If you are a Star Wars fan, you won’t want to miss out on this yearly event at the Orlando theme park, Disney World Star Wars Weekends.

Storm troupers at Disney World Star Wars Weekends

 Disney’s Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekends begins May 15 and continues through June 14. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during this period, park guests can see actors from the six motion pictures and see more than 60 Star Wars characters roaming throughout the theme park. There are many meet-and-greet opportunities, so keep your camera handy! This special event is truly a celebration of all things Star Wars.

This year’s event welcomes a new show, “Star Wars: Rebels.” There will also be new locations for autograph sessions and merchandise. Of the new items to note are several Star Wars luminaries making their first hyperspace jump to Disney World Star Wars Weekends.

One of the biggest draws for this event are the Star Wars celebrities that attend. Bringing his evil prowess to Disney World Star Wars Weekends for the first time, actor Ian McDiarmid, Senator/Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars movies, will kick off the first weekend, May 15-17. Of course the dark side is never present without a beacon of light, so actor Frank Oz, the voice of Yoda in the Star Wars movies, will make his first event appearance the weekend of June 12-14.

Other celebrity guests scheduled to appear at Disney World Star Wars Weekends

Star Wars WeekendsMay 15-17:
• Ian McDiarmid: Senator/Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
• Amy Allen: Aayla Secura (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)
• Tiya Sircar: Sabine Wren (Star Wars Rebels)

May 22-24
• Warwick Davis: Wald, Wicket W. Warrick (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
• Silas Carson: Ki-Adi-Mundi, Nute Gunray (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)
• Vanessa Marshall: Hera Syndulla (Star Wars Rebels)

May 29-31
• Warwick Davis: Wald, Wicket W. Warrick (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
• Daniel Logan: Boba Fett (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones)
• Steve Blum: Zeb Orrelios (Star Wars Rebels)

June 5-7
• Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)
• Jeremy Bulloch: Boba Fett (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
• Ashley Eckstein: Ahsoka Tano (Star Wars: The Clone Wars; Star Wars Rebels)

June 12-14
• Frank Oz: Yoda (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi; Star Wars Rebels)
• Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)
• Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca (Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith; Star Wars: A New Hope; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
• Taylor Gray: Ezra Bridger (Star Wars Rebels)

If you are traveling from a galaxy far, far away, be sure to get your tickets early. Your regular park admission is included for this special event, however, some opportunities require a FastPass ticket. ORLANDO TOURIST TIP: If you have a child between the ages of 4 and 12 years of age, be sure to sign up early and let them have the chance of becoming a Jedi! Visit the ABC Sound Studio early in the day and reserve their spot in the Academy. The capacity is limited, and only 12 Padawans are selected for each show throughout the day. It creates a special memory for any jedi-wanna-be!

Star Wars Jedi Training

Disney World Star Wars Weekends is a fun experience for all ages. While enjoying the fireworks, celebrities and special shows, you’ll know the force is with you and make memories for light years ahead. For more information, visit DisneyTheForce.com.