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 (Mickey Mouse stylized astromech droid). 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 (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. 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.

Appearances

Guest Role YearAmy AllenAayla Secura2004–08 2015Kenny BakerR2-D22000–01, 2007Ahmed BestJar Jar Binks2014Don BiesR2-D2 Operator2005Jerome BlakeMas Amedda, Rune Haako2004–05Steven BlumZeb Orrelios2014–15Dee Bradley BakerCaptain Rex, Commander Cody and all other clone troopers Star Wars: The Clone Wars2010–14Phil BrownOwen Lars2001Michonne BourriagueAurra Sing2003, 2012Jeremy BullochBoba Fett2000–01, 2003–04, 2006–15Silas CarsonNute Gunray, Ki-Adi-Mundi2012, 2015Rob ColemanAnimation Supervisor2005Doug ChiangDesign Director2001Jim CummingsHondo Ohnaka2013Anthony DanielsC-3PO2003, 2004, 2007, 2011Warwick DavisWicket W. Warrick the Ewok, Wald1997, 2000–01, 2003–10, 2013–15Troy DenningAuthor of Star Wars expanded universe novels2008Ashley EcksteinAhsoka Tano2009–15Dave FiloniClone Wars Director2008–12Carrie FisherPrincess Leia Organa2000–01Warren FuConcept Artist2005Nika FuttermanAsajj Ventress, Clone Wars2012Brian GernandModel Supervisor2005John GoodsonConcept Model Maker2005Mark HamillLuke Skywalker2014Tom KaneYoda, Star Wars: The Clone Wars2010–13Jay Laga'aiaCaptain Typho2006, 2009Matt LanterAnakin Skywalker, Clone Wars2009, 2011, 2014Jake LloydYoung Anakin Skywalker2000, 2004–2005, 2008, 2012Daniel LoganYoung Boba Fett2004–05, 2007–08, 2010–12, 2015George LucasCreator of Star Wars2011; Appeared for the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue opening ceremonyVanessa MarshallHera Syndulla2014–15Peter MayhewChewbacca2001 2004–09, 2010–11, 2013–15 Iain McCaigIllustrator and conceptual drawer2000 Ian McDiarmid Palpatine / Darth Sidious 2015Rick McCallumPrequel trilogy producer2006Temuera MorrisonJango Fett2003, 2006, 2010Frank OzYoda, theatrical films and Star Wars Rebels2015Ray ParkDarth Maul2007, 2009–15, Lorne PetersonChief model maker2010Bonnie PiesseYoung Beru Lars2007David ProwseDarth Vader2000, 2008-09Hugh QuarshieCaptain Panaka2000Mike QuinnNien Nunb2001, 2004John RatzenbergerMajor Derlin2014Tim RoseAdmiral Ackbar2013Steve SansweetAuthor/Fan Relations2008, 2009Andy SecombeWatto2004, 2012Orli ShoshanShaak Ti2006Tiya SircarSabine Wren2014–15Catherine TaberPadmé Amidala, Clone Wars2012, 2014James Arnold TaylorObi-Wan Kenobi, Plo Koon, Clone Wars2009–15Billy Dee WilliamsLando Calrissian2003, 2010, 2013–14Ryder WindhamAuthor of Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide 2009Sam WitwerGalen Marek, Darth Maul, Clone Wars2013Matthew WoodGeneral Grievous, Bib Fortuna, Ody Mandrell, Seboca, Magaloof; Prequel Sound Supervising Sound Editor2005–06, 2009–10

Attractions

Jedi Training Academy

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 (often has a sack containing a busted C-3PO), 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.

See also Star Wars Celebration Star Tours Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

References

External links