The force is getting ready to wake up, and it's bringing a lot of toys with it.
September 4 is "Force Friday." It's the day Disney, Lucasfilm and a wide variety of partners have all decided to open the floodgates on new merchandise based on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which hits theaters Dec. 18.
More than 207 Target stores (including several in the D-FW area) will open at midnight to start selling stuff as well as give away some premium items to lucky customers. My local Mesquite store already has a sign saying that they're giving away a giant plush wookie to the winner of a raffle.
That store has also cleared several shelves in anticipation of the new Star Wars stock that's coming, much of which will no doubt simply fly off as soon as it's put up.
But it's not just Target. New Star Wars toys and other items will be released all over the place.
Many of those toys were kept under wraps until this week when the official Star Wars YouTube account ran a global, 18 hour livestream unboxing many of the new toys.
Force Friday events
Target
Select Target stores are opening at midnight for shopping and giveaways. You can find a full list at Target.com/StarWars, but the local D-FW stores are:
Mesquite1629 N Town East Blvd, Mesquite, TX 75150-4105
Euless1401 W Glade Rd, Euless, TX 76039-5417
Arlington South1600 W Arbrook Blvd, Arlington, TX 76015-4107
Weatherford122 E Interstate 20, Weatherford, TX 76087-8556
Frisco North
4885 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75033-8662Disney Stores
All Disney stores will be closing early on Sept. 3 and opening early on Sept. 4. The first 100 guests who make a purchase on Force Friday will get a Star Wars pin. There will also be various events throughout the day, like these (according to a press release they sent out):
- R2-D2 craft activity
- Ways of the Force
- Star Wars Story Time
- Art of Drawing: R2-D2
- Free Topps vintage trading card giveaway upon completion of an in-store event and while supplies last
- Epic Star Wars theming that pays homage to both the Dark Side and the Light
Toys "R" Us
Stores will be opening at Midnight to sell new merch and host giveaways, including a limited edition Lego Star Wars "Commemorative Brick" and an exclusive poster. You can visit their Destination: Star Wars site for more info.
Walmart
Select stores will be opening at midnight and will have some exclusive stuff, including the Topps Galactic Connexions trading disc game. Visit walmart.com/starwars for more info.
Amazon
Amazon.com/StarWars will have a bunch of new Star Wars stuff, including some Amazon exclusives, and will be running deals on select items. They're also planning to give away a Legendary Jedi Master Yoda, Collector Box Edition toy on their Facebook page.
Others
AllPosters.com will be selling a bunch of Star Wars stuff they already have in addition to 30 new The Force Awakens products.
You can also get your hands on some Star Wars-themed makeup or some Chewbacca Crocs.
Yes, really.
The toys
A bunch of the big ticket toys were unboxed for the first time live on the official Star Wars YouTube channel. This includes a "Bladebuilder" toy that lets you build your own lightsaber and a Hot Wheels "Escape from Jakku" set.
Members of the GuideLive staff have mostly been freaking out about this little B-88 toy, which is one of the more pricey new Star Wars items at $149.99 but is just so freakin' adorable.
There will also be toys from Lego, Micro Machines, and more. You want costumes? They've got 'em. A Millennium Falcon? Of course. Nerf guns? Yep.
So there's seems to be no shortage of gift possibilities for the Star Wars fan you're shopping for this Christmas -- even if that fan is just yourself.
