Wednesday 27 May 2015

Outpost Expeditions NERDTASTIC Convention Roadtrip - GEN CON, STAR TREK VEGAS, D23 EXPO

Outpost Expeditions offers movie fans, comic geeks, cosplayers & costumers, gamers, & other like-minded enthusiasts the opportunity to experience western pop culture conventions around the world. From Singapore Toy Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) nearby to New York Comic Con NYCC) our expedition package will delivery an engaging pop culture con experience to be remembered! Plus visit world-famous attractions in the host city whilst you're there.

This northern hemisphere summer, the "Nerd deities" have neatly aligned 3 major pop culture conventions to enable our expedition team to present the ultimate NERDTASTIC Convention Roadtrip. Over 24 days, our "Away Mission" will cover Gen Con, Star Trek Vegas and D23 Expo plus visit to the "Happiest Place on Earth", Disneyland!



The expedition kicks off at GEN CON in Indianapolis from 30 July to 2 August. Now in it's 48th year, Gen Con's "The Best Four Days in Gaming!" has become the largest annual consumer fantasy, electronic, sci-fi and adventure game convention in North America. With an avid following of more than 120,000 consumer and professional attendees, Gen Con is THE destination for everyone from serious fans, to those simply interested in casual gaming. Game manufacturers and publishers consistently utilize Gen Con as the place to launch new games and new products, show off the latest and greatest game expansions and features, and host incredible tournaments. 




Find out more at the official Gen Con website.



From Central US, the expedition team will beam across to Southwest US to Las Vegas, Nevana for The Official STAR TREK Convention from 6-9 August. For the 2015 convention, Star Trek Vegas promises even more elaborate props and sets for photo taking, museum quality Star Trek items on display, MORE space than ever had before, an incredible guest speaker line-up, glorious technological advances in the main theatre, interesting new panel topics, fandom’s most elaborate evening parties, lots of freebies featured in an even more upgraded “Promenade”, the famous free karaoke nights, a more upscale Quark’s bar, special events honoring the 20th Anniversary of Star Trek: Voyager, our fond remembrances of our dear friend and show business legend Leonard Nimoy, a Saturday Evening Gala Nevada Pops Orchestra extravaganza, and of course the surprises and other elements that separate this particular convention from all others. Over 100 celebrity guests are expected to be attending including William Shatner, George Takei, Kate Mulgrew, Karl Urban, Jeri Ryan, Walter Keonig, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Michael Dorn, and many more.




Investigate more about Star Trek Vegas from the official Creation Entertainment website.


After a couple of extra nights in Vegas plus visit to the spectacular Grand Canyon, the expedition heads over to Anaheim, California. All the magic and excitement of the past, present, and future of Disney entertainment will come together once again under one roof on August 14-16 when D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents D23 Expo 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center. D23 Expo provides “inside-the-magic” experiences, including exclusive sneak peeks at upcoming films from The Walt Disney Studios, dazzling celebrity appearances, unforgettable presentations given by Disney luminaries, a look at what’s coming from Disney Parks and Resorts and Walt Disney Imagineering, the Disney Legends ceremony, and the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibition, which spotlights crown jewels from Disney’s timeless legacy. Plus expect big reveals for Marvel and Star Wars franchises here!





Learn more about D23 Expo from the official D23 website.


The final 2 days of this Nerdtastic roadtrip will be spent at the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland! Celebrate Disney's 60th Anniversary with lotsa one-in-a-lifetime activities at  Disneyland Park, the beloved Southern California destination where generations of families have made their Disney dreams come true. Opened in 1955, Walt Disney’s original theme park is divided into 8 extravagantly themed lands—Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Mickey's Toontown, Frontierland, Critter Country, New Orleans Square & Adventureland. Disney California Adventure Park opened in 2001 with 7 new exciting lands that bring to life Disney and Pixar stories and characters through amazing attractions, entertainment and dining! The 2 most recent additions - Buena Vista Street and the awe-inspiring Cars Land - join the themed lands of Grizzly Peak, Paradise Pier, Pacific Wharf, "a bug's land" and Hollywood Land.



