Star Wars Weekends

{{Short description|Former annual event held in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort}}

{{Infobox recurring event

|name = Star Wars Weekends

|logo = Star Wars Weekends logo.png

|image =

|caption =

|status = Defunct

|years_active = 1997, 2000–2001, 2003–2015{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Thomas|title=Disney's Hollywood Studios to Debut New Star Wars Experiences in December|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/11/disneys-hollywood-studios-to-debut-new-star-wars-experiences-in-december/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109195658/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/11/disneys-hollywood-studios-to-debut-new-star-wars-experiences-in-december/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2015|website=disneyparks.disney.go.com|publisher=Disney Parks|access-date=9 November 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Pedicini|first1=Sandra|last2=Santana|first2=Marco|title=Star Wars Weekends ending at Disney's Hollywood Studios|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-star-wars-weekends-20151109-story.html|website=orlandosentinel.com|publisher=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=9 November 2015}}

|founded = 1997

|dates = May to June

|genre = Science fiction

|website = {{official website|http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios/special-events/star-wars-weekend/}}

}}

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.{{cite web|title=Be the "First Among the Last" to Experience Star Tours at Celebration V|url=https://www.starwars.com/fans/event_news/last_tour_to_endor_update/index.html|website=Star Wars Official Website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725075859/http://www.starwars.com/fans/event_news/last_tour_to_endor_update/index.html|archive-date=25 July 2010}} 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.{{cite web|last=Lussier|first=Germain|title=Star Wars Bits: Disney's Carbon-Freeze Walkthrough, Updates On Live Action TV Series, Boba Fett Movie and More|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-bits-disneys-carbonfreeze-walkthrough-updates-live-action-tv-series-boba-fett-movie/|publisher=/Film|access-date=23 May 2012}}{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Steven|title=Cast Yourself in Carbonite with the Carbon-Freeze Me Experience During Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/05/cast-yourself-in-carbonite-with-the-carbon-freeze-me-experience-during-star-wars-weekends-2012-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/|publisher=Disney Parks Blog|access-date=23 May 2012|archive-date=20 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520013711/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/05/cast-yourself-in-carbonite-with-the-carbon-freeze-me-experience-during-star-wars-weekends-2012-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/|url-status=dead}}

Image:disneymgmstudios.jpg parade near the Sorcerer's Hat during Star Wars Weekends.]]

Image:Disney Weekend-Star Wars-YMCA.jpg, 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 and a Jawa compete in the contest with Bee Gees'-styled disco moves during Star Wars Weekends.]]

