Star Wars Weekends 2003 @ MGM Studios Florida

Darthshader

New Recruit
Matt over at http://www.mgmstudios.org/sww.html
has this to report on the event:

"Star Wars Weekend 2003 Information
Dates: The 2003 Star Wars Weekends are scheduled for five consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
May 16 – 18
May 23 – 25
May 30 – June 1
June 6 - June 8
June 13 – June 15
(Disney seems to have confirmed it will be all 5 weekends in a recent letter)


Events Planned:
Actors and voice performers from the films are scheduled to appear in daily star conversations and Hollywood-style motorcades.

Character Meet & Greets - Almost 20 unique characters will pose for
photographs.

As the sun gives way to the stars each evening, the excitement rises with a Cantina Street Party from 5 p.m. to park closing.

Walt Disney World guests also have the opportunity to get acquainted with the actors 'behind the masks' of many favorite Star Wars characters.

Behind the Force: The Saga Continues - A Lucasfilm behind-the-scenes look into
the making of the Star Wars Saga.

Interactive, Interstellar Fun-- Star Wars trivia contests and games will be held near the Star Tours attraction to test fans' film knowledge. In addition, a special Video Starcade will feature the best in Star Wars-inspired electronic games.

Star Wars trivia contests and games will be held near the Star Tours attraction to test fans' film knowledge. In addition, a special Video Starcade will feature the best in Star Wars-inspired electronic games.

Obi-Wanna-Be -- Throughout the day, several lucky youngsters will be chosen to take part in the "Jedi Training Academy," giving Jedi hopefuls the chance to learn moves with a lightsaber, then test their skills against Darth Vader himself.

A Galaxy of Collectibles -- Disney and Lucasfilm Ltd. have created event-exclusive Star Wars merchandise -- from trading pins (including a special boxed set) and commemorative posters to apparel, medallions and other limited-edition items -- that will be available in Tatooine Traders. With a look inspired by scenes in The Phantom Menace, the retail location is adjacent to the Ewok Village set at the Star Tours attraction.

There will be weekly pins along with the overall pins sold for the weekends.

Hasbro Fun - See what you look like as a life-size Star Wars action figure.

Galactic Game Show -- Special editions of the popular game show attraction "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire--Play It!" will be presented, with a variety of Star Wars-inspired questions and surprise appearances by film characters. The attraction's studio audience can join in the fun by answering trivia questions using keypads installed at each seat.

The 501st fan Storm Trooper division will be appearing either the first weekend or last weekend. Events may include them escorting guests around the park and being at the parking plazas.

Characters Scheduled to Appear:
(2 Stars expected per Weekend)

C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) - May 16-18, 2003"

Thanks to Matt for his informative site!

I will be in attendance at the event, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Hope to see you there!

For info & pics on past year's Star Wars Weekends,
visit:
http://www.swweekends.tripod.com/
 

Darthshader

New Recruit
SW Weekends & Fan Club Breakfast

I will be lucky enough to attend both events. As a regular attendee of SW Weekends, I am very glad to see some fresh faces and lots of press this year!:dance:

Anyone going?
 

Darthshader

New Recruit
SWW

Saturday's Plan May 17th

After the First Friday Frenzy, I decided to avoid the autograph mayhem, and
check out some other SWW activities. Sleeping in a bit Saturday morning was
nice!

Got to the park about 10:30 a.m., just in time for the Parade and Celebrity
welcome. Tattooine Traders(Star Tours merchandise store) was a lot less
crowded, although the really limited items like the coin and boxed pin set
were sold out already. Lots of Speeder 3000's and Star Tours figures in
stock. Was able to get in & out fairly easy.

I headed over to Mickey ave, (outside Star Tours section) to check out the
"Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" attraction. What a pleasant surprise!
The first 2 shows of the day are Star Wars themed, both in trivia and
prizes! The audience participates on this attraction, and there are chances
to win some really cool Star Wars/Disney prizes. It was extremely
entertaining, fun, and, as a bonus, air conditioned! The show is
approximately 20 minutes.

Next, I went back to the Star Tours section, and stopped by The Event
Information table to chat with some veteran cast members. They were nice
enough to direct me to the location that they were giving away AOTC trading
card games FREE(location changes several times daily). Make sure to stop by
the Event Info table, they are very helpful!

Just for grins, I cruised back by the autograph area. Anthony Daniels is so
wonderful with the fans, it is fun to just watch. Lines for both BDW & AD
were to capacity, but Disney was nice enough to surprise us with a bonus
guest, Miss Aurra Sing herself, Michonne Bourrigue. Again great to watch a
SW guest who appreciates interaction with the fans! She had no problems
signing collectibles.

A short time later, I caught "Stars of the Saga" a SW celebrity talk
show.(located in the ABC theater at 2:00 pm) This was a great Q & A session
with our SW guests of the week.(and a bonus for air conditioning and a
seat!)

After a brief stop to the video arcade(located in the Backlot Express cafe),
and went back over to Mickey ave to check out The Backlot Tour. Another
wonderful surprise!! The tour takes about 35 minutes, and is well worth it.
A chance to see some great SW & Indiana Jones movie items. As you exit the
tour, there is a great display of Great Movie Villans!(I never knew this was
here!!) Our favorite Man in Black was on display, along with lots of other
movie baddies!

