Star Wars Weekends - 2006
Photos submitted by Jane Jones.

Let’s answer the 1st question: “How is the park for those of us that are NOT Star Wars Fans? Should we stay away?” If you are not a fan of Star Wars and want to avoid the event, that’s easy. The event traffic is limited to the event area. You can still enjoy the park without the Star Wars ‘experience’.

Now for the Star Wars fans: “What’s happening this year at the Star Wars Weekends 2006?”

We went to Opening Day of the 2006 Star Wars Weekends at Disney-MGM Studios and were surprised with many changes. There were many of the same ‘traditional’ events that we expect year after year, but Disney has gone all out to revamp the annual gathering of the Star Wars faithful.

Having attended every weekend for the last few years, we’ve seen and experienced it all….the crowds, the costumes (yes, resort guests), the merchandising frenzy! This year was like no other.

Still limited mainly to the area in and around Star Tours, the event now also takes over Mickey Avenue. The areas are designated as follows: REBEL BASE (Star Tours area) and the IMPERIAL SECTOR (Mickey Avenue). That’s where you’ll find the characters…and what a vast number of Star Wars characters out and about! There are MANY opportunities to have your picture taken with Star Wars favorites. There were ‘heroes’ (Luke, Chewbacca, Queen Amidala, Leia), ‘villains’ (Anikan, Darth Maul, The Emperor, Boba-Fett) and favorite ‘characters’ (Ewoks, Storm Troopers, Jedi Knights, Sand People). There were more opportunities and areas for you to meet and greet than ever before. Many of the characters were together so you were able to get your picture taken with a group of Star Wars ‘stars’ instead of individuals. Speaking of photo opportunities, there were quite a number of Star Wars photo backgrounds so you can get a snap shot of yourself in a favorite Star Wars locale including with a life-size X-Wing fighter! Finally, there were opportunities to meet favorites Jedi Mickey and Darth Vader. It was amazing to see so many characters come to life!

The next thing that we were taken with was the change in how Disney is handling merchandising. Forget having to wait for hours in the hot sun to get into Tatooine Traders. Soundstage 1, dubbed “Wicket’s Warehouse”, on Mickey Avenue is open and filled with event merchandise. Here’s how it works: the ‘normal’ stuff (toys, shirts, etc.) are available for you to look at, select and purchase (there is a separate check out line). BUT, if you want the event ‘collectables’ (pins, plush, etc.) you must wait in a special line. When you get this special line, you are given a sheet with a list of the collectable items and the prices. All collectables are limited to 2 per guest with exception of the Jedi Mickey Big Figure (1). Once you get to the front of the line you are directed to one of about 6 people who will fill your order. Then you go into another line to pay. We were in line for probably 30 minutes total, late afternoon, opening day but CM’s told us that the wait had been 4 hours earlier in the day. The ‘hot’ merchandise this year is the Darth Goofy plush (LE 4000) and the Jedi Mickey Big Figure statue. (NOTE: Limited merchandise is also sold elsewhere throughout the park. Pins are no longer sold at the Indiana Jones shop.)

There were lots of ‘events within the event’ going on. Below is a list of the highlights:

• APPEARING THIS WEEKEND!
  Meet and greet those involved with the making of the Star Wars saga.
  Fast Pass tickets are required to receive and autograph. They are distributed at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Scheduled guests are:
  
  May 19, 20, 21
  Peter Mayhew - Chewbacca in the original trilogy and in Revenge of the Sith
  Rick McCallum - Producer of the Prequel series of films
  
  May 26, 27, 28
  Jake Lloyd - Anakin Skywalker from Episode 1
  Matthew Wood - Supervising Sound Editor Episode III & voice of General Grievous
  
  June 2, 3, 4
  Jay Laga'aia - Captain Typho from Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith
  Bonnie Maree Piesse - Beru in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith
  
  June 9, 10, 11
  Jeremy Bulloch - Boba Fett in the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Also appeared briefly as Captain Colton in Revenge of the Sith
  Temuera Morrison - Jango Fett in Attack of the Clones where his image was used to replicate the clone army

• LEGENDS OF THE FORCE: A STAR WARS CELEBRITY MOTORCADE
  Watch visiting celebrities and favorite characters in a Star Wars theme grand motorcade. There is a meet and greet opportunity at the Star Tours Stage daily. (Hollywood Boulevard)
• BEHIND THE FORCE: THE SAGE CONTINUES
  A behind the scenes look at documenting George Lucas and his creative team as they develop the Star Wars saga. (ABC TV Theater)
• JEDI TRAINING ACADEMY
  Jedi hopefuls are selected to get on stage and test their skills with a lightsaber. (Star Tours Stage)
• PADAWAN MIND CHALLENGE
  Use your Star Wars knowledge to pass the trails and become an official Padawan. For ages 11 and under- register at the Information Desk beginning at 9:00am. (Star Tours Stage)
• STAR WARS WEEKENDS HYPERSPACE HOOPLA
  Join favorite Star Wars characters in the day’s closing event! (Star Tours Stage)
• ARTIST/AUTHOR SIGNINGS
  Guests to be announced. (Wicket’s Warehouse)
• WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE- PLAY IT! STAR WARS EDITION
  Questions, fun and surprises all about Star Wars!
• STARS OF THE SAGA- STAR WARS CELEBRITY TALK SHOW HOSTED BY WARWICK DAVIS
  Listen to visiting celebrities tell about their Star Wars movie making adventures! The session concludes with audience questions. (ABC TV Theater)
• TATOOINE TRIVIATRIALS HOSTED BT WARWICK DAVIS
  Trivia time for ages 12 and up. Do you know as much about Star Wars as a protocol droid? Register at the Information Desk beginning at 9:00am. (ABC TV Theater)
• STAR TOURS
  Cruise in your Starspeeder during this Star Wars simulator thrill ride!

Check the Event Guide when you arrive for specific times and details.

As always, it was a lot of fun. I can’t wait to go the next 3 weekends and take in the power of the Force!

Jane in FL
MFL Event Reporter

For pictures of this year’s event and related information, check out the MFL link!

Click here to read Jane's review of the 2005 Star Wars Weekends .

Updated May 20, 2006