Image:Warwick Davis & Anthony Daniels 2.jpg

Appearances

class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto; margin:auto;"
Guest ! Role ! Year
Amy Allen \|Aayla Secura \|2004–08{{cite web\|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Disneys-Star-Wars-Weekends/105058056197470?v=info\|title=Disney's Star Wars Weekends\|access-date=2011-03-15}} 2015{{cite web\|url=http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2015/4/3/disney_s_star_wars_w.html\|title=Disney's Star Wars Weekends 2015\|access-date=2015-04-05}}
Kenny Baker \|R2-D2 \|2000–01, 2007{{cite web\|url=http://allears.net/tp/mgm/m_starwars.htm\|title=Star Wars Weekends -- Disney's Hollywood Studios\|work=allears.net}}
Ahmed Best \|Jar Jar Binks \|2014
Don Bies \|R2-D2 Operator \|2005
Jerome Blake \|Mas Amedda, Rune Haako \|2004–05
Steven Blum \|Zeb Orrelios \|2014–15
Dee Bradley Baker \|Captain Rex, Commander Cody and all other clone troopers Star Wars: The Clone Wars \|2010–14{{cite web\|url=http://starwars.com/fans/events/sw_weekends2011guests/index.html\|title=Star Wars Fans, Fan Sites, and Blogs - StarWars.com\|work=StarWars.com}}
Phil Brown \|Owen Lars \|2001
Michonne Bourriague \|Aurra Sing \|2003, 2012{{cite web\|url=http://www.starwarsweekends.net/2003/sww2003.htm\|title=Star Wars Weekend 2003 Main Page\|access-date=2011-03-15}}
Jeremy Bulloch \|Boba Fett \|2000–01, 2003–04, 2006–15
Silas Carson \|Nute Gunray, Ki-Adi-Mundi \|2012, 2015
Rob Coleman \|Animation Supervisor \|2005
Doug Chiang \|Design Director \|2001
Jim Cummings \|Hondo Ohnaka \|2013
Anthony Daniels \|C-3PO \|2003, 2004, 2007, 2011{{cite web\|last=Smith\|first=Thomas\|title=Feel the Force at Star Wars Weekends 2011!\|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/02/feel-the-force-at-star-wars-weekends-2011/\|publisher=Disney Parks Blog\|access-date=4 May 2012\|archive-date=17 May 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517104616/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/02/feel-the-force-at-star-wars-weekends-2011/\|url-status=dead}}
Warwick Davis \|Wicket W. Warrick the Ewok, Wald \|1997, 2000–01,{{cite web\|url=http://www.starwarsweekends.net/2001/sww2001.htm\|title=Star Wars Weekend 2001 Main Page\|access-date=2009-07-03}} 2003–10, 2013–15
Troy Denning \|Author of Star Wars expanded universe novels \|2008
Ashley Eckstein \|Ahsoka Tano \|2009–15
Dave Filoni \|Clone Wars Director \|2008–12
Carrie Fisher \|Princess Leia Organa \|2000–01
Warren Fu \|Concept Artist \|2005
Nika Futterman \|Asajj Ventress, Clone Wars \|2012
Brian Gernand \|Model Supervisor \|2005
John Goodson \|Concept Model Maker \|2005
Mark Hamill \|Luke Skywalker \|2014{{cite web\|last=Buchanan\|first=Gary\|title=Mark Hamill, aka Luke Skywalker, to Make Historic First Appearance at Star Wars Weekends\|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/03/mark-hamill-aka-luke-skywalker-to-make-historic-first-appearance-at-star-wars-weekends/\|work=The Disney Parks Blog\|publisher=The Walt Disney Company\|access-date=21 March 2014\|archive-date=22 March 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322174953/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/03/mark-hamill-aka-luke-skywalker-to-make-historic-first-appearance-at-star-wars-weekends/\|url-status=dead}}
Tom Kane \|Yoda, Star Wars: The Clone Wars \|2010–13
Jay Laga'aia \|Captain Typho \|2006, 2009
Matt Lanter \|Anakin Skywalker, Clone Wars \|2009, 2011, 2014
Jake Lloyd \|Young Anakin Skywalker \|2000, 2004–2005, 2008, 2012
Daniel Logan \|Young Boba Fett \|2004–05, 2007–08, 2010–12, 2015
George Lucas \|Creator of Star Wars \|2011;{{cite web\|url=http://www.startours2live.com/news/2011/04/29/george-lucas-attend-star-tours-2-opening \|title=startours2live.com \|publisher=startours2live.com \|access-date=2016-12-22}}[http://www.cfnews13.com/article/entertainment/2011/may/245604/Sources:-George-Lucas-to-make-surprise-appearance-at-Star-Tours-relaunch] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523065411/http://www.cfnews13.com/article/entertainment/2011/may/245604/Sources%3A-George-Lucas-to-make-surprise-appearance-at-Star-Tours-relaunch\|date=2011-05-23}} Appeared for the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue opening ceremony
Vanessa Marshall \|Hera Syndulla \|2014–15
Peter Mayhew \|Chewbacca \|2001 2004–09, 2010–11, 2013–15
Iain McCaig \|Illustrator and conceptual drawer \|2000
Ian McDiarmid \| Palpatine / Darth Sidious \| 2015
Rick McCallum \|Prequel trilogy producer \|2006
Temuera Morrison \|Jango Fett \|2003, 2006, 2010
Frank Oz \|Yoda, theatrical films and Star Wars Rebels \|2015{{cite news\|last1=Bevil\|first1=Dewayne\|title=Disney: Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid to make Star Wars Weekends debuts\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-disney-frank-oz-ian-mcdiarmid-star-wars-20150403-post.html#page=1\|access-date=April 4, 2015\|work=Orlando Sentinel\|date=April 3, 2015}}
Ray Park \|Darth Maul \|2007, 2009–15,
Lorne Peterson \|Chief model maker \|2010
Bonnie Piesse \|Young Beru Lars \|2007
David Prowse \|Darth Vader \|2000, 2008-09
Hugh Quarshie \|Captain Panaka \|2000
Mike Quinn \|Nien Nunb \|2001, 2004
John Ratzenberger \|Major Derlin \|2014
Tim Rose \|Admiral Ackbar \|2013
Steve Sansweet \|Author/Fan Relations \|2008, 2009
Andy Secombe \|Watto \|2004, 2012
Orli Shoshan \|Shaak Ti \|2006
Tiya Sircar \|Sabine Wren \|2014–15
Catherine Taber \|Padmé Amidala, Clone Wars \|2012, 2014
James Arnold Taylor \|Obi-Wan Kenobi, Plo Koon, Clone Wars \|2009–15
Billy Dee Williams \|Lando Calrissian \|2003, 2010, 2013–14{{cite web\|last=Buchanan\|first=Gary\|title=Billy Dee Williams, aka Lando Calrissian, Set to Appear at Star Wars Weekends 2013 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios\|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/04/billy-dee-williams-aka-lando-calrissian-set-to-appear-at-star-wars-weekends-2013-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/\|publisher=Disney Parks Blog\|access-date=6 April 2013\|archive-date=7 April 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407050316/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/04/billy-dee-williams-aka-lando-calrissian-set-to-appear-at-star-wars-weekends-2013-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/\|url-status=dead}}
Ryder Windham \|Author of Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide \| 2009
Sam Witwer \|Galen Marek, Darth Maul, Clone Wars \|2013
Matthew Wood \|General Grievous, Bib Fortuna, Ody Mandrell, Seboca, Magaloof; Prequel Sound Supervising Sound Editor \|2005–06, 2009–10

