Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

A closer look at the merchandise:
http://www.studioscentral.com/blog/2013/05/07/star-wars-weekends-2013-merchandise

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Interesting to see that the Vinylmations are not being released on Opening day for the most part. Only Star Wars Series 3 is being released. All the rest are being released over the rest of the weekends with the Carbonite one not being released until the LAST weekend.

The first year of the SW vinylmations we completely missed out since the ebayers grabbed them by the caseload during the first weekend (and perhaps weekend 2). I am so glad SOMETHING is being held back until the last weekend! (How dare that little thing known as school get in the way of an earlier trip! )

 

[yulilin3]

I still haven't seen anyone mention how early to get in line for merchandise prior to the park opening on the first day of SWW.

My wife and I are very interested in the LE merchandise and want to make sure we get what we want before poachers snatch it all up.

Does anyone have any firsthand experience they can share?

At first we were thinking being there by 5:30, but I feel like that is a little late and the line may already be getting long. So we are thinking getting there by 5. But we have nothing to go on the gauge this.

Anyone? Has anyone noticed how long the line is at 5, 5:30, 6?

Thanks!

I've never gone for the LE merchandise on the first Friday, I have gone for autographs and get there around 5:30am and the merchandise line is pretty long. The earlier the better. Also the line moves very slow once they walk the line inside the park and over to the tent...they have the line set up outside the tent and it snakes around and it slowly goes inside, I've heard of people waiting 3 hours just to pay for what they want.

 

[delmar411]

I still haven't seen anyone mention how early to get in line for merchandise prior to the park opening on the first day of SWW.

My wife and I are very interested in the LE merchandise and want to make sure we get what we want before poachers snatch it all up.

Does anyone have any firsthand experience they can share?

At first we were thinking being there by 5:30, but I feel like that is a little late and the line may already be getting long. So we are thinking getting there by 5. But we have nothing to go on the gauge this.

Anyone? Has anyone noticed how long the line is at 5, 5:30, 6?

Thanks!

I would plan on camping out to get to the front of the line if you really want the stuff.

 

[EeyoreisReal]

My husband and I would LOVE to get the opportunity to meet Warwick Davis. We've been to SWW before, but never did the autographs. Can someone tell me the process? Do you bring something for them to sign? Can you get a photo with them? Thanks so much for the help!!!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I hadn't seen the girl holding up cinnamon buns!!!

Sticky, I couldn't waste cinnabons that way

 

[rocknroll]

I've never gone for the LE merchandise on the first Friday, I have gone for autographs and get there around 5:30am and the merchandise line is pretty long. The earlier the better. Also the line moves very slow once they walk the line inside the park and over to the tent...they have the line set up outside the tent and it snakes around and it slowly goes inside, I've heard of people waiting 3 hours just to pay for what they want.

I would plan on camping out to get to the front of the line if you really want the stuff.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...sneys-hollywood-studios-starting-may-17-2013/

So based on what I am reading from the official Disney blog on the Carbon-Freeze Me experience being located IN Darth Mall, does that mean that my reservation time of 0810 on the 17th not only gets me into Darth Mall without lining up, but they wouldn't kick me out when I'm done would they? Yes, I am hoping that by accident I might have a chance at LE stuff without having to camp out.

Please feel free to calm me down if this is a fake pixie dust high. But really as some of you know I am one of those fathers who will indulge their SW boys as long as they stay in school and work summer jobs, and any stress relief (from trying to figure out how this soon to be 50 year old body is going to handle lining up at 0dark hundred or so and thinking I just can't do it) would be a nice dose of .

Cheers!

Roehl

 

[delmar411]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/05/star-wars-d-tech-me-experience-returns-to-star-wars-weekends-at-disneys-hollywood-studios-starting-may-17-2013/

So based on what I am reading from the official Disney blog on the Carbon-Freeze Me experience being located IN Darth Mall, does that mean that my reservation time of 0810 on the 17th not only gets me into Darth Mall without lining up, but they wouldn't kick me out when I'm done would they? Yes, I am hoping that by accident I might have a chance at LE stuff without having to camp out.

Please feel free to calm me down if this is a fake pixie dust high. But really as some of you know I am one of those fathers who will indulge their SW boys as long as they stay in school and work summer jobs, and any stress relief (from trying to figure out how this soon to be 50 year old body is going to handle lining up at 0dark hundred or so and thinking I just can't do it) would be a nice dose of .

Cheers!

Roehl

I'm not really sure how that will be setup and its likely the gates will open at 7:30am like in previous years and they take the merchandise line in before everyone else so I'm not really sure how you would get in the merchandise line that way since you'd have to go to the end, which would put you at out of luck for LE items.

 

[rocknroll]

I'm not really sure how that will be setup and its likely the gates will open at 7:30am like in previous years and they take the merchandise line in before everyone else so I'm not really sure how you would get in the merchandise line that way since you'd have to go to the end, which would put you at out of luck for LE items.

when I made my reservation, I was told I had to be there at least 10 minutes before my time and because it was 0810 to go to the CMs at gate/turnstiles with my confirmation number by 0730 and they would let me in and make sure I would get to the Carbon-Freeze Me experience in plenty of time. To me that means there has to be a process to allow people with reservations to bypass the merchandise line.

