Star Wars Weekends 2011
 

This is the place to come to find out everything you want to know about Star Wars Weekends 2011!! Come back often because we'll be updating it as we find out more about this years events. Please pass on any news that you hear as we try to keep the schedules current.


Recent News:The dates have been announced for Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios: May 20-22, May 27-29, June 3-5 and June 10-12. The official announcement can be found on Disney Parks blog: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blo...weekends-2011/

Official celebrity guests are:
- Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” will appear each weekend this year as Celebrity Host. Ashley is no stranger to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Ashley, who grew up in central Florida, had one of her first show-business roles as a parade performer at the theme park.
- James Arnold Taylor, voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Plo Koon on "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" has announced on his Facebook page that he will be the second Celebrity Host of all 4 Star Wars Weekends.

Weekend 1 - MAY 20-22
Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
The Clone Wars Special Guest: Dave Filoni (Supervising Director)
Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett)

Weekend 2 -MAY 27-29
Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
Bruce Spence (Tion Medon)
The Clone Wars Voice Talent Guest: Dee Bradley Baker (Captain Rex)

Weekend 3 - JUNE 3-5
Ray Park (Darth Maul)
Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett)
The Clone Wars Voice Talent Guest: Matt Lanter (Anakin)

Weekend 4 - JUNE 10-12
Ray Park (Darth Maul)
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
The Clone Wars Voice Talent Guest: Tom Kane (Yoda)


What Happens At Star Wars Weekends?
Star Wars happens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Disney's Hollywood Studios from 9:00 am to 7:00pm. No special admission ticket is required to attend.

Stormtroopers At Park Entrance - About 15 minutes before the ticket gates open, several stormtroopers are on the roof of the ticket gates. They are very entertaining.
Celebrity Autograph Sessions - There are usually 3 celebrity guests each weekend along with 1 host that is there for all 4 weekends. You must get a FastPass for the celebrity autographs. People line up very early the night before for these.
Star Wars Character Encounters - There are lots of characters that have scheduled meet and greet times and several characters that are walking around the park (no special passes are needed to meet these characters). There are 5 Disney characters - Jedi Mickey, Darth Vader Goofy, Stormtrooper Donald, Princess Leia Minnie and R2-MK. Other characters include Aksoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, Aurra Sing, Boba Fett, Cantina Band, Captain Rex, Chewbacca, Clone Troopers, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Ewoks, Gamorren Guard, Jango Fett, Jawas, Kit Fitso, Mace Windu, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Queen Amidala, R2-D2, Shaak Ti, Stormtroopers, Tusken Raiders, Asaaj Ventress and Zam Wessell.
Motorcade Parade - All the celebrities and characters parade by you with a grand motorcade at 11:40am. It's a must-do parade!
Celebrity Welcome - Following the motorcade, the Star Wars Weekend Host will welcome all the celebrities and characters up on the Star Tours stage for a fabulous one-of-a-kind photo opportunity.
Stars of the Saga Celebrity Talk Show - Experience the fascinating life and movie making adventures of the three visiting celebrities. The presentation concludes with a lively audience Q&A session. Starts at 1:15pm.
Padawan Mind Challenge - Guests 11 and under can use their Star Wars knowledge to pass the trivia trials and become official Padawan learners. Registrations begins at the Event Information table at 9:00am and the Challenge begins at 11:00am and 5:45pm.
Behind the Force - Join the host Ashley Eckstein with a fascinating look behind the scenes of the shows. Shows are at 11:00am and 3:35pm.
Hyperspace Hoopla - Held on the Star Tours stage at 7:00pm, all the Star Wars characters participate in a fun dance-off showoff to end the day's events. Check out this video from last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI49q...454&feature=iv
Star Wars Merchandise - Lots of event exclusive merchandise such as limited edition pins, posters, t-shirts, hats, light sabers, toys and much more are available. This merchandise in NOT available on a non-SWW day at Hollywood Studios.

In addition, Star Tours (which officially reopens on May 20th) and Jedi Training Academy are regular attractions that are open.

Some information from last year's Star Wars Weekends:
- map of 2010 weekend events: http://allears.net/tp/mgm/sww10/sww2010map.pdf
- photo gallery 2010: http://allears.net/tp/mgm/sww10/ssw10a.htm#1

Mousescrappers Attending Star Wars Weekends:
MJAJmom (Linda) - June 2-13
PoohAddict (Donna) - May 29
CarmenF - June 4-13

This is awesome, Linda.... Thanks for sharing all this info! I really want to go sometime - this year would be the good since I've already paid for an annual pass (now just need a cheap flight, cheap hotel and a hall pass for work/home :rolleyes:).

Do you know when the guest celebrities will be announced? I'm wondering if Ray Park (quite the hottie :whistle: ) will be there again this year :darth-maul:

Like Carol, I'd really love to go to this sometime! I don't even care about the celebs, I want to meet the characters! This is partly your fault, Linda, your layouts from SWW are always so cute! ;)

I would love to see him too!!! The SWW logos should be released later this month. Then the celebrity guests will start to leak out. Last year, the full list of celebrities came out on March 18th.

