The First R2-D2 Builders' Club room was at Celebration II. There weren't many of us there, and I didn't have much more than a handful of parts at the time, but it was SO much fun! There was a droid parade and a R2 Builder member even dressed like the exclusive action figure Jorg Sacul. We got to have a Q & A with "Uncle" Don Bies and we got to get close up views of the ILM-built "uber" R2-D2 that was used in Episodes 1,2, and later 3.
At Celebration III, George Lucas came for some special sessions on Saturday morning. My husband & I (with baby son in tow) didn't think we'd have a chance to get in to one of them, so we didn't even try. As we got to the R2 room Saturday morning, people were being herded down the hall toward the ballrooms. We were asked if we'd like to see George, so we said "YEAH!" and followed the herd toward the ballroom where George would appear. We got to see him, which was really cool when we weren't expecting it. As we were heading back to the R2 room, there was a big guy blocking the door. I tried to move past him and he blocked my way saying no one was being allowed inside. I said "Even R2 Builders?!" He said, "Oh! Builders are allowed" and let my husband & I in with the stroller & our son. Once I got past Goliath at the door, I realized WHY he was there. George Lucas was inside, touring the R2-D2 Builders' Club room!! After he looked around the room, he was gracious enough to pose with the members who were present for a picture! How awesome! It truly was the greatest Celebration moment yet! I'm not sure how any Celebration can top that unless George comes again, and this time I get to shake his hand!!
(Click on an image to see it larger)
Celebration II:
The group (I'm in the row of people standing, 4th from the left, the woman dressed as a Jedi Padawan) :
"Uncle" Don and the droids (ILM's R2-D2 is front & center) :
"Uncle" Don, Mieal Deneb (me), and ILM's uber R2:
Me posing with the REAL R2-D2:
Celebration III:
The group with George Lucas, Don Bies, uber R2, and Rick McCallum (I'm the only woman, dressed as Beru Whitesun in the middle of the right side/edge) :
