This past weekend I had the incredible pleasure of attending the global press event for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (in theaters on December 18th), courtesy of Disney. Given that this very well might be the most anticipated movie of all time, the whole #StarWarsEvent was super secretive and super exclusive. The press event took place in an undisclosed location and security was tight once inside the venue. Once inside though, it was almost like a mini Star Wars convention! There was Star Wars merchandise, movie costumes, video games and cast interviews all in one place!
Star Wars Droid Character Meet ‘n Greet with BB-8!
In the hospitality suite there were all kinds of fun things for press (and celebrities) to enjoy! The photo opp with R2 & 3Po were fun, but the real BB-8 stole the show! “He” was SO cute…I wanted to take him home with me! The movements and interactions were incredible!! For our event festivities, I decided my new Her Universe Lightsaber dress would be most appropriate and it was a hit! I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so many comments about an outfit I’ve worn!
Star Wars Merchandise & Hot Holiday Gifts!
Disney Consumer products was also there, showcasing just some of the awesome Star Wars merchandise available. If you’ve been in any retailer recently, you know that there is NO shortage of Star Wars products to be had! How cute is that BB-8 suitcase?!?! LOVE! And, oh if I had a little girl, she would be getting that Rey costume! So cute!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Disney Infinity 3.0
We’re BIG fans of Disney Infinity and have been so excited about the new Star Wars Disney Infinity 3.0! The new Force Awakens play set and characters will hit stores on Dec. 18th (the same day as the movie’s release)! I got to see a bit of the game play on Jakku (with Poe & BB-8) and it looks GREAT! So, this is going to be HOT for Christmas!!
Star Wars Virtual Reality – Google Cardboard
If you haven’t heard about the virtual reality Star Wars experience with Google cardboard and Verizon, it is SUPER sweet! We got to try out the viewers and the app – and got a whole 360 degree virtual reality experience of being on Planet Jakku! Very cool!
Ample Hills Star Wars Ice Cream 
There was even Star Wars ice cream – a very tasty treat for the hospitality suite! Ample Hills is shipping this limited edition ice cream in 4-packs and you can order online! Both flavors are SUPER tasty! But I preferred the Dark Side in this case!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Costumes 
Seeing the costumes from the movie was incredible! We learned during the panel from JJ Abrams, that Kylo Ren’s look was actually the most difficult costume to design and get “right” so to speak. Originally, the Captain Phasma costume had been designed for Kylo Ren. Abrams & company decided it wasn’t the right look for Kylo, but the costume was so super cool that it HAD to be used in the movie! And, I’d agree. Captain Phasma (is a female and head of the Stormtroopers) has a wicked cool costume! Also, Kylo Ren’s costume – which seems so very simple- looks much more intimidating in person that I had imagined.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Press Event Panels with moderator, Mindy Kaling
Our group was there for more one-on-one style interviews (and those details will be in some AWESOME upcoming posts). But, while there, was also got to sit in on the large press junket panel interview moderated by Mindy Kaling. I had just seen Mindy on Jimmy Fallon a few nights before where she mentioned that JJ asked her to moderate a Star Wars interview panel and I assumed this might be it. So it was fun to see that in action! 
The junket was broken down into 2 panels! We got to sit in on the first panel! And, They were HILARIOUS! We learned some interesting facts about the movie too!! Then, we had to head upstairs for one-on-one interviews with Daisy and J.J. while the part 2 panel continued. With some awesome permission from Disney – you can watch those panel interviews in their entirety here:
Panel 1 included Lawrence Kasdan, Carrie Fisher, Lupita Nyong’o, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, and J.J. Abrams.
Panel 2 included Harrison Ford (“Han Solo”), John Boyega (“Finn”), Oscar Isaac (“Poe Dameron”) , Gwendoline Christie (“Captain Phasma”) and Kathleen Kennedy (Producer).
Getting to meet most of these cast members was beyond incredible- as was being at the whole event! Then the Star Wars fun continued after the press event was over, when we headed down to Disneyland to celebrate Season of the Force! So much Star Wars fun!!
Stay tuned right here on Mom Endeavors for exclusive Force Awakens interviews with Harrison Ford, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens December 18, 2015!!! Are you going?
For more STAR WARS be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and visit the official STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS website.
Disclaimer: I was invited and hosted by Disney and LucasFilm to cover the #StarWarsEvent as part of an all-expenses paid press trip. As always, all opinions and love of Star Wars are entirely my own.
