Star Wars Weekends is an annual special event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that celebrates the legendary Star Wars Saga and the animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each weekend, you can join celebrities and characters for special shows, panels, presentations and more.

The dates for 2013’s Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have been announced.

The Disney Parks blog revealed the special event weekends will be May 17-19, May 24-26, May 31 -June 2, June 7-9, 2013.

Click HERE to see Star Wars 2013 Merchandise.

James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein will be the celebrity hosts for all 4 weekends.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios admission is required. Availability is limited for some events, which may be cancelled at any time.

In 2013 there will be more than 60 characters representing all six of the Star Wars films: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

Here is the list of some possible characters we may see in 2013:

(NOTE: These are characters, not the actors who portrayed them.)

Ahsoka
Anakin Skywalker
Aurra Sing
Boba Fett
Cantina Band
Chewbacca
Clone Troopers
Darth Maul
Darth Vader
Ewoks
Gamorrean Guard
Jango Fett
Jawas
Jedi Mickey

Kit Fisto
Leia Minnie
Mace Windu
Princess Leia
Luke Skywalker
Queen Amidala
R2-D2
Shaak Ti
Stormtroopers
Stormtrooper Donald
Tusken Raiders
Vader Goofy
Zam Wesell

This is the first year Star Wars Weekends will be run under new ownership, so to speak. Walt Disney Company recently purchased Lucasfilm and owns the rights to Star Wars including plans to release three new films in years to come.

Guest appearances subject to change without notice.

So far we know:

• SCHEDULED CELEBRITY APPEARANCES
  • MAY 17-19
    • Ray Park – (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • MAY 24-26
    • Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
    • Warwick Davis (everyone’s favorite Ewok, Wicket W. Warrick)
  • MAY 31 – JUNE 2
    • Warwick Davis (everyone’s favorite Ewok, Wicket W. Warrick)
  • JUNE 7-9
    • Billy Dee Williams (everyone’s favorite galactic smuggler, Lando Calrissian)

Disney’s FASTPASS Service will be used for all autograph sessions during Star Wars Weekends. It works the same as it does for attractions. A limited number of FASTPASS tickets are available. You will pick up your ticket with a scheduled autograph return time (instead of a ride time). You then get to go enjoy the park until your FASTPASS autograph return time. When your return time comes you just go to the autograph location. Each guest must be present to receive a FASTPASS. Once the tickets for an actor are gone, Disney will distribute a limited number of stand by tickets with a return time. Check the park guide for more details.

Related articles

• Disney Releases First STAR WARS WEEKENDS 2013 Poster (geektyrant.com)