I was lucky enough to overlap my early summer 2013 trip to Walt Disney World with Star Wars Weekends—an annual celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that just keeps getting bigger! I covered Star Wars Weekends in detail during 2012 with two full episodes of Sam’s Disney Diary. Legends of the Force Motorcade, and the full HyperSpace Hoopla, a Star Wars character dance-off like no other. So rather than rehash everything, I’ll highlight what was new for 2013.
Disney + Lucasfilm = Jedi Mickey!
The biggest change from 2012 to 2013? Disney’s official acquisition of Lucasfilm, making Star Wars officially part of the Disney family. While the branding wasn’t everywhere, the change was definitely felt—most notably with Jedi Mickey’s surprise appearance at the end of HyperSpace Hoopla. A true Disney goosebump moment!
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Jedi Mickey leads the parade.
Updated Maps and Parade Changes
One of the first things I noticed? New maps! Star Wars Weekends 2013 introduced park maps that mirrored the updated My Disney Experience format. I attended Weekend 4 (June 7–9), and each weekend featured refreshed designs.
The New format Maps await guests at Star Wars Weekend 2013
This year’s Legends of the Force parade was combined with the Celebrity Welcome and moved to 11:00 a.m. Rumor had it that backstage construction impacted float traffic, so the parade took a new route down Hollywood Boulevard. Best part? After the celebs were introduced, the motorcade looped back, letting fans catch the parade a second time with a smaller crowd.
What’s New at Hyperspace Hoopla
This year brought two newcomers to the Hoopla stage: Lando Calrissian (possibly due to Billy Dee Williams’ appearance that weekend) and the much-anticipated Jedi Mickey. For the record, I can’t recall another classic Disney character sharing the stage with Star Wars characters before. Jedi Mickey’s entrance? Epic. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get overdone in future years.
Lando Calrissian make an appearance at 2013 Hyper Space Hoopla, Billie Dee Williams was one of the celebrity guests.
New Experiences and Merch at Darth’s Mall
Once again, Darth’s Mall returned near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, loaded with exclusive pins, shirts, collectibles, and themed snacks. But 2013 introduced a few extra surprises:
Darth’s Mall was once again the central location for Star Wars Weekend Merchandise… plus other activities.
Angry Birds Star Wars Experience
A fun “aim and launch” play area where kids could take down targets using Angry Birds-style blasters. Not groundbreaking, but a solid diversion for younger guests.
Star Wars Angry Birds Experience was new for Star Wars Weekend 2013
LEGO Star Wars Center
Guests could help build a massive LEGO mural celebrating Return of the Jedi’s 30th anniversary or design their own Star Wars vehicles. A great hands-on experience for fans of all ages.
Darth’s Mall features a Lego Star Wars creation center…. Celebrating 30 years of Return of the Jedi.
D-Tech Me Stormtrooper Experience
Returning for a second year, this time inside Darth’s Mall, the D-Tech Me setup let guests scan their face and be turned into a custom Stormtrooper figure. Unlike 2012’s Carbon Freeze Me (which I did and still have boxed on a shelf), this one included both male and female options. I didn’t participate this year—but it was great to see the experience evolving.
D-Tech me offered both the Han Solo Frozen in Carbonate (Same as 2012) and the new Storm Trooper Experience.
Star Wars/Cars Crossover
One of my favorite surprises? Star Wars/Cars mashups! Mater as Darth Vader, Lightning McQueen as Luke Skywalker, and Fillmore as Yoda. Classic! Don’t worry, Muppet/Star Wars mashups were still going strong. (Beaker as C3PO still steals the show for me.)
New for 2013… Star Wars / Cars! Combine classic Star Wars Characters with Disney/Pixar Cars.. and you get… Fillmore as Yoda, Matter as Darth Vader, and Lightning McQueen as Luke Skywalker.
Passholder Exclusives
Jedi Mickey making his first appearance on the Hyper Space Hoopla Stage.
2013 added a new touch: Annual Passholder-exclusive T-shirts in addition to the usual limited-edition pins.
With Jedi Mickey now officially in the family, it’s safe to say the Force is strong with this one.
Until next year… may the Force (and the FastPasses) be with you!
End of a long day at Star Wars Weekend 2013https://youtu.be/bovZaL3H9jc
Lots of Pictures from Star Wars Weekend 2013.
Classic Darth Vader “Action Figures” available at Darth’s Mall
Star Wars Weekend 2013, Bobba Fett Stands Guard..
C3PO – Star Wars Weekend 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Ashley Eckstein Celebrity Host for 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome. Tom Kane The Voice Behind Yoda from the Clone Wars
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Darth’s Mall features a Lego Star Wars creation center…. Celebrating 30 years of Return of the Jedi.
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, James Arnold Taylor – Celebrity Host for 2013
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome.