Anyway, I am going to phone in tomorrow and try to find out if the experience is in Darth Mall along with the merchandise or close to Darth Mall.

Cheers!

Roehl

 

[heyitsmejosh]

I still haven't seen anyone mention how early to get in line for merchandise prior to the park opening on the first day of SWW.

My wife and I are very interested in the LE merchandise and want to make sure we get what we want before poachers snatch it all up.

Does anyone have any firsthand experience they can share?

At first we were thinking being there by 5:30, but I feel like that is a little late and the line may already be getting long. So we are thinking getting there by 5. But we have nothing to go on the gauge this.

Anyone? Has anyone noticed how long the line is at 5, 5:30, 6?

Thanks!

you also have to keep in mind that depends on what "limited" merch you want if you are just looking for the event pin and that kinda stuff that will all still be there later in the day when there is no line at all, only some things are gone right away

 

[brendasol]

Time to get hyped about SWW, as if we weren't already...

My boyfriend found this and sent the link.

Many of you might have seen these but hadn't yet, I found them hysterical!

http://imgur.com/a/ovWbg

Check out the link and keep scrolling!

Thanks for the llink.....LOL

 

[brendasol]

The first year of the SW vinylmations we completely missed out since the ebayers grabbed them by the caseload during the first weekend (and perhaps weekend 2). I am so glad SOMETHING is being held back until the last weekend! (How dare that little thing known as school get in the way of an earlier trip! )

Actually, we are going the first weekend (the 17th) because my son IS out of school by then. How long do your children go into the summer?

 

[scspsu]

you also have to keep in mind that depends on what "limited" merch you want if you are just looking for the event pin and that kinda stuff that will all still be there later in the day when there is no line at all, only some things are gone right away

My wife is a huge SW collector of just about anything SW, so she is interested in a lot more than just the pins.

We are probably going to show up around 4 now. Can't really camp out due to our schedule. Hopefully the line won't be too out of control by then.

 

[yulilin3]

My husband and I would LOVE to get the opportunity to meet Warwick Davis. We've been to SWW before, but never did the autographs. Can someone tell me the process? Do you bring something for them to sign? Can you get a photo with them? Thanks so much for the help!!!

You go to DHS early (Around 5:30am for Warwick), the lines for celeb fps are to the far right of the turnstiles. Around 6:30am they put a wristband on you (a different color for each celeb) that you cannot take off before your's fp time. This is so that people arriving later than 6:30am can't jump in front of you and join they're family for a fp. Around 7am they hand out the fps in order of time. You can't ask the CM to change a time but you can talk to someone that was in your same line if they want to trade time.
About 10 min. before your fp time go to the celebs tent (In the past they've been around Echo Lake) You can bring something for them to sign and it doesn't have to be SW as long as they were part of that movie/cartoon/video game. The last time Warwick was here we got him to sign our Harry Potter DVD's...then they punch a hole in your fastpass ticket and cut off the wristband...Disney also provides each celeb with a black and white picture if you forgot to bring something. While they are signing and talking to you a CM asks for your camera and they take plenty of picture...also if you're traveling with another person that's not meeting the celeb they can stand outside the tent and take pictures. The only celeb that has ever had a problem with autographs was Anthony Daniel, the only thing he would sign was the black and white photo provided by DIsney, a lot of people were upset over that since his line was very, very long and he didn't inform Disney until that first day...Peter Mayhew will sign anything but won't personalize it (like "To so and so") he would just sign. From personal experience I've had action figures, lightsabers, a SW calendar, a Flip book, books, hats, posters, signed with no problem

Actually, we are going the first weekend (the 17th) because my son IS out of school by then. How long do your children go into the summer?

Last day for kids here in Orlando is June 5th

 

[yulilin3]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...sneys-hollywood-studios-starting-may-17-2013/

So based on what I am reading from the official Disney blog on the Carbon-Freeze Me experience being located IN Darth Mall, does that mean that my reservation time of 0810 on the 17th not only gets me into Darth Mall without lining up, but they wouldn't kick me out when I'm done would they? Yes, I am hoping that by accident I might have a chance at LE stuff without having to camp out.

Please feel free to calm me down if this is a fake pixie dust high. But really as some of you know I am one of those fathers who will indulge their SW boys as long as they stay in school and work summer jobs, and any stress relief (from trying to figure out how this soon to be 50 year old body is going to handle lining up at 0dark hundred or so and thinking I just can't do it) would be a nice dose of .

Cheers!

Roehl

Like my 16 year old son would say "you just got a "high"dea" ...
The lines for the merchandise tent last year were set u like this:

As you enter, the far right was to line up for C3P0, R2D2, Luke and Leia...having the Carbon Freeze thing in the tent this year I'm not sure if these characters will still be in there (I Hope So, we all ned an A/C line for characters)

Then the middle line (First Friday only) was for the LE merchandise, you would go in, all the way down the tent, make a left, and then the LE merch would be to the far right, on tables.

