Star Wars Weekends

One of Disney’s strengths is their ability to bring the characters to life and make the guests of the parks feel a part of that world.  Nowhere is that more the case than during Star Wars Weekends.  Anytime I go over photos or reminisce about my previous trips I’m brought back to the excitement of being able to see the characters come to life.  Now of course you need to “let go your conscious self and act on instinct” in these situations, but if you can afford your imagination a little freedom, well “here’s where the fun begins”!

With so many characters to choose from in the Star Wars Universe, Disney has in the past divided the SWW area of the park into two sections, the Galactic Empire, which I will discuss later and the Rebel Alliance.  Characters, be them Rebels, Jedi, Bounty Hunters, Clones or Storm Troopers are divided between these groups.  Some see this as a good and evil division, but that of course would depend on your point of view.  Now a great many characters are represented and unfortunately they cannot represent them all.  I thought it might be fun to highlight many of whom you can expect to see in the Rebel Alliance area this year, along with a few that I hope they might someday include.  Feel free to comment if I leave anyone out because I’m going to pull this from memory…. we’ll consider it a Jedi Mind exercise of sort.

The Rebel Alliance:

Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, they can be found for meet and greets with fans that want to get their pictures.  Luke also has appeared during the children’s trivia contest to help out.

Clone Troopers roam the area, checking in on the Jedi Knights and keeping a wary eye out for trouble.  The Clones don’t have a meet and greet area, but will stop and interact with people on their way to handle the official business at hand.  They are reasonably accessible, but will not stay in one area too long.  Please don’t assume that they must meet with every person or child.  They are working after all.

Chewbacca can usually be found with a pair of Ewoks out in front of Star Tours, across from the entrance.  This very large Wookie is extremely friendly, giving hugs and posing with everyone at this meet and greet location.  The Ewoks, Wicket and I believe Teebo, are easily distracted but equally friendly.  All will sign autographs if you can get them to hold still long enough.

The Cantina Band members, The Modal Nodes will come out and about.  They will pose along the walkways, but have not had a meet and greet in the past.  The band is a lot of fun and love to ham it up for the camera.

Also wandering around you will occasionally find some JAWAS.  Unfortunately they are harder to understand than the Ewoks and have the attention span of a two year old if you aren't interested in buying Droids.  We did manage an autograph from one last year and I'm not real clear if he understood what we wanted.  It is simply signed JAWA.  Still it is fun to get a shot of them when you can.

Several Jedi are available starting with Anakin Skywalker.  This is your chance to meet up with him as a young Jedi Knight.  He is often in the company of Mace Windu, Kit Fisto and Shaak Ti in a meet and greet area just beyond Star Tours.  Each will do their best to serve the republic well by signing autographs for the fans and posing for pics.

Queen Amidala is available for a meet and greet out by the Sounds Dangerous area.  Dressed in Episode I Royal Robes she quietly meets with everyone from the Republic who needs a moment of her time.  She is not far from one of the greatest Jedi protectors of all time, because for the last few years, just around the corner has been Jedi Mickey.

No visit to this sector can be considered complete without the Jedi Mickey meet and greet.  This Jedi radiates the Force and brings happiness and joy to all of the masses.  Meeting with this great Jedi Master is a must for any family photo album.

Now for my very short gripe list.  A long time ago it is said that there was a Han Solo character at SWW.  We desperately need Mr. Solo to return, as he has been absent for the past 4 years at least.  He’d be great hanging out with Leia, checking in on Luke or getting photos snapped with his favorite co pilot.

Also it wouldn’t hurt to include Lando Calrissian and maybe some X-Wing pilots.  I’m guessing they would be fairly popular and could take the strain off some of the other meet and greet areas.

And finally, along the same lines we need an Obi Wan Kenobi.  Old or young I’m not being choosey here!  I think 4 films live and 2 as an apparition should at least get you some representation.  Still as you can see from the list, there are many opportunities to meet with some of your favorite Alliance/Republic characters.

If you or someone you know is a fan, this is a fun opportunity to make some dreams come true.  Come as you are or come dressed as your favorite character, but get in there and get some photos.  You won’t regret it!

Soon, the Galactic Empire characters.