Just a short note before our feature film . . . oh, I mean today’s photo story. Jill and Silver are definitely Islandshire’s biggest Star Wars (really, Baby Yoda) fans, and they wanted to do something extra special for Star Wars Day 2022. And where better to spend the day than at Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios? Hmm. Not a bad idea. But we live in Ohio, and Disney World is in Florida. Silver suggested that we just do the shoot here and pretend we went to Florida. (When you’re only 18″ tall, things seem a lot easier than they really are.) The problems were daunting. Like, how to pretend the sun is shining in Ohio. And that the grass is green. And that there are palm trees outside. Hmm . . . Eureka! (That’s Greek for “I’ve got an idea, and it’s a lot cheaper than airline tickets!”) While Photoshop was loading, we filled the coffee table near the window with a piece of white foam board and the Olympus C-8080 on its tall tripod. The Girls posed in front of the white board (with the nearby laptop showing background pictures to be used and suggesting poses), then I cut them out in Photoshop and “placed” them into various digital photos taken at the park. (My Photoshop hand is quicker than the eye, and the lesson here is to never believe what you see.) So, get your shades, grab your popcorn, and let’s join them on their “vacation” in sunny Florida!
The Souvenir Girls (aka twins Jill & Silver) are on their way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios “Galaxy’s Edge” theme park in Florida today, on the hunt for Baby Yoda collectibles. They’ve got blue skies, comfy shoes, money in their pockets, and a reservation to build their own droids. What more could a girl ask for on a Star Wars May the 4th day? We said we’d meet them at the bus stop near the park entrance, and it looks like everyone’s right on time. “Hey, Jill. Silver. Wait up! You guys are so smart. I wish I’d worn shoes like that. These might match my outfit, but they’re probably not going to be very comfortable for a whole-day outing like this. Oh, well! Next time I’ll ask you what you’re wearing. [Smiles] Why don’t we meet back here at about 6:00? Great, we’ll have dinner somewhere together before heading home. Thai work for you guys? Okay, see ya later! May the Fourth be with you!”
“Oh, Silver! Isn’t it just like you imagined it’d be?! Look at everything. It looks so . . . Star Wars-y . . . so–” [Giggles] “Let’s hurry on in, before all the new Baby Yoda stuff is sold out. Do we have time to souvenir shop before our Millenium Falcon ride? I promise I’ll hurry. Not even just a little bit of somewhat shopping? Well, okay, maybe we can just look through the doors on our way over there. Have you got the map? Oh, good. Even though we stayed up most of the night memorizing where everything is, I think I’ve forgotten it all since we boarded the bus. Oh, Silver, I’m sooooooo excited! Come on! Let’s get going! We don’t have a minute to spare, and we certainly don’t want to spend all morning standing here. Hurry! [Giggles] I guess it would help if we knew where we hurrying to. [More Giggles] You’re the one with map. Where to first? Ooh, doesn’t that sound wonderful? Just the name, “Jewels of Bith”, makes me want to buy something. Last one there’s a rotten egg . . . [Girls Make a Beeline into the Park]
“Did you get them all, Jill? Okay, hand over the gift cards, and I’ll put them in my fanny pack with the postcards. Hmm? Because we won’t need them until we get to the Build-a-Droid building– We did too talk about this. I don’t want to have to lug souvenirs around all day long. We can look around now and shop later. Wow! Did you take a look at the alcove in the back of that shop? We could do that in our bedroom. You could plaster and paint one wall just like that. It wouldn’t even take long, and– How’s that for souvenir shopping? Maybe they’ll sell us the walls! [Giggles] D’you wanna see the postcards? No, I couldn’t find any Baby ones, but they probably have them all in their other stores. These are pretty cool, though. Those gift cards are the cutest. Even empty, they’re perfect souvenirs, so make sure to give them back once we’ve spent them. Okay, but don’t lose them. That’s our whole day’s adventure in those little cards! Hey, we’d better get going! Oh, Jill, isn’t this exciting?! I’m so happy!”
