Do you know about Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? It begins May 21 and runs for 4 consecutive weekends ending June 13th. This event brings fans of all ages together as they come face to face with their favorite Star Wars characters. If you are anything like my husband and son, you’ll want to be there very, very early – between 5:30-6:00am, before the park opens to stand in line for Fast Passes to meet the celebrities.
The Star Wars Weekend event fills Disney’s Hollywood Studios with more than 50 Star Wars characters from the entire saga, including the evil Sith Darth Vader and Darth Maul, Greedo, Queen Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, R2-D2, the loveable Wookiee Chewbacca, Twi’leks, Rodians and every hero, heroine, droid and villain in between. Jedi Mickey Mouse has even been known to make an appearance. While in line for the Star Tours attraction one year, I was startled to find Darth Vader standing behind me in line! My family thought it was funny, but I have to say, there’s something about being face to face with Darth Vader! Yikes!
This year celebrity hosts will be Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett from Empire and Return of the Jedi) and Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka) from The Clone Wars. The celebrity line up for 2010 is as follows:
- May 21-23 – Temuera Morrison, Daniel Logan, and Dee Bradley Baker
Morrison played Jango Fett as well as the clone troopers in the live action movies, while Daniel Logan played Boba Fett and all the clone cadets in Episode II. Baker is the voice of all the clone troopers in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, including the ever popular Captain Rex. - May 28-30 – Matthew Wood, Lorne Peterson and Tom Kane
In addition to providing the rasping voice of General Grievous and his chatty battle droids, Matthew Wood is also a sound editor on the Star Wars prequels and The Clone Wars. Lorne Peterson is a veteran ILM model-maker who worked behind-the-scenes on all six Star Wars movies. Tom Kane is the voice of Yoda in The Clone Wars, and also the narrator who begins each show with a rousing introduction. - June 4-6 – Billy Dee Williams, Ray Park, and Dave Filoni
Williams is of course famous for his role as Lando Calrissian, administrator of Cloud City and Rebel hero. Ray Park is the energetic, acrobatic villain Darth Maul from Episode I, and Dave Filoni is the supervising director of The Clone Wars. - June 11-13 – Ray Park, Peter Mayhew and James Arnold Taylor
Ray Park returns for a second weekend, and he is joined by Peter Mayhew, the gentle giant behind the walking carpet – Chewbacca the Wookiee. James Arnold Taylor provides the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Clone Wars, as well as Plo Koon.
Star Wars Weekends features a variety of activities such as: “Star Wars Trivia,” with prize giveaways; “Star Wars: Jedi Training Academy,” allowing kids under 12 to hone their light saber skills and prepare to do battle with Darth Vader himself; and a motorcade featuring favorite Star Wars celebrities.
Star Wars celebrities are on hand each weekend for photos, Q&A, autograph sessions and Hollywood-style motorcades.
These Star Wars Festivities are included with regular theme park admission.