Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[cheer25mom]

BUMP! Anyone? I really want to see HH but the rest of my group is just not sure and if I make them wait for 2-3 hours I will not be on the "good list". Suggestions....we are not there until the last weekend.

Based on my experience with other specialty parades ect. I think you are going to have a hard time holding space for an entire group with just one person, and they would have a hard time pushing through the crowd to get to you. It would likely tick off a lot of people to have them push through. Imagine the hub as wishes is about to start on a crowded night. Now imagine how you feel when you have been standing there for an hour for the perfect spot and someone shoves in front of you. I think this is likely the kind of situation you will be dealing with.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

BUMP! Anyone? I really want to see HH but the rest of my group is just not sure and if I make them wait for 2-3 hours I will not be on the "good list". Suggestions....we are not there until the last weekend.

how many people in the group? you could always just separate and let them do their thing while you find a good spot... or if you are tall enough really you can see it from anywhere.. and the last option is you can just watch it on the AI screen.

 

[lovethattink]

I a quick rant. No need to reply but want to clear my head so I can enjoy the rest of my evening. My son who is autistic loves Star Wars. We get up at 4:00 to get in line for our autograph FP's. I always give him my wrist band so he can get autographs.

Today was the first time in three years that the CM would not let us. No problem rules are the rules. My son said Dad, you get the autograph and I will take your picture. Then the cast member went on and on about my request the guest in front of us. For the next several minutes. You would have swore I committed a capital crime.

Well my son felt awful about what the CM was saying and began pacing and flapping his arms. There was no way he was taking a picture.

When it was my turn for JAT, he remembered me from last year and saw my son pacing. He had one of the security CM's escort my son to see him and we both had our picture taken with him. He is just so awesome! Calmed my son down with a few voices.

Thank you JAT! You are the best.

There, now I feel better.
Thanks for listening.

I'm so sorry you and your son had a bad experience. Glad JAT was able to help the situation. He is awesome.

We had a potential problem on Friday, but spoke with Erin and (I could have swore his name was Mark, but today his name tag said Kurt). They were able to help us to avert any conflicts.

Well, we were in line to get Ashley's autograph. Love her as she always remembers my son.

As we were in line a female guest in a very flirtatious manner asked the same CM if she could give her band to her son. Without hesitation "Yes of course you can!" just ranting

Ashley is great! She has such a knack for making each of her fans feel special. She has a good memory too. If she doesn't remember the name, she remembers the face. Can't say enough good things about her. My son is a huge fan of hers and just loves her husband.

I'm sorry you saw a double standard.

What are the crowds looking like at SWW. I am mostly wondering about rides and getting into the normal shows, restaurants, etc... Is it impossible to get around? Long Lines?

We didn't go on any rides today, so I can't answer that. Crowds are manageable as far as walking goes. This weekend was nothing like May the 4th crowd-wise.

We ate at 50's PTC for lunch. They were taking walk-ins at 11am and someone had made a ADR while I was there for 2:30.

 

[yulilin3]

So, we have decided to start our trip a day early in the hopes of catching Warrick Davis on Sunday of weekend 3. Any idea what his gastpass line will be like and how many autograph sets he will do? Are we looking at getting there by 4am or before?

We should have the schedule for next weekend by Wednesday

 

[RedM94]

Crap. I hate hearing that. I usually relinquish my arm band to my son also. I heard that they are having entertainment cms not regular cms. I hope they learn the ropes and chill out. I'd have been ticked. JAT is awesome, and he does remember folks and he is a good man. I'm glad that worked out for you.

I asked on Friday and Saturday and both times they let me give my band to my son. It wasn't that they said no today. It was the fact that the two CM's were adamant about it the then the female CM complained about me to the guest in front of me. It broke my heart when my son started pacing and flapping because he heard what she said.

What upset me was the fact that the male CM didn't hesitate to tell the flirtatious guest that she could give her band to her son.

 

[Zooshoveller]

Does anyone know what time we need to be there next Saturday to get FPs for Jim Cummings?

 

[RedM94]

I'm so sorry you and your son had a bad experience. Glad JAT was able to help the situation. He is awesome.

We had a potential problem on Friday, but spoke with Erin and (I could have swore his name was Mark, but today his name tag said Kurt). They were able to help us to avert any conflicts.

Ashley is great! She has such a knack for making each of her fans feel special. She has a good memory too. If she doesn't remember the name, she remembers the face. Can't say enough good things about her. My son is a huge fan of hers and just loves her husband.

I'm sorry you saw a double standard.

We didn't go on any rides today, so I can't answer that. Crowds are manageable as far as walking goes. This weekend was nothing like May the 4th crowd-wise.

We ate at 50's PTC for lunch. They were taking walk-ins at 11am and someone had made a ADR while I was there for 2:30.

Thank you!! Overall my son and I had an awesome time and will be back again in September and again next year for SWW. Hoping to use my DVC points for Boardwalk next year.

I just need to vent and blow off some steam. Happy to hear you were able to avoid a problem on Friday!!

Take care all. We fly out tomorrow!