class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto; margin:auto;"

Guest

! Role

! Year

Amy Allen

|Aayla Secura

|2004–08{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Disneys-Star-Wars-Weekends/105058056197470?v=info|title=Disney's Star Wars Weekends|access-date=2011-03-15}} 2015{{cite web|url=http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2015/4/3/disney_s_star_wars_w.html|title=Disney's Star Wars Weekends 2015|access-date=2015-04-05}}

Kenny Baker

|R2-D2

|2000–01, 2007{{cite web|url=http://allears.net/tp/mgm/m_starwars.htm|title=Star Wars Weekends -- Disney's Hollywood Studios|work=allears.net}}

Ahmed Best

|Jar Jar Binks

|2014

Don Bies

|R2-D2 Operator

|2005

Jerome Blake

|Mas Amedda, Rune Haako

|2004–05

Steven Blum

|Zeb Orrelios

|2014–15

Dee Bradley Baker

|Captain Rex, Commander Cody and all other clone troopers Star Wars: The Clone Wars

|2010–14{{cite web|url=http://starwars.com/fans/events/sw_weekends2011guests/index.html|title=Star Wars Fans, Fan Sites, and Blogs - StarWars.com|work=StarWars.com}}

Phil Brown

|Owen Lars

|2001

Michonne Bourriague

|Aurra Sing

|2003, 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.starwarsweekends.net/2003/sww2003.htm|title=Star Wars Weekend 2003 Main Page|access-date=2011-03-15}}

Jeremy Bulloch

|Boba Fett

|2000–01, 2003–04, 2006–15

Silas Carson

|Nute Gunray, Ki-Adi-Mundi

|2012, 2015

Rob Coleman

|Animation Supervisor

|2005

Doug Chiang

|Design Director

|2001

Jim Cummings

|Hondo Ohnaka

|2013

Anthony Daniels

|C-3PO

|2003, 2004, 2007, 2011{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Thomas|title=Feel the Force at Star Wars Weekends 2011!|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/02/feel-the-force-at-star-wars-weekends-2011/|publisher=Disney Parks Blog|access-date=4 May 2012|archive-date=17 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517104616/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/02/feel-the-force-at-star-wars-weekends-2011/|url-status=dead}}

Warwick Davis

|Wicket W. Warrick the Ewok, Wald

|1997, 2000–01,{{cite web|url=http://www.starwarsweekends.net/2001/sww2001.htm|title=Star Wars Weekend 2001 Main Page|access-date=2009-07-03}} 2003–10, 2013–15

Troy Denning

|Author of Star Wars expanded universe novels

|2008

Ashley Eckstein

|Ahsoka Tano

|2009–15

Dave Filoni

|Clone Wars Director

|2008–12

Carrie Fisher

|Princess Leia Organa

|2000–01

Warren Fu

|Concept Artist

|2005

Nika Futterman

|Asajj Ventress, Clone Wars

|2012

Brian Gernand

|Model Supervisor

|2005

John Goodson

|Concept Model Maker

|2005

Mark Hamill

|Luke Skywalker

|2014{{cite web|last=Buchanan|first=Gary|title=Mark Hamill, aka Luke Skywalker, to Make Historic First Appearance at Star Wars Weekends|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/03/mark-hamill-aka-luke-skywalker-to-make-historic-first-appearance-at-star-wars-weekends/|work=The Disney Parks Blog|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|access-date=21 March 2014|archive-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322174953/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/03/mark-hamill-aka-luke-skywalker-to-make-historic-first-appearance-at-star-wars-weekends/|url-status=dead}}

