Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[katytrott]

Well I started reading this whole thread 3 days ago (very good btw!), but admit I can't be bothered to keep going to find the answers to these questions!!

I've read quite a few of you saying that Fri is the quietest day of the 3 days to visit followed by Sun, then Sat. My concern is that Josh from EasyWDW says that Sun is the quietest, followed by Fri then Sat. He doesn't feel that the fact Fri is not on the w/e creates lower attendance - I think that might be due to the merchandise. Any thoughts?

Was also a bit confused about the opening hours and the opening show times. If the park opens hald hour ish before the posted opening time, when does the Opening Show occur?

Thanks

 

[mesaboy2]

Well I started reading this whole thread 3 days ago (very good btw!), but admit I can't be bothered to keep going to find the answers to these questions!!

I've read quite a few of you saying that Fri is the quietest day of the 3 days to visit followed by Sun, then Sat. My concern is that Josh from EasyWDW says that Sun is the quietest, followed by Fri then Sat. He doesn't feel that the fact Fri is not on the w/e creates lower attendance - I think that might be due to the merchandise. Any thoughts?

Was also a bit confused about the opening hours and the opening show times. If the park opens hald hour ish before the posted opening time, when does the Opening Show occur?

Thanks

The reason different people disagree on Friday va Sunday is because there isn't much difference in crowds. It is generally believed that Saturday is the busiest, but after that it doesn't matter. The exception to this is that the Friday of the first weekend will be busier because of the initial release of LE merch, but that will not be a factor on following Fridays.

 

[lovethattink]

Well I started reading this whole thread 3 days ago (very good btw!), but admit I can't be bothered to keep going to find the answers to these questions!!

I've read quite a few of you saying that Fri is the quietest day of the 3 days to visit followed by Sun, then Sat. My concern is that Josh from EasyWDW says that Sun is the quietest, followed by Fri then Sat. He doesn't feel that the fact Fri is not on the w/e creates lower attendance - I think that might be due to the merchandise. Any thoughts?

Was also a bit confused about the opening hours and the opening show times. If the park opens hald hour ish before the posted opening time, when does the Opening Show occur?

Thanks

All 3 days are pretty busy. I was looking at Touring Plans the other day and they have one of the Sundays listed as a 10 out of 10! Most of the locals do not take off work on Friday to go to SWW, so they are there Sat and Sun. Many people end their vacation on Sunday because they have to get back to work Monday. Saturdays are definately the busiest of the 3 days.

The "opening show" starts just before they open the gates to guests and continues off and on after that, but I'm not sure for how long.

The reason different people disagree on Friday va Sunday is because there isn't much difference in crowds. It is generally believed that Saturday is the busiest, but after that it doesn't matter. The exception to this is that the Friday of the first weekend will be busier because of the initial release of LE merch, but that will not be a factor on following Fridays.

I echo his comment about the 1st Friday. Very busy morning for merchandise. Unless you want some LE, I'd suggest skipping shopping until later in the day.

There is also the presence of news and internet media that first day as well.

 

[yulilin3]

Well I started reading this whole thread 3 days ago (very good btw!), but admit I can't be bothered to keep going to find the answers to these questions!!

I've read quite a few of you saying that Fri is the quietest day of the 3 days to visit followed by Sun, then Sat. My concern is that Josh from EasyWDW says that Sun is the quietest, followed by Fri then Sat. He doesn't feel that the fact Fri is not on the w/e creates lower attendance - I think that might be due to the merchandise. Any thoughts?

Was also a bit confused about the opening hours and the opening show times. If the park opens hald hour ish before the posted opening time, when does the Opening Show occur?

Thanks

Yep, the first Friday is the worst because of the LE merchandise...after that the crowd level doesn't really change that much.
The opening show starts about 10 minutes before they open the park...regardless at the time they are opening. So let's say that on Friday it's very crowded outside the gates, management decides to open the park at 7:30am the stormtrooper show will begin at 7:20am, then another day it's not that bad so they decide to open the park at 7:45am, the stormtrooper show will start at 7:35am.

 

[Zooshoveller]

We are going the second Saturday. If we are in line at 6, do we have a chance of getting FPs for Ray Park and Warwick Davis?

 

[Music City Mama]

Hey guys and gals my daughter is featured as Fan Girl of the Day in Her Universe, here's the link...if you see her during SWW you'll find me
http://www.heruniverse.com/meet-fangirl-of-the-day-stephanie-2/

How cool - thanks for sharing!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

We are going the second Saturday. If we are in line at 6, do we have a chance of getting FPs for Ray Park and Warwick Davis?

Be there at around 5:30 and you should be able to secure a Fastpass. If not, you'll get standby.

