Top Gun Fans, Are You Ready To Feel The Need For Speed?
Look no further than Top Gun Days 2023 - the ultimate behind-the-scenes experience for Top Gun fans. San Diego is the place to be, as we bring together Top Gun enthusiasts from around the globe for three days of non-stop, high-octane action.
Imagine rubbing shoulders with the pilots who flew the aircraft in the movies, getting the inside scoop on the making of Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick from those who were there, and creating life-long friendships with fellow fans.
But it's more than just listening to guest speakers and getting the VIP treatment. At Top Gun Days, you'll become a member of the elite Top Gun fan community, bonding with like-minded individuals who share your passion for both movies and make memories that will last a lifetime. So don't let this opportunity pass you by.
Join us this May, in San Diego, for the exclusive Top Gun Fan event of the year that's not available anywhere else. Get your front seat to an action-packed experience of the making of Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick while being part of the global fan community of minded fans.
Take advantage of it; get your tickets now!
Your event ticket gives you access to all three days of the event.
Check Out What's Happening On Each Day. Here is a full itinerary of what's happening each day of the Top Gun Days 2023 event.
FRIDAY 12TH MAY 2023 - WELCOME RECEPTION.
Join us on Friday, May 12th, for our exclusive welcome reception at Building 177, 2875 Dewey Rd, San Diego, CA 92106.
This is your chance to mingle and bond with fellow Top Gun fans from around the globe in a relaxed but fun-filled environment. Savor complimentary hors d'oeuvres and indulge in bar service as you groove to the beats of our renowned DJ, Chris Olivas, who was the drummer in Berlin for 19 years and is a renowned DJ. So bring your best moves and get ready to dazzle in the company of your fellow Top Gun Fans.
This reception is the perfect opportunity to meet other attendees before the main event and catch up with familiar faces from our Top Gun Days 2022 event who already have their tickets for 2023.
The welcome reception officially begins at 6 pm but the doors open at 5.30 pm.
SATURDAY 13TH MAY 2023 - VIP GUEST SPEAKERS.
On Saturday, May 13th 2023, from 9 am - 6 pm, we'll host the VIP Guest Speakers event at Building 177, 2875 Dewey Rd, San Diego, CA 92106, United States.
Are you ready to take a deep dive into the making of Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick?
Look no further than the VIP Guest Speakers event at Top Gun Days 2023. We're bringing together a lineup of speakers directly involved in making both movies.
The VIP guest speakers include;
John Semcken
Jim "Jambo" Ray,
CJ "Heater" Heatley,
Frank "Walleye" Weisser,
Kevin LaRosa II,
Aaron "VERN" Vernallis,
Maggie Kohl,
Amy Heflin,
Javier Medina
plus others to be announced.
They will share their never before heard, behind-the-scenes stories of their time working on the making of Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick, as well as some of the new CGI technology and the technical advisors from the military who worked on the set to pull off a fantastic film.
Not only that, but we will also have some of our all-time favorite guest speakers returning to go into further detail on how things differ from our original beloved 1986 movie and today's tricks of the trade. The event includes a Q&A session with each speaker and the opportunity to get signed photos and selfies with them.
Lunch Is Included During Saturday's event.
We know that the best of the best deserves the best, so we're having 'Slaters 50/50 restaurant' cater your lunch at the venue. (https://slaters5050.com/locations/san-diego/)
That's right; You're getting restaurant-quality food brought to you at the venue, so you won't have to worry about going to find somewhere to get something to eat and drink or having to pay for it, as your lunch is included during the speaker's event as part of your ticket.
We will conclude the day's event at 6:00 pm, allowing you to explore the wonders of San Diego on your terms.
SUNDAY 14TH MAY 2023 - USS MIDWAY & KANSAS CITY BBQ
On Sunday, May 14th 2023, we'll hang out at the USS Midway and Kansas City BBQ.
The USS Midway in the morning - 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Start your Sunday morning with a relaxing tour of the USS Midway, led by our very own Paul "Chappy" Ward. He will be aboard the ship on Sunday to give you insider info on how best to make the most of your time aboard the Midway.