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013 – Pre-Show DJ
C3PO Takes questions during the Padawan Mind Challenge (Star Wars Weekend 2013)
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
Ashley Eckstein’s Her Universe collection, lots of designs available in Darth’s Mall
D-Tech Me was inside Darth’s Mall in 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome
A Rancor? Time for a picture.
Chip and Dale get character at Star Wars Weekend 2013
Star Wars Weekend 2013 – R2-MK
Last day of Star Wars Weekend = a “Galactic Sale” I’ll take that!!!
Lando Calrissian make an appearance at 2013 Hyper Space Hoopla, Billie Dee Williams was one of the celebrity guests.
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Jedi Mickey making his first appearance on the Hyper Space Hoopla Stage.
Star Wars Weekends 2013
Star Wars Weekend 2013 The Alliance side of the Street
Build your own light saber in Darth’s Mall. (Hint – The pre-assembled versions are 1/3 the cost)
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Lots of merchandise available at Dart’s Mall
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Donald Duck as Darth Maul, in Darth’s Mall… Donald was the feature of Star Wars Weekend 2011, now part of the theme.
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Goofy as Darth Vader
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, A storm trooper stands guard next to Darth Vader
The good and bad of visiting during the last day of star wars weekend. Bad News, the limited edition Pins will be sold out, the Good News 50% OFF select merchandise. (Kids and Women’s T-Shirts 50% off too)
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome. Peter Mayhew The Actor who played Chewbacca in Episode III, IV, V & VI
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Boba Fett survey’s the crowd.
Limited Edition Art Work, star Wars Weekend 2013
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013: Almost Show Time
The New format Maps await guests at Star Wars Weekend 2013
D-Tech me offered both the Han Solo Frozen in Carbonate (Same as 2012) and the new Storm Trooper Experience.
Luke Skywalker and Princess Lea meet and greet inside Darth’s Mall, 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Ashley Eckstein Celebrity Host for 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome.
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, James Arnold Taylor – Celebrity Host for 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Bobba Fett
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Greedo…. Didn’t Han take care of you in the cantina?
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Star Wars Weekend 2013 (The Empire Side of the Street)
New for Star Wars Weekend 2013, Choose Your Side. The Force (Wildberry Lemonade, Grey Goose and Chambord). or the Dark Side (Pomegranate Lemonade, Coconut Rum and Cointreau) I’ll have…. Both ;-)
The Lego Mural Celebrating Return of the Jedi’s 30th Anniversary.
Star Wars Angry Birds Experience was new for Star Wars Weekend 2013
The Star Tours Star Speeder 1000, available at Darth’s Mall
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome. Tom Kane The Voice Behind Yoda from the Clone Wars
Jedi Mickey and Princess Minnie head to the Meet and Great Location during Star Wars Weekend 2013
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Star Wars Weekend Beach Towel!! 2013 Edition
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Jedi Mickey appears during Star Wars Weekend 2013 Hyper Space Hoopla
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013 (The ultimate Star Wars DJ)
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Star Wars Weekend or not, a trip to Star Tours is always in line.
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Star Wars Weekend 2013
New for 2013… Star Wars / Cars! Combine classic Star Wars Characters with Disney/Pixar Cars.. and you get… Fillmore as Yoda, Matter as Darth Vader, and Lightning McQueen as Luke Skywalker.
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Vader!!!
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome. Billie Dee Williams
Last view of Star Wars Weekend event stage 2013… the stage was quickly transformed into the “Monstrous Summer Pep Rally Stage”. Part of 2013 “Limited Time Magic”
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Big Figs on display in Darth’s Mall
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Jedi Mickey leads the parade.
Photo op with a Rancor, can’t say I’ve had that opportunity before. Star Wars Weekend 2013
The Final Storm Trooper of the 2013 Parade.
The D-Tech Me Storm Trooper experience.
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
Darth’s Mall was once again the central location for Star Wars Weekend Merchandise… plus other activities.
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome. Billie Dee Williams
Jedi Mickey on the Star Wars Weekend Stage
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Star Wars Weekend 2013 – R2Mk
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome,
Darth’s Mall themed very nicely for Star Wars Weekend 2013
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Chip getting into the Star Wars Spirit
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
Hanging out with the Disney Star Wars Gang… Jedi Mickey, Princess Minnie and R2-MK
“Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Jedi Mickey leads the parade.
Chip and Dale in Star Wars gear, available around Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Star Wars Weekend Hyper Space Hoopla 2013
Star Wars Angry Birds Experience was new for Star Wars Weekend 2013
[…] a Disney Nerd – and I’m a Star Wars Nerd! It should be obvious based on past blog posts, Star Wars Weekend 2013 and Star Wars Weekend 2012. I was able to attend Star Wars Weekend 2014 this past June, and while […]
[…] a Disney Nerd – and I’m a Star Wars Nerd! It should be obvious based on past blog posts, Star Wars Weekend 2013 and Star Wars Weekend 2012. I was able to attend Star Wars Weekend 2014 this past June, and while […]
[…] Star Wars Weekend 2013 […]