Star Wars Weekends Explained

Star Wars Weekends
Status:Defunct
Years Active:1997, 2000–2001, 2003–2015[1] [2]
Founded:1997
Dates:May to June

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 and the larger daily presence Star Wars will have in the park onwards.

Events

Appearances

GuestRoleYear
Amy AllenAayla Secura2004–08[6] 2015[7]
Kenny BakerR2-D22000–01, 2007[8]
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[9]
Phil BrownOwen Lars2001
Michonne BourriagueAurra Sing2003, 2012[10]
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[11]
Warwick DavisWicket W. Warrick the Ewok, Wald1997, 2000–01,[12] 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[13]
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;[14] [15] Appeared for the 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[16]
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[17]
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

See main article: Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. Jedi Training Academy originally was a part of Star Wars Weekend and only took place during it.[18] 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.[19]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Smith. Thomas. Disney's Hollywood Studios to Debut New Star Wars Experiences in December. disneyparks.disney.go.com. Disney Parks. 9 November 2015.
  2. Web site: Pedicini. Sandra. Santana. Marco. Star Wars Weekends ending at Disney's Hollywood Studios. orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. 9 November 2015.
  3. Web site: Be the "First Among the Last" to Experience Star Tours at Celebration V. Star Wars Official Website. https://web.archive.org/web/20100725075859/http://www.starwars.com/fans/event_news/last_tour_to_endor_update/index.html. 25 July 2010.
  4. Web site: Lussier. Germain. Star Wars Bits: Disney's Carbon-Freeze Walkthrough, Updates On Live Action TV Series, Boba Fett Movie and More. /Film. 23 May 2012.
  5. Web site: Miller. Steven. Cast Yourself in Carbonite with the Carbon-Freeze Me Experience During Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney Parks Blog. 23 May 2012.
  6. Web site: Disney's Star Wars Weekends. 2011-03-15.
  7. Web site: Disney's Star Wars Weekends 2015. 2015-04-05.
  8. Web site: Star Wars Weekends -- Disney's Hollywood Studios. allears.net.
  9. Web site: Star Wars Fans, Fan Sites, and Blogs - StarWars.com. StarWars.com.
  10. Web site: Star Wars Weekend 2003 Main Page. 2011-03-15.
  11. Web site: Smith. Thomas. Feel the Force at Star Wars Weekends 2011!. Disney Parks Blog. 4 May 2012.
  12. Web site: Star Wars Weekend 2001 Main Page. 2009-07-03.
  13. Web site: Buchanan. Gary. Mark Hamill, aka Luke Skywalker, to Make Historic First Appearance at Star Wars Weekends. The Disney Parks Blog. The Walt Disney Company. 21 March 2014.
  14. Web site: startours2live.com . startours2live.com . 2016-12-22.
  15. http://www.cfnews13.com/article/entertainment/2011/may/245604/Sources:-George-Lucas-to-make-surprise-appearance-at-Star-Tours-relaunch
  16. News: Bevil. Dewayne. Disney: Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid to make Star Wars Weekends debuts. April 4, 2015. Orlando Sentinel. April 3, 2015.
  17. Web site: Buchanan. Gary. Billy Dee Williams, aka Lando Calrissian, Set to Appear at Star Wars Weekends 2013 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney Parks Blog. 6 April 2013.
  18. Web site: Jedi Training Trials of the Temple -- Disney's Hollywood Studios. allears.net. 4 January 2016.
  19. Web site: Star Wars Weekends Scheduled Guests. Studios Central. 2009-06-15.