New SWGE Superthread! Now Open to All! (6/24/2019)

[Congo Queen]

I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s SWGE reports. I was in LA late last week visiting my DD (21). We decided to go to Dland on Saturday and booked a res at GCH to get a SWGE res which was 2pm-6pm on Saturday (6/22). I like the Star Wars movies but am by no means a super fan. I work at a college, so here are my grades for SWGE:

• A+ Theming – It’s deep, layered, and fully immersive. No detail has been overlooked. Every single element in on theme.
• A Smuggler’s Run and Oga’s Cantina – Both are just fun fun fun experiences. I was smiling throughout and delighted by the vibe in each space. On Smuggler’s Run, Hondo animatronic=amazing. I was a very poor pilot but laughed throughout. Oga’s has tremendous energy. DJ Rex boppin up and down in his booth is just great.
• B Shopping – It was above average with well-themed interiors and palpable backstories on the vendors. The shops are small though, and it was tough to linger or browse given the crowds.
• C Food and Drink – The drinks and snacks in the cantina were fine, nothing special. Did not try the colored milk.
• D- Comfort and Charm – Maybe because I was there during hottest part of the day, but man that land could use some shade and more benches and places to rest. There is hardly any outdoor comfort. It is themed as a sort of old, funky, weathered outpost where all surfaces are distressed and tubes/ducts/wires abound. The soundscape is wires buzzing and spacecraft zooming past. There are trees and shrubs, but they are peripheral. Though the landscape is themed to the nth degree, it is not a landscape I long for. There is nothing lovely or charming about it. I don’t dream about being there. I wish there was more walkway shade trees/greenery or a stream/spring running through it like an oasis. The tall rock formations are impressive and beautiful in their own way but serve mostly to dwarf the visitor. Yes it adds to the immersion, but it’s also kind of oppressive. Moreover, I found it a tad psychologically oppressive to see stormtroopers with blaster in hand surveilling the guests from roof tops. They come down into the crowd and ask if we’ve seen any rebel spies etc. I am sure there are fans who find this super fun. For me, it lends a sense of unease which of course can be a fine and even sought after thing in any art form (i.e., a movie, novel, painting, etc), but at a theme park is just not my cup of tea. (That’s right, you will never bump into me at Knott’s Scary Farm.)

OK that’s my take on it all.
p.s. I loved riding Soarin Over Calif in DCA which is now extended through Aug.

 

[crystal1313]

I agree, the Ronto wrap was great! We did try the popcorn and it was...odd. We didn't hate it, but I'm also not sure I need to get it again. And the colored coating stuff got all over fingers (but it a sticky, stainy kind of way, not in a cheetos dust kind of way).

Eww. LOL. I am sure my DS9 would love that though! I will try his and then will stick to regular popcorn for myself

 

[IAmDis]

Harry Potter fans are on a whole other level. The majority are under 40 and will wait 10 hours to ride any Potter attraction. Plus it's Orlando, the crowds will always be massive.

In Hollywood, Forbidden Journey rarely ever gets over 90 min... so in Orlando expect MFSR to hit at least 200 min for the majority of the day. Disney doesn't care to limit capacity to Flight of the Passage, so they won't limit MFSR at all either.

 

[Aladora]

Disneyland seems to be a little busier overall than yesterday but not too much. The land has yet to use the virtual queue today. Falcon has been 70+ minutes most of the day but nothing really higher than 110-120 minutes. This has been fascinating to watch.

I keep checking the app and I am amazed that not only is there no virtual queue but MFSR is at 45 minutes at 1:00pm!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Awww glad he loved it! Did he make a droid? I’ve been playing with mine a lot lol Basically like a 6 year old in a 26 year old body while playing with it haha

He very badly wanted to make a droid but mean mommy said no. Ha ha. I might let him do it for his 5th birthday... he will love it.

 

[figment_jii]

A few photos from my trip to Batuu on Saturday afternoon!

There were only a few places where you could "see" Disneyland from inside Black Spire Outpost. The top of Big Thunder was visible, but it fit in with the surrounding look of the Outpost. It's a different color rock formation, but rock formations vary in color, so it seemed like it fit in. From a different location, the top of the Magical Map tent is visible and that one looks a bit odd. It would work better if it was a different color (e.g., white and grey or something more "earthy" in color). Other than that, you can't really "see" Disneyland from inside the land, which really does lead to a feeling of being on a different world.