It was early evening, I went back over to the Star tours area to catch the
Tatooine Trivia Trials at 6:00 pm.(you must register in the morning for this
event, space is limited.) The prizes are impressive, so well worth playing
should you get a chance.

A day at MGM is not complete without a few rides on the Rock N' Roller
Coaster! Remember that if you cannot make it in to the autograph line, there
are still so many fun things to choose from!!!(and rides with air
conditioning.) See you all next week!
 

Darthshader

New Recruit
A Star Wars Weekend Day Guide- Open to Close

9:00 am- PARK OPENS
Trivia registration begins! Sign up early, space is reserved.
(event information booth)
Armbands for autographs are given out in the autograph que area.
Signing policies,availability, and location subect to change.
9:30am-
Jedi Training Academy(for the little Padawans)
(Star Tours stage)
10:15 am-
Behind the Force: The Saga Continues (documentary)
(inside of ABC theater)
Jedi Training Academy
10:30-
Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Star Wars edition
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
11:00am-
Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade & Welcome
11:20am-
Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Star Wars edition
11:30
Jedi Training Academy
11:50
Padawan Mind challenge:(kiddie trivia)
12:00 NOON
SW Celebrity autograph session
Indiana Jones Stunt spectacular
12:15
Behind the Force
12:40
Jedi Training Academy
1:30
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
Jedi Training Academy
2:00
Stars of the Saga
(celebrity Q & A, in ABC theater)
2:20
Jedi Training Academy
3:00
SW Celebrity autograph session
3:10
Jedi Training Academy
3:30
Behind the Force
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
4:00
Jedi Training Academy
4:30
Behind the Force
4:45
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
5:30
Disney motor car parade
6:00
Tatooine Trivia Trials
6:15
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
6:30
Jedi Training Academy

Continuously running activities of interest:
Star Tours
Backlot Tour
Tatooine Traders(Star Tours Store)
Video Starcade(arcade area)
Rock N Roller Coaster
SW Characters appearing for photos throughout the day
(check with cast members for times & locations)
 

Darthshader

New Recruit
http://www.tradefederation.net/pages/features/weekends-special/


week #3 summary

I only did half a weekend for week 3.(need to save energy for last 2 weekends!) Silas Carson (Nute Gunray, Ki Adi)
and Mike Quinn (Nien Nun, puppeteer) were the Star Wars celebrities this
past weekend. They were happy to not only sign collectibles, but even stayed a little
longer than the scheduled time! Both gentlemen were pleased to speak with
fans, and Silas even joked around in his Nute Gunray voice. Mike Quinn talked about his work with Pixar.
(Silas Carson was really handsome in person, pictures don't do him justice!)

The SWW gold coin for week 3 was still available Saturday morning, this one was
limited to 1000. The scene at Tatooine Traders was very civilized, and easy to
make purchases.

You can find Star Wars merchandise & activities outside of the Star Tours area of
the theme park as well:

Who Wants to be a Millionaire(Star Wars edition)
Backlot Studio Tour(great Star Wars items throughout & at end of the tour)
*Both of these attractions are located on Mickey ave.

There is a pin station located right in the middle of the park, under the giant
Sorcerer's hat. Inside the pin station is a build-your-own pin counter. There are
2 different Star Wars build-a-pins. Two different SW backgrounds, and you add your
choice of 2 characters. Neat, and reasonably priced!

(**A NON Star Wars note- Right behind Star Tours, you will find Jim Henson's Muppetvision 3D attraction, and a store of just Muppet stuff. A must see for all Muppet fans!)

And don't forget the SW movie prop display at The Planet Hollywood store located in Downtown
Disney!

Stay tuned for upcoming reports on the Fan Club Breakfast! I can't wait to see the goody bag!
 

Darthshader

New Recruit
Temuera Morrison(Jango Fett) & Michonne Bourrigue(Aurra Sing) were kind enough to brave the Florida heat for SW fans all 3 days. These two celebrities were truly a class act! Each showed up early to signing sessions, and stayed late,
trying to get to as many fans as possible, and signing any & all collectibles. Both
were well worth waiting in line to see, they seemed to enjoy the event as much as the
fans did. Temuera was quite a comedian!

The Stars of the Saga show gave us a chance to sample Temuera's great singing, and some dancing from Michonne. Need I say more? You HAD to be here!

The Great Movie Ride had been re-opened, and has the Chess table from the Millenium Falcon
on display. Every week I was able to discover something I had never seen before, Star Wars goodies are hidden all throughout the park at MGM Studios Florida! The SW build a pin was one of my favorites.

The 3rd figure from Star Tours wave 3 appeared at Tatooine Traders over the weekend, a silver
SWW coin(for a total of 4 different coins) and the Toys R Us Imperial 4 pack as well. There were many other SW items that apperared to be new that were not SWW related, some really cool Stormtrooper & Boba Fett t shirt designs,
etc. Well worth a trip into the park.

The last weekend of this year's event was, by far, my favorite. Bounty Hunters rule! I am
already planning to attend next year.
 
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