Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

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!

it was posted a few pages back, here it is:

 

[yulilin3]

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!

They start loading the theater around 3pm so anytime before that and you'll be fine...for popular guests, like when Tim Rose or Billy Dee Williams comes it might be better to get there earlier, just in case.

 

[kdnmom]

Long time lurker on this thread (have read every post over the past couple of months), but first time poster here.

We are Disney veterans but this will be our first SWW. We (DH, DS11, DS7, DS5, and I) are going Friday of weekend 4. We are all Star Wars fans as far as the movies go, but have never watched Clone Wars. With that background, here are a couple of questions:

1. I believe I read that the Padawan Mind Challenge has 2 shows per day, with the first show being Clone Wars-based and the second being Return of the Jedi-based. I think somebody posted that that was the case for Day 1 anyway. Has this continued to be true? If so, I definitely want to get my kids in the Return of the Jedi show rather than the first one. Will they let us chose at sign-ups?

2. Which of the SWW-specific shows would you recommend for us? Are there some of the shows that have more relevance to the movies rather than Clone Wars? I don't know that my boys would want to sit through a show about voice actors when they won't even recognize their voices.

Thanks!!

 

[yulilin3]

Long time lurker on this thread (have read every post over the past couple of months), but first time poster here.

We are Disney veterans but this will be our first SWW. We (DH, DS11, DS7, DS5, and I) are going Friday of weekend 4. We are all Star Wars fans as far as the movies go, but have never watched Clone Wars. With that background, here are a couple of questions:

1. I believe I read that the Padawan Mind Challenge has 2 shows per day, with the first show being Clone Wars-based and the second being Return of the Jedi-based. I think somebody posted that that was the case for Day 1 anyway. Has this continued to be true? If so, I definitely want to get my kids in the Return of the Jedi show rather than the first one. Will they let us chose at sign-ups?

2. Which of the SWW-specific shows would you recommend for us? Are there some of the shows that have more relevance to the movies rather than Clone Wars? I don't know that my boys would want to sit through a show about voice actors when they won't even recognize their voices.

Thanks!!

1.- Yes the second PMC is Return of the Jedi base questions, and they will et you chose, unless it's filled obviously. Just to let you know all kids get a surprise at the end so it doesn't matter how much or how little they know about it.
2.- Stars of the Saga is a q&a with the actors from the movie, they talk about their experiences filming and so on...not sure if little kids would find that interesting...James Arnold Taylor's one man show is really interesting and is they least to focus on SW, more about how voice acting works, and he shows all the different voices he has done on film, tv and video games, he's the voice of Johnny Test, Leonardo on TMNT, the Minions, Jack Sparrow in the video games, and lots, lots more...

 

[lovethattink]

I am so glad that I pre-purchased the photopass CD. I just entered in the photopass numbers and there are over 600 pictures from the first weekend. Most of them are from the parade and JTA. The bonus material is cute too!

 

[GeekyGirl]

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?

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)

Both seem like ideal spots! Thanks for sharing. I like the idea of getting the shots when they first come out but I'm not too keen on the sun haha. I guess I'll see how I feel on Friday when picking a spot.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Anyone have a times guide from last weekend? I am curious as to what time Studio Catering Company closed for the day. We are thinking of grabbing a sandwich there around 6pm before the Hoopla.

Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

Anyone have a times guide from last weekend? I am curious as to what time Studio Catering Company closed for the day. We are thinking of grabbing a sandwich there around 6pm before the Hoopla.

Thanks!

these are the times for this week, ending Saturday the 25th
ABC Commissary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11:00am–30 minutes prior to Park closing (10:00pm Mon).
Backlot Express . 11:30am–8:00pm (5:30pm Thu)
Catalina Eddie’s . 11:00am–Park closing
Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner . 10:30am–6:00pm
Pizza Planet Arcade . 11:00am–8:30pm (9:00pm Mon; 7:30pm Tue; 4:30pm Thu)
Rosie’s All-American Café . 11:00am–Park closing
Starring Rolls Cafe . Park opening–4:00pm (3:00pm Tue, Thu)
Studio Catering Co. . 11:30am–5:30pm (4:00pm Thu; 7:00pm Sun, Fri, Sat)

there's a big private event this Thursday at the park, that's why the hours are different for Thursday

 

[heyitsmejosh]

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???

