Star Wars Weekends was a festival held annually at the Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park at the Walt Disney World in Florida.
Included with park admission, the event typically occurs on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for four to five consecutive weekends in May and June and features appearances by cast and crew members from George Lucas' science-fantasy saga.
Many Disney characters also appear dressed as Star Wars characters, such as Jedi Mickey, Minnie as Leia, Donald as a Stormtrooper, Goofy as Darth Vader, and Chip and Dale as Ewoks and R2-MK (Mickey Mouse stylized astromech droid). The festival began in 1997 and has been held in 2000, 2001, and annually from 2003 until 2015.
Events[]
- Autograph Opportunities - In a space across from the ABC Commissary, the stars of the weekend do autograph sessions for those who get FastPasses on a first come, first serve basis. There is no other way to participate in this event.
- Behind the Force - a live show at the Premier Theater hosted by Ashley Eckstein. Guests are given a behind-the-scenes making of the Clone Wars series.
- Carbon Freeze Me - Interactive attraction located at ABC Sound Studio, where guests are able to have their face scanned and reproduced in a prism of carbonite, which is then available for purchase.
- Darth's Mall - Just as Disney had done for the Frozen Summer Fun event, Darth's Mall is a large shopping center featuring event and franchise merchandise. The facility features three sections:
- X-Wing Collectibles features Star Wars D-Tech Me, exclusive graphic MagicBands, Dooney & Bourke/Star Wars merchandise, exclusive pins, Star Wars Vinylmation, an SMS Audio Listening Station, art, and collectibles, and Passholder Event merchandise.
- Watto's Grotto features Star Wars Weekends merchandise, Build-Your-Own-Droid and Build-Your-Own-Lightsaber stations, personalized Aurebesh nametags, Ashley Eckstein's Her Universe apparel, Official Pix photographs, toys, and Passholder Event merchandise.
- The Prop Shop features Star Wars classic toys, t-shirts, and LEGO Star Wars merchandise.
- Disney Infinity 3.0 Sneak Peek - In 2015, the Weekends were held 3-4 months before the release of the game. Due to its inclusion of Star Wars characters, the sneak peek was implemented in the soundstage formerly housing Sounds Dangerous.
- Jedi Training Academy - Live show at the Rebels stage. Based on the teachings and practices of the fictional Jedi Knights from the Star Wars films, the show depends heavily on audience participation, focusing on children. Each participant is given a lightsaber and Jedi robes and is taught a routine set of swordfighting moves.
- Legends of the Force - A parade features the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion (a pair of worldwide Star Wars costuming groups) parading in Stormtrooper costumes, along with numerous other Star Wars characters. Cosplaying characters of the Mickey Mouse & Friends franchise along with that weekend's special guests ride in cars.
- Obi-Wan & Beyond - Live 30 minute show hosted by James Arnold Taylor. Taylor demonstrates nearly 150 voices that he provides for famous Hollywood stars who aren't available for projects as well as characters for television shows, animated films, and video games.
- Snig and Oopla's Hyperspace Hoopla - Live show also at the stage in front of the Sorcerer's Hat (since Star Wars Celebration V's "Last Tour to Endor" event in August 2010). It is a dance-off show featuring Star Wars characters competing in groups against each other in a dance competition. It originally was held at the Rebels Stage from 2008-2010. During a 2013 show, Palpatine made an unexpected appearance as the show was beginning, hijacked it, and renamed it Emperor Palpatine's Hyperspace Hoopla, in revenge for a stunt pulled by Snig and Oopla the previous year in which they showed secret video of Palpatine mocking Vader behind his back, resulting in the latter throwing him down a bottomless pit, a la Return of the Jedi.
- Star Wars: Rebels - A recap of Season One of the show of the same name that was provided exclusively for the 2015 events starring James Arnold Taylor and a member of the show's voice cast. It is unknown if it will continue for later seasons.
- Stars of the Saga - A talk show with the host of the event (currently James Arnold Taylor) where they interview two guest stars of the weekend. It is preceded by a 15-minute pre-show starring a group of Stormtroopers and features a few special surprises. Two hours later, this show is followed by another show, featuring one of the special guests of that weekend.
- Symphony in the Stars - Presented by Walt Disney Creative Entertainment during the "Last Tour to Endor" event in 2010. A large-scale fireworks show complemented with John Williams' original music, voice and sound clippings from the Star Wars saga. An abridged version of the show was presented on May 19, 2011, during the "Star Tours Galactic Party", in preparation of the opening of the redesigned attraction the following day, and on "May The Fourth Be With You", officially recognized by Lucasfilm and Disney in 2013. The show began annually in 2014.
