Dipping my toe into Star Wars Weekend?

[drcmk]

I'm not posting this on the established Star Wars Weekend thread because the information I'm asking seems a lot more basic than what is being discussed on that thread.

We are big Star Wars fans AND by coincidence, we will be at WDW during the first Star Wars weekend this year. But we really hate crowds, so I'm not sure if we would actually enjoy Star Wars weekend.

On Saturday, we plan to spend the day at AK. But I made an ADR at Mama Melrose for 7:10, thinking that it would give us a chance to peek at the Star Wars madness and at least have someplace calm to sit down for an hour if it is overwhelming. Most likely we will leave AK by 2:00 or 3:00. At that point, we could go back to our resort and relax until dinner or we could go to HS to check out Star Wars weekend. I've already chosen FP+ for AK for that day (and we'll be back to HS and have FP+ for a calmer day later in the week).

Is there any purpose to going to HS without any FP+ just to wander around, maybe see some characters and get a feel for Star Wars weekend--either before or after my ADR at 7:10? Or, without reservations will we really not be able to do anything. We have minimal interest in waiting in long lines. Is there anything Star Wars themed to see or do without FP+ or long lines?

 

[Belle61513]

Will you be there on a Friday by chance? Fridays are slightly less crowded at HS than the weekends are.
They have a SW themed fireworks display at night from what I hear too...

 

[Itinkso]

If you decide to go in before your ADR, head to the Streets of America if it isn't raining. Star Wars characters will be roaming the streets and interacting with guests. Take in some trinkets to trade with the roaming Jawas and head to Darth's Mall to check out the SWW merchandise. The SWW items are only out during the weekends so it will be your only chance.

You really should post some questions on the SWW thread as yulilin can better explain what to expect on the first weekend.

 

[Candleshoe]

You might also get a Sci-Fi Galactic dine-in on one of your mid-week HS days.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

IMO you should absolutely go! The characters are great - tons of fun to meet. the whole atmosphere just rocks! If you go over to easywdw - Josh has a whole big post on it with pictures and times the characters are out. We go to meet the characters (not see the shows or get the celebrity autographs) and have a blast!

 

[yulilin3]

Don't be shy to join the SWW thread though. Also the first post on that thread has a complete schedule of everything happening at SWW. If you are a SW fan just being there, walking around, seeing characters and listening to the music will be awesome. And yes there's the Symphony in the Stars fireworks that are amazing!!

 

[yulilin3]

Come to the Dark Side...we have an awesome planning thread

 

[drcmk]

Thank you. That is what I needed to know. I like the idea of mingling with the characters on the Streets of America--and I'm certainly not one to turn down SWW merchandise. I am glad to hear that it will be fun just to "be there" during Star Wars weekend, even if I don't have anything specific planned.

The SWW planning thread has been a little intimidating to me, I'll admit. But I'll try to learn the language and read up.

 

[soniam]

Thank you. That is what I needed to know. I like the idea of mingling with the characters on the Streets of America--and I'm certainly not one to turn down SWW merchandise. I am glad to hear that it will be fun just to "be there" during Star Wars weekend, even if I don't have anything specific planned.

The SWW planning thread has been a little intimidating to me, I'll admit. But I'll try to learn the language and read up.

We have never been to SWW either. I always thought it was for hardcore fans that live to attend conventions, get autographs, and dress up in elaborate costumes. Well, it is for them, but after reading the SWW thread, I'm convinced that it's for less advanced Star Wars fans too. Read the first post, maybe page, and then just go to the end. I just started reading this weekend. After all of the awesome people and info on the thread, I feel like I have been there. I so want to go next year now.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

We went to our first Star Wars weekend last year. It was awesome. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan, but we met Princess Leai (don't know how to spell that), Chip and Dale dressed up, Darth Vader (AWESOME), various Star Wars characters (Ewoks, stormtrooper, Jawa) and did dinner at H&V with Mickey and friends in Star Wars costumes. The fireworks are amazing!! We went the first night of our trip and loved it so much we rearranged our schedule to go back and see the fireworks again a different night.

 

[Hootch]

We have been to SWW one time a number of years ago. We popped in on a Sunday afternoon. It was definitely crowded. We did Star Tours but not any of the shows. My son and I spent time in the Imperial area (if I remember correctly, it was near Pixar place that year) just watching the characters. He had his picture taken with Darth and Bobo Fet.

We are set to go on a Friday morning this trip. Our FPs will be used for traditional rides. I am looking forward to actually seeing the opening scene. Still, I hope the random characters are walking around. That was my favorite part last time.

 

[HopperFan]

Are you staying on property? if so use the buses, if not give yourself lots of time for getting to your ADR, parking on Sat/Sun can be brutal.

One of the best things about SWW are the fireworks, they are one of their best shows!!

 

[drcmk]

We are staying on property and won't have a car, so busses it will be. Probably we will be going to HS directly from AK.

I'm guessing there will be no chance of getting any afternoon FP+ at 3:00 or 4:00. I'm sure this information is available elsewhere, but what time is the fireworks show? And would it be possible to see Fantastic without a FP+ that night?

 

[kbelle8995]

I think it would be absolutely worth checking out. Most of the shows go on in the afternoon. There are character wandering the park. Not only on Streets of America but near Star Tours as well.

You do miss the Stormtroopers opening the park if you go later. They are well worth seeing. Also they do shows before the guests of the day do theirs.

I love SWW for the atmosphere.