Tom Kane

|Yoda, Star Wars: The Clone Wars

|2010–13

Jay Laga'aia

|Captain Typho

|2006, 2009

Matt Lanter

|Anakin Skywalker, Clone Wars

|2009, 2011, 2014

Jake Lloyd

|Young Anakin Skywalker

|2000, 2004–2005, 2008, 2012

Daniel Logan

|Young Boba Fett

|2004–05, 2007–08, 2010–12, 2015

George Lucas

|Creator of Star Wars

|2011;{{cite web|url=http://www.startours2live.com/news/2011/04/29/george-lucas-attend-star-tours-2-opening |title=startours2live.com |publisher=startours2live.com |access-date=2016-12-22}}[http://www.cfnews13.com/article/entertainment/2011/may/245604/Sources:-George-Lucas-to-make-surprise-appearance-at-Star-Tours-relaunch] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523065411/http://www.cfnews13.com/article/entertainment/2011/may/245604/Sources%3A-George-Lucas-to-make-surprise-appearance-at-Star-Tours-relaunch|date=2011-05-23}} Appeared for the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue opening ceremony

Vanessa Marshall

|Hera Syndulla

|2014–15

Peter Mayhew

|Chewbacca

|2001 2004–09, 2010–11, 2013–15

Iain McCaig

|Illustrator and conceptual drawer

|2000

Ian McDiarmid

| Palpatine / Darth Sidious

| 2015

Rick McCallum

|Prequel trilogy producer

|2006

Temuera Morrison

|Jango Fett

|2003, 2006, 2010

Frank Oz

|Yoda, theatrical films and Star Wars Rebels

|2015{{cite news|last1=Bevil|first1=Dewayne|title=Disney: Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid to make Star Wars Weekends debuts|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-disney-frank-oz-ian-mcdiarmid-star-wars-20150403-post.html#page=1|access-date=April 4, 2015|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 3, 2015}}

Ray Park

|Darth Maul

|2007, 2009–15,

Lorne Peterson

|Chief model maker

|2010

Bonnie Piesse

|Young Beru Lars

|2007

|2000, 2008-09

|2000

|2001, 2004

|2014

|2013

|Author/Fan Relations

|2008, 2009

Andy Secombe

|Watto

|2004, 2012

Orli Shoshan

|Shaak Ti

|2006

Tiya Sircar

|Sabine Wren

|2014–15

Catherine Taber

|Padmé Amidala, Clone Wars

|2012, 2014

James Arnold Taylor

|Obi-Wan Kenobi, Plo Koon, Clone Wars

|2009–15

Billy Dee Williams

|Lando Calrissian

|2003, 2010, 2013–14{{cite web|last=Buchanan|first=Gary|title=Billy Dee Williams, aka Lando Calrissian, Set to Appear at Star Wars Weekends 2013 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/04/billy-dee-williams-aka-lando-calrissian-set-to-appear-at-star-wars-weekends-2013-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/|publisher=Disney Parks Blog|access-date=6 April 2013|archive-date=7 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407050316/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/04/billy-dee-williams-aka-lando-calrissian-set-to-appear-at-star-wars-weekends-2013-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/|url-status=dead}}

Ryder Windham

|Author of Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide

| 2009

Sam Witwer

|Galen Marek, Darth Maul, Clone Wars

|2013

Matthew Wood

|General Grievous, Bib Fortuna, Ody Mandrell,
Seboca, Magaloof;
Prequel Sound Supervising Sound Editor

|2005–06, 2009–10

Attractions

=Jedi Training Academy=

Jedi Training Academy originally was a part of Star Wars Weekend and only took place during it.{{cite web|title=Jedi Training Trials of the Temple -- Disney's Hollywood Studios|url=http://allears.net/tp/mgm/jedi_mgm.htm|website=allears.net|access-date=4 January 2016}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/content/scheduled-guests|title=Star Wars Weekends Scheduled Guests|publisher=Studios Central|access-date=2009-06-15}}