Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[srauchbauer]

The first weekend is less crowded. Friday is theleast crowded, followed by Sunday then Saturday.

thanks for the info sounds like the first weekend - time to start planning and reading for SWW.

 

[lovethattink]

The first weekend is less crowded. Friday is theleast crowded, followed by Sunday then Saturday.

Except for event merchandise shopping, the first day will be most crowded.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Except for event merchandise shopping, the first day will be most crowded.

Yeah, watch out if you're going on day one

 

[srauchbauer]

Another quick question; how is the first week in June wondering about weather and crowds. Thanks

 

[irishsharon]

I was planning on May 24-June 2 but after reading some crowd level predictions I was wondering if I should plan May 17-26.Or do you think it really wont matter.First family trip so want to make it great

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Another quick question; how is the first week in June wondering about weather and crowds. Thanks

This year, the first June weekend rained out, so we'll have to see what weather will be like closer to then.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

I was planning on May 24-June 2 but after reading some crowd level predictions I was wondering if I should plan May 17-26.Or do you think it really wont matter.First family trip so want to make it great

The latter is the better option.

 

[evcollins]

We are headed back for a Disney wedding that will also coincide with Star Wars Weekend. We are super excited to head back to SWW! Last year was our first time to Disney altogther and then add SWW into that, we got a lot done, for sure!

So since it was our first time, we wanted to experience regular HS and SWW activities. This year, we'll hit more of the SW shows, PMC and Hoopla this time around. We woke up at 5:00am to get dressed, eat breakfast at the hotel and drive to HS. Plan was to be at the gate no later than 7:00am. I was determined to get the first JA for the day. Right across from JA (kids need to be present to sign up for JA), is PMC sign-ups. There were two spots left by 9:00am, exactly what I needed BUT kids had to be there, too, to sign up. They were on Star Tours b/c there was no wait.

I've attached our TP from last year. Crowds were moderate. I was getting butterflies while planning because I was thinking super crowded and packed. We didn't feel like it was overly crowded, though, which was great. We went the second weekend, on Saturday. It was hot, but not unbearable. We live in Texas! I'd say it flowed really well and it will for you, too, IF you have a plan. We had a plan and we did veer from it every now and then, but it kept us moving and knowing where to head to next.

This is our 2012 TP for SWW:
Arrived 7:00am (one couple in front of us; kids stepped back to watch Stormtroopers on the roof)
Me and Kiddos - Speed walk to Jedi Training, got 9:15am
" " - Rode Star Tours while waiting for DH (it's now 8:07am)
DH - FP for TSMM
Rode Star Tours (x2)
FP for TSMM (11:30-12:30 return time)
Rode FP TSMM
Head over to Jedi Training (15 min. early)
Rode Star Tours
9:15am Jedi Training (no particular order for picking who fights who. DD8 fought Vader and about froze (lol) DS7 fought Darth Maul) received certificate
Rode Star Tours (15 min. wait)
10:15am Watched Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Meet Luke Skywalker (who sent them on mission) and Stormtrooper
11:00am Watched Lights, Motor, Action
DH and Kiddos - Rode FP TSMM
Me - FP Rock-n-Roller Coaster
12:20pm Find parade spot while DH/Kiddos on TSMM
(I did not get on Hollywood Blvd. It was packed and HOT! Looking at the hat, we were off the parade route to the left in front of the little gray cart. Some of the characters walk off to the left, main characters walk to stage and celebrity motorcade veers off in front of us. We saw everyone, so it wasn't a problem not seeing them all on stage!!)
1:20pm ADR for Sci-Fi (great in air conditioning, quiet and calm. I think everyone in there was just tired and glad to be in the dark, relaxing in A/C)
This is where DH and the boys split from me and DD. An hour and 45 minutes to kill before our FP for RNR. Boys decided to character meet. DD wanted to see Little Mermaid.
During the hour and 45 minutes, boys met Boba Fett, Darth Maul, Pig guy
(??lol), Sandpeople of Naboo, Bounty Hunter, Stormtroopers (again), Luke Skywalker (again, they were waiting for Ashoka and switched right when they came up, but he recognized them and told them their mission was complete!)
(FYI, Ashoka, Luke, Commander Cody and Captain Rex rotate)
DD and I met Queen Amidala (20 min. wait)
Watched Little Mermaid (15 min. wait)
Shopped at Star Tours gift shop and boys made their own droids. Wait wasn't long for making the droids; however, them actually making them with so many choices took forever!!)
Rode FP RnR
5:45pm Watched Beauty and the Beast
Took family picture with Photopass in front of hat and headed out!

