Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[Nicsmom]

OK, willing to stand and wait for hours if needed. What is the best spot for watching and taking pictures/video of the parade?
*Sorry** Just saw the post above

 

[tschaan]

So how quickly is fantasmic filling up with Hoopla going on at 8pm. We have a ADR at Brown Derby at 4:05 for the 9pm Fantasmic. This is a priority as it is our 3rd trip and we still haven't seen it. But I don't want to be over scheduled and miss much SWW. We are going this Friday, and I know there is no way we'll make Visit to the Maul. TIA

 

[visegrip72]

So how quickly is fantasmic filling up with Hoopla going on at 8pm. We have a ADR at Brown Derby at 4:05 for the 9pm Fantasmic. This is a priority as it is our 3rd trip and we still haven't seen it. But I don't want to be over scheduled and miss much SWW. We are going this Friday, and I know there is no way we'll make Visit to the Maul. TIA

I know I remember hearing "standing room only" for the 9pm on Friday. Don't remember hearing it Saturday, but not sure if we were just not over there for the announcement.

 

[lovethattink]

So by the looks of things, I'll be back Friday for another day of Star Wars Weekends, this day I'd like to be able to get a good spot to photograph the parade. Any good suggestions of a spot I should stake out? (I was thinking of looking for a spot around 9:30 am)

We will be there Friday too.

We lucked out and ds was asked to be in the parade last Friday, so I was in the VIP section for the parade and got some decent pictures. You may gladly snag them when I post them in my TR.

Here's one thing I noticed. The characters and celebrities spent more time looking at our side than the opposite side of the street, so I would be sure not to sit on the opposite side of the street from the VIP section.

Years ago, I got great pictures sitting on the piece of curb by the store, in the sun, that was a straight shot from where the parade comes down the street, where they make the turn. I had to play around with the camera a bit because the sun was hitting me directly. But maybe with the earlier start time the sun won't be as much of a problem from that angle?

 

[yulilin3]

So by the looks of things, I'll be back Friday for another day of Star Wars Weekends, this day I'd like to be able to get a good spot to photograph the parade. Any good suggestions of a spot I should stake out? (I was thinking of looking for a spot around 9:30 am)

The pictures I posted are from the shady side of Hollywood Blvd across from the Tip Board. And I got there at 9:15am. I don't have a fancy schmancy camera, just a point and shoot. If you yell loud enough the characters and celebrities will look your way (ashamed to say I've done this many times to mortified looks coming from my teenage and pre-teen kids)

 

[goofy4tink]

I just can't believe I'm looking for advice here....Yes, I love SW's..I do. My dd, 19, and I arrive next Tuesday and leave on June 3. And it's never been a big deal for her..this whole SWs thing. She hadn't watched the movies, didn't care. Well, her boyfriend has her all excited about stupid SWWs and she has watched a lot of the movies now...probably should have been studying vs watching movies at college but oh well.
So....here's my quest....what is going to be doable for us that weekend..6/1-6/2. No I don't particularly care to stand in a line for 2 hrs, nor do I want to head out for 4am!!! But would like to hit some stuff. Any thoughts as to how to approach this???

 

[msdaisy]

Was anyone able to watch Hoopla and then catch the first Fantasmic last weekend? We will be at HS for two days, but I would love to only have one late night. Is this doable? I don't think my group would stay for the second one, but I would love to make the first one.

 

[jane2073]

Goofy4tink-you sound like us. We are fans but not "get up at 4:00 in the morning fans".

What we did was:
Arrived around 9:30 and immediately got in line for Ewok chipmunks (our eight-year-old's priority). Saw them within thirty minutes. Seeing SW Mickey, Donald... At this time would be good. I also ran for TSMM fast passes while my family was waiting in line.

Then we got a spot for the parade. We were right outside of Sid's movie memorabilia shop. At first it was shady. But not for long and then the sun was brutal. We were only there for thirty minutes prior to parade.

Then lunch and Great Movie Ride.

Around 1:15 qot in line for the behind the scenes show on character voices. The show started at 1:45 and we had really good seats. Well worth going to.

Passed through the area (near the backlot tour) where random characters wonder. Easy to get pictures. The Tusken Raiders are our favorite! So fun to watch!

About 2:45, we went to Darth's Mall. It was not crowded and if we wanted to wait about twenty minutes we could have easily gotten pictures with Luke Leia or the Droids.

We spent the rest of the afternoon wondering around.

About 7:15 we found a spot. Near Min and Bill's (?). We ate dinner and watched the Hyperspace Hoopla on the AI screen.

We consider ourselves pretty casual fans-my daughter hasn't even seen the movies yet-but we have such a good time at SWW!

Hope this helps a little!

 

[xbmomma17]

Thank you!! I will be bringing my sleeping bag then

 

[yulilin3]

I just can't believe I'm looking for advice here....Yes, I love SW's..I do. My dd, 19, and I arrive next Tuesday and leave on June 3. And it's never been a big deal for her..this whole SWs thing. She hadn't watched the movies, didn't care. Well, her boyfriend has her all excited about stupid SWWs and she has watched a lot of the movies now...probably should have been studying vs watching movies at college but oh well.
So....here's my quest....what is going to be doable for us that weekend..6/1-6/2. No I don't particularly care to stand in a line for 2 hrs, nor do I want to head out for 4am!!! But would like to hit some stuff. Any thoughts as to how to approach this???

There's a first time for everything it really depends on what you're most interested in...the shows are a lot of fun and very interesting. The pre show to Stars of the Saga has the Stormtroopers doing some pretty funny stuff, this is our favorite part. A lot of characters and some have huge lines in the sun all day, so, for example if you want to meet the Disney SW characters be there first thing since their line is long and in the sun... Darth Mall closes with the park so you could go there after all the SW stuff is finish.

