Star Wars Weekend #1: A message from J.J. Abrams and singing stormtroopers


Fans attending the first Star Wars Weekend this year at Disney World got a special message from J.J. Abrams. He doesn’t drop any mystery box bombs, but it’s a nice gesture.

And while the beloved/controversial Dance-Off With The Star Wars Stars has been replaced with a more “respectful” and “tasteful” finale show, there are Stormtroopers rocking out to Earth hits, which I suppose is something:

Her Universe offers peek at Star Wars Weekend boutique

Here’s your first look at the Her Universe boutique at Darth’s Mall (complete with dressing room,) plus the My Hero display and new dresses waiting for buyers at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends. The new collection we saw last week is debuting there, and most will be available online as well.

The first Weekend of the year begins Friday with guests Ahmed Best, Peter Mayhew, and Vanessa Marshall.

Her Universe introduces Artoo jewelry line, new tees, tanks and dresses for Star Wars Weekends

Her Universe's "My Hero Collection"

Her Universe’s new ‘My Hero” collection all feature R2-D2 and will debut at Weekends and on the Her Universe site on May 19th. A key chain from the collection – limited to 300 – will be the Weekends exclusive.


There’s a whole bunch of new tees, tanks and dresses as well, including a great Han Solo dress, two new hooded tanks and (finally!) an plus-size logo tee. Check them out under the cut.

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Mark Hamill to make first Star Wars Weekends appearance

weekends-luke-cropMark Hamill will be attending his first Star Wars Weekend this year, Disney Parks announced today. He’ll be at Disney World June 6-8, or Weekend IV.

That seems like it could be right smack in the middle of Episode VII filming, so naturally the speculation has ramped up, confirmation or no confirmation. What does this say about his (presumed) shooting schedule? Could the details waiting to be revealed be waiting on casting announcements? So much buzzing, I’m getting a headache.

One thing is for sure: Lucasfilm and Disney can probably afford the airfare between London and Orlando, or Orlando and anywhere else. (We can say one thing: Hamill recorded a live podcast in Los Angeles on Tuesday.)

Report: Disney keeping Expanded Universe characters out of Star Wars Weekends parade?

Word on the streets (well, the message boards) is that Disney has told the 501st and Rebel Legions that certain Expanded Universe characters are “not being allowed to march” in the Star Wars Weekend Motorcade. The only character we know for sure at this time is Mara Jade, but it’s easy to guess at several others from there. Nanci Tosche Station has thoughts.

One big question: Would this apply to characters from other eras who haven’t crossed over into tv or movies, like the Old Republic, or does it only affect post-Return of the Jedi characters who may in the path of the sequels?

Although this means certain costumers (including quite a few women) will no longer be able to march in the official parade, certain means of quiet protest have been suggested: Attendees can still dress in costumes or don EU character shirts.

UPDATE: TFN’s Eric Geller reached out the Lucasfilm on this, and they told him “that neither Disney nor LFL ordered a prohibition on EU characters in the SW Weekends parade.” Tosche Station maintains they’ve heard otherwise from 501st members, although no one is yet sure how high at Disney the orders may come from.

UPDATE #2: More explanation…

Continue reading “Report: Disney keeping Expanded Universe characters out of Star Wars Weekends parade?”

Star Wars Weekends gets super-sized for 2014, but the Hyperspace Hoopla is no more

WDW-StarWarsWeekends-2014-posterTime to start planning your summer vacation around Star Wars! Walt Disney World has announced the 2014 schedule of Star Wars Weekends, including the expansion to a fifth weekend and the addition of nightly fireworks.

Held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars Weekends (each Fri-Sun from mid-May to mid-June) will be hosted by fan favorite voice actor James Arnold Taylor. This year’s theme, “Join the Rebellion,” looks to loosely tie into the launch of Rebels.

Sadly, Dunc’s favorite part of Star Wars Weekends will not be returning – the Hyperspace Hoopla show has been retired. The Star Wars dance-off stage show has done its last boogie and will be replaced with new shows and the Symphony in the Stars fireworks show. No word yet on whether Disney World will be doing a May the 4th event.

Planning out the rest of your travel itinerary?