10 Must Dos for Star Wars Weekends

Updated May 1, 2015

The Force will be with you for 5 Weekends from May 15th through June 14th!  Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Star Wars Weekends you will can relive your Star Wars memories with your family or make new ones to cherish for a lifetime!

This year is jam packed with galactic fun and excitement and here's what to plan for...

1. Character Interactions
From the original Saga to The Clone Wars to the new Rebels you will find your favorite characters roaming around Disney's Hollywood Studios!  And don't be shy; ask to get your picture taken with your favorites!  There will also be designated spots for pictures with Minnie, Mickey, Donald and Goofy in their Star Wars Spirit, and popular characters such as Captain Rex, Boba Fett, Chewie, Darth Vader and Queen Amidala!

Tips from the Force:  Be sure and bring some trinkets to trade with the Jawas, don't show your
lightsaber to Boba Fett and the Stormtroopers can be grumpy!   And don't forget to order your Memory Maker at least a week before your leave!  I have many more tips in the Seeing Your Favorite Characters blog.

2.  Stars of the Saga
Each year Disney brings in some of our classic and Clone Wars stars for this galactic talk show event!  Past years we have seen Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok), Dee Bradley Baker (Captain Rex) and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), just to name a few!  James Arnold Taylor, the voice of Obi Wan, will host the event each day and it is definitely worth your time to see a candid appearance of your favorite star!

Tips from the Force:  You will need FastPass+ for these events.  These events will take place in the Premiere Theater, and you line up across the street in the alley (shaded). Pick up your times guide each day at the park entrance and be there at least 30 minutes to an hour early to get a good seat!  The Stars for this show will vary each day, so please check the Times Guide and your SWW Map for more details.  

**If you purchase a Feel The Force Premium Package you will have reserved seating for 1 show, and if you purchase a Feel The Force Premium Deluxe Package you will have reserved seating for all shows.

3. Legends of the Force Motorcade
What would a day at Disney be without a parade?  And Star Wars Weekends is no different!  Each morning, a motorcade will proceed down Hollywood Boulevard will all the weekends celebrities, characters and the 501st Garrison!

Tips from the Force:   Be sure to check your times guide and find a spot in the shade along Hollywood Boulevard.  Put your children in front because the characters will interact with the crowd as they proceed to the Stage. 

*If you purchase one of the Feel the Force Packages, you will have reserved seating at the beginning of the parade.

4. Jedi Training Academy
It is urgent to have your child trained in the Force; the Dark Side is lurking everywhere!  Your young padawan will be guided by expert Jedi Masters in the ways of the Force, and will be able to test their skills against Darth Vader, Darth Maul or Ventress!

Tips from the Force:  Check the Times Guide and Stars Wars Weekends Map for Sign Up location.   The Sign Up location is subject to change.  You must have your child with you, and you need to know your dining and fastpass+ schedule in order to schedule the Academy.  Sign up for Jedi Training first before heading to the Padawan Mind Challenge.  Jedi Training is very popular and available slots do run out.  Read Do you have what it takes to be a Jedi for more information.

5. Padawan Mind Challenge
Test your mental skills in the Force with the Padawan Mind Challenge!  This zany challenge is for children 4 -11, and is only available during SWW!  This game is fun for the whole family, so be sure to focus your knowledge and bring your laughter!

Tips from the Force:  Check the Times Guide and Star Wars Weekends Map for Sign Up location.  This location and rules are subject to change.

6. Character Dining
An exciting edition to SWW is the new Character Dining!  You can choose to eat breakfast with the Dark Side or Dinner with Star Wars Mickey and Crew!  This is a special dining event that you will not want to miss!

Tips from the Force:   You will need to call Disney Dining at 407- WDW-DINE to make your reservation.   If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, each meal will count as 2 Dining Credits.  You can read more about this event in Dining with the Star Wars Good Guys vs Bad Guys blog. 

7. Star Tours  
The Star Tours adventure continues!  With over 50 combinations of this exciting trip, you will want to ride it again and again!  You have 6 possible destinations, Kashyyyk, Naboo, Coruscant, Tatooine, Hath and the Death Star.  With C3PO as your pilot and R2D2 as your navigator, you will barely escape Darth Vader to begin your exciting voyage through the Star Wars universe!

Tips from the Force:  Star Tours is now part of your Fastpass+ schedule, so be sure to plan before you leave!  Planning FastPass+ for Star Wars Weekends will help you stay on track.

8. Darth's Mall
Limited edition merchandise is yours at Darth's Mall!  Bring home unique memories from your trip from this one-of-a kind shopping experience!  You will be able to build a R2 unit, lightsaber, interact with Star Wars Stars and grab a Darth Vader or Yoda cupcake!  D-Tech Me will be back but requires a reservation this year.

Tips from the Force:  This is a great place to head during the heat of the day.  Cool air condition awaits you while you stand in line for pictures with character such as R2D2 or Leia and catch autographs from Ashley Eckstein with her merchandise.

*If you purchase a Feel The Force Deluxe Premium Package, you will have priority access to Darth's Mall all day long.

9. Symphony in the Stars
Each night there will be an amazing fireworks show to end a wonderful day of Star Wars.

Tips from the Force:  Viewing should be good anywhere along the Boulevard, but it will be crowded, so get your spot early.  Bring a towel to sit on the concrete:  it will be hot from the long day in the Florida sun.  

*If you purchase a Feel the Force Package, you will have reserved seating for the fireworks.

10.  Autograph with the Stars:  Each week, a set of new Star Wars celebrities will be available for autographs!  The celebrity list is always impressive, and the opportunity to have an autographed memento will definitely make this a trip of a lifetime!  And new this year, an indoor Celebrity Autograph Location just off Commissary Lane near Star Tours will house the autograph sessions.

Tips from the Force:  These special autograph sessions will require a separate FastPass ticket and wristband.  These tickets and bands will be very limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  You will find these kiosks outside the gate, to the right of the turnstiles.  Depending on the guest, the lines will start well into the early morning. 

*Please note that these FastPass tickets are separate from your regular FastPass+ tickets and will not interfere with any rides or events you have schedule during the day.

You don't want to miss a moment at Disney's Hollywood Studios during Star Wars Weekends!  There are so many tips and tricks to make this weekend special.

Contact me for more information at kesselrunner77@gmail.com