 

[yulilin3]

Back home, weekend one is done. Tomorrow I'll be able to write my impressions about it. For now , I'm rehydrating and getting ready for a full night sleep

 

[lovethattink]

Back home, weekend one is done. Tomorrow I'll be able to write my impressions about it. For now , I'm rehydrating and getting ready for a full night sleep

I know what you mean, we are exhausted and so thirsty.

Look forward to reading your impressions.

 

[kgc07]

What time do the busses from the resorts (AKL) start running? My DS wants to do JTA and we won't have a car this year.

 

[jane2073]

Could anyone tell me the songs in the loop they have playing during SWW? A couple I recognize but some I don't.

Thank you!!

 

[allboyhouse]

We will be at SWW next weekend. Yay! My question is how early to get a spot for Hyperspace Hoopla?

 

[AquaDame]

Just wanted to say once again THANK YOU to everyone who was able to report back here so far! Lots of great info - & very cute pics - you are all very gracious with your time and I loved every post you managed to get on here! Very excited for next week and then finally my turn!

 

[cel_disney]

First - thank you to everyone posting in this thread! I have been glued t it for days watching things unfold! We have a surprise trip planned starting on Wednesday - it's an 'extra' trip for us this year and we are going to surprise the kids for the first (and last!) time! They are WDW pro's but this trip will be a little different as we will have a specific agenda...checking out new fantasyland on Thursday and then DHS for SWW on Friday and some of Saturday...

I think we have narrowed down our targets to be generally characters from the original series...no need to get autographs from real stars, but seeing the Disney characters in costume will be important..possibly even more so than some of their real life counterparts...the kids are likely to be interested in Vader, r2d2/r2mk, the fab-4, and meeting a Fett (I don't think they will be picky!). I want a picture at the blister pack and with an ewok (haven't decided if I need wicket or if chip n dale will suffice..)...

We really want to see the storm trooper show but don't need to sign up for Jedi academy...will we be okay arriving at 7 via car? How about 7:15? Too late ? If DH went to stand in line for a character (Vader or chewy) that doesn't come out until 8/8:30 - is there a good recommended start yet? I am assuming that all rides are open whenever they do rope drop like any other day? Anyone happen to catch wait times for TSM and Star tours in the early mornings (7-10?)?

 

[palmtreegirl]

Had no idea the jawa's traded-how fun! Can you share what you brought to trade? Thanks for any help!!

1st Jawa tried to trade my sons light saber for a 5 hour energy, it was so funny. The cast member guide said, No, no remember what happened last time you tried to get a light saber....lol

2nd Jawa we traded a Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card and got a fast pass for Star Tours! lol My son went on alone and he loved it.

 

[lovethattink]

1st Jawa tried to trade my sons light saber for a 5 hour energy, it was so funny. The cast member guide said, No, no remember what happened last time you tried to get a light saber....lol

2nd Jawa we traded a Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card and got a fast pass for Star Tours! lol My son went on alone and he loved it.

Wouldn't is be a small world if the sorcerers card my son got was from yours? I don't remember who was on the card, but i know it was #12.

 

[1971DBday]

Based on my experience with other specialty parades ect. I think you are going to have a hard time holding space for an entire group with just one person, and they would have a hard time pushing through the crowd to get to you. It would likely tick off a lot of people to have them push through. Imagine the hub as wishes is about to start on a crowded night. Now imagine how you feel when you have been standing there for an hour for the perfect spot and someone shoves in front of you. I think this is likely the kind of situation you will be dealing with.

Thanks. I'm usually the parade spot holder but I get my family back to the spot about 30-45 minutes before it starts. I was not familiar with the setup for HH but assumed this might be a problem of no path to get to me.

I was thinking of just initially holding it and as it starts to get even somewhat crowded to call them back to hold their spots. Here is hoping the last weekend isn't as intense as the first.

 

[1971DBday]

how many people in the group? you could always just separate and let them do their thing while you find a good spot... or if you are tall enough really you can see it from anywhere.. and the last option is you can just watch it on the AI screen.

There will be 8 of us and my DD7 is the shortest followed by her two cousins. I don't want to separate since I love watching my kids reactions. I'm not interested in the screen either....I can just pull it up on YouTube then.

Thanks for the advice though!

 

[visegrip72]

A quick pick from before the start of Hoopla. I was zoomed in a bit. We were standing just a bit closer than the close side of Hollywood & Vine, Hope that makes sense.

 

[visegrip72]

(not enough posts to officially post images, had to post in seperate reply)

As you can see, it was a sea of people. There were many who left during the show as it was a waste since they could not see a thing. Many kids and really just everyone were just watching the show on tiny viewfinders of cameras and camcorders that were held up. The big screen above was barely used for the show and could have showed the action instead of just titles and stuff for the entire show. I never thought to look left and see if the other big screen had the actors or the titles. I took a few stills, a few mini videos, then just downloaded the video and put it with my photos for memories. It does not matter if I took the video or someone else. I'd say, if you are not up real close, just download the video and use your time to do other stuff.