A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars Weekends 2010 kicks off today at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's an event I've enjoyed attending since its inception in 1997. Over the years, the event has grown and changed, offering a little something different each time. Celebrity talk shows once hosted in the Superstar Television Theater (now home to the American Idol Experience) are now presented in the Premiere Theater on the Backlot, and during the years when "Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It!" was at the Studios, special Star Wars Weekends editions of the game were held.

One of the consistent elements of the event each year is a daily motorcade of Star Wars characters and celebrity guests. Prior to 2008, the Landspeeder vehicle from the Disney Stars and Motor Cars parade was used in the motorcade to chauffeur Jedi Mickey through the park (the car, along with the rest of that parade, was shipped to Paris and redressed as a transport for the stars of Ratatouille).

A multitude of characters from the Star Wars universe have also been featured during Star Wars Weekends each year. While many of the characters have remained the same, some of the Guests have certainly changed. These were my boys at their very first Star Wars Weekends event back in 2006. Since they're twins, we thought it would be appropriate to pay a visit to the Star Wars twins, Luke and Leia. My wife made their T-shirts from her own designs: "I (heart) Princess Leia" and "A Little Short for a Stormtrooper."

Exclusive Star Wars Weekends merchandise is also a big deal every year. In the past, a store (alternately known as Wicket's Warehouse or Jabba's Hutt) was set up inside Soundstage 1. One year, a unique photo opportunity was also established inside the stage, where Guests could have a photo taken with a full-scale X-Wing Fighter. (Note: This year's store, Boba's Bounty, is being housed inside the AFI Showcase Shop.)

One of the most popular merchandise items has been "Big Fig" sculptures of Disney characters dressed as characters from Star Wars. Several years ago, the characters appearing in the park during the event started wearing costumes inspired by the "Big Figs." For one year only, even Hasbro's Darth Tater (Mr. Potato Head in his Sith Lord garb) met Guests at the front of the park. Unfortunately, I never grabbed a photo of that one.

In fact, new characters have been added to the roster of Star Wars Weekends appearances every year, especially as new fan favorites emerged from the prequel trilogy (Aurra Sing, below, from Episode I) and the "Clone Wars" animated series (Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex).

This year sees the addition of three new characters to the lineup: R2-MK (a droid with Mickey coloring and Mouse Ears), Commander Cody (from "Clone Wars") and Asajj Ventress (Count Duku's assassin in "Clone Wars").

Also new in recent years is the concept of a Celebrity Host who takes part in every weekend of the event, as opposed to just making a brief three-day appearance. The first of these was Warwick Davis, who originally portrayed Wicket the Ewok. This year, Ashley Eckstein co-hosts Star Wars Weekends with Jeremy Bulloch. It's a match that bridges 30 years of Star Wars. Bulloch made his debut in The Empire Strikes Back (1980), creating the iconic character of Boba Fett, while Eckstein helps bring Ahsoka Tano to life for the newest generation of Star Wars fans with the "Clone Wars" animated series.

Star Wars Weekends 2010 continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through June 13. For more information, please visit the official event site at disneyworld.com.