The left hand side would be for people not interested in LE merch. that would take you to the middle of the tent were the bulk of everything is, make your own lightsaber, make your own nametag in Aurebesh, Build A Droid, and all other merch.

Now on the first Friday the line for LE merch. was so long that it would snake outside the tent and actually into the Rock and Roller Coaster courtyard (use google map if you want so you see what I mean)

Even if you're allowed to stay in the merch. tent after your carbon freeze me experience people in line for LE merch are unlikely to let you jump in the line, you would have to go outside and line up at the back, you might be allowed to stay in the general merchandise area.

I think this train of thought that you have requires a :
May the Force Be With You

Good Luck

 

[The Sunrise Student]

You go to DHS early the lines for celeb fps are to the far right of the turnstiles. Around 6:30am they put a wristband on you (a different color for each celeb) that you cannot take off before your's fp time. This is so that people arriving later than 6:30am can't jump in front of you and join they're family for a fp. Around 7am they hand out the fps in order of time. You can't ask the CM to change a time but you can talk to someone that was in your same line if they want to trade time.
About 10 min. before your fp time go to the celebs tent (In the past they've been around Echo Lake) You can bring something for them to sign and it doesn't have to be SW as long as they were part of that movie/cartoon/video game. The last time Warwick was here we got him to sign our Harry Potter DVD's...then they punch a hole in your fastpass ticket and cut off the wristband...Disney also provides each celeb with a black and white picture if you forgot to bring something. While they are signing and talking to you a CM asks for your camera and they take plenty of picture...also if you're traveling with another person that's not meeting the celeb they can stand outside the tent and take pictures. The only celeb that has ever had a problem with autographs was Anthony Daniel, the only thing he would sign was the black and white photo provided by DIsney, a lot of people were upset over that since his line was very, very long and he didn't inform Disney until that first day...Peter Mayhew will sign anything but won't personalize it (like "To so and so") he would just sign. From personal experience I've had action figures, lightsabers, a SW calendar, a Flip book, books, hats, posters, signed with no problem

Thanks Yulilin3...

I know I have said this before but it still bugs the crap out of me that the Disney PhotoPass photographers aren't there for celebrities, cause I know if I wasn't going to buy the Disney PhotoPass stuff before having celebrity pictures on there I sure as heck would!

Do they have Disney PhotoPass photographers at the location where CMs are dressed up as SW characters (or DSW Charcters) at least!?!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Thanks for the llink.....LOL

Anytime, I just thought it was too not to share

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks Yulilin3...

I know I have said this before but it still bugs the crap out of me that the Disney PhotoPass photographers aren't there for celebrities, cause I know if I wasn't going to buy the Disney PhotoPass stuff before having celebrity pictures on there I sure as heck would!

Do they have Disney PhotoPass photographers at the location where CMs are dressed up as SW characters (or DSW Charcters) at least!?!

Photopass photographers are with all SW characters and Disney SW characters and they also have some roaming photopass people with the roaming characters.
Now that Disney acquired SW maybe they'll have photopass with the celebs, who knows

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Like my 16 year old son would say "you just got a "high"dea" ...
The lines for the merchandise tent last year were set u like this:

As you enter, the far right was to line up for C3P0, R2D2, Luke and Leia...having the Carbon Freeze thing in the tent this year I'm not sure if these characters will still be in there (I Hope So, we all ned an A/C line for characters)

Then the middle line (First Friday only) was for the LE merchandise, you would go in, all the way down the tent, make a left, and then the LE merch would be to the far right, on tables.

The left hand side would be for people not interested in LE merch. that would take you to the middle of the tent were the bulk of everything is, make your own lightsaber, make your own nametag in Aurebesh, Build A Droid, and all other merch.

Now on the first Friday the line for LE merch. was so long that it would snake outside the tent and actually into the Rock and Roller Coaster courtyard (use google map if you want so you see what I mean)

Even if you're allowed to stay in the merch. tent after your carbon freeze me experience people in line for LE merch are unlikely to let you jump in the line, you would have to go outside and line up at the back, you might be allowed to stay in the general merchandise area.

I think this train of thought that you have requires a :
May the Force Be With You

Good Luck

WOW on the LE MERCH, I really was only worried about lining up for celebreites, I can't even begun to fathom trying to do both autograph lines and LE MERCH Lines...

We aren't even arriving till later on May 17th, and weren't even planning to really check out DS that day (just time the walk way for the next morning). We do have 8:30 reservations for D-Tech Sat May 18th, and was hoping to shop after, but if we actually have an early autograph signing session with Ray Parks we might not get to until later, and well....

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Actually, we are going the first weekend (the 17th) because my son IS out of school by then. How long do your children go into the summer?

Our last day this year is May 31. If it weren't for soccer tryouts that weekend, we would be on a plane that night to make it down to Weekend 3!

I am guessing that you start earlier than we do. Our first day is always around August 20.