Via Orlandosentinel.com:

As we head into another round of Star Wars Weekends, doesn’t it feel like the Force is gaining strength in Central Florida?

The intergalactic vibe is fed by anticipation of two events: December’s debut of “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens,” the franchise’s seventh motion picture and the first in 10 years, and Walt Disney Co.’s plan to expand the “Star Wars” presence in theme parks in California and Florida.

lthough executives remain mum about park details, many fans and observers expect that “Star Wars”-based attractions eventually will land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, home of Star Wars Weekends, the Star Tours ride and a good deal of unoccupied space just ready for the taking.

The buzz could be deafening by Friday, the first day of five weekends celebrating all things Jedi.

And unlike other multiday Disney events — the now-defunct Super Soap Weekend and ESPN: The Weekend — the Star Wars Weekend universe continues to expand. New features and merchandise should help feed the frenzy. Here’s a look at some of fresh offerings.

•A mainstay of Star Wars Weekends since its beginnings in 1997 has been the appearances of actors from the movies and other “Star Wars” projects. New to the celebrity lineup this year are Ian McDiarmid, who played Senator/Emperor Palpatine in five of the films, and Frank Oz, the voice of Yoda since 1980’s “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back.”

McDiarmid will be at the theme park this weekend alongside Amy Allen, who played Aayla Secura in “Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones” and “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith,” and Tiya Sircar, who voices Sabine in “Star Wars Rebels,” an animated TV series shown on Disney HD.

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