Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[delmar411]

So when the park "quietly" opened around 8, was it just to let folks start queuing up early for rides and characters which started at 9, or did those things start early as well??

And on a completely unrelated note, can someone give me the expected travel time (via my own car) from Kidani to DHS? Will miss walking over from Dolphin, but got AKV for less and couldnt pass it up. Thanks!!

Rides were open, characters come out on their own schedules and won't be out early. And the park opened at least an hour before schedule every single day. Those who arrived 'on time' were very late.

With your own car it shouldn't be more than 10mins to DHS. You can go as early as you like, the parking lot is open 24hrs a day.

 

[lovethattink]

This is a quote from last year's tips thread. Just to give you all an idea of how early DHS can open.

Park opened at 7:30. Went to darth maul and bought one of the chewbacca lanyards bandolier. There were only two left and a guy got the last one. Still plenty of sww merch with 20% off, most of it in large sizes. Plan on watching parade, all shows. Got fp for Michonne for 10:30 and Nika for 5:45

By the way, where is yulilin3 and Karpkg?

 

[BensWife]

Question about getting to SWW in the afternoon/eveing. We are arriving on Saturday, June 8th. Our plane gets in at noon, so by the time we check into the OKW resort and get settled, I am thinking it may be the late afternoon or evening by the time we get there. Will there still be stuff to do and see? We will plan on being there early Sunday (7am) to really get the experience, but just wondering if it would be worth going on Saturday evening (it we are up to it after a day of traveling). Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

Question about getting to SWW in the afternoon/eveing. We are arriving on Saturday, June 8th. Our plane gets in at noon, so by the time we check into the OKW resort and get settled, I am thinking it may be the late afternoon or evening by the time we get there. Will there still be stuff to do and see? We will plan on being there early Sunday (7am) to really get the experience, but just wondering if it would be worth going on Saturday evening (it we are up to it after a day of traveling). Thanks!

Most of the events will be over by then. The only exceptions I can think of are Hyperspace Hoopla and Darth's Mall (the main merchandise location).

 

[cgattis]

Rides were open, characters come out on their own schedules and won't be out early. And the park opened at least an hour before schedule every single day. Those who arrived 'on time' were very late.

With your own car it shouldn't be more than 10mins to DHS. You can go as early as you like, the parking lot is open 24hrs a day.

Ahhh, great info! Thanks!! Think we'll plan on getting there well before 8. I think that's as early as we'll like, regardless of how long it's been open! LOL!

And can I just say thanks again to all the SWW fanatics who have taken time here to answer every question for the first-timers (like me), sometimes for the nth time, and never (like, not once that I've seen) chastising folks for trying to über-plan in order to get the most out of the weekend! (Wow, my BFF the English teacher would shudder at THAT run-on...). THANKS for helping us geek out!!!

 

[Stitch407]

Characters M&Gs can be difficult to figure out. The last two years I have been there, the charcater schedules were different. I'm there the first weekend, so there's no one online to help me figure it out.

I remember two years ago, I was in line for Luke, when I walked up for a photo, and he changed with Leia right at that moment and then R2D2 randomly came out and I got a photo with them both.

AND IT'S HOT! I live here and I get so hot outside there at that time. The humidity has always been brutal.

Oh, and I wait an hour and a half to two hours for front row seats at the Hoopla, and I wait the same or longer for front row for Fantasmic.

 

[MissKip]

This will be the first time I have ever been in Disney for SSW! we will be there the first weekend.

Having managed DHS over Christmas and New Years Eve I'm hoping I wont find the crowds too horrible!

 

[lovethattink]

This will be the first time I have ever been in Disney for SSW! we will be there the first weekend.

Having managed DHS over Christmas and New Years Eve I'm hoping I wont find the crowds too horrible!

You're good to go! It will be a piece of cake for you.

I think MKL Jr. weekend was worse than Christmas Eve for me.

 

[Diegosmom]

Ok so question on opening time...I think the schedule says 9am but you are all saying quite opening at 8 or even 7:30. We will be staying at Caribean Beach (so really close by) and using Disney transportation. What time will the buses start running when official park opening is 9?

If the buses dont start till later we would possible consider taking a cab...is that a good idea?...alsoif we do take the bus what time should we be at the bus stop?...

Also we are not die hard Star Wars fans...well maybe DS is starting to be lol...but I dont see us really needing autograph from the "real" people, although if we are there intime we might grab a fast pass...but priority is jeti training. So if park opens early will we be able to sign up early? The plan was to sign up for that and then get in line for Darth meet but if they dont start to official opening then we might need to rethink...another priority for this trip is TSM...we love that ride and would love to ride as much as possible...so wondering should we head to jedi signup when it opens, send my sister to grab fastpass for TSM and then meet her there to ride as many times as we can before 9 and then head to the meets?...Will people start lining up for these meets even though the charachter isnt out?...if so maybe one of us can stay in line while the other rides TSM with DS...I think DS also wants to ride star tours...but we wont ride TOT or RnR...

 

[mesaboy2]

Ok so question on opening time...I think the schedule says 9am but you are all saying quite opening at 8 or even 7:30. We will be staying at Caribean Beach (so really close by) and using Disney transportation.

1. What time will the buses start running when official park opening is 9?

2. If the buses dont start till later we would possible consider taking a cab...is that a good idea?...

3. alsoif we do take the bus what time should we be at the bus stop?...

Also we are not die hard Star Wars fans...well maybe DS is starting to be lol...but I dont see us really needing autograph from the "real" people, although if we are there intime we might grab a fast pass...but priority is jeti training.

4. So if park opens early will we be able to sign up early? The plan was to sign up for that and then get in line for Darth meet but if they dont start to official opening then we might need to rethink...another priority for this trip is TSM...we love that ride and would love to ride as much as possible...so wondering

5. should we head to jedi signup when it opens, send my sister to grab fastpass for TSM and then meet her there to ride as many times as we can before 9 and then head to the meets?...

