Galactic Hunter.com - Star Wars Weekends 2004

CELEBRITIES
Week 4 Guests: Warwick Davis (Wicket) and Mike Quinn (Nien Nunb)
SWW Week 4 Image Bank

Warwick Davis and Mike Quinn are real Star Wars Weekends professionals. Both were here at Disney Star Wars Weekends for a third year, and friendly as usual. Each guest seems to be a welcome friend to these busy Star Wars celebrities.

Warwick Davis had many Harry Potter fans in attendance. Delighted fans were excited about the third installment, The Prisoner of Azkaban, which was released last week. Davis brought to life many different characters he's played such as Professor Flitwick, Leprechaun, and Willow, among others. In his spare time, Davis runs Willow Personal Management. Established in 1995, Willow Personal Management represents actors of smaller size in the UK. Davis is a busy, successful actor, helping others in his industry while still making time for his fans.

Mike Quinn is a Muppets Man himself. Aside from working on many great Star Wars creatures and characters (Nien Nunb, Jabba the Hutt, Admiral Ackbar, and many more), Quinn has worked with Muppets legends like the late Jim Henson and Frank Oz (Yoda). He entertained the crowd at the Celebrity Q&A with his wonderful puppet antics. Quinn has also been staying busy with several animation projects. Check out his website, QuinnZone.com. He is a lurker to many Star Wars fan site forums, and loves to chat with fans.

We did get rain in Orlando during the past week. Disney does have a covered area for autograph signing should the weather become unpleasant. Rain or shine, the signings will go on!

The fourth week of the event was the big weekend for the 501st Legion costuming group. At least 100 members from all over the US marched in the Disney Star Wars Weekends celebrity motorcade. The 501st has worked hard over the last few years to get Disney to allow costumed guests to participate in Star Wars Weekends. (Disney has strict costume guidelines for the group for their participation in the Celebrity Motorcade Parade.) There were Imperial Troops of all kinds, Imperial Officers, Bounty Hunters, and some members of the Rebel Forces as well.

During the earlier years of this event, coming to MGM Studios in costume would get a guest turned away at the gate. Now, as long as the head is not covered, costumed guests are most welcome to attend. This change in policy has been great for many Star Wars Weekend attendees, who really get into the spirit of the event. The 501st was responsible for getting Disney to allow the costuming to be part of the fun, and their presence at Star Wars Weekends has been appreciated. Their group works hard to see ALL fans have more fun!

Week Four was Fan Appreciation Week. The weekend had been previously billed as Fan Club Week, but with the Fan Club undergoing another change in management, their participation seemed to evaporate. Many attendees were surprised to find that neither Steven Sansweet (who has attended many previous events), nor any Official Star Wars Fan Club representation was present at this year's Star Wars Weekends. The official presence of Lucasfilm was sorely missed by many guests.

We are coming up on the fifth and final week of Star Wars Weekends 2004. Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett) and Amy Allen (Aayla Secura) will be the guest celebrities for the final week.

MERCHANDISE AND COLLECTIBLES

Week #4 Star WarsWeekends individual coin (sterling silver plated), $20.

First, some bad news. As of Sunday May 30, 2004, the Star Wars Weekends 2004 Jedi Mickey event exclusive plush is sold out!

There is mention from Disney management of more Jedi Mickey plushes coming, but they will be without the Star Wars Weekends markings, and no one seems sure exactly when they will be available.

(Insider Tip: Check with Tatooine Traders constantly daily, several times a day as, this can always change.)