The best part about extra hands...

Did you know that The Empire Strikes Back came out 30 years ago? Hurts, doesn’t it? Okay, you’re old, but you look great. Let’s move on. The anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back is just one of the Star Wars celebrations happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during their Star Wars Weekends.

Star Wars Weekends are celebrated at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting today! That’s right, if you want to go you need to find a ship that can get you there in less than twelve parsecs.  Or you can go next weekend.  Here are the dates: May 21-23 and 28-30, June 4-6 and 11-13.

Perhaps you are wondering what Disney has to do with Star Wars.  The two pop-culture powerhouses have been friendly since the Star Tours ride opened at Disneyland in 1987.  It’s a relationship that has continued to grow and blossom over the years — apparently, and I speak from experience, there is a lot of crossover appeal between Disney and Star Wars fans. Go figure.

Star Wars Weekends celebrate the six films as well as the current animated series The Clone Wars (which, IMHO, is pretty awesome). In addition to everything you would normally expect from a Walt Disney World vacation you are also able to join Jedi Knights, Sith Lords and the rest of your Star Wars favorites for shows, parades, presentations, autographs (FASTPASS available outside front gate entrance for celebrity autographs) and anything else the Force has in store.

The rainbow brings out his eyes.

Here are some of the events (appearances subject to change) that Disney has lined up (from the official Disney website):

2010 Star Wars Weekends Schedule

Weekend 1: May 21 – 23, the actual 30th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back

* Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett)
* Daniel Logan (Boba Fett, Episode II)
* Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Captain Rex, Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend 2: May 28 – 30

* Matthew Wood (voice of General Grievous)
* Lorne Peterson (Chief Model Maker, Star Wars Saga)
* Tom Kane (voice of Yoda, Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend 3: June 4 – 6

* Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)
* Ray Park (Darth Maul)
* Dave Filoni (Supervising Director, Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend 4: June 11 – 13

* Ray Park (Darth Maul)
* Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
* James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

It’s an amazing weekend(s) full of all things Star Wars and Disney!

On a personal note, I only wish that the schedule was pushed back a few weeks so more families could make the trip after schools let out for the summer.  I like to think that Yoda and Mickey would be okay with that.

Photos from the DisneyParks Blog — and they’ve got more!

Related Posts:

Star Wars Celebration V and the Last Tour to Endor

Choosing a Hotel for a Walt Disney World Vacation