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News > Star Wars Weekends 2005 at Walt Disney World coincide
with Episode III Revenge of the Sith opening
Disney News
Press Release
Star Wars Weekends 2005 at Walt Disney World coincide with Episode
III Revenge of the Sith opening
Events at Disney-MGM Studios begin day after new Star Wars film opens
nationwide
As the long-anticipated and newest Star Wars film -- Star Wars: Episode
III Revenge of the Sith -- debuts in theaters nationwide May 19, 2005,
Walt Disney World Resort will raise the curtain on its month-long celebration
of the most famous saga in movie history during the annual Star Wars
Weekends at the Disney-MGM Studios theme park.
Once again, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine
for the family-friendly fan-fest, scheduled for four consecutive weekends
(Friday, Saturday and Sunday) beginning May 20, 2005, at Disney's showbiz-inspired
theme park.
With the park's famous Star Tours thrill ride serving as the centerpiece
of the celebration, Star Wars Weekends fills Disney-MGM Studios with
dozens of heroes, heroines, droids and villains from the famous films.
Meet-and-greets with famous villains and heroes from the five Star
Wars films -- Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi,
The Phantom Menace and Attack of theClones -- Star Wars Weekends bring
guests face-to-face with their favorite characters. Guests never know
which Star Wars character they'll find around the corner, whether it's
the heroic and young Jedi Luke Skywalker, the poised and regal Queen
Amidala, the furry, loyal and lovable Chewbacca or the evil Siths Darth
Vader and Darth Maul.
Star Wars celebrities are special guests during each weekend, taking
part in meet-and-greet sessions, star conversations and Hollywood-style
motorcades. The lineup of Star Wars legends appearing during the month
will be announced soon.
Here's a sampling of festival activities:
* The Characters will be with You -- One of the largest gatherings
anywhere of characters from every Star Wars film -- from Kit Fisto and
Boba Fett to Princess Leia and Greedo -- will roam Disney-MGM Studios
greeting guests, signing autographs and posing for photographs. Even
Mickey Mouse gets into the Star Wars spirit, posing for pictures in
his very own Jedi costume.
* Star Wars Legends -- Visiting Star Wars celebrities take part in
a talk show-style conversation inside the theme park's ABC Theatre.
Guests hear directly from the actors, actresses and creative minds that
have brought the popular film series to life since the Star Wars first
debuted in 1977.
* To Endor... and Back? -- Guests can take flight to the moon of Endor
in Star Tours, an action-packed flight simulator that salutes the Star
Wars series. Synchronizing a stunning film with the virtually limitless
gyrations of the simulator, the attraction takes guests on a hair-raising,
light-speed trip aboard a careening star speeder. The rookie pilot tries
his best to get the ship back to port while dodging comets and Imperial
Tie Fighters.
* Who Wants to be a Jedi? -- 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 their seats.
* Obi-Wanna-Be -- Throughout the day, lucky youngsters will be chosen
to take part in the "Jedi Training Academy," giving Jedi hopefuls
the chance to learn moves with a lightsaber. Following instruction by
the Jedi Master, young Padawans are challenged to test their newly acquired
lightsaber skills against one of the evil Siths.
* One-of-a-Kind Collectibles -- Star Wars collectors will find a treasure
trove of special-edition merchandise each weekend. Once again, Disney
and Lucasfilm Ltd. have created event-exclusive Star Wars memorabilia
-- from trading pins 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 Star Wars movies, the
retail location is adjacent to the Ewok Village set at the Star Tours
attraction.
Star Wars Weekends will launch into orbit May 20, 2005, and will be
held four consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) through
June 12, 2005.
For the latest Star Wars Weekends updates, guests may visit www.starwars.com
or disneyworld.com.
Happiest Celebration on Earth & Customized Vacations -- There's
never been a better time than during Star Wars Weekends to visit Walt
Disney World Resort. In addition to Star Wars Weekends, the entire 47-square-mile
Vacation Kingdom will brim with excitement as the "Happiest Celebration
on Earth" kicks off May 5, 2005.
New "E-Ticket" attractions -- including a high-flying, extreme
stunt show at Disney-MGM Studios called "Lights, Motors, Action!
Extreme Stunt Show" -- will debut all across Walt Disney World
property as 50 years of Disney theme parks are celebrated globally.
Also, a new and innovative Disney ticket pricing system, known as "Magic
Your Way," was just introduced and offers the chance for guests
to customize their vacations. For Florida residents, ticket discounts
have been introduced to allow them to maximize their Disney theme park
fun.
For more information about Walt Disney World tickets, resort accommodations
and "Magic Your Way," guests may visit disneyworld.com.
