Stormtroopers patrol the entrance to the Studios

JEDIS, WOOKIEES and DROIDS, Oh MY!: Star Wars Weekends Returns to the Walt Disney World Galaxy in May 2012 -- A stormtrooper stands watch at Disney's Hollywood Studios as a statue in the shape of a very familiar mouse looks over him. (Mark Ashman, photographer)

Star Wars Weekends returns to the Walt Disney World Resort during May and June 2012, as Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park celebrates the Star Wars film saga and the hit animated television series Star WarsThe Clone Wars.

The annual special event, included in regular theme park admission, will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 18-June 10, 2012.

Darth Vader at Star Wars Weekends

Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios -- The evil Sith Darth Vader makes a dramatic entrance to Jedi Training Academy during opening day of Star Wars Weekends. The annual sci-fi event, draws fans of all ages to Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park to celebrate with Star Wars celebrities, more than 50 Star Wars characters roaming the theme park for meet-and-greet opportunities, star conversations, Star Wars parades, interactive activities, exclusive merchandise and the famous Star Tours thrill ride. Event activities are included with regular theme park admission. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

The power of the Force and magic of Disney combine as more than 60 Star Wars characters – including Wookiees, droids, Rodians, Ewoks, bounty hunters and Jedi – roam the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for meet-and-greet opportunities with guests.

Star Wars celebrities highlight the event, appearing in themed parades, talk shows, star conversations, behind-the-scenes presentations and autograph sessions.  Here are the celebrities attending Star Wars Weekends 2012 (*subject to change):

Weekend I (May 18 – 20)

  • Ray Park – (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Jerome Blake (Rune Haako/Mas Amedda – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Clone Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend II (May 25- 27)

  • Andy Secombe (Watto – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Tom Kane (voice of Yoda – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend III (June 1 -3)

  • Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Silas Carson (Nute Gunray/Ki-Adi-Mundi – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)

Weekend IV (June 8- 10)

  • Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Sing – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
  • Daniel Logan (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones)
  • Nika Futterman (voice of Asajj Ventress – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
Star Tours queue area

The Saga Continues in 2012 -- Star Wars Weekends returns to the Walt Disney World Resort from every Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 18-June 10, 2012, as Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The centerpiece of the celebration is the spectacular 3-D attraction, “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.”  The attraction, which opened last year, uses eye-popping 3-D, a dramatic musical score and motion simulator-based technology to immerse guests in the Star Wars galaxy like never before on a theme park attraction.

Limited-edition and event-exclusive merchandise is offered each year, and the ever-popular “Hyperspace Hoopla” ends each Star Wars Weekends day with a show filled with comedy, dancing and high-energy music.

There is even a chance to be immortalized in carbonite with the new carbon-freeze me. Essentially, for $100 plus shipping, your likeness will be cast in an 8″ figurine encased in carbonite (really plastic, but who’s keeping track). Check out the details on the Disney Parks blog.

For more information and future updates, guests may go online to disneyparks.com/blog (keyword search: “Star Wars Weekends”) disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends or starwars.com.

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