MGM Star Wars Experiences

[mtblujeans]

DS wants to go to a Stars Wars Weekend experience for his grad present. What all have you done in the past during SWW? What can we look forward to?? TIA

 

[joshsmom]

We went last year and DS9 was in HEAVEN!!! There are characters EVERYWHERE by Star Tours and on Mickey Ave. DS loved the autograph sessions and loved the fact that there were random characters roaming the streets. I didn't know about the "show" prior to MGM opening in the morning. Something about Stormtroopers. I also didn't know about the Jedi Training thing, which DS REALLY wants to do now. Guess I've got lots to learn before we go in May!!!

 

[daisyduck123]

just subscribing to this thread...we will be in MGM on Friday May 19 for the Star Wars activities...we've never been there at this time before. DS8 is very excited!

 

[beckmrk04]

just subscribing to this thread...we will be in MGM on Friday May 19 for the Star Wars activities...we've never been there at this time before. DS8 is very excited!

We'll be there May 19th too! DH 26 is very excited!

 

[ktglads]

Coming from a 25 y/o, this is what we have done at the past SWWs:

autographs - depending on who is there, we will go and get the proper wrist band/fastpass/whatever for whoever we are interested in. Guest lists should be posted mid April

sign up for the adult trivia - limited to about 50 people and fills fast - this is a once a day event that last year was in the ABC theater (AC thank goodness over the sweltering sun!) - this was after the parade, so about 6 PM

Go to at least one session of the Star was exclusive Who wants to be a millionaire. There were only 2 sessions a day last year and they were early - between 11 and 1

Parade - if the 501st is marching, this is very nice, if not, it would only be worth a few minutes of your time. This was early last year - 11 or so

Merchandise line - if you want pins, GO EARLY- RUN TO THIS LINE - if not, plan to be in line for several HOURS. There are kiosks open in other locations that have things like the t-shirts, magnets, etc, but for the pins, darth mickeys, and big collectibles of last year, the line was the only way to go

All in all, everything is over by 6:30 PM, so you still have plenty of time to enjoy MGM or another park, but my main advice is to be there before the park opens and get to whatever is the most important to you. Worst comes to worse, you can hit things on Saturday that you miss on Friday

 

[jeankeri]

ktglads, what is the 501st? Also, is the adult trivia 18+. My DS10 can really wipe the floor with me on trivia!!

 

[ktglads]

The 501st are a group of people who have made their own armor, which is 100% movie canon. They are mostly troopers, so it looks pretty cools seeing 50 or so troopers starting the parade. There are also those who are sand people and other characters that Disney does not have. There is someone on here whose name I can't remember who marched last year

I believe the adult trivia is 12+. There is a kids trivia contest too, that happens earlier in the day. The winners I have seen are either 20 something males or the same 16 y/o girl (whose brother also won last year). Some of the knowledge they have is pretty scary. Even if you can't get into the trivia contest, the WWTBAM would be right up your son's alley. That gives everyone a fair chance at the questions and winning

 

[mattsdragon]

I got into a stare down contest with Darth Vader. Everyone was "ooohing" and "ahhhing". He got pissed because Anakin had signed my book, so he threw it on the floor. I told him to pick it up. So we went toe to toe. It was fun, the kids in the crowd all thought it was neat. But since I'm well over 6 feet, and 220 pounds, I'm every bit as big as the Dark Lord of the Sith.

Darth Maul made me get down on one knee because I was about a foot taller than him.

 

[becobscot]

My DS8 just loved getting autographs and photos with all the characters who BTW are great. I almost didn't get the photo of my son with Darth Vader because he didn't want to stand that close to him. Darth Vader does have an attitude problem that makes it fun to watch when you are waiting in line!

 

[smt218]

Merchandise line - if you want pins, GO EARLY- RUN TO THIS LINE - if not, plan to be in line for several HOURS. There are kiosks open in other locations that have things like the t-shirts, magnets, etc, but for the pins, darth mickeys, and big collectibles of last year, the line was the only way to go

Where is the merchandise line? Is it the gift store after you exit Star Tours?

Thanks

 

[juliebaby76]

We will be there on Friday 2-25 for over a week can you still see any star wars characters. My DS is really disappointed. I thought they were there on a regular basis. If anyone knows where I could find some star wars charcters please let me know. He really wants pics and autographs.

Thanks

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Can someone please tell me how this will affect crowd levels on Sunday evenings of SWWs? A prev poster said that most things are over by 6:30. I hate to say it, but we really could care less about any Star Wars stuff (sorry, no offense!). MGM is our fav park and we planned on hitting it late afternoon on the Sunday we arrive and just want to enjoy the park in general. Thanks!

 

[ktglads]

Where is the merchandise line? Is it the gift store after you exit Star Tours?

Thanks

Yes, it started outside Tatooine Traders and then snaked backwards under the tree and through the little used outside part of the Star Tours ride. We waited in that line for roughly 1.5 hours before giving up and coming back the next day. The line to check out in the store snaked around the entire store, so that itself took another half hour

 

[bjakmom]

If you haven't checked out QuickGold's site - do: http://sww.mgmstudios.org/main/ - it is loaded with pictures, schedules, reviews, etc from past SWW. DNeph and I went last year - we spent most of all 3 days doing SW stuff - but we did everything(!) and that was the whole point of the trip. We spent our evenings in the other parks. We had such a blast we're going back this year for the final weekend. Be sure you're at the park before opening - the storm troopers do a really cute 'routine' from the roof of the turnstiles - it really sets the mood for the day!

 

[jeankeri]

bjakmom- thanks for the link.
ktglads- would the 501st be listed specifically in the events schedule?

 

[lisametairie]

when is this event happening? My 9 yr old has just gotten into Star wars. we will be there May 10th -May 16th

 

[ktglads]

No, the 501st are not separately listed. Its more of a participation hit or miss deal. They have done opening weekend, Memorial Day, and Star Wars Fan Club weekends in the past. I am not a member so I don't know what their schedule is for this year

 

[QuickGold]

I don't think the 501st has which dates they're marching on but it tradtionally has been the first weekend and the "fan weekend"

 

[jeankeri]

Would the CMs at the event know the day of if the 501st is marching or not? It sounds pretty cool and would not want to miss it, but I was also hoping to skip the parade one day to fit other events in.

 

[QuickGold]

Would the CMs at the event know the day of if the 501st is marching or not? It sounds pretty cool and would not want to miss it, but I was also hoping to skip the parade one day to fit other events in.

I'm sure they would if you arrived since when the 501st shows up, they're admitted backstage.