Tag / Star Wars

by jo

Ravensburger Star Wars Collection Jigsaw – The Empire Strikes Back

May the 4th be with you, as they say. We finished our Ravensburger Star Wars collection jigsaw on May 4th as well. It’s a toughie and is a Ravensburger Adult puzzle; read on to find out more.

Ravensburger Star Wars Collection Jigsaw box

Our Ravensburger Star Wars Collection Jigsaw is from The Empire Strikes Back; where Han Solo is frozen, where we meet Lando Calrissian for the first time. So if you’re expecting a jigsaw which features Luke Skywalker or Princess Leia then this isn’t the one for you.

If, however, you’re looking for an Empire Strikes Back jigsaw which nods to the upcoming Solo movie, then maybe this Ravensburger Star Wars Collection Jigsaw will be the one for you.

Ravensburger Star Wars Collection Jigsaw starting out

It has 1000 pieces, and is a Ravensburger Adult puzzle. Normally we’d do jigsaws together, but this one is pretty tough. There’s a lot of blue. Quite often you won’t be able to work out where the blue goes. There is so much blue it starts to feel like you’ll never finish it!

All in all it probably took us a couple of weeks to finish this Ravensburger Star Wars Collection Jigsaw. I’d like to think that we’re pretty good with jigsaws in general, and with work every day plus activities after school, an average or easy jigsaw takes a few days.

Ravensburger Star Wars Collection Jigsaw - nearly finished

I think this would make a great present for an older Star Wars fan – younger fans would end up frustrated (I’m going for H’s age – 8-9 year olds here). There’s nothing wrong with that – it’s good to have jigsaws for older people too – and H enjoyed helping from time to time.

Ravensburger Star Wars Collection Jigsaw finished

We were sent the Ravensburger Star Wars Collection Jigsaw for the purpose of review. We give it a big thumbs up, it kept us busy in the evenings. You can buy it over here (affiliate link) – though looking around I’ve now seen this one – oh my! (the price, the pieces!)

by jo

Lego Star Wars Sustainable Advent Calendar 2017

It has become something of a tradition in this house every December that we buy H a Lego Advent Calendar. This year, however, things have changed for the better. Lego have launched a Lego Star Wars sustainable Advent Calendar!

The Lego Star Wars sustainable Advent Calendar looks exactly the same as previous years. Each container which holds your Lego surprise is made from 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper which can be recycled along with the box.

Lego Star Wars Sustainable Advent Calendar 2017 - what it looks like

Given previous Lego Advent Calendars have had a plastic tray, this is a big and good move forward as far as reducing waste goes. That will save over a million plastic trays going to landfill sites.

Of course, rather than just recycling the trays, there are several other uses for them.. I’m thinking of a way we could use ours at Brownie meetings – they would make great seed trays to grow something in the new year.

Checking this video, I’m tempted to have a go at a few Stormtroopers too.

Then again… my attempt looks a bit like an ageing Stormtrooper! Still, we have plenty of others to practice on! Have you tried to make any? Share your pictures if so, I’d love to see!

Lego Star Wars Sustainable Advent Calendar 2017 Stormtrooper craft from the tray, easy crafting using Lego Star Wars recyclable trays

What I love the most about the Lego Star Wars Sustainable Advent Calendar is that it reduces landfill. This is such a good thing, and more companies should take this on board – it isn’t difficult to make little changes like this.

H’s Lego Star Wars advent calendar also has her current favourite in there, alas not due until Christmas Eve…Lego Star Wars Sustainable Advent Calendar 2017, Christmas BB-8 from the 24th December

Maybe next year it will be a Lego Porg….

The paper pulp tray is starting to appear this year and is available in approximately 60% of advent calendars. The advent calendar paper trays are one of the product innovations to improve the sustainability of LEGO packaging. The LEGO Group is working on improved product labelling to promote correct recycling, and recycled or bio based plastic packaging, among other initiatives.

Since 2013, the average size of LEGO boxes has been reduced by 14%. Using smaller boxes has so far saved approximately 10.000 truckloads, over 20.000 tonnes of cardboard, and CO2 emissions by 35.000 tonnes.

We received a Lego Star Wars Sustainable Advent Calendar for the purpose of review, all opinions are our own. 

by jo

Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland Paris

Back in August we spent three days at Disneyland Paris. We had clear plans for what we wanted to do every day, and on our last day it was Jedi Training Academy.
Jedi Training Academy Jedi H with lightsaber

Jedi Training Academy is fun – but involves a long wait. Because we were staying at the hotel Santa Fe, I managed to get vouchers to swap for breakfast in the park on our last day. This saved us a lot of time.

H as Rey, Official Disney Rey Costume

We bought H the official Disney Rey Costume – using our discount with DisneyLife. Of all the Rey costumes I liked this one the best – and H really felt the part too. She’s being all moody and thoughtful here. (while waiting to meet Mary Poppins, of all things)

We also had Extra Magic Hours which meant you can enter the park early every day. Between the hours of 8am to 10am you have access to a lot of Disneyland Paris, regular ticket holders are then allowed in from 10am. This meant we could get in line for Jedi Training Academy quite early on which made a big difference.

There is a person who checks you in – and you’re issued with a laminated pass. This means as long as someone stands in line, you have a place. Waiting in line meant Shaun got in place for 9.15 – and Jedi Training Academy booking in starts at 10.45. Be prepared to wait for a long time. H and I went off and did the Buzz Lightyear ride a couple of times while Shaun waited.

Jedi Training Academy Jedi H practicing

Once the doors open, you’re directed to a desk, and your potential Jedi has to answer a few questions. H started well – they asked how old she was, and she replied “fine”. Oops. She had her Rey costume on, so they knew she was a fan. You have to be over 7 to do Jedi Training Academy.

We got a 2pm timeslot which fitted into our plans. You have to turn up 30 minutes before your time to get in some essential pre-show training, as well as get some robes.

Jedi Training Academy H and stage

Then 2pm arrives. Jedi Training Academy begins. A french Obi Wan/Ewan McGregor lookalike Obi Wan introduced proceedings. Sixteen Jedi’s of various ages lined up on stage, including H.

A sidenote; for most of the time with school we’d had tears and worries about speaking out at class assemblies.

Not so with Jedi Training Academy. H strode onto stage with a confidence I had never seen before. She did as she was instructed, coming out on centre stage and had a quick lightsaber battle with Darth Vader. They used the force to make R2D2 rise, and more.

Jedi Training Academy H and certificate

H had the time of her life! Oh, and she got a certificate at the end too. “So now I’m a proper Jedi” she added.

Jedi Training Academy H and Rey

H looked the part, she acted the part, and she had a wonderful time. I would recommend Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland Paris if you have a Star Wars fan. It is available at no extra cost, and the only thing that it costs you is time. Queuing.

Jedi Training Academy info is over here. We bought H the Rey costume, using our DisneyLife discount from the Official Disney Store. If you’ve seen Part 1 of the new Star Wars Go Rogue trailers (which are brilliant), there are more!

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4 – the final part!