''Star Wars'' Weekends was a festival held annually at the
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. It is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company through its Experiences division. Based on a concept by Marty Sklar, Randy Br ...
theme park of the
Walt Disney World Resort
The Walt Disney World Resort is an entertainment resort complex located about southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States. Opened on October 1, 1971, the resort is operated by Disney Experiences, a division of the Walt Disney Company. ...
. 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
''Star Wars'' is an American epic film, epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the Star Wars (film), eponymous 1977 film and Cultural impact of Star Wars, quickly became a worldwide popular culture, pop cu ...
'' franchise created by
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas Jr. (born May 14, 1944) is an American filmmaker and philanthropist. He created the ''Star Wars'' and ''Indiana Jones'' franchises and founded Lucasfilm, LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic and THX. He served as chairman ...
. Many original Disney characters also appeared dressed as ''Star Wars'' characters, such as
Jedi
Jedi (), Jedi Knights, or collectively the Jedi Order are fictional characters, and often protagonists, featured in many works within the '' Star Wars'' franchise. Working symbiotically alongside the Galactic Republic, the Jedi Order is depic ...
Mickey,
Minnie
As a first name, Minnie is a feminine given name. It can be a diminutive (hypocorism) of Minerva, Winifred, Wilhelmina, Willemina, Winona, Margaret, Hermione, Jasmine, Mary, Miriam, Maria, Marie, Naomi, Miranda, Clementine, Dominique, Dom ...
as
Leia,
Donald
Donald is a Scottish masculine given name. It is derived from the Gaelic name ''Dòmhnall''.. This comes from the Proto-Celtic *''Dumno-ualos'' ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -''d'' in ''Donald'' is partly derived from a misinter ...
as a
stormtrooper,
Goofy
Goofy is a cartoon character created by the Walt Disney Company. He is a tall, Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphic dog who typically wears a turtle neck and vest, with pants, shoes, white gloves, and a tall hat originally designed as a rumpled fe ...
as
Darth Vader
Darth Vader () is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He was first introduced in the original film trilogy as the primary antagonist and one of the leaders of the Galactic Empire. He has become one of the most iconic villain ...
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
A rebel is a participant in a rebellion.
Rebel or rebels may also refer to:
People
* Rebel (given name)
* Rebel (surname)
* Patriot (American Revolution), during the American Revolution
* American Southerners, as a form of self-identification; ...
stage. Based on the teachings and practices of the fictional
Jedi Knights from the ''
Star Wars
''Star Wars'' is an American epic film, epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the Star Wars (film), eponymous 1977 film and Cultural impact of Star Wars, quickly became a worldwide popular culture, pop cu ...
'' films, the show depends heavily on
audience participation
An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature (in which they are called "readers"), theatre, music (in which they are called "listeners"), video games (in which they are called "players"), or ...
, focusing on children. Each participant is given a
lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional energy sword featured throughout ''Star Wars''. A typical lightsaber is shown as a luminous laser sword about in length emitted from a metal hilt around in length. First introduced in the original ''Star Wars'' ...
replica and Jedi robes and is taught a routine set of
swordfighting
Swordsmanship or sword fighting refers to the skills and techniques used in combat and training with any type of sword. The term is modern, and as such was mainly used to refer to smallsword fencing, but by extension it can also be applied to a ...
moves.
*''
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular'' — A large-scale fireworks show complemented with
John Williams
John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932)Nylund, Rob (November 15, 2022)Classic Connection review, ''WBOI'' ("For the second time this year, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic honored American composer, conductor, and arranger John Williams, who w ...
'
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
The Sorcerer's Hat was a structure and the thematic icon of Disney's Hollywood Studios, the third of four theme parks built at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, from 2001 to 2015. The structure was inspired by '' The Sorcerer's ...
(since
Star Wars Celebration
''Star Wars'' Celebration is a large fan Convention (meeting), convention held to celebrate the ''Star Wars'' franchise. The event is usually held every one to three years in varying locations around the world, and commonly features a host of ...