 

[kmcdougan]

Be there at around 5:30 and you should be able to secure a Fastpass. If not, you'll get standby.

Also remember that it is one fast pass per person, per day. So, if you want both autographs on the same day, you will have to split up your group. Otherwise, you will have to come back the next morning.

Ash

 

[Zooshoveller]

Also remember that it is one fast pass per person, per day. So, if you want both autographs on the same day, you will have to split up your group. Otherwise, you will have to come back the next morning.

Ash

Oh yes! DH and DS for Ray, DD and I for Warwick.

 

[Zooshoveller]

Will the be a costumed Darth Maul that the kids can meet and get autographs and pictures?

 

[mesaboy2]

Will the be a costumed Darth Maul that the kids can meet and get autographs and pictures?

Presumably--he's been there in past years.

 

[yulilin3]

Will the be a costumed Darth Maul that the kids can meet and get autographs and pictures?

WDW held auditions for the following characters for SWW:
Queen Amidala, Princess Leia, Zan Wessel, Shaak Tii, Aurra Sing, Ahsoka Tano, Asajj Ventress, Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Chewbacca and Ewoks.
You will see them all, plus Darth Maul has already been part of JTA during Spring Break. If the locations stay the same he'll be next to the entrance of Backlot Tour.

 

[Berlioz70]

Will the be a costumed Darth Maul that the kids can meet and get autographs and pictures?

DARK SIDE

 

[bigbabyblues]

I know DHS has been opening a little early. If this is the case on SWW, will the costumed characters be available when the park opens, or at the scheduled opening time?

 

[AquaDame]

Do we think there will be a second guest for week 3? Or will Warwick be it?

 

[yulilin3]

I know DHS has been opening a little early. If this is the case on SWW, will the costumed characters be available when the park opens, or at the scheduled opening time?

characters don't come out earlier than 9am...although there were reports Darth Vader came out earlier a couple of times I never witnessed this personally.

Do we think there will be a second guest for week 3? Or will Warwick be it?

There are always 5 people signing autographs. The 2 hosts, 2 Star Wars celebrities and 1 Clone Wars celebrity. If they still do it the same as years past

 

[221Newman]

We will be going on Sunday during the 1st SWW. Sounds like we should be in line for actor's autographs at 5:30 a.m. Once the park opens, do we go right to where the actor is located and wait to get his autograph or should we go over to Darth Mall first, and then go over for autograph? (not sure if fast pass gives you the time to show up?) Not sure how we should plan the day once we are inside. Also, what time does the parade typically start? My DH and I will be traveling with my 20 yr old & his friend. No little ones. Any suggestions or tips would be great. Thanks.

 

[mesaboy2]

We will be going on Sunday during the 1st SWW. Sounds like we should be in line for actor's autographs at 5:30 a.m. Once the park opens, do we go right to where the actor is located and wait to get his autograph or should we go over to Darth Mall first, and then go over for autograph? (not sure if fast pass gives you the time to show up?) Not sure how we should plan the day once we are inside. Also, what time does the parade typically start? My DH and I will be traveling with my 20 yr old & his friend. No little ones. Any suggestions or tips would be great. Thanks.

FPs for celebs do have times. The parade last year was at 12:40p I believe.

 

[yulilin3]

What we know for sure
MAY 17-19
Ray Park – (Darth Maul )
Jeremy Bullock (Bobba Fett) *not confirmed
MAY 24-26
Ray Park (Darth Maul )
Warwick Davis ( Wicket)
MAY 31 - JUNE 2
Warwick Davis ( Wicket)
JUNE 7-9
Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)

From last year's schedule when Ray Park was there
Padawan Mind Challenge: 2:10 & 6:30pm
Hyperspace Hoopla: 8:00pm
Jedi Training Academy: 9:15am, 9:45am, 10:15am, 10:45am, 11:15am, 11:45am, 12:15pm, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:45pm, 4:15pm, 4:45pm, 5:15pm, 5:45pm, 6:15pm, 6:45pm
Star Wars Character meets: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Behind the Force: 11:00am & 1:45pm
Stars of the Saga: 3:15pm
Obi-Wan and Beyond: 4:45pm
Visit to the Maul: 6:00pm
Star Wars Motorcade 12:40pm
Autograph Sessions:
James Arnold Taylor 9:45am
Ashley Eckstein 4:30pm and 5:45pm
Ray Park: 10:15am and 1:45pm
2nd SW celeb 10:15am 1:30pm and 4:30pm
Clone Wars celeb 3pm, 4:30pm and 5:45pm

 

[kmcdougan]

I don't think Jeremy has been fully confirmed. I may be wrong, but recent lists of guest from official sources do not have him listed. Things may have changed form his initially being listed.

Ash