Star Wars Weekends

Immersing yourself in Star Wars Weekends isn’t difficult with a little imagination thanks to the fantastic job done by the cast members who work this event.  Similar to the character meet and greets throughout Walt Disney World, park goers are given the opportunity to meet with various characters from the Star Wars community during weekends.  This is a very different experience from meeting with the Celebrity guests.  No fast passes or early lineups at the front gate required here.  During each three day weekend families visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios are treated to a chance to meet, get a photo and in many cases get an autograph from the likes of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Anakin Skywalker, Padme Amadala, Chewbacca, Jawas, Boba Fett, Jango Fett, Aurra Sing, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Maul, Darth Vader and many others.

I like every aspect about this part of SWW.  On any regular day I enjoy running into characters and getting a photo here and there throughout WDW, but for fans of Star Wars this is a rare treat.  The beauty is that the Cast Members play the characters VERY well, and stay in character at all times.  This has always been one of Disney’s big plus’ by bringing the characters to life.  The bounty hunters move through the crowds with purpose, the storm troopers inspect everything while enforcing imperial rules.  Gamorean Guards and Sand people hassle passers by,  the Cantina Band (the Modal Nodes) looks for people to entertain and get a photo with and the Jawas scurry around the place.  Everyone stays true to form and true to character, and it really can be a lot of fun if you take the time to enjoy them and their interactions with the crowd.

Now this like everything is different for everyone.  Some people just like to look and move on, taking it in with the rest of the atmosphere created each weekend.  Others just want to get photos with the Characters and then there are those that want photos and autographs.  Now obviously you are getting an autograph that say Boba Fett from a cast member that did not appear in the movies, but this can be a very cool addition to your photo album.  For my family we have always purchased autograph books/photo albums.  This way we could have the character sign the page and include the photo from the moment right there with it.  Each year we have done a new album, which has made my daughters growing fun to track.  Also, I’ve been known to jump into the occasional photo; something as the family photographer that I don’t frequently get to do.  Last but not least, make sure you have a pen for signing.  It is no fun getting to the parks only to realize you have no way to get your autograph on paper.  (That might be the voice of experience… I’m not saying)  Disney will be happy to sell you a pen at any number of shops for just a few Republic Credits.

Some characters are more difficult to get than others, but there will be a schedule of when and where the characters will be available.  This is usually available from any character castmember, or at the park information desk.  Now as with everything at Star Wars Weekends, there will be lines for many characters.  Most people are really good about waiting patiently and keeping the process moving forward.  It also gives people a chance to see what a good job the Characters do.  Watch Darth Vader for a few minutes, it is worth while to see the mannerisms of each character on display and the fine people who do this don’t get enough credit in my opinion.

If you are going to go to SWW and like characters at all, make sure this is a big part of what you plan to do.  There are a lot of different ones available, and it is a very satisfying part of the SWW atmosphere.  Also make sure you check out the Parade as you will not only see a very large sampling of the characters at Weekends, but also the 501st costuming Legion.  Storm Troopers galore!  These people volunteer their time to numerous local charities all over and their costumes are second to none.  See the many different variations on march and feel the presence of the Empire!  Lastly, make sure you have your camera charged an plenty of memory/film.  I love my photos first and foremost, but the video of the characters and the sounds are equally priceless.  You can’t really go wrong either way unless you leave them behind (again, that might be the voice of experience… I’m not saying).  Whatever you do, don't go to SWW and not take the time to explore the characters.  You will be glad you did it in the end.