Beware of Jawas Carrying Maps – Character Interaction at Star Wars Weekends

We are getting ready for the 2014 Star Wars™ Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and it is always fun to look back at the some of our previous trips.

If you attend  Star Wars™ Weekends you will notice that character interactions are a bit different. There are the official meet and greet locations:

• Meet Disney Pals as Star Wars Stars in Darth’s Mall
• Meet the Heroes of the Clone Wars Near the Premiere Theater
• Meet the Dark Side near Darth’s Mall
• Meet Members of the Jedi Council near Premiere Theater
• Meet Members of the Rebel Alliance Near Star Tours® – The Adventures Continue
• Star Wars Celebrity Autographs at Echo Lake

But in addition to that you will find that a lot of charterers wander through the crowds.

For example you may suddenly see a squadron of Stormtroopers run through the crowd in formation hunting for a “Rebel”.  That “Rebel” could just be an innocent bystander who happened to have had a t-shirt with Han Solo on it.

My son, Sam, was one of these innocent bystanders.  But in his case it was a very wiley Jawa that targeted him.

While attending Star Wars Weekends in 2009 a Jawa walked up to Sam and handed him a park map.  Sam innocently took it from him and that is when the Jawa snatched his hat right off of his head and walked away.

At first he could not figure out what had happened and why this Jawa walked off with his hat.  Finally a bystander explained that he had just traded his hat for a map.  (For the non-Star Wars folks, Jawas are very good traders on the planet of Tatooine that are know for being shrewd bargainers.)

So now my son was in a pickle.  He had nothing more to trade.  The Jawa tried to get my husband’s watch but that was a no-go.  In the end my son had to trade the Jawa 2 maps for his hat.  The Jawa made 100% profit off that trade.

So beware of the Jawas if you want to keep your Mickey Ears!!

I have been told that the most popular character meet ‘n greet is with Darth Vader himself.  I have heard of people standing in line for hours to have their picture taken with him.

On this trip, they did not have the time so instead, when Darth Vader was resting, they took advantage of the backgrounds and played around a bit. I would recommend this to others that fall into the ‘I am not standing in this line’ camp.

A little vintage Disney trivia for you.  You will see in this page the short lived Stitch’s Galaxy Party. It was a dance party themed around Stitch escaping from jail.  It was highly interactive and my husband was even featured on the big screen as an escaped alien inmate.  Unfortunately at the time there was no shade from the sun there so they baked the fans and the show was soon ended.  They use the stage now with dance parties but they have added shade.

But there is BIG news this year if you don’t want to stand in line to meet the characters.  They now have released Star Wars Weekends Character Dining.  There are two options with two different sets of characters.

Star Wars Dine-In Galactic Breakfast! at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

For the first time Sci-Fi Dine in Theater will be open for breakfast.  At this breakfast you will get to dine with the classic Star Wars characters: Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Greedo, Jawas and Stormtroopers. All the while film clips from the classic movies with play on the big screen and you will be surrounded by that classic music.

• When: Daily May 4 – Jun. 15, 2014  8a-Noon
• Pricing: $47.99 for adults; $29.99 for children (tax & gratuity not included)
• Dining Plan: 2 Table Service entitlements

Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine

Hollywood & Vine goes Star Wars with a Disney twist at Dinner.  Here you will meet your favorite Disney characters in Star Wars character: Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Vader Goofy, Storm Trooper Donald and Ewoks Chip ‘n’ Dale.

• When: Daily May 4 – Jun. 15, 2014 4:30p – park close
• Pricing: $55.99 for adults; $32.99 for children (tax & gratuity not included)
• Fantasmic! Dinner Package Pricing: $59.99 for adults; $36.99 for children (tax & gratuity not included)
• Dining Plan: 2 Table Service entitlements

 

 

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