[QuickGold]

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Galactic Good Times at Disney-MGM Studios

The power of The Force and the magic of Disney combine once again for Star Wars Weekends, scheduled for five consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) beginning May 16 and running through June 15 at Disney-MGM Studios.

A galaxy of Star Wars fun takes place each weekend at Walt Disney World Resort with special parades, trivia games, meet-and-greet sessions with Star Wars legends and characters, and special activities to cap off each day. While the Star Tours thrill ride is the centerpiece of the celebration, activities take place throughout the theme park."

UPDATE: Scroll down or click here for clarification of the dates.

For a full listing of up-to-date 2003 SWW information, be sure to go to http://www.mgmstudios.org/sww.html

[wishingtree]

YES!!!!!!! We arrive on the 25th. I can catch part of 2 weekends. I almost forgot about Star Wars weekends after they cut it back last year.

[QuickGold]

It was cut back last year because Lucas & Co. decided to celebrate in Indianapolis with the release of Episode 2. Looks like things are back at the Studios where they belong

[ILUVDISNEYWRLD]

this is great news!

[wishingtree]

Has anyone ever been to one????

[starwarsgeek1138]

YES IT IS GREAT!! I went in 2001 and of course was crazy enough to make my page about it! I thank mgmstudios.org for being such a great affiliate too!!!

The weekends are indeed great. They are extremely fun for the star wars enthusiast but also for others, as they get to experience the FORCE!!

If you need any more info, feel free to ask me or quickgold (of course!)

[lucasfanjedi]

Yes, the experience is great and the fans gathered and share stories, there were contests, definitely must live event. I was lucky enough to visit on 2000 and 2001 and I was hoping they start again and they did it

Hope this year they took EP1 or EP2 actors.

See you in May..

[QuickGold]

I would love to go to one of these SWW's. Too bad my schedule & finances dont agree. :x

[DisneyFreak1228]

HAHA! I'm going to one this year! Me and Dad are HUGE Star Wars fans, and he's always wanted to go, but I kinda always thought it was a sorta cheesy homage to the movie. Hearing all these testimonials is definitely changing my mind. I can't wait to go!

[QuickGold]

It seems our initial dates are half correct....

According to Official Disney Guest Services, the actual arrangements have NOT yet been decided. The event is advertised in the 'Mickey Monitor,' the newsletter for WDW Annual Pass Holders, as Selected Weekends... WDW Guest services say this:

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Thank you for contacting WALT DISNEY WORLD!

The current information we have regarding Star War Weekends is: May 16,2003 - June 15,2003 (selected weekends)

We wish our response could be more precise. No further information is available at this time.

What this means is, yes, our dates are correct in that the Star Wars Weekends will fall at some point in that, but it is not definite that EVERY weekend will have a SWW. :x

It should be noted that StarWars.com says that all the weekends will have be a SWW.

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Star Wars Weekends launch into orbit May 16 and will be held five consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) through June 15, 2003.

Sorry for any confusion.

[QuickGold]

More news on who and what is going to be happening during these weekends....

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Anthony Daniels, who has starred as C-3PO in all five films, will kickoff the lineup of Star Wars celebrities, headlining the event's opening weekend May 16-18, 2003.

A hint at more possible charcters showing up from StarWars.com

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One of the largest gatherings anywhere of characters from the Star Wars films -- from Queen Amidala and Darth Vader to Chewbacca and Greedo -- they will roam the Disney-MGM Studios greeting guests, signing autographs and posing for photographs. New this year: special appearances by characters from Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, including Zam Wessel and Jango Fett.

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Star Wars Weekends bring guests face to face with their favorite characters, from the cuddly Ewoks to the evil Darth Maul.

Also, expect some of the following....

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Star Wars trivia contests and games will be held near the Star Tours attraction to test fans' film knowledge. In addition, a special Video Starcade will feature the best in Star Wars-inspired electronic games.

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Obi-Wanna-Be -- Throughout the day, several lucky youngsters will be chosen to take part in the "Jedi Training Academy," giving Jedi hopefuls the chance to learn moves with a lightsaber, then test their skills against Darth Vader himself.

