For four back-to-back weekends every May and June, Walt Disney World celebrates the work of George Lucas with its annual Star Wars Weekends. The events, which feature celebrity guests and special activities related to the Star Wars stories, characters, and imagined worlds, take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS). The events are open to all guests enjoying a Walt Disney World vacation, and free with theme-park admission.
Star Wars Weekends combines the regular attractions of the Disney theme park with special events associated with a Star Wars convention. During the four weekends, fans and Disney guests can meet celebrity guests from the Star Wars films and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the animated television series who will sign autographs and participate in meet and greet sessions. DHS is also overrun with costumed characters, challenges, and special entertainment all related to universe created by George Lucas.
DHS is an especially appropriate venue for the fan gathering, and not only because it’s the home for Disney’s tributes to the silver screen. DHS also contains Disney’s Star Tours simulator attraction – loosely developed from Return of the Jedi – that takes a Starspeeder trip to the moon of Endor. Nearby is the popular Jedi Training Academy, a live show that gives kids lightsaber lessons to battle the nefarious Darth Vader.
Characters, Events, and Activities at Disney’s Star Wars Weekends
The weekends offer a range of Star Wars-themed encounters for fans of all ages. Although celebrity appearances differ from year to year, as do the focus of some events, Disney guests may expect the following types of activities during each weekend.
Celebrity Autograph Sessions: In 2009, autograph sessions began using Disney’s FastPass system, allowing guests to receive a designated time to return to the celebrity autograph location.
Insider Events: Each Star Wars weekend hold a number of behind-the-scene shows, demonstrations, presentations, and Q & A sessions. These events provide insights about the making of the movies or television shows. These events may involve presentations about an actor’s professional life, the production process (e.g. special effects, sound design) stunt work, and personal insights into the creative process.
Character Encounters: During Stars Wars Weekends Disney favorite characters dress in special costumes, appearing as Jedi Mickey, Vadar Goofy, and Leia Minnie. Fans can also get autographs from their favorite heroes, villains, and sidekicks from the Lucas universe – including Luke, Leia, R2D2, Chewbacca, Queen Amidala, Darths Vader and Maul, Boba and Jango Fett, Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex, and seas of Stormtroopers. (Note: these are characters, not the actors who portrayed them in the films.)
Children’s Activities: In addition to the Jedi Training Academy, now a regular feature at DHS, young Star Wars fans may test their knowledge with a trivia challenge (ages 11 and younger). Face painting opportunities allow "younglings" to look like their favorite movie or Clone Wars character.
Entertainment: Among the many events, DHS puts on some special Star Wars entertainment. One highlight is the Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade, a parade introducing each weekend’s celebrity guests. The end of the day features the Hyperspace Hoopla, where characters and guests alike help close the park. The Hoopla is not to be missed, if for no other reason than the “Dance-Off with the Star Wars Stars.” This campy showcase highlights athletic and rhythmic capabilities as they dance to popular songs.
Shopping Opportunities for Collectibles & Merchandise: Special edition or limited edition merchandise – pins, hat, coins, figurines, clothing – are available for souvenirs or to complete a collection.
Tips for Enjoying Star Wars Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The best tips for visiting DHS during Star Wars Weekends are similar to those for visiting Disney World at a moderately busy time of year:
- Arrive early, about 60 – 90 minutes before opening generally and 120 minutes early or more if celebrity autograph sessions are a priority (some die-hard Star Wars guests arrive at 5 a.m. or camp out overnight for autographs);
- Use FastPass when possible, for both special events and DHS attractions;
- Plan for busy crowds and special-event lines;
- Be familiar with the park’s layout; and
- Use Disney's Advance Dining Reservations for lunch and dinner.
These more specific suggestions should be tailored to match ares of interest in the Star Wars Weekends, whether autographs, character meets, insider events, special activities, or merchandise:
- Prioritize the events in order of importance, as it may not be possible to do all things;
- Confirm the daily schedule for last-minute changes to celebrities, events, and venues;
- Take advantage of the FastPass system for autographs, which is the only way to get them;
- Show up early or sign up first thing in the morning, if registration is being used, for special events – such as the parade, Jedi Training Academy, and trivia challenge – as space is limited and there will be crowds;
- Buy collectible or limited-edition merchandise at the start of the weekend; and
- Participate in the fun by dressing up or wearing face make-up, chasing autographs, and attending the end-of-the-day Hoopla.
The crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during this time of year are as concentrated on the Star Wars Weekends events as regular theme-park attractions. With a little advance planning to manage the Star Wars events, guests can enjoy both a Walt Disney World vacation and the Lucas universe during the same trip.
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Debra Peterson - A freelance writer and scholar, Debra Peterson specializes in Disney Studies, with particular interests in Walt Disney World and ...
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