A little bit more information released about Star Tours 2.0:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blo...of-star-tours/

Linda,

Thanks so much for putting this thread together. We are wanting to attend a Star Wars weekend this year and your information is extremely helpful. I will be watching as information unfolds.

I must confess... I really want to see the Disney Characters dressed up as Star Wars characters. They look so stinkin cute in all your LO's!

Thanks again for sharing this information. I can't wait!!!!! Oh, btw... do you have your trip planned? I would love to meet you if everything worked out.

:thanks: again!

In the first post I'm listing all the Mousescrappers attending SWW. Maybe we can all find a way to hook up. What are your dates?

My son's HS band trip to WDW is the first set of Star Wars weekends. He has been a big Star Wars fan since he was very little - had all the legos etc... I just hope they can even get into the park because they have seminars in the AM and won't get to the parks til closer to noon every day they are there. I'm bummed because I can't go due to work obligations :no::ack:. I just hope he can get some pix of (or better yet with) the Disney characters in their Star Wars gear.

We will be going to DHS on may 29th the sunday of memorial day weekend :ack: probably going to be packed but we are going anyway.
Last year we went the last weekend in June and it wasn't bad but everyone was crany our flight to Florida was at 6:30 am. we didnt get to do anything :mad:

thanks Linda! I So would love to get to the last Star Wars weekend---we'll see! :) this is great info to have!

I don't have dates yet, but know we will be attending some weekend. I kinda figure I will watch this thread and try to coordinate a trip when other Mouescrappers will be around. I know this is an event we don't want to miss! I love all the photos. I just really want to see the Disney characters all dressed up... lol...

Thanks Linda for all the info...All my 5 yr old grandson wanted for Christmas was Star War toys...I'll have to see if I can kind some cheap flights...

New images were released today about Star Tours 2.0. It shows Boba Fett's ship and the Death Star (see link for images).

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2011/0...rspeeder-1000/

It's mid-march, so that means lots more Star Wars Weekends information should be pouring out these next 30 days. The latest news is that they will be building a stage in front of the Sorcerer's Hat to hold the Hyperspace Hoopla show. This will be a HUGE improvement to see the show and to hold more people. Here is the blog post about it.

http://www.studioscentral.com/blog/2...ll-expand-2011

I hate to report on just a rumor, but this one is good. TheForce.net is reporting that George Lucas may be there for the opening of Star Tours 2.0, the first SW weekend. Here is the link: http://theforce.net/latestnews/story...but_137132.asp

Last year on March 17th, the Star Wars Weekends celebrity guest line-up was announced, so everyone is holding their breath this week!!

Sneak peek at the 2011 Star Wars pins. Still waiting on the celebrity list...:whistle:

http://www.starwars.com/vault/collec...ins/index.html

Star Tours Destinations Announced
 

The destinations have been announced for Star Tours 2.0. Guests will visit Tatooine, Coruscant, Naboo, Kashyyyk and Hoth. Guests will even get to visit the Death Star above the planet Geonosis.

Here is the link: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guide...-startours.htm

Still no celebrity guest list for Star Wars Weekends.... :confused:

Studios Central is reporting a few celebrity guests (although still not confirmed by Disney). So far, this is what the celebrity lineup looks like:

Weekend 1 - Anthony Daniels (C3P0)
Weekend 2 - Anthony Daniels (C3P0O and Dee Bradley Baker (Clone Wars)
Weekend 3 - Ray Park (Darth Maul) and Jeremy Bullock (Boba Fett)
Weekend 4 - Ray Park (Darth Maul) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Tom Kane (Clone Wars)

Here's the link: http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/

Oh, cool... Of course I want to see :darth-maul: and would love to see either :boba: or :legochewie:. So if I wasn't going in May and Sept, I'd love to go weekend 3 or 4. Oh I guess it'd have to be weekend 4 so DS could go. :rolleyes: You'll just have to go see Ray Park for me. ;)

Finally, some girly star wars shirts designed by Ashley Eckstein called Her Universe, on sale only during Star Wars Weekends

http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/c...-wars-weekends

Finally, the official celebrity list has been announced, although not much different that what has been leaked out so far:
http://www.starwars.com/fans/events/...sts/index.html

Weekend 1 - MAY 20-22
Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
The Clone Wars Special Guest: Dave Filoni (Supervising Director)

Weekend 2 -MAY 27-29
Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
Bruce Spence (Tion Medon)
The Clone Wars Voice Talent Guest: Dee Bradley Baker (Captain Rex)

Weekend 3 - JUNE 3-5
Ray Park (Darth Maul)
Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett)
The Clone Wars Voice Talent Guest: Matt Lanter (Anakin)

Weekend 4 - JUNE 10-12
Ray Park (Darth Maul)
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
The Clone Wars Voice Talent Guest: Tom Kane (Yoda)

More fun is that the logo has been announced, now we can start making tshirt designs and other cute stuff for our trip:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-2011-logo.jpg

Awesome!!! We are going to be there for both of the weekends in June. :yeah:

