Remembering Jim Henson

September 24th, 2009 would have been Jim Henson’s 73rd birthday. His name is almost as recognizable as Walt Disney and his contribution to the world of film and even, in an indirect manner, to our Orlando theme parks has continued on since his tragic death on May 16th, 1990. He was only 53 years old when a strange case of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome, a bacterial infection, took over his body and caused his organs to fail. On that day the entire creative world and the millions of fans Jim Henson gained through his work with the Muppets and Sesame Street mourned the tragic loss of this creative genius.

There was a lot Jim Henson did that the general public might not realize. He’s usually immediately grouped with the Muppets and rightfully so. Who doesn’t love Oscar the Grouch or Kermit the Frog? But Jim Henson’s genius expanded throughout a number of movies and even to a galaxy far, far away. Henson designed Muppets which lead to movies like Muppets Take Manhattan, the show Fraggle Rock and the popular animated series Muppet Babies.

Henson was also responsible for creating one of the most beloved sci-fi puppets of all time: Yoda from the Star Wars series. Henson helped George Lucas’ team create Yoda and help with the puppeteering of the little green Jedi Master before he went CGI in the additional three prequels to the films. It was Jim Henson who suggested Frank Oz be Yoda’s puppeteer and voice. Thanks to Henson. Lucas selected Oz to voice one of the most memorable film characters of all time.

Singing was yet another thing Henson dabbled in. Though he wasn’t out playing rock concerts, the song “The Rainbow Connection,” which he performed using his Kermit the Frog voice, was #25 on the Billboard Top 100 and still considered a favorite children’s song today. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop continues on and his company is now run by his children, who loved going on set with their dad and learning the ropes of puppeteering when they were young and Henson still lead the way. His legacy lives on through the Muppets, Sesame Street, Star Wars and movies like The Dark Crystal and The Labyrinth. If you want your dose of Muppet madness, head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to checkout Muppetvision 3D.

Out of this World Fun at Disney's Star Wars Weekends

If you're an avid Star Wars fan, then follow the trail of the Force - to Walt Disney World this May and June! It's time once again for Star Wars Weekends, a sci-fi fan-fest like no other that pays tribute to one of the world's greatest film sagas. Galactic characters, unique events and attractions, and one-of-a-kind meet and greet session are just some of the highlights of these fun-filled weekends, which are a must for any Jedi or Wookiee at heart.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May 22 through June 14, Star Wars Weekends will fill Disney's Hollywood Studios with the power of the Force - and more Star Wars characters than you've ever seen in your life! Sith, droids, Jedi, Ewoks, bounty hunters, Rodians, and yes, even Wookies - they'll all flock to the park where guests will be able to pose and chat with them in meet and greet encounters throughout Hollywood Studios. There'll even be well-known figures from the saga, including Darth Vader, Yoda, and Princess Leia, and fans will be able to spot them all during "Legends of the Force," a Star Wars motorcade.

That's not all - guests will be able to participate in Star Wars trivia contests, ride the famed Star Tours attraction, purchase one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and more. There'll be autograph sessions and star conversations with famous Star Wars actors and creative geniuses every weekend, and special shows, presentations, and interactive experiences each day of each Star Wars Weekend.

This year, the Weekends will be hosted by Jay Laga'aia ("Captain Typho") with special guest Ashley Eckstein ("Ahsoka Tano"). During the weekend, Laga'aia will host "Stars of the Saga," a Star Wars talk show and Q&A, and Eckstein will host "Clone Wars: Behind the Force," a behind-the-scenes show that explores the TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Both stars, along with other big names in the saga, will also have autograph sessions with fans.

Another highlight of the Weekends will be the Jedi Training Academy, where each young Anakin who is chosen will be readied to face the dark side. Taking place throughout the day on the event's main stage, young guests will learn a lightsaber combination from a Jedi Master before testing their skills in a battle with Darth Vader.

Kids under 12 will also be able to test their wits befor the Jedi Council in a Padawan Mind Challenge. And of course, no Star Wars Weekend is complete without blasting your starspeeder through the galaxy on the Star Tours attraction or shopping a galaxy of Star Wars themed and limited edition merchandise in Wicket's Warehouse.

At the end of each Weekend day, Star Wars characters and guests will gather for the Hyperspace Hoopla! Show, an entertaining conclusion to the day where the saga favorites let loose with music, comedy, dancing, and more. The Star Wars Weekends dates are May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7, and June 12-14.

The Star Wars Weekends are free with regular admission to Hollywood Studios, so all you need are Walt Disney World tickets, which you cna get right here on DWTickets.com. Get yours and strap in for a wild space ride of a weekend with more Star Wars fun than you can handle!

The Force is With Disney’s Hollywood Studios During Star Wars Weekends

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be swarming with Star Wars characters as they host their annual celebration of The Force this June. Star Wars Weekends are fan-packed, family-friendly gatherings that are so popular around Walt Disney World, even Jedi Mickey Mouse shows up. All you need to be accepted into the fold is a Disney ticket.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the home planet of Star Wars Weekends, and the Star Tours attraction is home base. This year your Disney ticket will get you in to see Star Wars favorites like Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Chewbacca, Queen Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, R2-D2 and more droids and villains than you can shake a lightsaber at.

If you call yourself a Star Wars fan, you better get online and get your Disney tickets today so you don’t miss any of the action at Disney’s Star Wars Weekends. Check out these special events happening only during Star Wars Weekends:

• “Behind the Force” gives you an inside peek at how the films were made.
• The “Padawan Mind Challenge” sends kids under 12 before the Jedi Council.
• “Legends of the Force” motorcade cruises with your favorite Star Wars VIPs.

Star Wars Weekends is a great time to check out the “Jedi Training Academy,” which is a regular feature at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The “Jedi Training Academy” teaches future Jedi’s the techniques required for lightsaber battles and then lets them see how much they learned by going up against the super evil Sith Darth Vader or Darth Maul.

Every weekend throughout the month of June, Star Wars Weekends features Star Wars celebrities. One you have your Disney ticket, you can pick a weekend and head out to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to meet & greet your favorites, get a photo or an autograph or participate in a Q&A session. Warwick Davis, aka “Wicket the Ewok” in Star Wars films, is the emcee and host of the entire event.

These Star Wars celebs will join him on the following dates:

June 6-8
Jeremy Bulloch (“Boba Fett”)
Daniel Logan (young “Boba Fett”)

June 13-15
Peter Mayhew (“Chewbacca”)
David Prowse (“Darth Vader”)

June 20-22
Amy Allen (“Aayla Secura”)
Matthew Wood (“General Grievous”)

June 27-29
Dave Filoni (director of the upcoming “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

A Disney ticket is required for admission to Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Star Wars Weekends at Disney MGM Studios

Buckle up and slide into your Star Speeder vehicles while Jedi knights and droids will join forces as Star Wars Weekends come back to Disney MGM Studios in June. Star Wars Weekends will begin this year on June 1, 2007 and run every weekend until June 24. Guests can come to MGM Studios theme park and take part in this special celebration every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Star Tours attraction at MGM will have special events taking place outside, with Mickey Mouse dressed up as a Jedi Knight outside the queue. Disney-MGM Studios admission is required to attend the event, and discount tickets can be purchased by CLICKING HERE!

Lucky children at the park will be randomly selected to participate in a Jedi Training Academy and learn the skillful art of lightsaber techniques. Besides many collectibles on display, there will also be autograph sessions, Star Wars trivia, and lots more. Star Wars Weekends is at Disney's MGM Studios every weekend during the month of June, so come down to the park and attend this amazing event with your family.