February SWGE trip

[AlwithaB]

Any words of advice, oh wise disboarders? As Star Wars fans, we’re aiming to visit GE but have only sporadically been to Disneyworld and not for some years so we’re in the middle of logistical research. We’re competent at Universal planning imho, and planning repeat visit there this Feb., staying 5 nights at Universal property. Aiming for less busy crowds, so it’s starting 2/9 and leaving earlier 2/14. For GE preliminary planning: Lyft over to HS/GE from Universal on either Tuesday 2/11 or Wednesday 2/12. Various crowd calendars are estimating these days between a 2 to 4 out of 10 and we’re willing to do whatever day may be lowest crowds Mon-Thurs (10th - 13th) that week (can’t do Sunday as arriving later). Question 1 (EMH): From reading posts, it seems it's subject to change what HS hours will be on Feb 10-13, such as EMH? Right now, no EMH are shown for HS those days. Question 2 (nighttime shows): We assume the nighttime shows are also subject to change; right now only Fantasmic is showing those days and of course we'd prefer Galactic Spectacular as SW-related but willing to go without it. Existing activity and dining reservations: We have a Droid 1:30 reservation and an Oga’s 5:35 reservation both days (not going to do a Savi’s rez), and will timely cancel the reservations for whichever day we decide not to do. For eating, likely to do Ronto’s lunch and DB7 dinner. Random Oga’s question on back-to-back reservations: I assume Disney will have foreclosed this potential “loophole” but any comments on 1 person in party having the 5:35 reservation, and then 2nd person in party making a reservation for 45 minutes later? If so, I assume Disney would still make us leave Oga’s and then come back in? I am asking because with some of the drinks, it might be a rush to get it all done in 45 minutes. If we could just stay in Oga’s based on the back-to-back reservations, that would solve the problem, but if we have to leave and come back in, then it’s still a problem as there’d be no one to keep them from taking away the unfinished drinks. Ride strategy: I am still assessing ride strategy -- Smugglers, and then of course Rise after it opens 12/5 -- we definitely want to fit in both. I’ll look to possibly make a FP Star Tours rez in early January when those open to non-hotel guests (realize that is outside GE but may try to include, time-permitting, as SW-based). Question 3 (staying on site): I was considering doing a 1 night stay at a Disney hotel for any GE benefits that would yield. However, right now, that doesn’t seem to be the case with no EMH or FP or ADR (outside Oga’s, which I have) available for GE -- anyone think otherwise? There was a material discount staying at Universal 5 rather 4 nights these days so it’s hard to justify switching to Dis hotel with no concrete GE benefit? If fortunate enough for another future visit, would consider staying at a Dis property, assuming we like GE and may be intrigued by other parts of Disney upon visiting. Catch all question: any other advice? Apologies in advance if this is not a correct way or forum to post these questions.

 

[fatmanatee]

I don't mean to be rude but this is hard to follow. I'm going to try to break up the questions into separate paragraphs to help with readability. My answers:

Ogas - From what I've seen they're pretty strict about reservation times, you'll definitely want to book a time for everyone if possible. Slots occasionally open up as people cancel so it's something to keep an eye on.

Ride Strategy - Nobody knows how bad the line will be until Rise of the Resistance opens but if that's a priority for you (and it'll probably be a priority for a lot of people) I recommend checking reports here when it opens, your best bet might end up being hitting it first thing in the morning, EMH or not. Smuggler's Run shouldn't be an issue, it's been open for awhile and the wait isn't bad right now, even as the only ride on the land.

EMH/On-Site Benefits - Don't have much insight on this, maybe someone else can help.

One thing to keep in mind is that if they continue using the virtual queue to keep lines manageable, you'll get in with your reservations and maybe the Rise wait isn't that bad. But as I mention above, nobody knows about how Rise will impact crowds until it opens.

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Any words of advice, oh wise disboarders? As Star Wars fans, we’re aiming to visit GE but have only sporadically been to Disneyworld and not for some years so we’re in the middle of logistical research. We’re competent at Universal planning imho, and planning repeat visit there this Feb., staying 5 nights at Universal property. Aiming for less busy crowds, so it’s starting 2/9 and leaving earlier 2/14. For GE preliminary planning: Lyft over to HS/GE from Universal on either Tuesday 2/11 or Wednesday 2/12. Various crowd calendars are estimating these days between a 2 to 4 out of 10 and we’re willing to do whatever day may be lowest crowds Mon-Thurs (10th - 13th) that week (can’t do Sunday as arriving later).

Question 1 (EMH): From reading posts, it seems it's subject to change what HS hours will be on Feb 10-13, such as EMH? Right now, no EMH are shown for HS those days.

Question 2 (nighttime shows): We assume the nighttime shows are also subject to change; right now only Fantasmic is showing those days and of course we'd prefer Galactic Spectacular as SW-related but willing to go without it.

Existing activity and dining reservations: We have a Droid 1:30 reservation and an Oga’s 5:35 reservation both days (not going to do a Savi’s rez), and will timely cancel the reservations for whichever day we decide not to do. For eating, likely to do Ronto’s lunch and DB7 dinner.