Appearances[]
Guest | Role | Year |
---|---|---|
Amy Allen | Aayla Secura | 2004–08, 2015 |
Kenny Baker | R2-D2 | 2000-01, 2007 |
Ahmed Best | Jar Jar Binks | 2014 |
Don Bies | R2-D2 Operator | 2005 |
Jerome Blake | Mas Amedda, Rune Haako | 2004–05 |
Steve Blum | Zeb Orrelios | 2014-15 |
Dee Bradley Baker | Captain Rex, Commander Cody, and all other Clone Troopers Star Wars: The Clone Wars | 2010-14 |
Phil Brown | Owen Lars | 2001 |
Michonne Bourriague | Aurra Sing | 2003, 2012 |
Jeremy Bulloch | Boba Fett | 2000-01, 2003-04, 2006-15 |
Silas Carson | Nute Gunray, Ki-Adi-Mundi | 2012, 2015 |
Rob Coleman | Animation Supervisor | 2005 |
Doug Chiang | Design Director | 2001 |
Jim Cummings | Hondo Ohnaka | 2013 |
Anthony Daniels | C-3PO | 2004, 2007, 2011 |
Warwick Davis | Wicket W. Warrick the Ewok, Wald | 1997-2001, 2003–10, 2013-15 |
Troy Denning | Author of Star Wars Expanded Universe novels | 2008 |
Ashley Eckstein | Ahsoka Tano | 2009-15 |
Dave Filoni | Clone Wars Director | 2008-12 |
Carrie Fisher | Princess Leia Organa | 2000-01 |
Warren Fu | Concept Artist | 2005 |
Nika Futterman | Asajj Ventress, Clone Wars | 2012 |
Brian Gernand | Model Supervisor | 2005 |
John Goodson | Concept Model Maker | 2005 |
Taylor Gray | Ezra Bridger | 2014-15 |
Mark Hamill | Luke Skywalker | 2014 |
Tom Kane | Yoda, Star Wars: The Clone Wars | 2010-14 |
Jay Laga'aia | Captain Typho | 2006, 2009 |
Matt Lanter | Anakin Skywalker, Clone Wars | 2009, 2011, 2014 |
Jake Lloyd | Young Anakin Skywalker | 2004–2005, 2008, 2012 |
Daniel Logan | Young Boba Fett | 2004–05, 2007–08, 2010-12, 2015 |
George Lucas | Creator of Star Wars | 2011; Appeared for the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue opening ceremony |
Vanessa Marshall | Hera Syndulla | 2014-15 |
Peter Mayhew | Chewbacca | 2001, 2004-2009, 2010-11, 2013-15 |
Iain McCaig | Illustrator and conceptual drawer | 2000 |
Rick McCallum | Prequel trilogy producer | 2006 |
Ian McDiarmid | Emperor Palpatine | 2015 |
Temuera Morrison | Jango Fett | 2003, 2006, 2010 |
Frank Oz | Yoda | 2015 |
Ray Park | Darth Maul | 2007, 2009–15 |
Lorne Peterson | Chief model maker | 2010 |
Bonnie Piesse | Young Beru Lars | 2007 |
David Prowse | Darth Vader | 2000, 2008-09 |
Hugh Quarshie | Captain Panaka | 2000 |
Mike Quinn | Nien Nunb | 2001, 2004 |
John Ratzenberger | Major Bren Derlin | 2014 |
Tim Rose | Admiral Ackbar | 2013 |
Steve Sansweet | Author/Fan Relations | 2008 |
Andy Secombe | Watto | 2004, 2012 |
Orli Shoshan | Shaak Ti | 2006 |
Tiya Sircar | Sabine Wren | 2014-15 |
Catherine Taber | Padmé Amidala, Clone Wars | 2012, 2014 |
James Arnold Taylor | Obi-Wan Kenobi, Plo Koon, Clone Wars (host of the event since 2009) | 2009-15 |
Billy Dee Williams | Lando Calrissian | 2010, 2013-14 |
Ryder Windham | Author of Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide | 2009 |
Sam Witwer | Darth Maul, Clone Wars | 2013 |
Matthew Wood | General Grievous, Bib Fortuna, Ody Mandrell, Seboca, Magaloof; Prequel Sound Supervising Sound Editor |
2005–06, 2009-10 |
Jedi Training Academy[]
Despite being featured daily throughout the year, this attraction is especially popular during Star Wars Weekends. Sixteen or more children are chosen from the audience as Jedi Younglings to participate in a training session by the Jedi Master. They are provided training lightsabers and Jedi robes. As the master completes the instruction of a simple combination of lightsaber attacks to the children, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and a pair of stormtroopers appear. Each Jedi trainee faces off in turn with either Maul or Vader until the villains retreat back to the stage, outnumbered (there was, however, one viral instance of an 8 year old girl who, rather than fighting Darth Vader, instead opted to join the dark side with him, and was subsequently led to 'the Sith Training Academy' by the understandably flummoxed Jedi Master). The children, now Padawans, are congratulated on their mastering of the Force by Yoda, then return the training lightsabers and robe, and are given a diploma for their participation. A duplicate version of the interactive show also occurs daily, as a standalone event at the Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland.
The Jedi Training Academy show is rumored to be redesigned into a more elaborate and extended show, at the former location of Sounds Dangerous! This rumored version of the Jedi Training Academy will presumably feature an audio-animatronic Yoda interacting through a Dagobah-themed set. In an interview with D23 magazine, regarding the planning stages of future Star Wars attractions, George Lucas said, "I'd love to see more Star Wars rides at Disney parks."
Gallery[]
External links[]
- Star Wars Weekends at Disney-MGM Studios on StarWars.com (backup link on Archive.org)
- Learn More About Star Wars Weekends, You Must on Disney.com