or her with a sense of actually piloting and taking part in scenes from the film.

"The Star Wars universe is a vast galaxy of memorable experiences and epic storylines and we intend to put that level of fun and control in the hands of fans with Star Wars: Battle Pod," said Satoshi Oshita, president and CEO of Namdai Namco Game Inc., in the announcement release promoting this new video game. "Players can jump right in to true-to-film battles on Endor, Hoth, Death Star II, Yavin, and more."

Today's arcades are different than the ones I went to as a kid.  They are much more focused on providing "experiences" rather than actual game play because it is too easy to play games at home or on the go now.  But you currently can't replicate racing on a mechanical jetski or motorcycle (which seem to be some of the more popular games when my kids and I go to the arcade) in your living room or on a phone.  So in that same light this new Star Wars video game provides a visual experience with its multi-dimensional screen that can't currently be replicated outside of the arcade.  From the video previews it appears this game really lets players become immersed in the Star Wars scenario they select and live out a scene from the movies rather than trying to "win" a game or beat levels.  It appears for a set amount of money you are guaranteed to complete your selected mission in  one take versus having to spends lots of hours and tons of quarters trying to get from one level to the next.

In an interview about Star Wars Battle Pods with John McKenzie, president of Bandai Namco Amusement America and Europe by Polygon.com it was noted by the gaming company executive that there would be five levels to the game that each are designed to be accomplished in one sitting so players can enjoy it within a set amount of time for a set amount of money.  "When you go into an arcade you need something that delivers an experience you can't get at home," McKenzie said. "That typically means these much bigger, experiential titles. Games that feel almost like a theater experience or augmented reality, rather than simply something you play for fun. The added benefit of a game like Battle Pod is that it delivers a set experience, typically three to four minutes long, for a set price."



The Battle Pod game will feature five separate scenes to select from key moments in the original trilogy of Star Wars movies and each featuring a different memorable vehicle relevant to that scenario.  In Endor, players race through the forest moon on speeder bikes.  There is a Death Star II scene where you race around and through the space station in the Millennium Falcon.  You try to repel the Imperial attack of the Rebel base on Hoth in a snow speeder.  You can also pick from either Darth Vader's TIE fighter or Luke Skywalker's X-wing to reenact the famous Deathstar space battle from the original Star Wars movie.

So keep an eye out at places like Dave & Busters or Chuck E Cheese for this new video game. It looks pretty darn cool!  I know for sure my kids and I will be on the look out for it.