If anyone in your house, small or large, has ever donned a light saber, said the word "Jedi" or threatened to join The Galactic Empire you need to experience Star Wars Weekends.
Each year "a galaxy far, far away" comes to central Florida for a few themed weekends. These Star Wars Weekends bring fan and fanatics alike from far and wide to celebrate the legacy of Star Wars.
Disney's Hollywood Studios transforms and separates into the Empire and the Rebel Alliance, offering unique experiences for everyone, regardless of which side of the force you are on.
Star Wars Weekends runs for four weeks only: May 17-19, May 24-26, May 31- June 2 and June 7-9 and takes place only inside of Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Regardless of your level of Star Wars fandom there is something for everyone but with so much to see and do it's important to divide and conquer so you don't miss anything. Although there are plenty of celebrity appearances and official autograph signings if you're traveling with small children they probably care more about Storm Troopers than they do about Peter Mayhew (Don't worry Peter, when they are older understand they will!).
Here are a few highlights to put on your radar for your kids guide to the galaxy:
- The Star Wars celebrity motorcade-This happens only once a day each weekend, usually around 12:40. The parade begins near the entrance and the ends at the Sorcerer hat stage with an official celebrity welcome. This parade features the celebrities of Star Wars Episodes old and new, Disney favorites in their Star Wars gear as well an impressive appearance by the 501st Legion ("Vader's Fist").
- Star Wars character appearances-probably the biggest draw for most little one's is the characters of Star Wars as they know them best, in full "costume". Characters well known (Storm Troopers, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Ewoks, etc.) and some not so well known (Auera Sing, Zam Wesell even a Gammorrean Guard) are available for meet and greets around the park. These operate very much like the basic Disney character meet and greets with lines forming at the various locations and the characters working in an approximate 20 minute rotation. The same character may not reappear after the first 20 minutes so be sure to ask a Cast Member which character is next up in the rotation if you're marking them off your list.
- Padawan Mind Challenge-Younglings 11 and under can register to participate in a trivia challenge to become an official Padawan learner. Registration begins at park opening and the official challenge is held at the Star Wars Weekend event stage usually twice a day (an afternoon and evening time slot).
- Jedi Training Academy-This event operates in the park everyday but the popularity increases exponentially during Star Wars Weekends. Younglings ages 4-12 can register to participate in Jedi Training Academy. There are multiple time slots each day and registration is on a first come, first served basis. The willing participant must be present with an adult to register. The selected Younglings will learn to battle the Dark Side from a real Jedi Master and will have the chance to test out their new skills against Darth Vader. If you have seen this during regular park times, the process and event are the same, however because of the capacity during Star Wars Weekends additional space in front of the stage is also utilized. Younglings on the ground level could be fighting Darth Maul while the others on the main stage battle Darth Vader.
- Hyperspace Hooplah-This evening event is by far the highlight of Star Wars Weekends and shouldn't be missed. This happens only once a night at the main event stage at closing (normally around 8pm). Be sure to get a good spot in front of the stage to watch a one of a kind show as the two sides of the force battle it out for the winning place in your heart. This is a very popular show and will get extremely crowded so be prepared to get squished and keep your family close. This is the heart and soul of Star Wars Weekends for most attendees so be sure not to miss it!
There are plenty of other events and activities that appeal to adults and FANatics, but these are the activities your kids will most likely be interested in. Be safe, and may the force be with you!
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