Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

Thanks @ConnieB last year was the first time that I had someone being rude, I've managed this thread for the last 5 years maybe.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

VIP has 3 shows, 2 you get special VIP seating (don't know what that means) and you just get a FP for the third.

Also, I called after the phone lines closed on Sunday and left a message and someone called me back at about 10:45 the next day. They said they were busy but she also said that they expected to still have open spots on the 22nd so I don't think its filling up that fast. It also sounded like if you called and left a message they would temporarily hold a spot for you until they could call you back so I wouldn't worry too much but would call if you don't hear back today.

WOW really, is the FP so you can pick between the two other shows because there normally is 4. I really thought the VIP package gets you seating for all the shows, that is kinda a ripoff.

The only reason I was considering this package was for the VIP seating for all shows... the rest I can do on my own or through FtF (which we are pretty sure they are going to do).

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

WOW really, is the FP so you can pick between the two other shows because there normally is 4. I really thought the VIP package gets you seating for all the shows, that is kinda a ripoff.

Another totally subjective thing... This doesn't bother me at all.

 

[disneygrandma]

I got my call back from VIP. We're booked for May 29!! I asked several ?'s. Some of my answers were a little bit different than what others have been told, but here's what I got from the ?'s I did ask:

We meet at 6:45 to go back to Darth Mall for shopping, and a photo op with Darth Vader. If any of our group want to skip the shopping part, they can go directly to Brown Derby for breakfast at 8:15. During the morning, we will be given Mama Melrose's menu to make selections. Everyone will choose an appetizer, entree, and a non-alcoholic beverage. (If you desire a dessert or alcohol, you will receive a bill from the wait staff for the non-inclusive items.) Also during the morning, for those wanting to do JTA, you will be given the show times, and they will sign you up for the time you choose. He suggested doing it after the 3rd show, which would get over around 4:30.

After breakfast, we will go to Star Tours, and TSMM, and will use the regular FP entrance. The group will probably be divided up to smaller groups of around 10 people, so as not to impact the FP line at once with 40 people. (I thought the tour might use the exit for entrance & reduce the wait time of the FP line.)

After this, we go to our viewing spot for the parade. He said it will be on the opposite side of the street from where FtF was last year. They don't know the exact spot, because they're waiting for placement of the new stage. I asked about shade, and he wasn't sure if there would be any, again saying the exact spot hasn't been decided on yet, but it will be to the right side as you look at the stage. I asked if they might have a canopy or something, and he said no, because that would block people's view.

After the parade, we go to Mama Melrose's for lunch. He said that once people finish their lunch, they might have some time to see a character or 2 close by, before heading over towards the show area. For the first 2 shows, we'll be escorted in to reserved seating. For the 3rd show, we'll basically have a FP for it, and will go in with the FP line. Celebrities are not yet known, so they don't know yet what the 3rd show will be.

It's hoped that there will be time between the 1st & 2nd shows, that the groups will be able to FP either ToT or RnR. (one or the other) However, that all depends on how long the 1st show goes, and the time needed to reset the stage. If after the 1st show they announce they will be seating in 10-15 mins, then we probably won't do a ride. OR it might be possible to do the FP for one of the rides, and then miss out on the 1st part of the next show. It sounds like a play be ear type thing. If we can't do the rides in between shows, they will not give us a FP to do it on our own later.

The dessert party will be with the FtF group.

I asked the CM if the tour included any other areas, and was told no.

I am suppose to get an email about 10 days before our event to go over things. There is a 7 day cancellation policy, with a full refund. Inside 7 days.......no refund.

 

[disneygrandma]

Forgot to mention, with the discount, the price per person was about $361.

 

[yulilin3]

WOW really, is the FP so you can pick between the two other shows because there normally is 4. I really thought the VIP package gets you seating for all the shows, that is kinda a ripoff.

The only reason I was considering this package was for the VIP seating for all shows... the rest I can do on my own or through FtF (which we are pretty sure they are going to do).