Was anyone able to watch Hoopla and then catch the first Fantasmic last weekend? We will be at HS for two days, but I would love to only have one late night. Is this doable? I don't think my group would stay for the second one, but I would love to make the first one.

We watched Hoopla on Saturday and after headed to the merchandise tent behind RnRC and they will still letting people in at that point...not sure how great the seats were but if you don't mind being all the way to the side I think you could do it

 

[jtowntoflorida]

This may be a stupid question, but I've only been to Disney in October, so this whole sun issue is foreign to me. Anyway, is it OK to bring a sun umbrella to block out the sun, or is that not cool?

 

[yulilin3]

This may be a stupid question, but I've only been to Disney in October, so this whole sun issue is foreign to me. Anyway, is it OK to bring a sun umbrella to block out the sun, or is that not cool?

I've seen plenty of people using umbrellas, just be careful when you're walking around.

 

[lovethattink]

This may be a stupid question, but I've only been to Disney in October, so this whole sun issue is foreign to me. Anyway, is it OK to bring a sun umbrella to block out the sun, or is that not cool?

We used umbrellas while in line for the premiere theater. We have small ones, not the "tent" sized ones. We also had hand held airconditioners for my son and bottles of frozen water to help keep him cool.

 

[goofy4tink]

Goofy4tink-you sound like us. We are fans but not "get up at 4:00 in the morning fans".

What we did was:
Arrived around 9:30 and immediately got in line for Ewok chipmunks (our eight-year-old's priority). Saw them within thirty minutes. Seeing SW Mickey, Donald... At this time would be good. I also ran for TSMM fast passes while my family was waiting in line.

Then we got a spot for the parade. We were right outside of Sid's movie memorabilia shop. At first it was shady. But not for long and then the sun was brutal. We were only there for thirty minutes prior to parade.

Then lunch and Great Movie Ride.

Around 1:15 qot in line for the behind the scenes show on character voices. The show started at 1:45 and we had really good seats. Well worth going to.

Passed through the area (near the backlot tour) where random characters wonder. Easy to get pictures. The Tusken Raiders are our favorite! So fun to watch!

About 2:45, we went to Darth's Mall. It was not crowded and if we wanted to wait about twenty minutes we could have easily gotten pictures with Luke Leia or the Droids.

We spent the rest of the afternoon wondering around.

About 7:15 we found a spot. Near Min and Bill's (?). We ate dinner and watched the Hyperspace Hoopla on the AI screen.

We consider ourselves pretty casual fans-my daughter hasn't even seen the movies yet-but we have such a good time at SWW!

Hope this helps a little!

There's a first time for everything it really depends on what you're most interested in...the shows are a lot of fun and very interesting. The pre show to Stars of the Saga has the Stormtroopers doing some pretty funny stuff, this is our favorite part. A lot of characters and some have huge lines in the sun all day, so, for example if you want to meet the Disney SW characters be there first thing since their line is long and in the sun... Darth Mall closes with the park so you could go there after all the SW stuff is finish.



We watched Hoopla on Saturday and after headed to the merchandise tent behind RnRC and they will still letting people in at that point...not sure how great the seats were but if you don't mind being all the way to the side I think you could do it

THanks guys. Looks like my Saturday plans are a-changing!!!

 

[obx_mama]

Yeay! We just arrived and are parking at hotel. Hope to hit Epcot for a few hours. DTD for dinner. MK tomorrow then SWW! Finally! Thanks for all the great advice!

 

[yulilin3]

Yeay! We just arrived and are parking at hotel. Hope to hit Epcot for a few hours. DTD for dinner. MK tomorrow then SWW! Finally! Thanks for all the great advice!

Have a great time!

 

[TDC Nala]

I just can't believe I'm looking for advice here....Yes, I love SW's..I do. My dd, 19, and I arrive next Tuesday and leave on June 3. And it's never been a big deal for her..this whole SWs thing. She hadn't watched the movies, didn't care. Well, her boyfriend has her all excited about stupid SWWs and she has watched a lot of the movies now...probably should have been studying vs watching movies at college but oh well.
So....here's my quest....what is going to be doable for us that weekend..6/1-6/2. No I don't particularly care to stand in a line for 2 hrs, nor do I want to head out for 4am!!! But would like to hit some stuff. Any thoughts as to how to approach this???

I don't meet any characters or get any autographs (I met Darth Vader once...I'm going to try for the Rancor but that's indoors.) I just do the shows. You may have to wait a little while to get into the shows like Stars of the Saga and James Arnold Taylor but not 2 hours. I recommend both. James Arnold Taylor may be interesting to your daughter since I understand she is a theater person. He is a voice actor and the show is about what it takes to be a voice actor.

Make sure you go to Stars of the Saga in time to see the stormtrooper preshow.

The Hyperspace Hoopla is fantastic and hilarious...but if you want to see anything over kids on shoulders you need to be up front. And to be up front you probably have to sit on the ground for 2 hours. I've done that for years and this year I think I've had enough. It's probably the American Idol screen for me (where they do a simulcast).

 

[TrixieLouMagoo]

Hi all! Any word on a weekend 2 map release? Or, even what time the Ewok show will be?

Thanks! 2 more days! CANNOT WAIT!

 

[AquaDame]

Make sure you go to Stars of the Saga in time to see the stormtrooper preshow.

Would 30 min prior suffice or would you suggest even more to see the show..? Don't mind sitting in the back at all. Thanks!

 

[Itinkso]

Hi all! Any word on a weekend 2 map release? Or, even what time the Ewok show will be?

Thanks! 2 more days! CANNOT WAIT!

The Map for weekend 2 is on page 191 of this thread. Don't exactly know the post # because that isn't showing on my iPad. Map was posted by Yuillin...