STAR WARS WEEKENDS

STAR WARS WEEKENDS -- Since 1997, Walt Disney Worldhas sponsored a series of special Star Wars Weekends in theDisney's Hollywood Studios theme park. Activities normally include celebrity appearances, as well as trivia contests and prize give-aways, Star Tours "ride-a-thons," and a Star Wars Cantina street party, complete with a live disc jockey.

During Star Wars Weekends, celebrities from all the Star Wars films are on hand for motorcades and star conversations, as well as autograph sessions. Actors featured over the years include Jake Lloyd (young Anakin Skywalker), David Prowse (Darth Vader),Kenny Baker (R2D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Anthony Daniels (C3PO) among others. Lots of costumed characters, fromLuke Skywalker and Queen Amidala to Ewoks and Jawas, can also be found milling about the park, with plenty of opportunities forStar Wars fans to meet and greet them.

2012 STAR WARS WEEKENDS

James Arnold Taylor, who provides the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi for the animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, will serve as the Official Celebrity Host of Star Wars Weekends 2012, when the event returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios this May.Ashley Eckstein, the voice of The Clone Wars' Ahsoka Tano, will act as Celebrity Host of "Behind the Force," a show that gives fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Both Taylor and Eckstein have served in similar roles for previous Star Wars Weekends

Top 10 Disney World Rides

•1. Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom): Built in 1975, Space Mountain has always been a favorite of park guests. Like many Disney rides, the fun begins before riders ever step into the coaster. A large portion of the line gives guests a chance to see the glow-in-the-dark rocket-shaped cars winding around the track in complete darkness. The ride exists in five Walt Disney parks, but the Disneyworld attraction is the only one with dual tracks. On the coaster, guests will experience a fast moving thrill ride on which they can't even see the person in front of them. Glow-in-the-dark stars, asteroids and meteors are all that can be seen. Fun for ages 11 and up due to the darkness and speed. Lasts 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

•2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom): This ride is a mild indoor/outdoor rollercoaster that's styled as an 1800's gold-mining campsite. Riders take their trip on a possessed train whose cars have such names as I.M. Fearless and U.R. Bold. Though it was built back in 1980, it is still a must-ride for most park guests. While lines will be long, they normally move quickly. Recommended for ages 7 and up. The coaster reaches a speed of 25 miles per hour and lasts 3 minutes and 25 seconds.

•3. Primeval Whirl (Animal Kingdom): Opened in 2002, this ride looks like it's for babies when in reality adults will love it, too! A light-hearted, brightly colored coaster and track take you back in time to see if a meteor really did kill the dinosaurs. The car, which seats up to 4 people, is circular and moves around the track while spinning. This ride is not for people with weak stomachs or neck problems as the jerks can occasionally be intense. This coaster reaches speeds of 29 miles per hour and lasts 1 minute and 30 seconds.

•4. Dinosaur (Animal Kingdom):Rough and dark, this ride is not something expected out of Disney. Like Primeval Whirl, Dinosaur's storyline uses a time machine to take riders back to the age of the dinosaurs. The researcher who leads the journey is looking for an Iguanodon to bring back to present day. Unlike Whirl, on this ride, guests meet a couple not so nice dinos! This ride is definitely not for children. The ride was open in 1998 and lasts 3 minutes and 5 seconds.

•5. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom): Disney's tallest coaster and one of its newest rides takes riders on a train expedition through a "forbidden mountain" that just so happens to be occupied by a yeti! Everest is also one of the rare coasters that ride backward and forward. An added bonus? While waiting in line there is a multitude of yeti-based artifacts encased on walls. Though the lines are long, it's worth it to ride the winner of the 2006 Theme Park Insider Award for "World's Best New Theme Park Attraction." The ride reaches 50 miles per hour and last around 3.5 minutes. Ages 10+.

•6. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom):Based on the two very popular Toy Story movies, this is an attraction that doubles as an interactive game. Riders become members of Star Command and embark on a mission to defeat Evil Emperor Zurg. In order to do so, riders are given laser guns to shoot at red targets as they move through black-lit neon rooms. Points are accumulated for how many marks are hit, and winners are recognized on a score board after the game. Buzz is fun for all ages and lasts a minute and one half.

•7. Star Tours (Disney's Hollywood Studios): Stepping into a box set up like a movie theater doesn't seem like a fun ride; however, guests get a surprise once it starts up. Using large flight simulators and a projected movie created by George Lucas himself, riders are moved up and down and side to side as enemy warships attack them on their way to the Moon of Endor. Great for kids 8 and up so long as they don't mind the darkness. Lasts 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

•8. Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster (DHS):This enclosed, pitch black (with the exception of neon road signs) coaster takes riders from 0 to 58 in 2.8 seconds. Whip around the track, including 2 inversions and a corkscrew, while listening to Aerosmith music. The storyline for this ride is that Steven Tyler of Aerosmith has invited guests to see the band play and then gives them a "really fast" limo to ride in. The ride lasts just over a minute, while the pre-show is over three; a definite downside to this ride, but not enough to keep it off the list. Ages 10+.

•9. Peter Pan's Flight (Magic Kingdom): While Flight isn't a thrill ride, it's definitely magical. Guests literally fly on pirate ships over a recreation of the movie it's named after. The ride is dark, which makes the glowing, neonscenes really pop out. One of Disneyworld's original rides, Flight is great for kids of any age; the ride lasts 2 minutes and 45 seconds.

•10. Astro Orbiter (Magic Kingdom): Located on top of the Peoplemover's platform, the Astro Orbiter offers a stellar view of Tomorrow Land. The fixture features an iron tower with the planets protruding. The rocket shaped cars weave in and out of the planets making the ride appear to be moving much faster than it is. This is another ride with very long lines. It lasts 1.5 minutes and is appropriate for ages 8+.