Check out the R2-C2 (Droid Factory)! Disney's take on Ziro's droid has different glasses, a different drink spigot, and uses that build-a-droid mold.   Hasbro has one too as an Entertainment Earth Exclusive, and I'd say just get both - Ziro probably needs a lot of drinks.  Read on!

The droid wars continue with R5-013!  This green robot has white stripes and is sold in a boxed set at Disney theme parks.  Read on!

Take a look at R5-S9 (Droid Factory), it's blue! The colors don't match the show perfectly, but it's also not an animated figure.  You can find this The Clone Wars-inspired robot at Disney theme parks in a 4-pack, and of course we're going to look at them all.  Read on!

Hey, it's R2-D2! This is sold on a vintage-esque cardback with C-3PO at Disney theme parks.  You've seen the mold before, but the dirt staining is new.  Read on!

A few months ago, Disney surprised us by releasing C1-10P "Chopper" - with tons of extra parts and articulation.  It's a The Vintage Collection figure in all but name and packaging!  The arm pops out. You can pop more arms in to his dome.  You can change out third legs... he has third legs.   It's great, get one.  Read on!

Variety has a big story on a bunch of new movie release dates from Disney.   Of particular note, the as-of-yet untitled Episode IX has been given a date of May 24, 2019.  For those of you keeping track, the as-of-yet-Untitled Han Solo movie is set for May 2018 (still), and that's only 6 months after The Last Jedi hits theaters in December of this year.  

We don't know exactly why they're changing seasons for Star Wars, although it might have something to do with getting the heck out of the way of Avatar sequels or positioning Star Wars to take over for Marvel, which may be undergoing a retool of its own.   Indiana Jones 5 was also delayed to July of 2020.

From a toy business perspective, this could actually be really good news for Star Wars fans.  

A few years ago we got a glimpse into a pretty cool Starspeeder 1000 from Disney, showing that they can make vehicles for the theme parks when Hasbro wasn't so inclined.  Now according to Jedi News on Twitter, it looks like they're going to do a Sandcrawler.  Start saving, it's going to be an expensive year for droid fanatics.

Secret #droidfactory playset coming soon to the #disneyparks With figure. Can you guess what it is??? #starwars https://t.co/Qkh1sPjjU4 pic.twitter.com/tEc6rUehw2

— Jedi News (@JediNewsUK) April 13, 2017

More!  It looks like D-23, Halloween, Christmas, and whatever season BB-8 represents will be getting more exclusive figures at Disney parks and events.  According to Vinylmation World, D23 will get R5-D23.   Halloween gets a killer clear green R3-B0017.   BB-8 will show up at Disneyland during D-23.   R3-H17 is this year's Christmas Day of the Robot.  Vinylmation World has more in a tweet.

Upcoming Astromech droids coming to Disney Parks #swco #disneyparks #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/ydlsOjxhjL

— Vinylmation World (@vinylmationworl) April 13, 2017

Adam gets another ulcer!   New Protocol Droid Factory announced at Hollywood Studios!   Vinylmation World posted some interesting stuff in the last day, including this tweet showing a new series of Protocol Droids launching, apparently, today!  Exactly how many and which parts are there remain to be seen, so if anyone can catalog everything available so we can beg friends to help us out, that would be greatly appreciated.

Build a Protocol Droid launches tomorrow at Hollywood Studios #waltdisneyworld #swco #StarWarsCelebration #disneyparks pic.twitter.com/tNapHwzRyy

— Vinylmation World (@vinylmationworl) April 13, 2017

Thanks to my pal Shannon once more, the droid R2-H16 is here in the office!  He's at Disneyland and other Disney parks now for pennies under $13.  He also has an all-new hat.  You won't want to miss this festive fellow, as he'll likely disappear from the parks before the new year.  Get yours, read on!

Happy Halloween!  R2-B00 is - or was - at Disney theme parks as I type this for about thirteen spooky dollars.    It'll be a beast to find them now that R2-H16 is shipping.  I bet they'll skeleton of them.  You could say it's pretty ghoul.   Rather than torture more words in this intro, why not read on?

Hot - or cold - on the tail of last year's robot is the new R2-H16.  This festive fellow has a hat with ear flaps, which is reason alone enough to buy one as 3 3/4-inch scale droids seem to have become the new Vinylmation as our hobby as concerned.  The official Disney Parks site has a feature on this and other new items, including a Bluetooth Stormtrooper Commlink for your phone, new plush Ewoks based on the 1980s cartoons - seriously!, and other goodies.

Ultimate Studio Edition Star Wars Collectibles are now up for grabs at http://collectibles.starwars.com/.  This new product line is yet another prop replica maker, with one key difference - these ones boast even more authenticity, and are priced (and packaged) accordingly.   Eight pieces are up for grabs now, all from The Force Awakens, including Vader's melted helmet (pictured) as a limited edition of 500 for $3,500.

Reader Frank chimed in to let us know/warn us that four more droids were added to the action figure part bins at Disney World in Florida.  No new bodies are available yet - but these four domes are.  Here's what he had to say:

"I am an avid fan and love my astromechs! I stopped out at WDW Hollywood Studios today and happened to browse by the Droid Factory counter at Tattooine Traders. Not expecting to see anything, just more of the mismatched 2015 domes series when I did see exactly that!! More mismatched domes and some that I had not seen before. I have not seen reports of these new additions. I found 4 new domes, but nothing new in the legs or bodies from before. Maybe they are on their way? Or maybe 4 domes is all there is?? Not sure when these hit the retail floor, but it looks like there are new parts coming for 2016. The 4 different domes are pretty evenly distributed out there, no shortage that I could tell. Just wish they had some matching parts to make coherent looking droids. Most interesting is the new black R4.5 [?] dome. If I learn more here I’ll send it in."

If you missed it, the R2-H15 is new!  It just came out and is showing up at Disney's theme park in Anaheim for about $13.  (Thanks for getting me this one, Matt!)   Is it worth it?  Read on!