Hollywood Studios Archive

1

Schedule Announced for Star Wars Weekends Events May 18-20

By
Wendy Neeld
– May 16, 2012Posted in: Hollywood Studios, News

SWW1 183x300 Schedule Announced for Star Wars Weekends Events May 18 20Disney has announced the schedule of events for the first Star Wars Weekend at Hollywood Studios.  The event, lasting four weekends in May and June, is a celebration of the Star Wars universe that transforms Hollywood Studios into a galaxy far, far away.  This year, Star Wars Weekends will be hosted by Clone Wars voice stars Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor and will feature a variety of talent from the films and animated Clone Wars television series.

The first weekend, May 18-20 will feature guest stars Ray Park (Darth Maul), Jerome Blake (the voice of trade federation members), and Dee Bradley Baker (Clone Wars voice actor).

During the day, guests can enjoy

Padawan Mind Challenge - a youth trivia challenge at 2:10 & 6:30pm

Jedi Training Academy – an opportunity for young padawans to train their force skills (and fight Darth Vader) at  9:15am, 9:45am, 10:15am, 10:45am, 11:15am, 11:45am, 12:15pm, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:45pm, 4:15pm, 4:45pm, 5:15pm, 5:45pm, 6:15pm, 6:45pm

Behind the Force – a stage show hosted by Ashley Eckstein exploring the world of Clone Wars and voice acting.  This weekend’s guest is the incomparable Dee Bradley Baker: 11:00am & 1:45pm 

Stars of the Saga – a panel-style discussion with actors from the Star Wars live-action films 3:15pm

Obi-Wan and Beyond – a one-man show focused on voice acting with James Arnold Taylor that allows guests to hear him perform over 150 voices live on stage  4:45pm

Visit to the Maul – a fun fight demonstration & one-man show with Ray Park. Children will be able to get up on stage and join in learning martial arts stances 6:00pm

Hyperspace Hoopla – the signature event of Star Wars Weekends. A dance off with the Star Wars Stars featuring Star Wars characters dancing to modern music.  Be sure to arrive at least an hour early to get a decent view 8:00pm

 

The weekend will also feature artist signings:

Ashley Eckstein HerUniverse signing 3:00pm – 4:00pm

SWWVinyl1 150x150 Schedule Announced for Star Wars Weekends Events May 18 20Star Wars Vinylmation signing

  • Friday: 4-6pm
  • Saturday: 2-4pm
  • Sunday: 12-2pm

Star Wars Character meets will also be located throughout the park (see the event link below for locations) 9:00am – 7:00pm

 

For more information, check the event brochure posted by Walt Disney World.  It includes information about the event, pictures of merchandise and character meet locations.  

And, of course, don’t forget to check back with Your Highway in the Sky for additonal information, and follow us at @YHITSBlog on Twitter  and our Facebook page for live updates from the first weekend of the event!

Tags: , , ,
0

Disney’s Avengers Problem

By
Erica Freeman
– May 16, 2012Posted in: Columns, Downtown Disney, Editorials, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

466048 327059597352053 126757470715601 891776 469828226 o Y 193x300 Disneys Avengers Problem

Disney has the biggest film in the world right now, The Avengers. Having grossed more than a billion dollars, it’s the 10th highest earning film in the history of cinema after being released less than three weeks ago. Disney’s stock has already benefitted and merchandise sales are brisk.

However, Disney has an Avengers problem.
When people want to visit attractions based on characters from The Avengers or visit their costumed characters, they have to go to a competing amusement park. Unfortunately, Disney has done a great job of making people aware that Marvel is their brand and that has now led to disappointment.

Just walking through Downtown Disney on an average weekday illustrated the problem. Guests to D Street asked where the special merchandise was and were told that they had no special Marvel Vinylmation or exclusives. All they could offer was the same merchandise selection offered at any Toys’rus except for Marvel Frenzies from Tokidoki. To make matters worse, the Avengers merchandise that was scattered throughout the stores was very picked over. Thor, Iron Man and Captain America are all that remains. One boy was visibly crestfallen as he looked in vain for his favorite movie character.

Disney could still fix things in time for the fall DVD/BluRay release. With the opening of The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow at Hollywood Studios, plenty of space will be freed at the Hollywood Studios Backlot Tour for props and/or costumes from The Avengers. There could also be a small movie-related exhibit at Innoventions at Epcot. Other parks could also do some sort of little attraction. While Disney would be limited to the film universe because of Universal’s copyright agreements, this could be a huge asset to Disney. Many of the newer fans are not familiar with the original source material at all because they went to The Avengers on the strength of liking certain actors or the plethora of positive reviews.

There is also enough time to solve the merchandise problem. There needs to be more figures of Hulk, Hawkeye and Loki. New figures also need to be added, including Agent Coulson, Agent Hill, Director Fury, Bruce Banner and the Chitauri. Disney must also start to treat its Marvel franchise like Star Wars. Not only does it need pins, Vinylmation and other exclusives but make the Disney characters into the Avengers for figures, just like Goofy is made into Cad Bane or Stitch is turned into the Emperor. It may alienate the traditional male comic book fan but they’re not the main audience for The Avengers. The majority of the audience for The Avengers has been either female or a child and Disney needs to address that, too.

Tags: , , , ,
Older Entries