“Look, Silver! I just know they’ll have Baby Yoda souvenirs in there. What’s this place called? Toydarian. Toydarian. Just kinda rolls off the tongue. Can we go in for one minute, pretty please? Just a quick walkthrough to– You’re right, and I really want to go on the Millenium Falcon ride. Here, why don’t you put the gift cards, I mean the Batuuan Spira (when in Rome, you know) in your pack? And I’ll take the Batuu Guide, while you’re rummaging around in there. [Happy Clap] This is like a dream come true. Hey, this is a dream come true! Does your map show any restrooms nearby . . . I wonder why they don’t mention Baby Yoda in this book . . .”
[Say “Cheese”]
“You’re so right, Jill! This place is amazing! Great minds think alike, you know. [Giggles] They’ll never believe this back on Islandshire. And this is only the waiting area for the ride! It’s like you’re actually standing in the Millenium Falcon, isn’t it? I can’t wait to see the boys’ faces when we show them all our pix. Wouldn’t they just love all this . . . construction stuff? What does Vesey call it in the Old Curiosity Shop? You’re right–distressed. Well, all this “distressed” makes me impressed. [Giggles] Not bad, huh? Get it? Distressed. Impressed. Never mind. Looks like we’ve got a while, so let’s do some exploring while we wait. Hey, look at that! That! The way they did the pipes on the wall. We could do that in our bedroom. How’d ya like to wake up and look at that every morning? I know, I could live here, too! Makes you feel like Mando could walk in any moment. [Giggles] Sis, look over there– Think you could paint like that? Hey, we’re next in line! Let’s go!”
[Say “Cheese”]
“Wasn’t that amazing?! Did you see Han Solo and Chewie arguing in the back? It was like being right there in the movie. And that was the very table where Obiwan and Chewie were playing space chess. If it weren’t for the prospect of building our own droids, I’d go back through again. I know, but it was fun, wasn’t it? Can I have the gift cards (I mean, credits) now, Silver? I don’t know. What if we want to buy something here in the Creature Stall? Well, let me just hold them then. Here, you can have the Battu Guide. I know we can buy our stuff later, but I want to be ready . . . just in case. Hmm? In case I feel Baby Yoda calling me with the force. [Giggles] Whoa! It’s a loathe cat in there. Isn’t he cute? ‘Hi, little kitty! You’re such a good boy.’ Oh, Silver, we really need to take one of those home as a souvenir. Huh? Oh, yeah, I forgot. [Giggles] Are you sure we have two of them already? Guess we’d better get over to the droid factory, before you start suggesting that I try painting a cage to look like that. [Giggles]”
“In here, Jill! The Guide says this is the “Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities”. We still have a couple o’ minutes before our build-your-own-droid reservation time. Let’s see if they have any Baby Yoda souvenirs in here. Ooh. Look at those! We could have our very own Kyber Crystals, Sis! How much? Boy, those polished rocks we used to get when we were little sure were a deal. For the price of just one of these, we could have bought three bags filled with colored rocks. Oh, well. Guess this isn’t a set you’d want to complete. [Giggles] Let’s keep looking. Wow, imagine if we had a ceiling like that. Of course, I’m not asking you to do that. Besides, the beam in our room would get in the way. Hey, is that Baby back there? No, but it’s pretty cool, anyway. I really like the props in here. Oh, my goodness! We’ve gotta run! Time to make a droid!”
“I’ve got the gift cards right here, Silver. And not a minute too soon. We’ll look around later, okay? Ooh, I can’t wait to get started! Bet Mina and Pete would like this place. It’s a handyman’s dream-vacation come true. Or maybe they’d be happier to get something ready-made, huh? No, I don’t know which one I want to make. I’ll just wait ’til I’m working on the line and pick my favorite parts. What are you going to build? [Giggles] Great minds think alike! Oh, I already said that. Well, then . . . must be a twin thing! Ready? Let’s go. Hey, look at that! It’s just what I want. No, look at that one over there. Oh, sis! Let’s not make them alike. That way, we’ll have two souvenirs to share . . . Quiet, I have to think.”
