A short time from now, in a theme park not far away…
Episode 2009, STAR WARS WEEKENDS
It is a period of four weekends. The power of the Force is no match for the power of Disney marketing. Tourists descend upon the not so hidden base of DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS. During the event, Star Wars characters roam the streets, and younglings train to protect the galaxy at the Jedi Training Academy. However, unbeknownst to guests, the Disney Empire has secret plans to release limited edition pins and merchandise to lure fans to the Dark Side. Meanwhile, pursued by Vader Goofy’s sinister henchman (Stormtrooper Donald), Leia Minnie races to Jedi Mickey in a parade destined to save her people and restore freedom to the galaxy…
OK, I admit it, I’m a nerd. I love Star Wars (my screen name is Mouse Skywalker afterall). “Episode IV: A New Hope” was one of the first movies I remember seeing in a movie theater. My Dad came in one weekend afternoon and said, “let’s go see the adventures of Luke Skywalker.” I didn’t know what he was talking about. We went to the theater and I can remember the opening scene. An Imperial Star Destroyer flew over my head, and I swiveled backwards to see where the ship was coming from. I was totally hooked from the beginning.
Star Wars Weekends are four weekends from May 22 through June 14 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. During each weekend, the park is overrun with characters from the Star Wars universe. Even the classic Disney characters get into the spirit of the event and appear in Star Wars costumes. Mickey Mouse dons his Jedi robes, Minnie Mouse dresses as Princess Leia, Goofy turns to the Dark Side as Darth Vader, and Donald Duck wears a Stormtrooper outfit. Celebrity guests (also from the Star Wars universe) appear in meet and greet sessions, sign autographs, and give talks for the crowds. It all caps off with a special Star Wars parade from the StarTours attraction and ending right down the middle of Hollywood Boulevard.
The StarWars.com website recently announced the celebrity guest list for the 2009 event, and there are some heavy hitters from the movie saga. Each weekend will be hosted by Jay Laga’aia (Captain Typho – head of Senator Amidala’s security force), and Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka – Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan in the Clone Wars television series) will host the Clone Wars: Behind the Force segment of the event each weekend. Joining Jay and Ashley on the following weekends will be:
May 22 – 24
Ray Park (Darth Maul – Episode I)
Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok – Episode VI)
James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Clone Wars) will appear at Behind the Force
May 29 – 31
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca – Episodes III-VI)
Matthew Wood (Sound Editor for Episodes I-III and The Clone Wars; voice of General Grievous in Episode II)
June 5 – 7
Jeremy Bulloch (Bobba Fett – Episodes V&VI)
David Prowse (Darth Vader – Episodes IV-VI)
Matt Lanter (voice of Anakin Skywalker in The Clone Wars) will appear at Behind the Force
June 12 – 14
Dave Filoni (Creative Force and Supervising Director of The Clone Wars)
Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett – Episodes II&III)
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