Star Wars Weekends

For the 2013 iteration of Star Wars Weekends, an "opening crawl" was presented by Disney.

The inaugural Star Wars Weekends was a five-week event at the Disney-MGM Studios theme park (as it was then known), commencing on February 21st, 1997 — coinciding with the debut of the Special Edition version of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. The initial event's special guests included Kenny Baker, Jeremy Bulloch, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and David Prowse. The event was revived in 2000 and 2001, and then again in 2003, after which it became an annual tradition.

The Weekends persisted even after Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm in 2012, but on November 9th, 2015, the company declared that the event would cease due to the increasing Star Wars presence within the park and the impending Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge expansion.

• 1997: February 21-23, February 28-March 2, March 7-9, March 14-16, March 21-23 [3]
• 2000: May 5-7, May 12-14, May 19-21, May 26-28 [6]
• 2001: May 4-6, May 11-13, May 18-20, May 25-27 [6]
• 2003: May 16-18, May 23-25, May 30-June 1, June 6-8, June 13-15 [6]
• 2004: May 14-16, May 21-23, May 28-30, June 4-6, June 11-13 [6]
• 2005: May 20-22, May 27-29, June 3-4, June 10-12, June 17-19, June 24-26 [6]
• 2006: May 19-21, May 26-28, June 2-4, June 9-11 [6]
• 2007: June 1-3, June 8-10, June 15-17, June 22-24 [6]
• 2008: June 6-8, June 13-15, June 20-22, June 27-29 [6]
• 2009: May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7, June 12-14 [7]
• 2010: May 21-23, May 28-30, June 4-6, June 11-13 [8]
• 2011: May 20-22, May 27-29, June 3-5, June 10-12 [9]
• 2012: May 18-20, May 25-27, June 1-3, June 8-10 [9]
• 2013: May 17-19, May 24-26, May 31-June 2, June 7-9 [9]
• 2014: May 16-18, May 23-25, May 30-June 1, June 6-8 [9]
• 2015: May 15-17, May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7, June 12-14 [9]

The specific events that comprised Star Wars Weekends shifted from one year to the next. While there were many recurring events, they often featured slight alterations and varying titles. In addition to the events listed below, smaller events and diverse activities occurred throughout the Weekends.