I built a purple BB-9 unit and brought home a porg! For those that have the Spheros BB-8 unit, I do find that the Droid Depot version is easier to "drive". He's a lot bigger and doesn't roll as fast (even at his top speed). The controls, being real buttons and not a touch screen, seem easier to work, but he can't make as sharp of turns as the Spheros version.

 

[dina444444]

A few photos from my trip to Batuu on Saturday afternoon!

There were only a few places where you could "see" Disneyland from inside Black Spire Outpost. The top of Big Thunder was visible, but it fit in with the surrounding look of the Outpost. It's a different color rock formation, but rock formations vary in color, so it seemed like it fit in. From a different location, the top of the Magical Map tent is visible and that one looks a bit odd. It would work better if it was a different color (e.g., white and grey or something more "earthy" in color). Other than that, you can't really "see" Disneyland from inside the land, which really does lead to a feeling of being on a different world.

I built a purple BB-9 unit and brought home a porg! For those that have the Spheros BB-8 unit, I do find that the Droid Depot version is easier to "drive". He's a lot bigger and doesn't roll as fast (even at his top speed). The controls, being real buttons and not a touch screen, seem easier to work, but he can't make as sharp of turns as the Spheros version.

I think the tent peeking through won’t be an issue as the trees continue to grow in.

 

[disneylover102]

p.s. I loved riding Soarin Over Calif in DCA which is now extended through Aug.

I hadn’t heard about this until now! Now I’m even more determined to save up to go in August!!

 

[LizzyS]

A few photos from my trip to Batuu on Saturday afternoon!

There were only a few places where you could "see" Disneyland from inside Black Spire Outpost. The top of Big Thunder was visible, but it fit in with the surrounding look of the Outpost. It's a different color rock formation, but rock formations vary in color, so it seemed like it fit in. From a different location, the top of the Magical Map tent is visible and that one looks a bit odd. It would work better if it was a different color (e.g., white and grey or something more "earthy" in color). Other than that, you can't really "see" Disneyland from inside the land, which really does lead to a feeling of being on a different world.

I built a purple BB-9 unit and brought home a porg! For those that have the Spheros BB-8 unit, I do find that the Droid Depot version is easier to "drive". He's a lot bigger and doesn't roll as fast (even at his top speed). The controls, being real buttons and not a touch screen, seem easier to work, but he can't make as sharp of turns as the Spheros version.

Great pictures! ...and now I want to build a purple droid!

 

[LizzyS]

A few photos from my trip to Batuu on Saturday afternoon!

There were only a few places where you could "see" Disneyland from inside Black Spire Outpost. The top of Big Thunder was visible, but it fit in with the surrounding look of the Outpost. It's a different color rock formation, but rock formations vary in color, so it seemed like it fit in. From a different location, the top of the Magical Map tent is visible and that one looks a bit odd. It would work better if it was a different color (e.g., white and grey or something more "earthy" in color). Other than that, you can't really "see" Disneyland from inside the land, which really does lead to a feeling of being on a different world.

I built a purple BB-9 unit and brought home a porg! For those that have the Spheros BB-8 unit, I do find that the Droid Depot version is easier to "drive". He's a lot bigger and doesn't roll as fast (even at his top speed). The controls, being real buttons and not a touch screen, seem easier to work, but he can't make as sharp of turns as the Spheros version.

Now I want to add that I LOVE Figment's Chewbacca costume!!!

 

[StarSpeckledSky]

Land still not at capacity?

 

[katyringo]

Land still not at capacity?

No it didn’t. Didn’t use the virtual que at all.

 

[myohmymorgan]

How much of a motion ride like Star Tours is the new ride? I am fine to take the "chicken exit" after waiting with my family but my son really wants me to ride with them. I can't do Mission Space in Epcot (due to the straps and extremely small podlike structure along with motion sickness). I can't do Star Tours but Flights of Passage in Animal Kingdom is fine for the most part. I just want to know what I am up against before I make my decision and I can't seem to find a lot about the motion part of the ride. Thanks!