Discover more at the official Disneyland website.


Expedition Itinerary
Based on departure from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or United States.

Day 1: Tuesday 28 July
Travel Kuala Lumpur to Indianapolis

Day 2: Wednesday 29 July
Arrival at Indianapolis. Check-in hotel.

Day 3 to 6: Thursday 30 July to Sunday 2 August
GEN CON (4-days)

Day 7: Monday 3 August
Travel Indianapolis to Las Vegas
Check-in Rio All Suites Hotel (convention location)

Day 8: Tuesday 4 August
R&R. Options for casinos, shopping, shows and other entertainment.

Day 9: Wednesday 5 August
Day-tour “Trek into the Valley of Fire Adventure” by GeekNationTours.
Pre-registration & vendor preview night

Day 10 to 13: Thursday 6 August to Sunday 9 August
Star Trek Vegas (4-days)
Check event itinerary here; includes STAR TREK THE CONCERT LIVE with The NEVADA POPS 45-PIECE ORCHESTRA starring James Darren!

Day 14: Monday 10 August
R&R. Options for casinos, shopping, shows and other entertainment

Day 15: Tuesday 11 August
Grand Canyon day-tour

Day 16: Wednesday 12 August
Travel Las Vegas to Anaheim. Check-in hotel

Day 17: Thursday 13 August
R&R. Option for shopping and explore Downtown Disney District.

Day 18 to 20: Friday 14 August to Sunday 16 August (3-days)
D23 Expo (3-days)

Day 21: Monday 17 August
Disneyland Park

Day 22: Tuesday 18 August
Disneyland California Adventure Park

Day 23 to 24: Wednesday 19 August to Thursday 20 August
Return travel back to Kuala Lumpur

Over 14,000 gaming events at Gen Con, the best 4-days of gaming.

Breaking world record for most number of Star Trek cosplayers at Star Trek Vegas.

Expect special features on Disney, Marvel & Star Wars at D23 Expo.

HERE'S YOUR UNIQUE CHANCE TO ATTEND
3 CONVENTIONS FOR THE PRICE OF 2!

Indicative Expedition Costing
Based on  Malaysian Ringgit (RM); exchange rate USD1 = RM3.60

1) Convention Tickets & Tours comprising GEN CON Badge, Star Trek Vegas Copper Weekend Package, Valley of Fire Adventure Tour, Grand Canyon Tour, D23 Expo Ticket, 2-day Disneyland ticket: RM4,200

2) Hotel Accommodation (21 nights): RM5,500 for twin-share room

3) Travel comprising flights KL-Indianopolis-Vegas-KL & ground transport, RM6,800

TOTAL RM16,500; RM9,700 ground-only tours with room twin-share basis.

Excludes US visa (RM592), meals (recommend RM2,350 for 22-days), souvenirs, tips.
Costs shown are subject to change at time of booking based on prices from vendors and currency exchange rate. Early flight and accommodation bookings are highly recommended to maximise cost savings.

Options for individual convention itineraries, check our Facebook Page Notes:
For further information and travel arrangements, e-mail us here with subject heading "Outpost Expeditions". Travel bookings for the Nerdtastic Convention Roadtrip will tentatively close mid-June 2015, so act fast and get in touch with us!

Also kindly consider joining our Facebook Page & Groups for latest updates:

Photos credits: Gen Con Facebook photo album, TrekNews.net, D23.com, GeeksofDoom.com

Disclaimer: Information presented for fan engagement only as event attendees. Outpost Productions is not associated with Gen Con, CBS or Paramount, Disney or D23 nor represent any of their trademarks & properties for commercial purposes.

Wednesday 13 May 2015

May the Brick be with you! Celebrating Star Wars Day at LEGOLAND Malaysia

The Outpost Productions Star Wars costume expedition team at LEGOLAND

Outpost Productions continued our Star Wars Day celebrations shuttling to LEGOLAND Malaysia immediately after closing up May the 4th be with 2 at Jaya Shopping Centre. Our contingent of costumers huddled up on a chartered bus for the overnight journey to Johor Bahru.

