Believe it or not, we're STILL going through our notes and photos from Celebration IV last month. Here's our report from the Disney Parks/Star Wars Toy Exclusives panel from Rebelscum reader Aaron Warmerdam. Take it away, Aaron...

Friday, May 25th, 4:00pm...the room was PACKED. Standing room only. Most of the other collecting panels had a decent-sized crowd, and people were made to sit in the seats provided. But not this one! Crowds sotod along the walls, sat on the floor...it was a BIG crowd.

The speakers were Brad Schoeneberg and Cody Reynolds from Disney's merchandising department. They talked a bit about the past Star Wars/Disney merchandise, such as the Star Tours droid figures, the Jedi Mickey and Darth Goofy plush dolls, etc. But the real exciting news was a sneak peek at items that are in the works for 2007 and 2008. I tried to get photos of every slide shown, but they went through some of them really fast! Here are the highlights:



-Mickey's lightsaber...a role play toy that will include a hidden button to activate it.


-Due out at the end of the year: Luke Frywalker,Darth Mash, Princess Tater, Spuda Fett and Yam Solo


-Following successful Disney Princess Collection comes the Princess Leia and Queen Amidala doll collections with many accessories


-New Disney Racers: Grievous, Stormtrooper, R2-D2, C-3PO, and Darth Vader


-Due out in 2008 toddler squeeze toy collection featuring: Yoda, Chewbacca, C-3PO, Darth Vader, R2-D2, Clone Trooper and Boba Fett


-Two consecutive lines of Disney characters with Star Wars likenesses following popularity of Yoda/Mickey 2-Pack Series 1: Mickey Mouse as Luke Skywalker, Minnie Mouse as Princess Leia, Donald Duck as Han Solo, Goofy as Darth Vader, and Stitch as Emperor
Series 2: Donald Duck as Darth Maul, Goofy as Jar Jar, Minnie as Queen Amidala, Chip and Dale as well.

-Best for Last, based on Mark Hamill's appearance on The Muppet Show back in '80s, a line of Muppet figures with Star Wars Likenesses: Beaker as C-3PO, Fozzi as Chewbacca,Miss Piggy as Princess Leia, Kermit as Luke Skywalker,Gonzo as Darth Vader and Rizzo as Yoda. (Sorry I missed the photo of this one...it was an illustration, not a photo)

-No further plans for Star Tour Droids characters or Rereleases, no mention of future Star Wars plush toys.

-The Cantina Band Members only to be available at the Star Weekends.

-On-site redemption of UGH 2007 coin offer (similar to last year's George Lucas Stormtrooper redemption). You can buy all 6 figures and the 7 coins for one price...no mail-in needed.


Thanks, Aaron! For more information from the panel, check out StarTours.net and Muppet Central for more news!