Mouse Travel Tips Episode 65: Star Wars Weekend Review and Star Tours 3D The Adventures Continue (click to listen or right click to download). After a 3 week break we return with a review of our visit to Star Wars Weekend. We talk about what events we did and tips that we learned while there. We also take a trip and on Star Speeder 1000 on the new Star Tours 3D The Adventures Continue. We talk about the new refurbished queue and also the new updated Star Tours.
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Walt Disney World recently released the 2011 dates for Star Wars Weekend events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Intergalactic events will be held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May 20 through June 12. This is a great way for fans of the “Star Wars” franchise to dress up, meet their favorite characters, and participate in several “Star Wars” themed events at the DHS park.
I’m especially excited because this is the first time I’ll be attending Star Wars Weekend (SWW). Woo hooo! May the Force be with me on this journey! Ray and the kids have each been several times, but I was never able to join them. I’ll get to see firsthand how excited my kids get to see their favorite Star Wars characters. I might even be able to persuade them to dress up (hey – I gotta recoup that $40 investment in the Bobba Fett costume I bought my daughter last Halloween, right?).
To say my kids love “Star Wars” is an understatement. On their first trip to Star Wars Weekend in 2007, my daughter (who was two years old at the time) got so excited to see Chewbacca that she jumped up out of her stroller and ran to him – before the adults even realized she was gone. There were a few heart-stopping moments, but they finally located her clinging to Chewbacca’s legs, waiting for Daddy to snap a picture of her. That’s my girl!
In addition to the excitement of the events and activities, we are really hoping that the refurbishment of the “Star Tours” attraction will complete on time. According to some rumors, it’s possible the ride will open at DHS a few days prior to the start of the SWW event. That seems likely, because George Lucas recently toured the progress of the Disneyland refurbishment, and seemed to like what he saw.
So may the Force be with the Imagineers, so we can get Star Wars Weekend and the Star Tours attraction all opening at the same time this year! To hear our tips and reviews of Star Wars Weekend events, check out Episode 14 of Mouse Travel Tips. And remember: “The Force will be with you…always.”
There are many different events that are held at Walt Disney World. They have the Mickey’s No So Scary Halloween, Food and Wine, Flower and Garden, and more. But in mid May to mid June they hold my favorite event, Star Wars Weekend. Now it may come as a surprise to some of you, but I am a big Star Wars fan. Yes, I am sure some of you are shocked. I was a young child when Star Wars: New Hope was released. My family all went to the theater and saw the movie (back then it was a big deal to go to the movie). Now it captivated the public back in 1977 and continues to do so now.
You are thinking to yourself, why of course you love Star Wars Weekend being the fan you are, but why should I go if I am not a hardcore fan. Well the event is for all types of Star Wars fans. In fact I would say the only people who shouldn’t go are those that didn’t like the series (hard to believe there those that didn’t but they are there). The events there are at all different levels of fandom. It is great that they have the celebrities attending where guest have a chance to meet them. At a normal sci-fi convention (I may have attended one or two, but I have never worn a Star Wars costume), they have the same guests that you could meet at Star Wars Weekend. However, you would have to pay the convention extra to meet them and to have an autograph or have a picture taken with them you would have to pay the celebrity.
Well maybe you don’t care to meet Jeremy Bulloch (original Boba Fett) or Peter Meyhew (Chewbacca). There are still the characters that you can meet. Who doesn’t want to meet the Dark Lord of the Sith – Darth Vader. You might even be able to give him some advice on a better breathing apparatus? You can measure yourself up to Chewbacca and see how tall you are or to an Ewok to make yourself feel tall. There are over 50 characters there. You might even get a chance to meet the true hero of all of the films – R2-D2. Mickey and his gang even get into the act by wearing their favorite Star Wars Costume.
As we discussed in episode 14 of Mouse Travel Tips, there many activities that guests can attend during the event. Several years ago, my family and I went to Disney (including my mother, 2 sisters, 1 brother, my 2 kids, many nieces and nephews, and myself). There were all types of Star Wars fans there that weekend. My family all enjoyed the event and felt it was a highlight of the trip. One moment of panic came when my 2 year old daughter got out of her stroller while her aunt was suppose to be watching her. It turned out she had gotten out and walked over to Chewbacca to get her picture taken with him. So even the youngest fan can have a ball there – but please keep an eye on them, as well as having your camera ready for those cute photo opps with your run-away children.
Time to polish your stormtroopers armor or pull out your Jedi robe from the closet. This week we are broadcasting all the way from Tatooine as we talk about Disney Hollywood Studios special event Star Wars Weekend. This annual event is held from May 21st – June 13th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. We discuss the many different events that they hold during the events and give some tips on enjoying your Star Wars Weekend. We then take a shuttle to the moon of Endor in Star Tours. We talk about the attraction and give some fun facts.
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Links:
Walt Disney World, Disney Hollywood Studios Star Wars Studios Page
Studios Central (Website devoted to Disney Hollywood Studios) section on Star Wars Weekend (excellent source of information for event)