Line-up of thematic Star Wars activities at LEGOLAND in May

Special activities for Star Wars Day are taking place most of May in LEGOLAND Malaysia, kicking off with fan engagements on 3 & 4 May. Each day commenced with an opening parade comprising the 501st Legion and fan communities from the Star Wars Malaysia Alliance, which include Outpost Productions, Star Wars Malaysia Fan Club (SWMFC), Lightsaber League Malaysia (LLM), Force Arts Stunt Team (FAST), Hot Wheels Malaysia and LEGO User Group of Malaysia (LOM).

The 501st Legion leads the fan parade

Outpost costumers lining-up for the parade

The parade commenced from LEGOLAND Hotel to line-up at the park main entrance for photo opportunity. Then the fan groups marched into the park heading to the Star Wars Miniland exhibit via various photo checkpoints along the way.

Star Wars fan groups gathered at the Star Wars Miniland exhibit entrance

Additional photo-ops backdrops for guests at Star Wars Miniland include Rebels vs. Imperials

Meet LEGO Darth Vader who's just too cute to be a villain!
For those who have not yet visited Star Wars Miniland, the exhibits comprise recreations of scenes from the six movies plus the Clone Wars using LEGO. Some displays include interactive features with push of a button such as the Millenium Falcon taking-off, duel of Anakin vs. Obi-Wan, and many more.

Episode I The Phantom Menace at Miniland: The Battle of Naboo


Episode II Attack of the Clones: The Battle of Geonosis

Episode III Revenge of the Sith: The Battle of Kasshyyk

Episode IV A New Hope: Mos Eisley and various related locales on Tatooine

Episode V The Empire Strikes Back: The epic Battle of Hoth

Episode VI Return of the Jedi: Imperial garrison on Endor

The Clone Wars: Battle of Christophsis as directed by General Kenobi

One of the major celebration activities was the LEGO My Own Creation Competition organised by LEGO User Group of Malaysia (LOM). A wide assortment of customised LEGO Star Wars displays were assembled by LOM Master Builders. Winners were chosen by representatives from LEGOLAND Malaysia and awarded Star Wars LEGO sets deserving of their creative efforts.


My Own Creation LEGO competition displays organised by LOM

This custom Ewok village is no simple rehash of the original LEGO set

Biker Scout beware Ewoks!

Preview creation from Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens

Recreating the Battle of Kasshyk with all LEGO terrain

Awesome fan-inspired creation of a Star Wars theme park (photo credit: denil oh)

Find more close-up photos of this masterpiece at the Eurobricksforum.

Judge from LEGOLAND scrutinize MOC entries

Winners of the MOC Competition
Check out more photos at LOM's Facebook Group


Of course, costuming or cosplay is a BIG part of Star Wars Days and there was no shortage at LEGOLAND Malaysia. The Outpost Costuming Expedition team comprised:
  • Commander Richard as Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • Carina & Kevin as Princess Leia and Han Solo
  • King & Rhyden as Rebel Pilots
  • James & Dante as Imperials Scout Trooper & Royal Guard respectively
  • Dyanna as Padme Amidala with son as baby Luke
  • Johann & Nabil as Clone Troopers
  • Ezli as Darth Maul
The Outpost Costume Expedition Team
In additional to meet & greet photo opportunities with visitors throughout the park, we also took the opportunity for some thematic photo antics.



You can spot a Rebel pilot anywhere in those bright orange colours

Obi-Wan faces off against a LEGO monster

LEGO Kingdom's Royal Guard

“I didn't see that tree...”

Wefie!

Performers of the Force Action Stunt Team (FAST)

Members of Lightsaber League Malaysia (LLM)
Check out more photos from the official LEGOLAND Malaysia FacebookPage. Plus online coverage by The Star as well as The New Straits Times (below):



Until next year, MAY THE FORCE BY WITH YOU!


Disclaimer: Star Wars and other trademarks are copyright to Lucasfilm and/or Disney, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.