I know people that do get motion sickness and when they were pilot (controlling the ride for the most part) it wasn't as bad. But others said they needed the back of the ride better because they could see more so that calmed the motion sickness.

As I'm getting older, I'm slowly developing motion sickness as well. I always bring ginger chews (you can get them from trader sams) with me just to be on the safe side. They help with nausea. If you want to try the smugglers run but still worried, I would get ginger chews to help.

 

[twitch]

Yes, less people in the park is a success. Not for the shareholders, but for making the customers happy it is.

Guest experience is important. For the ticket prices, the experience should be manageable and I feel like they're succeeding with that, at least so far.

While “less people in the park” may be a hit to the bottom line, “less people standing in long lines” potentially translates to “more people spending money on food and merch.”

I think that Disney may have overhyped things, resulting in people staying home to avoid crowds. However, I’m just watching wait times from home, which may not be a reasonable indicator of what’s happening.

 

[fly girl]

This did just that last June. My So Cal Select was unblocked for a few extra weeks. So, yes they can do it. And have.

Hmmm...that is interesting.

As someone who isn't an AP holder, I'll admit I know very little about it. But I did see that they have blocked all but a select few this summer. No doubt, those passes were at a substantial cost. With that said, I would be really irritated if I paid more to receive that benefit and now other tiers days are lifted and my premium meant nothing. What extra did I pay for ... not a darn thing. And I would completely feel ripped off. IDK, maybe I am wrong.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Hmmm...that is interesting.

As someone who isn't an AP holder, I'll admit I know very little about it. But I did see that they have blocked all but a select few this summer. No doubt, those passes were at a substantial cost. With that said, I would be really irritated if I paid more to receive that benefit and now other tiers days are lifted and my premium meant nothing. What extra did I pay for ... not a darn thing. And I would completely feel ripped off. IDK, maybe I am wrong.

You are not wrong.

 

[avalon451]

Man, I can’t believe the low wait times in the rest of the park this afternoon! 5 pm and the only FP gone is RSR. 20 minutes for Indy. Space and TSMM are 60 and 45, but lots of other stuff is very reasonable and have FP return time of almost immediate or an hour or so. Amazing. And still, MFSR only 35.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Hmmm...that is interesting.

As someone who isn't an AP holder, I'll admit I know very little about it. But I did see that they have blocked all but a select few this summer. No doubt, those passes were at a substantial cost. With that said, I would be really irritated if I paid more to receive that benefit and now other tiers days are lifted and my premium meant nothing. What extra did I pay for ... not a darn thing. And I would completely feel ripped off. IDK, maybe I am wrong.

They’re not just going to throw the whole summer back open for all the APs and make them all equivalent to Signature. No one is suggesting that.

But, you guys. They invested a TON in not just the land, but the new parking structure, the “project stardust” enhancements, etc. They completely reworked the AP system to block parks separately. They put in all those boards to show boarding group times. They expected massive crowds, and instead they’ve had the least crowded June in... a long time. I have no point of reference for the emptiness of the parks. I mean, they’ve got to be sweating bullets and in crisis mode about these attendance numbers.

They can’t let this keep going. And because they unblocked some passes last year (for limited days), I can absolutely see them doing that again. I actually think they kind of have to.

I also think the crowds are coming. They’re coming in the fall. When all the APs are back and all of the people who decided to “wait for the crowds to die down” all show up.

And goodness help us if ROTR opens.

 

[midnight star]

Man, I can’t believe the low wait times in the rest of the park this afternoon! 5 pm and the only FP gone is RSR. 20 minutes for Indy. Space and TSMM are 60 and 45, but lots of other stuff is very reasonable and have FP return time of almost immediate or an hour or so. Amazing. And still, MFSR only 35.

Hoping it stays reasonable next week for the holiday. I won’t be able to squeeze in a visit this weekend like I did the Saturday after the reservations opened.

 

[MonocularVision]

I also think people that are making vacation plans (from out of state or far enough away to need to book a hotel) are waiting for the Rise of The Resistance ride to open so they can get the full experience. Spending thousands on a family vacation, I'd want to wait too.

This is me, for sure. We had APs last year (we are in AZ) but let them lapse. We will be back for a trip after ROTR. I don’t want to have to come back for that ride.