I finally got to attend my first Star Wars Weekends last month at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you have looked into it, you know it is very crowded in the event areas and for the special Star Wars character meet and greets. Beyond that, the rest of the park is fairly normal. I got to do my favorite attractions and rides using FastPasses and patience.

I went to two Star Wars Weekend days. The first day was to photograph the Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade which is lead off by Jedi Knight Mickey Mouse.

Jedi Knight Mickey Mouse leads off the Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/250s, f/8, ISO 200, EV 0, 85mm focal length, fill flash.

I was most interested in seeing the members of the 501st Legion who are people like Civil War re-enactors who are part of a world wide organization which promotes interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work. Below is three examples of the their costume work of over 300 who participated in this motorcade.

Members of the 501st Legion march in the Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade.

There are many special events and meets and greets. These have some unique photo opportunities. Like seeing the Bounty Hunter Janga Fett signing Disney autograph books.

A Bounty Hunter’s work is never done as Janga Fett signs his autograph during Star Wars Weekend.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/250s, f/18, ISO 200, EV 0, 116mm focal length, fill flash.

Waiting in line for Star Wars characters is a long and hot process. I waited for an hour to get my picture taken with Princess Minnie “Leia” Mouse or Jedi Knight Mickey Mouse as they were changing every 25 minutes. I caught this moment during one of the change overs.

Jedi Knight Mickey Mouse waving to Princess Minnie “Leia” Mouse during Star Wars Weekends.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/250s, f/10, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 52mm focal length, fill flash.

There are many shows featuring actors who are part of the Star Wars movies and animated series. The one I highly recommend going to is the Stars to the Saga show. Not only will you see stars like Ray Park who played Darth Maul but for the pre-show. The pre-show features some wayward Stormtroopers who enjoyed the park while on patrol bringing back some hilarious photos of their exploits.

Imperial Stormtroopers wearing Mickey ears at the Stars to the Saga pre-show during Star Wars Weekends.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 2000, EV -1.0, 250mm focal length.

If you or members of your family are big Star Wars fans as I am, you will throughly enjoy Star Wars Weekends. I even got to see the famous droids C-3PO and R2-D2 being escorted after a show on the main stage. Spent some money in Darth’s Mall which is a huge tent full of only Star Wars merchandise especially for Disney. If you are interested in autographs of the Star Wars stars, there are special entrance stations to get FastPasses. I even enjoyed a Blue Milk Shake (tasted like Vanilla) in the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant as a nod to the blue milk Luke drank in the first Star Wars movie.

NOTE: I apologize for missing posting to the blog last week. Time got away from me after vacation. I have many great posts coming up over the next few weeks so I hope you will continue to come back to read Picture This! every day.