Random Oga’s question on back-to-back reservations: I assume Disney will have foreclosed this potential “loophole” but any comments on 1 person in party having the 5:35 reservation, and then 2nd person in party making a reservation for 45 minutes later? If so, I assume Disney would still make us leave Oga’s and then come back in? I am asking because with some of the drinks, it might be a rush to get it all done in 45 minutes. If we could just stay in Oga’s based on the back-to-back reservations, that would solve the problem, but if we have to leave and come back in, then it’s still a problem as there’d be no one to keep them from taking away the unfinished drinks.

Ride strategy: I am still assessing ride strategy -- Smugglers, and then of course Rise after it opens 12/5 -- we definitely want to fit in both. I’ll look to possibly make a FP Star Tours rez in early January when those open to non-hotel guests (realize that is outside GE but may try to include, time-permitting, as SW-based).

Question 3 (staying on site): I was considering doing a 1 night stay at a Disney hotel for any GE benefits that would yield. However, right now, that doesn’t seem to be the case with no EMH or FP or ADR (outside Oga’s, which I have) available for GE -- anyone think otherwise? There was a material discount staying at Universal 5 rather 4 nights these days so it’s hard to justify switching to Dis hotel with no concrete GE benefit? If fortunate enough for another future visit, would consider staying at a Dis property, assuming we like GE and may be intrigued by other parts of Disney upon visiting.

Catch all question: any other advice? Apologies in advance if this is not a correct way or forum to post these questions.

 

[rteetz]

Lyft over to HS/GE from Universal on either Tuesday 2/11 or Wednesday 2/12. Various crowd calendars are estimating these days between a 2 to 4 out of 10 and we’re willing to do whatever day may be lowest crowds Mon-Thurs (10th - 13th) that week (can’t do Sunday as arriving later). Question 1 (EMH): From reading posts, it seems it's subject to change what HS hours will be on Feb 10-13, such as EMH? Right now, no EMH are shown for HS those days. Question 2 (nighttime shows): We assume the nighttime shows are also subject to change; right now only Fantasmic is showing those days and of course we'd prefer Galactic Spectacular as SW-related but willing to go without it. Existing activity and dining reservations: We have a Droid 1:30 reservation and an Oga’s 5:35 reservation both days (not going to do a Savi’s rez), and will timely cancel the reservations for whichever day we decide not to do. For eating, likely to do Ronto’s lunch and DB7 dinner. Random Oga’s question on back-to-back reservations: I assume Disney will have foreclosed this potential “loophole” but any comments on 1 person in party having the 5:35 reservation, and then 2nd person in party making a reservation for 45 minutes later? If so, I assume Disney would still make us leave Oga’s and then come back in? I am asking because with some of the drinks, it might be a rush to get it all done in 45 minutes. If we could just stay in Oga’s based on the back-to-back reservations, that would solve the problem, but if we have to leave and come back in, then it’s still a problem as there’d be no one to keep them from taking away the unfinished drinks. Ride strategy: I am still assessing ride strategy -- Smugglers, and then of course Rise after it opens 12/5 -- we definitely want to fit in both. I’ll look to possibly make a FP Star Tours rez in early January when those open to non-hotel guests (realize that is outside GE but may try to include, time-permitting, as SW-based). Question 3 (staying on site): I was considering doing a 1 night stay at a Disney hotel for any GE benefits that would yield. However, right now, that doesn’t seem to be the case with no EMH or FP or ADR (outside Oga’s, which I have) available for GE -- anyone think otherwise? There was a material discount staying at Universal 5 rather 4 nights these days so it’s hard to justify switching to Dis hotel with no concrete GE benefit? If fortunate enough for another future visit, would consider staying at a Dis property, assuming we like GE and may be intrigued by other parts of Disney upon visiting. Catch all question: any other advice? Apologies in advance if this is not a correct way or forum to post these questions.

I honestly wouldn’t put much into the crowd calendars. So what works best for you.

Hours are always subject to change. Just keep checking those.

Fireworks schedules also always change so keep an eye on those as well.

Yes I would assume one Disney would make you leave and come back for the second reservation. I think most people haven’t found an issue with getting the drinks done in 45 minutes.

I don’t think you need to stay onsite. It is possible they open Fastpasses by then tho. They will open FP eventually as both rides have the lines for it.

 

[AlwithaB]

Thank you very much for this information. I will keep checking back for here and w/Disney for more info. Apologies for any confusion, and in the future will try to make questions clearer. I may have been influenced with excitement by the possibility for the trip to SWGE!

 

[katgarbars]

I also wanted to add to the discussion ...They don't kick you out of Oga's right at 45 minutes. Especially if you are still enjoying your cocktail. At least that's been my experience.

 

[glocon]

Also, at Disney Springs there is The Void. They have a SW virtual reality... game... I guess you would call it. My son and I really enjoyed it! If you haven’t done that yet it may be something you would like.