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
James Arnold Taylor (born July 22, 1969), also known by his initials JAT, is an American voice and television actor. He is known for voicing Ratchet in the ''Ratchet & Clank'' franchise, the main character Tidus in '' Final Fantasy X'', Shuyin ...
. 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
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
Ahsoka Tano (pronounced ) is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. She was introduced as the 14-year-old List of Star Wars species (P–T)#Togruta, Togruta Jedi Padawan of Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker in the animated film ''Star ...
,
Queen Amidala, Aurra Sing,
Boba Fett,
Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes,
Princess Leia
Princess Leia Organa ( or ) is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Introduced in the Star Wars (film), original ''Star Wars'' film in 1977, Leia is a princess of the planet Alderaan, a member of the Galactic Empire (Star Wars ...
,
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He was introduced in the original film trilogy as the main protagonist and also appears in the sequel trilogy. Raised as a poor moisture farmer on the desert planet Tat ...
,
R2-D2
R2-D2 () or Artoo-Detoo is a fictional robot character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. He has appeared in ten of the eleven theatrical ''Star Wars'' films to date, including every film in the " Skywalker Saga", which inclu ...
,
C-3PO
C-3PO () or See-Threepio is a humanoid robot character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He is a protocol droid (Star Wars), droid designed to assist in etiquette and translation, and is fluent in over six million forms of communication. The chara ...
,
Chewbacca (often has a sack containing a busted C-3PO), Clonetroopers,
Darth Maul
Maul (originally Darth Maul) is a character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. He first appeared in the prequel film '' Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'' (1999). Maul returned in the animated television series ' ...
,
Darth Vader
Darth Vader () is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He was first introduced in the original film trilogy as the primary antagonist and one of the leaders of the Galactic Empire. He has become one of the most iconic villain ...
,
Ewok
The Ewoks (singular: Ewok) are a fictional species of small, furry, mammaloid, bipeds in the ''Star Wars'' universe. They inhabit the forest moon of Endor and live in arboreal huts and other simple dwellings, being seen as primitive in com ...
s,
Jango Fett
Jango Fett is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise, created by George Lucas. He first appeared as the secondary antagonist of the 2002 film '' Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones'', played by Temuera Morrison. The ch ...
,
Jawas,
Palpatine
Sheev Palpatine ( ) is the main antagonist of the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He first appeared in the 1980 film ''The Empire Strikes Back'' as . He is also known by his Sith name, Darth Sidious, which was first used in the novelization of the 199 ...
, Shaak Ti,
Greedo
This incomplete list of characters from the ''Star Wars'' franchise contains only those which are considered part of the official ''Star Wars'' canon, as of the changes made by Lucasfilm in April 2014. Following its acquisition by The Walt D ...
, Stormtroopers, Tusken Raiders,
Kit Fisto
This incomplete list of characters from the ''Star Wars'' franchise contains only those which are considered part of the official ''Star Wars'' canon, as of the changes made by Lucasfilm in April 2014. Following its acquisition by The Walt Di ...
,
Mace Windu
Mace Windu is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He was introduced in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, prequel trilogy as a Jedi Master who sits on the Jedi Council, Jedi High Council during the final years of the Galactic Repub ...
,
Anakin Skywalker
Darth Vader () is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He was first introduced in the Star Wars original trilogy, original film trilogy as the primary Antagonist, antagonist and one of the leaders of the Galactic Empire (Star W ...
,
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
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is an attraction located at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. Set in the ''Star Wars'' universe, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue takes passengers o ...
References
External links
*
{{Star Wars
Recurring events established in 1997
Recurring events disestablished in 2015
Attractions based on Star Wars
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Star Wars fandom
Defunct science fiction conventions in the United States
Former Walt Disney Parks and Resorts attractions
Events at Walt Disney World
1997 establishments in Florida