alright first off im assuming since they are college age you could always let them get in a cab and get there at 4 or whatever am if they wanted to meet warwick davis (wicket, williow and Filius Flitwick / Griphook from harry potter) im guessing thats who theyd want to meet... you dont really have to stand in line for 2 hours for anything so im not sure what you are trying to avoid (other than tsm) but you have the parade, hoopla, darth mall and all that, the wondering characters and other character meet and greets that are about the same wait time as any others in the parks (other than vader and Chewie). plus you have the rest of hollywood studios that isnt star wars related.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

these are the times for this week, ending Saturday the 25th
ABC Commissary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11:00am–30 minutes prior to Park closing (10:00pm Mon).
Backlot Express . 11:30am–8:00pm (5:30pm Thu)
Catalina Eddie’s . 11:00am–Park closing
Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner . 10:30am–6:00pm
Pizza Planet Arcade . 11:00am–8:30pm (9:00pm Mon; 7:30pm Tue; 4:30pm Thu)
Rosie’s All-American Café . 11:00am–Park closing
Starring Rolls Cafe . Park opening–4:00pm (3:00pm Tue, Thu)
Studio Catering Co. . 11:30am–5:30pm (4:00pm Thu; 7:00pm Sun, Fri, Sat)

there's a big private event this Thursday at the park, that's why the hours are different for Thursday

Thanks Yulilin!! That is EXACTLY what I wanted to know!

Now, slightly OT, but has anyone eaten there? How are the sandwiches?

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks Yulilin!! That is EXACTLY what I wanted to know!

Now, slightly OT, but has anyone eaten there? How are the sandwiches?

I ate there twice last May, but not since. The sandwich was decent. If it were an airconditioned restaurant we'd eat there often. I had the turkey club and the Tuscan Deli. Both were good, but I preferred the the Tuscan Deli and dh preferred the turkey club.

Last year we ate our food while sitting under a small tree while in the Fett line during the parade.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I ate there twice last May, but not since. The sandwich was decent. If it were an airconditioned restaurant we'd eat there often. I had the turkey club and the Tuscan Deli. Both were good, but I preferred the the Tuscan Deli and dh preferred the turkey club.

Last year we ate our food while sitting under a small tree while in the Fett line during the parade.

Thanks! Those were both sandwiches I had my eye on. I'll let DS pick since we will probably share anyway.

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks Yulilin!! That is EXACTLY what I wanted to know!

Now, slightly OT, but has anyone eaten there? How are the sandwiches?

I don't remember the last time I ate there, we always go to Backlot Express for the A/C and free refills
The Turkey and the Vegetable sandwich from Backlot Express is very good
they also have take out boxes, not sure if they have them at all the QS

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I don't remember the last time I ate there, we always go to Backlot Express for the A/C and free refills
The Turkey and the Vegetable sandwich from Backlot Express is very good
they also have take out boxes, not sure if they have them at all the QS

Uh-oh...they have Buffalo chicken nuggets at Backlot. DS might pick that instead Thanks guys!! I'm just glad for some options since we don't eat CS very often.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks Yulilin!! That is EXACTLY what I wanted to know!

Now, slightly OT, but has anyone eaten there? How are the sandwiches?

I've had the buffalo chicken sandwich a couple of times from there and enjoyed it.

 

[TallandGoofy]

Thanks Yulilin!! That is EXACTLY what I wanted to know!

Now, slightly OT, but has anyone eaten there? How are the sandwiches?

Here is a pretty detailed review of the sandwiches from EasyWDW: http://www.easywdw.com/dining/9940/

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I've had the buffalo chicken sandwich a couple of times from there and enjoyed it.

Here is a pretty detailed review of the sandwiches from EasyWDW: http://www.easywdw.com/dining/9940/

Thank you!

 

[goofy4tink]

alright first off im assuming since they are college age you could always let them get in a cab and get there at 4 or whatever am if they wanted to meet warwick davis (wicket, williow and Filius Flitwick / Griphook from harry potter) im guessing thats who theyd want to meet... you dont really have to stand in line for 2 hours for anything so im not sure what you are trying to avoid (other than tsm) but you have the parade, hoopla, darth mall and all that, the wondering characters and other character meet and greets that are about the same wait time as any others in the parks (other than vader and Chewie). plus you have the rest of hollywood studios that isnt star wars related.

Ooops, sorry...boyfriend isn't going, just has her all excited about it!!! I don't think there is any need to be getting up at 4am!!! I have no issues with some waiting in line, and realize we will have to do that for some character meets. Been there, done that years ago. Back then, dd didn't really care about SW!! Yes, she would love to have been able to meet Warwick Davis but there is no way she would be able to get up that early!! Looks like we'll just take our chances on what we can get done as far as SWW goes!!! We don't normally spend the entire day at DHS, so this will be something different for us!!

 

[dkfajr1]

So quick question.....I have searched, but couldn't find answer. Do they limit the name tags to two per person per day or in general? Was going to get one for my children while DH and I are there, but we are a family of six. Silly I know, but I don't want anyone to be disappointed.

 

[yulilin3]

So quick question.....I have searched, but couldn't find answer. Do they limit the name tags to two per person per day or in general? Was going to get one for my children while DH and I are there, but we are a family of six. Silly I know, but I don't want anyone to be disappointed.

you mean the SW name tags in Aurebesh?? I didn't know there was a limit on those.