Star Wars

Gone Hollywood Gifts (Marvel & Star Wars Sets) – California Adventure, CA

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Back over on the west coast in Disney California Adventure there are two new pressed quarter machines.  In the Gone Hollywood Gift shop there was originally one machine that had a fairly new set of Star Wars designs which you can read about here.  I thought they may replace that initial machine, but these two are in additional to it making this quite the hot spot.

The first set is of a few popular Marvel Characters.  The images on these coins include Spiderman, Captain American and Black Widow.

The backstamp on these coins has the California Adventure logo, and the slogan Summer of Heroes.

The second set of new designs are a collection of Star Wars silhouettes.  The images include Yoda, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker & Dark Vader.

This one image of Luke and Vader is really cool and has one of the most iconic phrases in all of cinematic history.  “I am your Father”.

The backstamp on these coins is o the Star Wars logo with stars all around it, which is similar to the other Star Wars coins here.

Another fantastic addition to your collection and I like the addition of some Marvels designs.  There has been a bit of a lull in new coins coming to the California parks but I’m hoping this is the calm before the storm.  I always find new coins come in batches out here.  Keep checking back for more updates.

Gone Hollywood Gifts (Star Wars Set) – California Adventure, CA

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Just as short walk from Disneyland over in California Adventure there is a new set of pressed quarters that just appeared on stage.  New quarter designs are always fun and a little unique since they aren’t too common, plus I like the added size for extra design space.  This new set can be found over at the Gone Hollywood Gifts store.  Now before I show you the coins, as I mentioned above this is a new Star Wars set which is fantastic, but another cool new feature is the machine cabinet has a digital screen.  I will admit I have not been able to see this in person yet, but was able to find a video that you can see here.  This video is courtesy of Anastasia Sousa from the Facebook group “Souvenir Penny (Elongated Coin)”, be sure to join if you haven’t already.

As you could see from the above video there are three coin designs.  The full set includes images of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and C-3PO & R2-D2.

There is also a backstamp on each of these coins with the classic Star Wars logo.  I’m definitely into all these new Star Wars designs we are seeing, but hope they start to expand the characters available at these machines.  That universe is huge and there are a lot of other characters they could be putting onto these coins.  Some are obviously a little more unfamiliar to the casual fan, but I still think it would be great to have a Boba Fett or AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport – Look it up you’ll know it as soon as you see it) design on a pressed penny or quarter.  Keep ’em coming Disney I’ve got room for many more.

Once Upon A Toy Store – Disney Springs

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It’s been very hard to keep up with all the changes and new openings going on at Disney Springs.  I’m attending a Disney Wedding in October and can’t wait to spend some time here checking out all the new stuff.  But with all the changes be sure to check out the old standbys as they still have some great things to offer.

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Down in the area towards the Rainforest Cafe is a pretty cool store called Once Upon a Toy.  As the name implies this is just one huge toy store.  When I visited in May this was one of the stops I needed to make as they had one of the new super multi-mega penny machines themed for Frozen with 8 unique designs and you can read out it here.

Que the Star Wars music.  I told you in my previous post that pressed coins seem to have ” gone to the dark side” (sorry couldn’t resist) with the Star Wars bug which is fantastic for us fans.  Shortly after the most recent machine at the Star Wars Galactic Outpost there is now a second 8-design penny machine.

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This machine is located in the far back area of the store where majority of the Star Wars merchandise is located.

Once Upon a Toy Store 2

This set has each design numbers from 1 to 8, and includes the classic characters R2-D2, Chewbacca, Yoda, C-3PO, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, a Stormtrooper, and Darth Vader.

As with the other Star Wars machine I haven’t personally been able to visit this machine yet, but did acquire a set to post about thanks to a co-worker that just happened to be visiting Disney this pas week.  I actually sent her with a package to get some other coins from her resort which I’ll review shortly, but thankfully when she saw this machine and found out it was brand new she didn’t hesitate picking me up a set.  I really do have my friends and family well-trained to always be on the lookout.

Will Disney release any more Star Wars coins?  Only time will tell but with their upcoming release schedule of about one new Star Wars moving a year for the next who knows how many years this is probably a huge new set that will be forever growing.

