Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[MSUmom]

Hi there,

We're the Bolton family from Ontario, Canada and we're thinking about attending our first Star Wars Weekend event in 2013. The kids (both 13) are so excited to go; we normally go for Halloween or Christmas.

Is there a weekend that is better than the others in terms of crowds? I know it will be busy all weekends but there is Memorial Day in there and I'm sure that is a super busy weekend.

Also, what Disney hotel would you suggest? Is it better to stay at one of the DHS area hotels so you can get there easier or does it matter? Are there historically any discounts offered for hotels? We are going in December so hoping to get a BB.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Nancy

Last year we stayed at BWV. It was great!!! You can actually walk to DHS. On the first day, the boats were running funny and we just walked. We went the first weekend and it was not crazy busy.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

You might expect a better SWW next year: Disney bought out Lucasfilm, which includes Star Wars!!!!!

 

[lovethattink]

You might expect a better SWW next year: Disney bought out Lucasfilm, which includes Star Wars!!!!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...0ace18-22cc-11e2-92f8-7f9c4daf276a_story.html

Just saw this on facebook! Very cool about a 7th movie, now lets see a Star Wars Land on the horizon too!

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

You might expect a better SWW next year: Disney bought out Lucasfilm, which includes Star Wars!!!!!

I am going to be even more excited to hear about this year's events.

 

[letthewookiewin]

We went to DHS on the last Friday of SWW. I was hoping to do it again this year, but the boy's school will let out later in June this year. If those dates hold true, we will miss SWW by 1 day.

 

[lovethattink]

I am going to be even more excited to hear about this year's events.

Me too!!


Guess that means that the Photopass Photographers will be allowed to take pics of just the characters or could end up as bonus on a photopass cd again!!

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

Me too!!


Guess that means that the Photopass Photographers will be allowed to take pics of just the characters or could end up as bonus on a photopass cd again!!

I will be using Photopass this trip so that will be very nice.

 

[Atchley]

Hoping SWW will be even better this year with the recent purchase. I just hope it doesn't change the dates. I know that they aren't set in stone, but I have just made reservations and am hoping that they don't.

 

[loveswdw]

Hoping SWW will be even better this year with the recent purchase. I just hope it doesn't change the dates. I know that they aren't set in stone, but I have just made reservations and am hoping that they don't.

I think if they move an event they should give a heads up. Many folks have to make reservations far in advance (DVC members) and it is frustrating that they don't release the info earlier. For the upcoming SWW, our 7 month window is already open for most of the dates. We could go ahead and book a reservation but then we have to change it if the dates don't coincide. I don't even look at airfare until reservations are completed and the dates are official.

I'm not really sure what time of year they could move it to that won't overlap with other "crowd drawing" events. Early spring? Summer is too hot and they're pretty full then. Fall has F&W. Late spring has the flower fest. Jan has the marathon. Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all taken.

They used to hold them strictly in June then switched to May and June. I'm betting eventually they'll do a land or even a park dedicated to SW so they won't need SWW at all.

 

[Robin K]

Hi! This is our first trip in May (we have gone 6 times before but always in Sept). We are going May 15-19 with the main goal of seeing Flower and Garden Fest at Epcot. We have 3 park tickets and the "plan" was Epcot, DHS, Epcot. Now it seems SWW COULD be starting that Friday we wanted to do DHS...
So, the question is: how much more crowded does this make DHS? We like SW but we aren't hard core fans. We WILL NOT be lining up at 3 am for meet and greets, nor will we be standing in a meet and greet line for 2 hours. Is SWW for casual fans? Should we adjust our schedule and do DHS on Thursday instead? I know it's all a personal choice but since SWW isn't the main goal for us I am stuck between going because it is something we haven't seen and skipping it because of the high crowds of people who LOVE SW. Thanks for any tips/thoughts/suggestions. I am torn....

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

This could be our first SSW, so studying up! My DH loves SW, so we've always thought about planning a trip around SSW, and 2013 just might be the year for it! Still looking at other options, but hopeful to plan a trip the week after Memorial Day weekend.

 

[Meech Loves Mickey]

Trip for next May is already booked! This will be the third SWW for us, in 2011 my older DS was a padawan in the Legends of the Force parade and then in 2012 he participated Jedi Training Academy and got to fight Darth Vader!

