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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-daily-disney/os-gi-joe-con-parachute-20110401,0,4470313.story
300 G.I. Joe action figures with parachutes launched from hotel
Parachute drop kicked off 18th annual G.I Joe convention
Sunrises
<LI class=relatedTitle sizset="26" sizcache="8">Stories
By Jon Busdeker, Orlando Sentinel 4:15 p.m. EDT, April 1, 2011
os-gi-joe-con-parachute-20110401
Dolls don't strap on parachutes and jump off buildings.
Action figures do. And on Friday morning more than 300 plastic G.I Joe figures went parachuting off the roof of Walt Disney World's Dolphin Hotel to kick off G.I. JoeCon, a two-day convention at the site for fans of the Hasbro toys.
With help from a cluster of collectors, the 300 G.I. Joes were thrown from the building to a group of fans below. When the figures floated down to earth, the fans ran to where they landed in hopes of snagging one of the soldier souvenirs, which are exclusive to the convention.
G.I. Joe brand manager Alexander Sturke said the parachute drop has become a tradition
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"The whole idea of throwing a guy up in the air and having him parachute down is a fun thing to do for kids," Sturke said.
But they're not all kids.
Luciano Guimaraes, 35, of Clermont walked awaywith one of the limited edition figures, which he plans to keep for his collection.
"New figure. New style. It's very exciting," Guimaraes said.
The 18th annual convention, which opens today , is a celebration of the action figures that first appeared in 1964 and, almost 50 years later, continues to inspire a new generation with comic books, cartoons and feature films.
Collectors and fans from around the world will be at the convention, which features thousands of rare and vintage figures, panel discussions and contests.
Pedro Rodriguez, 34, flew in from New York to attend this year's convention — his eighth.
Rodriguez and his friends volunteered to throw the G.I. Joe figures from the roof, instead of being on the ground catching them.
"We didn't want to trample the children," Rodriguez said.
They also each received a free G.I. Joe for helping out. Rodriguez said he's been collecting the action figures since the early 1980s, calling the toys "an iconic brand."
"They're just one of the best action figures ever produced," Rodriguez said.
And do you know why Rodriguez collects kids toys?
"I can't grow up," he said.
Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
What: G.I. Joe Con
Where: Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Convention Center, 1500 Epcot Resort Blvd.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tickets: Adults, $12; Kids, $8; Under 4, free
Online: http://www.GIJoeCon.com
Phone: (817) 448-9863
Jbusdeker@tribune.com or 407-420-6226
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-daily-disney/os-gi-joe-con-parachute-20110401,0,4470313.story
300 G.I. Joe action figures with parachutes launched from hotel
Parachute drop kicked off 18th annual G.I Joe convention
Sunrises
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By Jon Busdeker, Orlando Sentinel 4:15 p.m. EDT, April 1, 2011
os-gi-joe-con-parachute-20110401
Dolls don't strap on parachutes and jump off buildings.
Action figures do. And on Friday morning more than 300 plastic G.I Joe figures went parachuting off the roof of Walt Disney World's Dolphin Hotel to kick off G.I. JoeCon, a two-day convention at the site for fans of the Hasbro toys.
With help from a cluster of collectors, the 300 G.I. Joes were thrown from the building to a group of fans below. When the figures floated down to earth, the fans ran to where they landed in hopes of snagging one of the soldier souvenirs, which are exclusive to the convention.
G.I. Joe brand manager Alexander Sturke said the parachute drop has become a tradition
Click here to subscribe to the Sunday Orlando Sentinel for only 80 cents per week!
"The whole idea of throwing a guy up in the air and having him parachute down is a fun thing to do for kids," Sturke said.
But they're not all kids.
Luciano Guimaraes, 35, of Clermont walked awaywith one of the limited edition figures, which he plans to keep for his collection.
"New figure. New style. It's very exciting," Guimaraes said.
The 18th annual convention, which opens today , is a celebration of the action figures that first appeared in 1964 and, almost 50 years later, continues to inspire a new generation with comic books, cartoons and feature films.
Collectors and fans from around the world will be at the convention, which features thousands of rare and vintage figures, panel discussions and contests.
Pedro Rodriguez, 34, flew in from New York to attend this year's convention — his eighth.
Rodriguez and his friends volunteered to throw the G.I. Joe figures from the roof, instead of being on the ground catching them.
"We didn't want to trample the children," Rodriguez said.
They also each received a free G.I. Joe for helping out. Rodriguez said he's been collecting the action figures since the early 1980s, calling the toys "an iconic brand."
"They're just one of the best action figures ever produced," Rodriguez said.
And do you know why Rodriguez collects kids toys?
"I can't grow up," he said.
Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
What: G.I. Joe Con
Where: Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Convention Center, 1500 Epcot Resort Blvd.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tickets: Adults, $12; Kids, $8; Under 4, free
Online: http://www.GIJoeCon.com
Phone: (817) 448-9863
Jbusdeker@tribune.com or 407-420-6226
