Star Wars Smuggler's Bounty : The Resistance

By Nick

A few months ago I signed up for the Star Wars mystery box offered by Funko Pop and Lucasfilm.

Each box contains Pop vinyl, apparel, accessories, collectibles and more, all exclusive and a $50 value!

I liked my first shipment, which was themed around The First Order, but, to be honest, I'm a light side of the Force kind of guy, and I sold everything on eBay except for the Kylo Ren pin (yes, I realize he's a baddie, but I liked the pin) and the Stormtrooper tee (I tell myself it's the hero Finn under that mask).

Well, I have loved everything from my latest shipment, themed around The Resistance, and I'm keeping all of it!


There is this awesome BB-8 patch! I plan on buying a nice black polo shirt to put this on.

A pin featuring Poe Dameron.

A C-3PO mug.

The mug's red handle has to be a reference to 3PO's temporary replacement arm from The Force Awakens!

An awesome tee shirt featuring Chewbacca, Han Solo, BB-8, Finn, Poe and Rey. And, oh yea, the Millennium Falcon.

And, last but not least, a Chewie Pop Bobble Head! All this for $25!

Loving the Smuggler's Bounty, it's like Christmas every other month.

Next shipment is going to be themed after the Star Wars Cantina! Can't wait!

Each box contains pop! Vinyl, apparel,
accessories, collectibles and more! - See more at: https://www.smugglersbounty.com/#sthash.JSMXbqF3.dpuf

Each box contains pop! Vinyl, apparel,
accessories, collectibles and more! - See more at: https://www.smugglersbounty.com/#sthash.JSMXbqF3.dpuf

Each box contains pop! Vinyl, apparel,
accessories, collectibles and more! - See more at: https://www.smugglersbounty.com/#sthash.JSMXbqF3.dpuf

Each box contains pop! Vinyl, apparel,
accessories, collectibles and more! - See more at: https://www.smugglersbounty.com/#sthash.JSMXbqF3.dpuf

My First Solo Walt Disney World Trip : Day 3

By Nick

Sunday, January 3rd, 2016  

After the Monorail Loop Lounge Crawl from the night before, as talked about in Part 2, I woke up feeling none to clear headed. As it was also pouring rain on and off, I decided this would be the best time to visit the AMC Fork & Screen at Disney Springs to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

After a quick breakfast at Capt. Cook's I made my way to Disney Springs, arriving at 945am, I walked around until shops began opening at 10am, and then went to the theater for the 11am show.
It was my first time at a "Fork and Screen" and found the experience, well, average. I'll have a full review at a later date.

I headed for the bus stop at 150pm, with hopes of getting back to my room with plenty of time to spare before the planned recording of The Disney Exchange Podcast, which I co-host with Lisa Green and Dave Hodges at 3pm.
I walked up to the bust for the Polynesian and Grand Floridian just leaving, but there was one waiting to go to the Contemporary. Perfect, I figured I would just get that and hop the Monorail around to the Ticket and Transportation Center, which is actually closer to the building I was in, Moorea, than The Great Ceremonial House!

Well, wouldn't you know, the Monorail was down. I was told I could get a bus that was running especially to the Monorail loop resorts. After 15 minutes waiting outside, I contacted Lisa and Dave to tell them I'd be late, I had, after all, only given myself an hour and 10 minutes to get from Disney Springs to the resort. This is my biggest issue with visiting that lovely shopping and dining area, the amount of time it takes to get just about anywhere else on property via Disney Transportation.
Sorry, stepping off my soapbox.
As I sent the text, I looked up just as a monorail was leaving the Magic Kingdom, approaching the Contemporary. I managed to get up to the 5th floor and on, and got back to my room at 305pm.

After recording the show,  I rested before deciding to go to dinner, but didn't want to eat at a park, as it was still very rainy, so I decided to hop the Monorail and eat at The Wave, back over at The Contemporary. Barbie and I had eaten here once before with friends several years earlier, and were not at all impressed, but I decided to give it another chance. I'm really glad I did, because dinner was fantastic and my server, Kristin, was excellent! The Braised Lamb Shank went wonderfully with the Bourbon Flight.

After dinner, I headed back to my room and made it an early evening.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Spoiler Free Review

By Nick

As I was having lunch with my wife and friends immediately following seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I started thinking of how to put what I was feeling into words for this review in a way that wouldn't give away any of the major plot points and spoil anything.

Let's start with how I felt going in. I was excited. I was anxious. I've been a Star Wars fan since I was 9 years old and I saw the original movie. This original movie poster pictured below is on my living room wall, and I have a lot of Star Wars collectibles. I was expecting this to be a good movie, but still, I would say I was cautiously optimistic as we entered the theater this past Friday morning at 9am.
For months and months we have seen previews and been inundated with promotions and merchandise. How could this live up to the hype?

In my opinion, it lived up to the hype, and then some. It managed to be nostalgic and new at the same time. It mixed humor, action, and emotional power perfectly. The acting was better than just about anything in episodes 1-3, as was the dialog. I fell in love with the new cast of characters, and felt they had more chemistry within moments of being introduced to each other than some characters which will go unmentioned (okay, Padme and Anakin) did throughout the entire prequel trilogy. It looks beautiful and the CGI effects meld almost perfectly with practical special effects.

My wife and I laughed and cried, and it seemed like just a short time had gone by and it was over and we wanted more! Several hours later and we are still talking about it and discussing various scenes.

I look forward to seeing the cast return and look forward to seeing this movie again (and again).

Did you see The Force Awakens? What did you think? No spoilers please!