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A Galaxy of Collectibles -- Disney and Lucasfilm Ltd. have created event-exclusive Star Wars merchandise -- from trading pins (including a special boxed set) and commemorative posters to apparel, medallions and other limited-edition items -- that will be available in Tatooine Traders. With a look inspired by scenes in The Phantom Menace, the retail location is adjacent to the Ewok Village set at the Star Tours attraction.

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Galactic Game Show -- Special editions of the popular game show attraction "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire--Play It!" will be presented, with a variety of Star Wars-inspired questions and surprise appearances by film characters. The attraction's studio audience can join in the fun by answering trivia questions using keypads installed at each seat.

[QuickGold]

According to All Ears Newsletter the SWW will be 5 consecutive weekends beginning May 16.

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The Vacation Magic (newsletter for DVC members) had this to say in the Spring 2003 issue:

[glow=blue:a546c29cb4]Full 'force'[/glow:a546c29cb4]
Over five consecutive weekends beginning May 16, Disney MGM-Studios celebrates the Star Wars movies with character greetings, autograph sessions, and photo opportunites. You'll also get a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of the classic saga from Lucasfilm, including a sneak peek at Episode III.

[QuickGold]

From the Orlando Sentinel...

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The Jedi Will Return at Revived Disney Event
By Robert Johnson
Sentinel Staff Writer

February 24, 2003

It's The Return of the Jedi all over again.

After disappearing in 2002, Walt Disney World will reintroduce its popular Star Wars Weekends event from May 16 to June 15 at MGM Studios.

The attraction quietly scrubbed plans for its sixth annual Star Wars weekend last May.

That came at a time when Disney World officials said they needed to focus on the 100 Years of Magic promotion.

The event includes autograph-signing actors from previous Star Wars movies. It has drawn thousands of movie buffs from around the nation -- dozens of whom typically lined up before dawn outside MGM Studios' turnstiles.

This year's Star Wars Weekend will be expanded to two weekends.

Although Disney World officials say that costumed characters from all five Star Wars films will appear at the event, there's still no word on when MGM Studios will update the Star Tours motion simulator ride, which includes a short film based on the first three movies in the Star Wars series, but not the most recent two.

An MGM Studios official said in 1998 that Star Wars creator George Lucas had agreed to update the ride's mini-film based on the then-upcoming Star Wars I.

[wishingtree]

Some additional info from Starwars.com:

As the sun gives way to the stars each evening, the excitement rises with a Cantina Street Party from 5 p.m. to park closing.

[mrshiny]

This reply from Guest Relations suggests it will be all 5 weekends:

Thank you for contacting WALT DISNEY WORLD!

Star Wars Weekends celebrates the entire Star Wars saga, embracing all five
films including Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. This unique event
brings guests face to face with their all time favorite Star Wars characters,
introduces them to some of the Saga's favorite Celebrities and immerses them in
an interactive themed environment that could only be called&Star Wars Weekends!

Weekend Event Highlights - May 16 - June 15, 2003

· Two stars from the Star Wars saga each weekend. (details not yet available)
· Autograph sessions
· Motorcade - Each morning, the Star Wars characters will join the celebrities
in a themed cavalcade up Hollywood
Boulevard all the way to the Star Tours attraction.
· Character Meet & Greets - Almost 20 unique characters will pose for
photographs.
· Behind the Force: The Saga Continues - A Lucasfilm behind-the-scenes look into
the making of the Star Wars Saga.
· Kids Star Wars Trivia Challenge - Children will have the opportunity to test
their Star Wars knowledge in daily
trivia challenges.
· Jedi Training Academy - Kids test their lightsaber skills with a Jedi
instructor. You never know who might show
up for battle.
· Hasbro Fun - See what you look like as a life-size Star Wars action figure.
· Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It! - The attraction will feature an
overlay of Star Wars themed questions
as well as character surprises.
· Entertainment subject to change without notice

The event will also showcase unique themed and logo merchandise, face painting
and a special Star Wars themed video arcade.

[QuickGold]

A schedule of characters is now available...

http://www.mgmstudios.org/sww.html :fett: :wookie:

[QuickGold]

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I also found out that with the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, there will be 2 shows a day devoted completely to Star Wars while the other shows will be normal shows with a few Star Wars questions. It is assumed that the same rules apply to this as do for the regular game!