Star Wars Galactic Outpost – Disney Springs

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When I had visited Disney Springs back in April I couldn’t help but check out a fairly new store at the time called Star Wars Galactic Outpost.  For any huge (or casual) Star Wars fan this place is a must stop, and has everything you could possibly imagine.

Star Wars Outpost 01

Inside has clothing, memorabilia, figurines, magnets, key chains, and much, more.

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However when I visited I was sad to see that there was no pressed coin machine here.  This boggled my mind as this seemed like the perfect place to have one.  Apparently Disney decided they had enough of my persistent emails (not really) and put a new machine here just a few weeks ago.  Not only is it a machine but one of the new super mega-multi design touch screen units.

Star Wars Outpost Blog

Unfortunately I was not able to actually visit this machine in person yet, but did have a friend check it out for me and send along a set of the new coins so we could review them.  The cost is 1 design for $1 or all 8 for $5 and it works just like all the others.  This set includes coins of Han Solo, Kylo Ren, the Millennium Falcon, an X-Wing Fighter, a Store Trooper, Power First Order, Fan Favorite Droids C-3PO BB-8 & R2-D2, and the Justice Rebel Forces Shield.

I’m heading back to Orlando in October for a Disney Wedding and will be making a special trip to check out all the new things in Disney Springs since our last visit and this machine will be on the top of that list.  If you are a Star Wars fan be sure to pick this setup up as it’s a great addition and seems to be a new hot pressed coin trend as you will see in the very near future.

Star Wars Pennies – Hollywood Studios

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A few years ago there was a special penny machine put on stage only during the Star Wars Weekends.  This had Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie and Darth Goofy.  I had hoped that maybe these designs would change year after year but they did not and the same designs would be available each year.  But obviously were only available for a limited time so they were pretty popular and the machine did get some heavy usage.

With all the recent changes going on at Hollywood Studios and the future home of Star Wars Land, this machine was made available permanently over on Sunset Boulevard at the Legends of Hollywood Store.  But again with the exact same designs.  However, that has recently changed and new designs are now available.

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The machine is still in the same location but the new images include Kylo Ren with a couple of Storm Troopers, R2-D2 and Yoda.  I would anticipate these designs being available for a while, but as a Star Wars fan I’m hoping that with the new Star Wars Land a slew of new machines and designs will be there to collect.  I’m drooling over the possibility of using a machine inside the Tatooine Cantina, or fingers crossed maybe one on the Millennium Falcon.  Oh wow I could go on and on, hint hint Disney don’t let us down.

Star Wars The Force Awakens – Disneyland, CA

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Any Star Wars fans out there?

If so you are in luck.  I know at Walt Disney World in Florida they used to put a penny machine out during Star Wars weekends however the designs have never changed.  But now for all you California folks you have a brand spanking new set of Star Wars themed coins and even more cool is they have designs based on the latest blockbuster movie The Force Awakens.  Have you seen it?  What am I talking about of course you have, I think only about 3 people in the entire country haven’t seen it yet.  If any case if you haven’t seen the movie these designs may not make a whole lot of sense (ahem go see the movie) but just take a look these beauties.

I should probably mention both these machines are available in the Disneyland Park at the Star Trader over in Tomorrowland near Space Mountain.

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As you can see these designs are pressed on nice big quarters which always make for a nice finished product.  The above designs are from the first machine and include images of the Rebel Force Logo, Rey, and Chewbacca.  Before I move on let me show off the fantastic machine.

Star Trader 01 Machine

This thing looks like it should be located at Maz Kanata’s castle on Takodana (see you really need to see the movie).  You can’t tell by the picture but the marquee that shows you the available designs at this particular machine is actually a LCD screen and had a cool little animation that plays on a loop.  I’m trying to get a video of this to post up here and as soon as I have it I’ll make sure to share it

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The second machine is located right beside the first and also has three designs.  Kylo Ren, The First Order Power Logo, and Captain Phasma.

Star Trader 02 Machine

This machine also has a similar cabinet and also the LCD marquee.  I really hope to see more of these around as I think they really take the experience to another level.  Also be sure to check out the special backstamp image on each coin.

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These coins are so popular I have heard that these machines actually have lines of people waiting to use them.  A friend of mine at work is a huge Star Wars fans, and couldn’t care less about press coins (have mercy) but asked me to do whatever I could to get him a set of these coins.  So all I’m going to say is if you haven’t picked up a set yet do so immediately.