Star Wars Weekends Are Coming!

With only about a week and a half left until Star Wars Weekends, people are getting excited! It is truly a time when Disney’s Hollywood Studios shines.

Early this week, I discussed about the Carbon Freeze Me Experience that will be taking place at the event. We now know some more details about these special weekends.

Serving as Celebrity Hosts, yet again, will be Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor, both of whom are voice actors for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV show.

In addition, during each weekend there is a trio of Star Wars celebrities who celebrate the event with fans of the franchise. Disney announced that the 2013 celebrities will be:

Weekend I (May 17–19)

• Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)

• Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)

• Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Captain Rex – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend II (May 24-26)

• Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)

• Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)

• Jim Cummings (voice of Hondo Ohnaka – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend III (May 31 – June 2)

• Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)

• Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)

• Sam Witwer (voice of Darth Maul – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend IV(June 7-9)

• Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)

• Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca – Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith

• Tom Kane (voice of Yoda – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

If you would like to meet one of the celebrities during the weekends, please keep in mind that Disney will hand out FASTPASS tickets. Guests will need to arrive early to obtain a FASTPASS because there is a limited number available per celebrity.  Once all the FASTPASS tickets have been distributed, stand by tickets may be issued, but keep in mind that this doesn’t guarantee you the chance to meet the celebrity. Also keep in mind that guests must have their own FASTPASS tickets and that Disney will not issue a ticket for members of your party who are not available.

Want to sit in on a special show, featuring some of the actors from the movies? This year, there will be three great presentations that will take place throughout the weekends. These events typically take place in the Premiere Theater (of course, subject to change).

Shows include:

• James Arnold Taylor: “Obi-Wan & Beyond” (each event day). James takes audiences on a journey into his wonderful world of voice acting.
• Ray Park: “Visit to the Maul” (Weekends I and II). Guests can see a demonstration of amazing martial arts skills by the actor who portrayed Darth Maul.
• Warwick Davis: “An Ewok’s Tale – my short story” (Weekends II and III). Guests get a unique look into the fascinating world of this Star Wars legend.

Make sure to arrive early if you want to catch any of these shows. The theater fills up rapidly. Check a times guide for exact showtimes.

In addition, new this year, if you are looking for a unique photo opportunity, be sure to stop by the life sized Rancor (Jabba The Hutt’s pet.)

All these activities are included with park admission. In 2013 Star Wars Weekends take place on May 17-19, May 24-26, May 31-June 2, and June 7-9.