[Say “Cheese”]
“I’m starving. What about you? Jill? What’s that you’re reading? Are you kidding?! Bantha Milk?! Let me check it in the Park Guide. Let’s see . . . Oga’s Cantina. Oh, here it is! Oh, no, here it isn’t. You have to make a reservation to eat there TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE! Oh, bummer. Wait!! There’s another place where you can buy Bantha Milk! It’s called “Bubo Wamba’s”. Listen to this. It’s supposed to be a local farmer’s stall, so we’d be supporting a small business. [Giggles] Hey! Listen to this! It’s DAIRY FREE! No, I’m not kidding. I don’t know. Um, it says it’s . . . a sugar bomb. No, it doesn’t say that, but it’s a mix of coconut and rice milks. I know, but maybe we could load up on some protein right here and then share a carton. They have something called Mandalore Munchies, too, that we could share. It says it’s a two-pack of dessert cakes like Baby Yoda eats on Nevarro. Why don’t we share a two-pack and one carton after we leave here? Hey, listen to this. Their packaging is all recyclable. I know, isn’t that a hoot? Imagine how many people recycle their souvenir containers and are sorry later. Sure, we can wash ’em out. They’ll make a great display to show everyone who wants to hear about our trip. Now, let’s see what we can eat at this place that will slow down the coming sugar binge. A salad and refried beans works for me. I know, I’ll make sure they don’t put any flavor in yours . . . I mean, salt or hot stuff . . . like I said . . . [Giggles]”
[Say “Cheese”]
“Boy, am I full. Let’s shop our way back to the gate. Yep, it’s time to use the credits. (We’re really getting good at the lingo, aren’t we?) My bag is pretty full, what with the droids and food souvenirs. Let’s make sure we can carry whatever we get from here on out. Oh, Jill, are you as happy as I am? You’re right. Must be a twin thing. Does my twin want to pop into Toydarian here and see if our Baby magnets are working? There must be a Grogu souvenir around here somewhere. No, I don’t think so. That’s just plain Yoda. Let’s go inside and ask. Everyone’s so friendly here, even you shouldn’t be afraid to ask. It’s all right, I’ll ask. ‘Excuse me, sir . . .'”
“[Big Sighs] The nice person at the counter said they don’t have any Baby Yoda souvenirs in Galaxy’s Edge. [Stunned Silence] But this is a pretty cool place, so maybe they still have good Star Wars souvenirs. After all, Jill, there are other characters in Star Wars. [Stares of Disbelief] See, I told you they’d have something. Look at those wooden art figures. Aren’t they amazing? They even have Admiral Ackbar! I bet you could carve one of those for our room. [Giggles] Look at the way they have those “meteors” hanging from the ceiling, like the tie fighters are flying through a meteor field. Maybe we could do that on our ceiling, under the posters. Want to go back to Dok Ondar and use our credits on Kyber Crystals? I know, but it is what it is. I don’t mind walking off some of this lunch, anyway. I think the door’s over there– [Gasp] Do you see those? How’d we miss ’em coming in? That’s it! And I think we should get two of them. No, I don’t think this is the time to share. Besides, we’ll still have enough to buy two Kyber Crystals . . . Do you like the expression on this one? How ’bout this one? Not really. I don’t like the way his legs dangle. Look at how they sewed the eyes on this one. Definitely not. Hey, he’s cute. Where’d you find that one? Over where? Look! I found the perfect one! [Giggles] I think you’re right. This is the first one I picked up. [Giggles] Now, let’s pay quickly, so we can figure out what to call them. Sis! Sorgie frogs? Are you kidding? Well, it just doesn’t sound very original to me, that’s all. Sorgie frog . . . Sorgie frog . . . it kinda grows on you, you know. Boy, just wait until Baby Yoda gets a load of these. Hmm? I don’t know which one. Which Grogu do you think is going to want him? Oh, it doesn’t matter, because I need one of these! Aren’t they just the perfect souvenirs?! Ready? Let’s pay and head over to Dok Ondar’s. Now, what color crystal do you want . . .”
[The perfect end to the perfect day, with just enough time to meet up for dinner. Say Sorgie!]
“How should I know what they serve at a Thai restaurant? Just ask for something with no meat and no MSG. No, it probably won’t be hot . . .”