The ship is open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm, and it's a self-paced tour, allowing you to explore the ship at your own pace.
Kansas City BBQ in the afternoon - 600 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Are you ready to wrap up the Top Gun Days 2023 event in style?
Join us at the iconic filming location of the 1986 blockbuster film at Kansas City BBQ from 3 pm onwards. Give your best rendition of "Great Balls of Fire" as you enjoy camaraderie with fellow Top Gun enthusiasts.
This is a great way to cap off the weekend events and reminisce about the past two days. We'll be there from 3 pm onwards and look forward to you joining us there as well. You will require your Top Gun Days event pass to hang out with us at Kansas City BBQ.
Take advantage of this opportunity to relive the iconic moments of the Top Gun movie while enjoying good company.
Get your Top Gun Days event pass now and join us at Kansas City BBQ!
Here are the full details of the VIP Guest Speakers you'll get to meet and listen to their inspiring, breathtaking, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, adrenalin, and behind-the-scenes stories from Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick on Saturday, May 13th 2023.
The VIP guest speakers include;
Frank "Walleye" Weisser,
Kevin LaRosa II,
Aaron "VERN" Vernallis,
CJ "Heater" Heatley,
Jim "Jambo" Ray,
Maggie Kohl,
Amy Heflin,
John Semcken,
Frank "Walleye" Weisser, a veteran of the Blue Angels, is the man behind the stick for some of the most iconic scenes in the new "Top Gun Maverick" movie. He will be sharing his incredible stories of flying the F-18 during the canyon run, the low-level Lawrence of Arabia maneuver and many other low-level flight scenes we saw in the movie.
Kevin LaRosa II, the Ariel coordinator for Top Gun Maverick, who shot over 800 hours of aerial footage for the movie, will give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to capture those fantastic aerial shots we all can't wait to see on the big screen.
In addition, he will be sharing his experiences working with the film's stars and what it was like to be a part of such an iconic movie. Aaron Vern Vernallis, the F-18 pilot who raced Maverick on his motorbike down the runway, will spill all the behind-the-scenes stories about how that scene was shot multiple times over two years. And get this, he even lent Tom Cruise his own flight gear for the iconic "Feel the need" picture!
You'll have the chance to see his flight gear up close and personal at the event.
Amy Heflin, the real Phoenix of Top Gun Maverick, was an integral part of the movie's filming, serving as a safety observer for the camera crew and helping to install and set up the six cameras that bring the action to life on the big screen. In addition, she flew for Phoenix and BOB, participating in the snow scenes in Whidbey Island and the BFM in the mountains east of Lemoore, CA. You'll have the opportunity to hear Heflin's exclusive behind-the-scenes stories about what it was like to fly for the best movie of 2022 and to get to fly as one of the leading characters.
CJ "Heater" Heatley, a TOPGUN graduate and former instructor, played a vital role in making the iconic movie. He will be sharing his stories, insights and behind-the-scenes of the making of the film. Not only did his photography skills and style influence Tony Scott during the filming, but they were also a key factor in the movie's creation. His aerial photography was featured in the 1983 California Magazine article "Top Guns", which inspired Don Simpson to make the movie.
Maggie Kohl - Get ready to meet the real-life 'COMANCHE'. As the E-2 callsign in 'Top Gun Maverick', we are thrilled to have Maggie join us as a guest speaker. Imagine hearing firsthand accounts of the movie filming from an active-duty servicewoman who was there! Maggie went from babysitting the E-2 used in the movie and the film crew to appearing in the movie as 'Comanche'.
This is your chance to learn more about the E-2 aircraft and its crew directly from the person who did it for a living and in the movie.
John Semcken, a real-life TOPGUN graduate and technical advisor for Top Gun, will take us behind the scenes of the film that made us fall in love with naval aviation. As a graduate of TOPGUN, he served as the technical advisor for the film. He will be sharing his experiences and insights into the making of the movie. Plus others to be announced shortly.
Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to hear behind-the-scenes stories and get a taste of what being a Top Gun is like. So get your tickets now before they sell out, and join us for an experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
It will be one for the history books, so ensure you've got your tickets before they all sell.