Star Wars Weekends


Star Wars Weekends was a festival held annually at the Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park of the Walt Disney World Resort. Included with park admission, the event typically occurred on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for four consecutive weekends in May and June and featured appearances by cast and crew members from Disney's Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. Many original Disney characters also appeared dressed as Star Wars characters, such as Jedi Mickey, Minnie as Leia, Donald as a stormtrooper, Goofy as Darth Vader and R2-MK. The festival began in 1997 and had been held in 2000, 2001, and annually from 2003 until 2015. In November 2015, Disney discontinued the event due to construction of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and the larger daily presence Star Wars will have in the park onwards.

Events

  • Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple — 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 replica and Jedi robes and is taught a routine set of swordfighting moves.
  • Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular — A large-scale fireworks show complemented with John Williams' original music, voice and sound clippings from the Star Wars saga.
  • Star Wars Parade — features the 501st Legion and the Rebel Alliance parading in Stormtrooper costumes, along with numerous other Star Wars characters.
  • Snig and Oopla's Hyperspace Hoopla — Live show also at the stage in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. 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. The show has 'retired' in 2014. In one 2013 show, Emperor Palpatine hijacked the show and renamed it "Emperor Palpatine's Hyperspace Hoopla", leading to a massive dance-off.
  • 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 and Star Wars Rebels.
  • Obi-Wan & Beyond — A live 30-minute talk show at the Theater for the Stars hosted by James Arnold Taylor. Taylor demonstrates nearly 150 voices that he provides for famous Hollywood stars who are not available for projects as well as characters for television shows, animated films and video games.
  • 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.
Image:disneymgmstudios.jpg|thumb|180px|Imperial Stormtroopers parade near the Sorcerer's Hat during Star Wars Weekends.
Image:Disney Weekend-Star Wars-YMCA.jpg|thumb|180px|A Jawa, Greedo, Chewbacca and a stormtrooper take on the roles of the famous 1970s disco group The Village People and lead the crowd in the "YMCA" dance.
Image:Chewbacca & Jawa.jpg|thumb|180px|Chewbacca and a Jawa compete in the contest with Bee Gees'-styled disco moves during Star Wars Weekends.
Image:Warwick Davis & Anthony Daniels 2.jpg|thumb|180px|Warwick Davis and Anthony Daniels greet the large crowd as pyrotechnics are fired from the Rebel Stage.

Appearances

GuestRoleYear
Amy AllenAayla Secura2004–08 2015
Kenny BakerR2-D22000–01, 2007
Ahmed BestJar Jar Binks2014
Don BiesR2-D2 Operator2005
Jerome BlakeMas Amedda, Rune Haako2004–05
Steven BlumZeb Orrelios2014–15
Dee Bradley BakerCaptain Rex, Commander Cody and all other clone troopers Star Wars: The Clone Wars2010–14
Phil BrownOwen Lars2001
Michonne BourriagueAurra Sing2003, 2012
Jeremy BullochBoba Fett2000–01, 2003–04, 2006–15
Silas CarsonNute Gunray, Ki-Adi-Mundi2012, 2015
Rob ColemanAnimation Supervisor2005
Doug ChiangDesign Director2001
Jim CummingsHondo Ohnaka2013
Anthony DanielsC-3PO2003, 2004, 2007, 2011
Warwick DavisWicket W. Warrick the Ewok, Wald1997, 2000–01, 2003–10, 2013–15
Troy DenningAuthor of Star Wars expanded universe novels2008
Ashley EcksteinAhsoka Tano2009–15
Dave FiloniClone Wars Director2008–12
Carrie FisherPrincess Leia Organa2000–01
Warren FuConcept Artist2005
Nika FuttermanAsajj Ventress, Clone Wars2012
Brian GernandModel Supervisor2005
John GoodsonConcept Model Maker2005
Mark HamillLuke Skywalker2014
Tom KaneYoda, Star Wars: The Clone Wars2010–13
Jay Laga'aiaCaptain Typho2006, 2009
Matt LanterAnakin Skywalker, Clone Wars2009, 2011, 2014
Jake LloydYoung Anakin Skywalker2000, 2004–2005, 2008, 2012
Daniel LoganYoung Boba Fett2004–05, 2007–08, 2010–12, 2015
George LucasCreator of Star Wars2011; Appeared for the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue opening ceremony
Vanessa MarshallHera Syndulla2014–15
Peter MayhewChewbacca2001 2004–09, 2010–11, 2013–15
Iain McCaigIllustrator and conceptual drawer2000
Ian McDiarmidPalpatine / Darth Sidious2015
Rick McCallumPrequel trilogy producer2006
Temuera MorrisonJango Fett2003, 2006, 2010
Frank OzYoda, theatrical films and Star Wars Rebels2015
Ray ParkDarth Maul2007, 2009–15,
Lorne PetersonChief model maker2010
Bonnie PiesseYoung Beru Lars2007
David ProwseDarth Vader2000, 2008-09
Hugh QuarshieCaptain Panaka2000
Mike QuinnNien Nunb2001, 2004
John RatzenbergerMajor Derlin2014
Tim RoseAdmiral Ackbar2013
Steve SansweetAuthor/Fan Relations2008, 2009
Andy SecombeWatto2004, 2012
Orli ShoshanShaak Ti2006
Tiya SircarSabine Wren2014–15
Catherine TaberPadmé Amidala, Clone Wars2012, 2014
James Arnold TaylorObi-Wan Kenobi, Plo Koon, Clone Wars2009–15
Billy Dee WilliamsLando Calrissian2003, 2010, 2013–14
Ryder WindhamAuthor of Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide2009
Sam WitwerGalen Marek, Darth Maul, Clone Wars2013
Matthew WoodGeneral Grievous, Bib Fortuna, Ody Mandrell,
Seboca, Magaloof;
Prequel Sound Supervising Sound Editor
2005–06, 2009–10

Attractions

Jedi Training Academy

originally was a part of Star Wars Weekend and only took place during it. However, in October 2006 it began appearing as a stand-alone show at Disneyland. In 2008, the Walt Disney World version began operating year-round.

Character appearances

In addition to traditional Disney characters dressed in their Star Wars costumes, a number of Star Wars characters from the films and television series appear for photo opportunities and autograph signing. Characters have included Clone Wars' Captain Rex, Ahsoka Tano, Queen Amidala, Aurra Sing, Boba Fett, Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, C-3PO, Chewbacca, Clonetroopers, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Ewoks, Jango Fett, Jawas, Palpatine, Shaak Ti, Greedo, Stormtroopers, Tusken Raiders, Kit Fisto, Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, Boushh and Zam Wesell. Most appearances are in preset locations in front of themed backdrops but some characters freely roam the parks and pose for photos with guests as well.