Star Traders at Disneyland has officially re-opened. It's the Star Wars retail store next to Star Tours. The one at WDW should reopen soon too. Here are some cool pictures of the new store. Start saving your money!!

http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/05/...enture-awaits/

Linda are you making shirts of the logo that you posted?? I am considering making them but don't want to have copyright issues? any thoughts? :help:

Yes, I will be using that image and making a tshirt for my boys. It's for personal use only. Same logic applies to all the clip art images - for personal use only. Just don't start selling the shirts on EBay!! :no:

Thats funny I would NEVER :no: do that but my friend said to sell them. I am making them for my kids and a friends child for our day at DHS on the 29th.
Thanks for keeping all of us up to date on the happenings!! :thanks:

I got to ride Star Tours 2!!!! :hooray::yeah::thumbsup::woohoo::clap2::devil::leg oc3po::r2d2::boba::legochewie:

It was awesome! Actually, I rode it 3 times and each time was different. I saw four different planets and several Star Wars characters. Not sure how much I should tell you... I don't want to give it away.

So jealous Carol! Of course it went into soft openings the DAY I left!!

Sooo cool Carol! Apparantly there are 54 combinations of Star Tours experiences that break down into 4 parts: The opening, middle, hologram message and ending:

2 openings - one featuring Darth Vader, and the other featuring an Interrogation Droid (and more imporantly Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon)
3 middles - Hoth, Tatooine, and Kashyyyk.
3 hologram messages - Princess Leia, Admiral Ackbar, and Yoda.
3 endings - Naboo, Coruscant, and Geonosis.



Here are a few more updates:

Click here for some SW merchandise available: http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/c...ds-merchandise

No SW parade on Friday 5/20 due to opening day ceremonies.

Ashley Eckstein will have a meet and greet in Jabba's Hut on Friday 5/20 from 5:45pm to 6:45pm

Schedule of events for weekend 1. Seems the Hoopla has been moved from 7pm to 8:45pm this year.
Here's the link: http://www.wdwmagic.com/Events/Star-...t-schedule.htm

Friday May 20th:
At the Hat STage
Padawan Mind Challenge 3:30 and 6pm
Hyperspace Hoopla 8:45pm
Characters: 8am to 7:30pm
Celeb autographs:
Anthony Daniels 1:30pm
James Arnold Taylor 2:05pm
Ashley Eckstein 3 and 4:30pm
Dave Filoni 3 and 4:30pm
Daniel Logan: 11:30, 1:30 and 4:30pm
Shows Premiere Theater:
Behind the Force: 12 and 1:45pm
Inside the Saga Anthony Daniel 4:45pm
Obi Wan and Beyond James Arnold Taylor 6pm
Stars of the Saga Q&A 3:15pm

For Saturday and Sunday (May 21 & 22)
Celeb autographs:
Anthony Daniels 10:15am 1:30pm
James Arnold Taylor 9:45am
Ashley Eckstein 3 and 4:30pm
Dave Filoni 3 and 4:30pm
Daniel Logan 10:15am 1:30 4:30pm
Hat Stage:
Padawan Mind Challenge 2:10 and 6:30
Hyperspace Hoopla 8:45pm
Premiere Theater:
Inside the Saga 4:45pm
Obi Wan and Beyond 6pm
Stars of the Saga 3:15pm
Behind the Force: 11am and 1:45pm
Characters 9am to 7pm

It's finally here! Star Wars Weekends kicks off today with the very exciting and thrilling opening of Star Tours 2! The rumors were correct. Both George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, and Bob Iger, President and CEO of Disney, were there to welcome fans in an opening ceremony. Check out the photos and videos of the opening ceremony here: http://www.insidethemagic.net/2011/0...er-characters/

And if you're a total Star Wars sentimental geek like me, the part at the end were the fans are calling out "We love you George" makes you get all teary eyed!!

Thanks for posting Linda that was awesome!!!! I can't wait to ride it!!

Thanks!! I'm so ready to go! :darthdad:

We are making our kiddos Jedi MIckey shirts!!! We are appliqueing them though. They are soooooo cute!!!! We aren't sure yet which day we will be going into Hollywood Studios yet though since we will be there for both of the weekends in June. Everyone will just have to tell me about the ride though since I will not be able to ride it..... being just about 6 months pregnant and all. LOL I can't believe it is almost time for our trip.... I am beyond excited!!

Some photos from Weekend #1
http://www.studioscentral.com/column...11-weekend-one

Build Your Own Lightsaber
 

Here's some fun pictures and information about how to build your own lightsaber at either Disneyland or Disney World.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/05/...t-saber-at-di/

My son got to ride yesterday while on his band trip and texted "IT'S AWESOME!!". The older teens are loving it! I can't wait to ride in August.

The schedule of events for Weekend #2 is here:
http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/files/sww-052711.pdf

2011 Hyperspace Hoopla
 

The Hyperspace Hoopla is always a fun and hilarious show to watch. Here is some info and the video to watch...
http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/...-bigger-stage/

You have been an awesome source of information.. thanks so much!