Here's hoping with they stick with previous years schedules with the last two weekends in May and first two in June.

 

[alayne]

Nov. 17 is my 180 day mark for our trip in May. We are taking our Camper and the three oldest kids. It will be my DS 9th Birthday and he loves Star Wars. My plan was to tell him we were going to Star Wars weekend on his Birthday May 13th and then head to Disney May 16th. We booked our campsite back in July but my travel agent emailed me last night to add the park tickets and dinning. She also told me that she called Disney and spoke with three different people who told her that there was nothing official about the 2013 dates but that they had heard it would be the first two weekends in June only this year. Anyone else heard any rumors like this? We can't go in June and I would rather just stick with our Nov trip and do more then if there want be a Star Wars Weekend when we go in May. Not sure what to do?!?!

 

[lovethattink]

According to Disney's website it only says select weekends in the spring.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Nov. 17 is my 180 day mark for our trip in May. We are taking our Camper and the three oldest kids. It will be my DS 9th Birthday and he loves Star Wars. My plan was to tell him we were going to Star Wars weekend on his Birthday May 13th and then head to Disney May 16th. We booked our campsite back in July but my travel agent emailed me last night to add the park tickets and dinning. She also told me that she called Disney and spoke with three different people who told her that there was nothing official about the 2013 dates but that they had heard it would be the first two weekends in June only this year. Anyone else heard any rumors like this? We can't go in June and I would rather just stick with our Nov trip and do more then if there want be a Star Wars Weekend when we go in May. Not sure what to do?!?!

Huh? That wouldn't be a smart move trimming it to two weekends.

 

[alayne]

Huh? That wouldn't be a smart move trimming it to two weekends.

I thought the same thing especially with the big purchase!

 

[lovethattink]

Nov. 17 is my 180 day mark for our trip in May. We are taking our Camper and the three oldest kids. It will be my DS 9th Birthday and he loves Star Wars. My plan was to tell him we were going to Star Wars weekend on his Birthday May 13th and then head to Disney May 16th. We booked our campsite back in July but my travel agent emailed me last night to add the park tickets and dinning. She also told me that she called Disney and spoke with three different people who told her that there was nothing official about the 2013 dates but that they had heard it would be the first two weekends in June only this year. Anyone else heard any rumors like this? We can't go in June and I would rather just stick with our Nov trip and do more then if there want be a Star Wars Weekend when we go in May. Not sure what to do?!?!

Are you booking with Pixie Vacations? I see their SWW special is only for June. Hopefully that's just their special and not the only weekends.

 

[alayne]

Are you booking with Pixie Vacations? I see their SWW special is only for June. Hopefully that's just their special and not the only weekends.

No I'm using a friend. She is checking on my options.

 

[Lilfoot93]

Joining in! We are going to SWW this next year but not sure of the dates yet. My son, Trevor, is a HUGE Star Wars fan! This past May we found out he qualified for Make A Wish and his wish was granted. He wished to be a Jedi and go to Star Wars Weekend. This will be our first family vacation. He has 2 little sisters that are fascinated with Star Wars also. We have never been to Disney World so this is all new to us! We have been learning a lot these past few months. Looking forward to getting tips and advice about Star Wars Weekend. Now to patiently wait for the dates to be announced so we can start planning!

Jackie

 

[lovethattink]

Joining in! We are going to SWW this next year but not sure of the dates yet. My son, Trevor, is a HUGE Star Wars fan! This past May we found out he qualified for Make A Wish and his wish was granted. He wished to be a Jedi and go to Star Wars Weekend. This will be our first family vacation. He has 2 little sisters that are fascinated with Star Wars also. We have never been to Disney World so this is all new to us! We have been learning a lot these past few months. Looking forward to getting tips and advice about Star Wars Weekend. Now to patiently wait for the dates to be announced so we can start planning!

Jackie

How exciting! Wow, first time to WDW and to SWW!

My son is 8 and we have been going to SWW since he was a baby and his older brother was the huge Star Wars fan.

I'm impatiently waiting for official dates! It's soon 6 months out and will be time to make ADRs.