6. Will people start lining up for these meets even though the charachter isnt out?...if so maybe one of us can stay in line while the other rides TSM with DS...I think DS also wants to ride star tours...but we wont ride TOT or RnR...

1. Buses typically start rolling about 6:30a regardles of park opening time.

2. If you like, sure.

3. In your case, about 45 minutes before you want to arrive at DHS.

4. Yes, should be able to.

5. Absolutely.

6. Yes.

 

[mommy2jack]

Is it safe to assume that lines for the regular Disney character meet and greets (buzz and woody, phineas and ferb, jake, etc...) will be shorter than usual during SWW? My 4.5 year DS wanted nothing to do last year with the characters but is showing more interest now and told me last night he wants to give buzz a high five! I have no problem waiting in a 30 minute line for a picture and autograph if my son really wants too... but anything more than that and I'll start to get antsy... there's too much else to do!!!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Is it safe to assume that lines for the regular Disney character meet and greets (buzz and woody, phineas and ferb, jake, etc...) will be shorter than usual during SWW? My 4.5 year DS wanted nothing to do last year with the characters but is showing more interest now and told me last night he wants to give buzz a high five! I have no problem waiting in a 30 minute line for a picture and autograph if my son really wants too... but anything more than that and I'll start to get antsy... there's too much else to do!!!!

I've never noticed them being any shorter. There will still be tons of folks there who don't care about SWW, didn't know it was SWW or half the family is doing SWW while they do other things.

If you truly want less lines for anything, skip SWW and go during the week. I highly recommend easywdw.com for his recommended park days.

 

[Diegosmom]

thanks mesaboy2...

looks like we will probably get to bus at around 6:30...and we will probably play it by ear for charachter lineup...

mommy2jack my suggestion would to see Buzz at MK (near exit to Buzz ride) and Woody and Jessie are in Frontierland (under bridge to Splash) when we went last year the line out of TSM was really long (and we went in Jan) but in MK we have very little wait...

 

[lovethattink]

Is it safe to assume that lines for the regular Disney character meet and greets (buzz and woody, phineas and ferb, jake, etc...) will be shorter than usual during SWW? My 4.5 year DS wanted nothing to do last year with the characters but is showing more interest now and told me last night he wants to give buzz a high five! I have no problem waiting in a 30 minute line for a picture and autograph if my son really wants too... but anything more than that and I'll start to get antsy... there's too much else to do!!!!

Last year, Phinneas and Ferb's line was just as popular as Darth Vader's.

I think if Wreck-it Ralph is still at the studios that his line will be pretty popular too, especially since it's in the air conditioning.

One of the best times to do typical DHS M&G would be an hour before and during the SW motorcade and about an hour or two before Hoopla while so many are claiming their spots.

Check for any recommendations by Kennythepirate once schedules are posted.

 

[mesaboy2]

thanks mesaboy2...

looks like we will probably get to bus at around 6:30...and we will probably play it by ear for charachter lineup...

mommy2jack my suggestion would to see Buzz at MK (near exit to Buzz ride) and Woody and Jessie are in Frontierland (under bridge to Splash) when we went last year the line out of TSM was really long (and we went in Jan) but in MK we have very little wait...

Wouldn't hurt to check at your hotel and confirm that 6:30 start time--I've heard it over and over here but not personally used it that early.

 

[delmar411]

1. Buses typically start rolling about 6:30a regardles of park opening time.

2. If you like, sure.

3. In your case, about 45 minutes before you want to arrive at DHS.

4. Yes, should be able to.

5. Absolutely.

6. Yes.

Not to HS. BTDT and the buses to HS won't start moving until 1hr prior to opening. So don't waste your time getting to a bus stop at 6:30am when you'll just sit there. The boats at BW and YC/BC won't start moving in time to get to HS either. You can easily walk to HS from those places though.

If you want to be ahead of the crowds and/or actually see the whole opening show then take a cab.

 

[cgattis]

Not to HS. BTDT and the buses to HS won't start moving until 1hr prior to opening. So don't waste your time getting to a bus stop at 6:30am when you'll just sit there. The boats at BW and YC/BC won't start moving in time to get to HS either. You can easily walk to HS from those places though.

If you want to be ahead of the crowds and/or actually see the whole opening show then take a cab.

Hey, there's another good question...I remember hearing about the Stormtroopers up on the roof over the turnstiles. Is that part of a special SWW opening "show" at a certain time, or are they just sort of randomly there? Definitely want to see that if its a show. TIA!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hey, there's another good question...I remember hearing about the Stormtroopers up on the roof over the turnstiles. Is that part of a special SWW opening "show" at a certain time, or are they just sort of randomly there? Definitely want to see that if its a show. TIA!

Yes it is part of the opening. They will stay up there (though not necessarily "talk") for a couple of hours after park opening.

 

[Diegosmom]

Not to HS. BTDT and the buses to HS won't start moving until 1hr prior to opening. So don't waste your time getting to a bus stop at 6:30am when you'll just sit there. The boats at BW and YC/BC won't start moving in time to get to HS either. You can easily walk to HS from those places though.

If you want to be ahead of the crowds and/or actually see the whole opening show then take a cab.

So then since official park opening isnt till 9 then the busses wont start running till 8? (after the park is quietly opened?)...

so what does everyon do for star wars weekend...do they just take a cab our use there own car?

 

[lovethattink]

So then since official park opening isnt till 9 then the busses wont start running till 8? (after the park is quietly opened?)...

so what does everyon do for star wars weekend...do they just take a cab our use there own car?

We've always used our own car, even when staying on site.