The 4th show depends if Ray park and Warwick Davis are coming, other than that it's usually 3 shows

@disneygrandma thanks for the info. If the VIP parade viewing is opposite to the FtF last year it's in full sun. That's not a good idea, maybe they'll change it . You can see the area opposite to FtF by the sound tent (blue tent)

 

[disneygrandma]

We did FtF last year, and we saw the VIP viewing section across from us, in the sun. That's exactly why I was questioning him about the shade. The CM also told me that the FtF area will be expanded this year because so many people complained about not having a good viewing experience. (Personally, I think it's being expanded to book more people......) If the FtF area is expanded towards the direction where the hat had been, wouldn't that mean a lot of that area would be in the sun?

 

[yulilin3]

We did FtF last year, and we saw the VIP viewing section across from us, in the sun. That's exactly why I was questioning him about the shade. The CM also told me that the FtF area will be expanded this year because so many people complained about not having a good viewing experience. (Personally, I think it's being expanded to book more people......) If the FtF area is expanded towards the direction where the hat had been, wouldn't that mean a lot of that area would be in the sun?

What you saw last year wasn't the VIP people, they were in the same area as the FtF people. Across last year, by the stage were the parents of the kids chosen to be in the parade, these parents were in full zun.
If they expand toward where the stage is the FtF will also have sun

 

[jimim]

so. . . do we still think there will be just a parade and fireworks package again like last year? i can care less about breakfast and lunch at either place. my kids are too young for the jedi training still.

 

[yulilin3]

so. . . do we still think there will be just a parade and fireworks package again like last year? i can care less about breakfast and lunch at either place. my kids are too young for the jedi training still.

yes, when I called the VIP line they said that the FtF will be offered again, maybe released by March 22

 

[hiroMYhero]

Error... posted from wrong device!

 

[missthatgator]

For anyone in need of galactic breakfast or Jedi Mickey dinner reservations, we've had to change the dates for our trip, I'll be cancelling a 7:50pm dinner for June 13 and a 10:45 am breakfast for June 14. PM me if you want to try and coordinate.

 

[Itinkso]

We're booked for May 29!!

@disneygrandma: updated you in the Roll Call!

 

[Crew-JTA]

For anyone in need of galactic breakfast or Jedi Mickey dinner reservations, we've had to change the dates for our trip, I'll be cancelling a 7:50pm dinner for June 13 and a 10:45 am breakfast for June 14. PM me if you want to try and coordinate.

Thanks for the breakfast @missthatgator!

I'll need to clean up some ADRs soon so I hope some fellow DISers can benefit, too.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I've been once in 2013 and loved it, now taking some friends and big SW fans with me this time. I was hoping I could get someone to join me, so back in January I snagged some galactic breakfast ADR's for a couple of the weekends in May. Luckily 2 friends approached me about going! Unluckily, I made ADR's for every weekend except the one we ended up deciding on! Thanks to a friendly dis-er I was able to get us an ADR but I still have these if anyone wants them! PM me if you want any --

Sat May 9th at 10:35 for 2ppl
Sun May 10th at 10:25 for 3ppl
Mon May 25th at 10:50 for 3ppl

Last call! Cancelling these in an hour since I haven't had any takers.

 

[delmar411]

Last call! Cancelling these in an hour since I haven't had any takers.

Is the May 10th one Mother's Day? And do ypu have to prepay or pay on arrival? We did the breakfast last year but I cant remember.

 

[yulilin3]

Is the May 10th one Mother's Day? And do ypu have to prepay or pay on arrival? We did the breakfast last year but I cant remember.

Yes, Mother's Day is May 10th and they just take a credit card to guarantee your ressie but don't charge it unless you don't cancel within the cancellation policy

 

[delmar411]

Yes, Mother's Day is May 10th and they just take a credit card to guarantee your ressie but don't charge it unless you don't cancel within the cancellation policy

I will take the may 10th one then. How does it work to transfer it to me?

ETA- LOL I dIdnt notice it was you Yulilin and not the person giving it up.

 

[yulilin3]

I will take the may 10th one then. How does it work to transfer it to me?

ETA- LOL I dIdnt notice it was you Yulilin and not the person giving it up.

@AThrillingChase wrote that they are releasing them in an hour.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I will take the may 10th one then. How does it work to transfer it to me?

ETA- LOL I dIdnt notice it was you Yulilin and not the person giving it up.

Sent you a PM!