Note, I had the TP ready to go so we knew where to head and also relax and little and follow the kiddos lead. We did not plan a mid-day break because there was so much to do and the kids were doing fine with the heat. They all carried their own mesh backpacks with their Sharpie, book, water bottle and five snacks. I carried my backpack with first-aid kit, wipes, santizer, panchos, small wallet, snacks and water bottle; camera in seperate small bag. DH carried a soft-sided cooler with 7 water bottles. Everyone did great. We weren't planning on staying for Hoopla because I knew they would be exhausted. If I felt they could have kept going, we planned on dinner at Backlot Express, rest in the Animation Building and then line up for Hoopla.

Looking forward to tweaking 2013's TP!! Hope this helps....The Dissers really helped my planning.

ec

 

[Jubilee]

We're always in for SWW, except this year we'll be dressing up for the first time, as we did for Celebration VI.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

We're always in for SWW, except this year we'll be dressing up for the first time, as we did for Celebration VI.

I'm still deciding to dress up or not.

 

[lovethattink]

We're always in for SWW, except this year we'll be dressing up for the first time, as we did for Celebration VI.

My dh and ds will be dressed up too. Ds has 3 different costumes and dh has 2. I have none, but do have a few Her Universe shirts.

I'm still deciding to dress up or not.

Go for it!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

If it's like last year, dates should be announced Late November/Early December.

 

[lovethattink]

If it's like last year, dates should be announced Late November/Early December.

I keep finding myself going to starwars.com and clicking on events, then Disney Star Wars Events even though I know it's not there yet.

 

[Random Ninja]

We're always in for SWW, except this year we'll be dressing up for the first time, as we did for Celebration VI.

I wonder if we passed each other at CVI? I was there Sat & Sun. If you saw a ninja on Sat, that was me.

Next SWW, I will definitely be dressing up as my DBF is insisting I do the parade with him. At least it means this time he'll actually visit the parks. Can you believe he's done about 3 SWWs and hasn't been on a single ride since the 90s!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

I wonder if we passed each other at CVI? I was there Sat & Sun. If you saw a ninja on Sat, that was me.

Next SWW, I will definitely be dressing up as my DBF is insisting I do the parade with him. At least it means this time he'll actually visit the parks. Can you believe he's done about 3 SWWs and hasn't been on a single ride since the 90s!

 

[reelmom]

Hopefully, we will be able to make it back next year in June. It rained so hard this year at our SWW day, I think we need a do-over. Everything was shut down or cancelled. Even the Indy show was condensed. My kids got picked to be in the parade. About 1 hour before the line up, the rain came and didn't stop until that evening. Needless to say, the parade never happened. It was a monsoon. I am hoping we get to go and have better weather.

 

[lovethattink]

Hopefully, we will be able to make it back next year in June. It rained so hard this year at our SWW day, I think we need a do-over. Everything was shut down or cancelled. Even the Indy show was condensed. My kids got picked to be in the parade. About 1 hour before the line up, the rain came and didn't stop until that evening. Needless to say, the parade never happened. It was a monsoon. I am hoping we get to go and have better weather.

I hope this year you have the most perfect, pleasant weather for your SWW.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Hopefully, we will be able to make it back next year in June. It rained so hard this year at our SWW day, I think we need a do-over. Everything was shut down or cancelled. Even the Indy show was condensed. My kids got picked to be in the parade. About 1 hour before the line up, the rain came and didn't stop until that evening. Needless to say, the parade never happened. It was a monsoon. I am hoping we get to go and have better weather.

You went on June 1 didn't you? The rain is also hitting MNSSHP as I heard that the Hadless Horseman fell off a night or two ago.

 

[reelmom]

You went on June 1 didn't you? The rain is also hitting MNSSHP as I heard that the Hadless Horseman fell off a night or two ago.

Yes, I believe it was. It was like nothing I had seen before. It was thundering and lightning. For a moment, we were scared to walk to the car. We went back to the hotel for warm showers and naps. We didn't make it back that night for the Hyperspace Hoopla. I think we went to play putt putt later that night because we were afraid it it would pour again.

 

[lovethattink]

Dh was able to get off work 3 of the 4 weekends!! Now hopefully those will be the dates!!