• Legends of the Force: A Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade — This parade showcased a multitude of Star Wars characters alongside the celebrity guests of the day. The motorcade proceeded along Hollywood Boulevard within the park, culminating at the event stage where the host extended a welcome to the celebrities. Frequently, these parades incorporated the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion fan groups, who marched in costume. [9]
• Character appearances — Beyond the familiar Disney characters in their Star Wars attire (the " Jedi Mickey " persona originated at the event), a selection of Star Wars characters hailing from the movies and television shows were present for photo opportunities and autograph sessions. The characters included Clone 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 (frequently seen with a backpack containing a disassembled C-3PO), Clone troopers, 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. While the majority of characters were stationed in particular spots with themed backdrops, some freely roamed the parks and posed for photographs with attendees. [10]
• Jedi Training Academy — Drawing inspiration from the teachings and practices of the Jedi Knights featured in the Star Wars films, this experience heavily emphasized audience participation, with a particular focus on children. Each participant received a training lightsaber and Jedi robes, and was instructed in a series of sword-fighting maneuvers. [11] Initially, it was exclusively a component of Star Wars Weekends, [12] but starting in October 2006, it began its run as a permanent, standalone show at Disneyland [13] and in 2007 at Walt Disney World. [14] Following the conclusion of the Weekends in 2015, a newly revamped experience was introduced as Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. [15]
• Padawan Mind Challenge — This Star Wars-themed trivia competition was designed for children aged 11 and under. It was first presented at the 2001 Weekends and continued until the final ones in 2015. A companion trivia contest aimed at those aged 12 and above, called Tatooine Trivia Trials, was only featured in 2001. [16] [9]
• Symphony in the Stars — This show, which premiered at the 2014 Weekends (building upon earlier iterations initially showcased at the Last Tour to Endor event in 2010 and other special occasions [17]), featured Star Wars characters presenting a grand fireworks display set to John Williams' original music, accompanied by voices and sound effects extracted from the Star Wars saga. [9] After the final Weekends in 2015, the show began a regular engagement at Disney's Hollywood Studios that December under the title Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular. It was eventually superseded in June 2016 by the updated Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. [18]
• Hyperspace Hoopla — Also internally referred to as Snig and Oopla's Hyperspace Hoopla, this live stage performance debuted at the 2001 event, taking the place of 2000's Cantina Street Party. It was a comedic, "over-the-top" show hosted by galactic entertainers Snig and Oopla, featuring music and costumed Star Wars characters engaging in dance. It incorporated a "Dance-Off with the Star Wars Stars" segment, where characters competed in groups against one another in a dance competition. [9] A rendition of this show was included in the " Last Tour to Endor " event, which formed part of 2010's Star Wars Celebration V. [19] In 2013, Emperor Palpatine "hijacked" the show, renaming it "Emperor Palpatine's Hyperspace Hoopla," which culminated in a massive dance-off. [20] The show was "retired" following 2013 [21] and replaced by the DJ Lobot Dance Party in 2014 and 2015. [9]
• Behind the Force — This live show, complemented by video segments, offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into various Star Wars productions. The theme evolved over the years, initially concentrating on the original films and the then-in-production prequels. [6] Jay Laga'aia and Warwick Davis were among the hosts of this earlier version. From 2009 to 2015, the shows shifted their focus to Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, with Ashley Eckstein serving as the host. [9]
• Stars of the Saga - Star Wars Celebrity Talk Show — Presented on stage by the Weekends' celebrity host, this talk-show-style event featured interviews with diverse celebrity guests, as well as question-and-answer sessions with the audience. [22] [9]
• Obi-Wan and Beyond — This live, 30-minute talk show, hosted by James Arnold Taylor at the Theater for the Stars, was introduced as part of the 2011 Weekends. Taylor showcased nearly 150 voices that he provides for well-known Hollywood stars who are unavailable for projects, as well as characters for television programs, animated movies, and video games. [9]
• Visit to the Maul — This martial arts demonstration was performed by Ray Park, the actor who portrayed Darth Maul. He also trained children with lightsabers and discussed his experiences as Maul. It was a part of the Weekends from 2012 to 2015. [9]
• Carbon Freeze Me — This interactive attraction, housed at ABC Sound Studio in 2012, allowed guests to have their faces scanned and replicated in a prism of carbonite, which was then available for purchase. [23]

Each weekend provided autograph opportunities with Star Wars actors, voice actors, crew members, and authors, with some participating in other events as well. Beginning in 2006, the events featured a celebrity host or co-hosts, with Warwick Davis being the first. Other hosts included Jay Laga'aia, Jeremy Bulloch, Ashley Eckstein, and James Arnold Taylor. Eckstein and Taylor held the role most frequently, but both also hosted particular shows and events across the years.

Exclusive Star Wars merchandise was offered each year at Star Wars Weekends, encompassing clothing, collectible pins, posters, Star Tours action figure sets, and other toys. Besides the park's established retail locations, such as Tatooine Traders, the events showcased temporary stores with Star Wars-themed puns for names, including Jabba's Hutt, Wicket's Warehouse, Boba's Bounty, Dark Side Depot, Watto's Grotto, and Darth's Mall. Book signings with various authors were occasionally conducted at some of these locales. Star Wars-inspired food items were also available throughout the park's various food stands and restaurants.

• Star Wars Weekends Archives on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
• " Star News " — Star Wars Insider 50
• " Star News " — Star Wars Insider 56
• " Star News " — Star Wars Insider 70
• Star Wars Weekends official website on Disney.go.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
• My Photo Album from Disney's Star Wars Weekends 2013 by Ashley Eckstein on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Return of the Jedi: Mark Hamill at Star Wars Weekends on StarWars.com (backup link)
• 9 Awesome Things to Do at Star Wars Weekends on StarWars.com (backup link)

• Star Wars Weekends on Wikipedia
• "Star Wars Weekends" Photos on WDWMagic.com (archived from the original on June 15, 2021)
• Star Wars Weekends on the Disney Wiki