Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

And about what time on Fri the 17th do you think the merchandise lines will die down? Based on that link above, I don't know that we will want any LE merchandise. We don't want pins or anything. We would be interested in the Cars and muppets as SW characters stuff I saw on another link and that thermal detonator hot potato game, maybe coffee mugs and tee shirts. That would be it.

By the afternoon it should be better

 

[JamiLeigh]

Does anyone have experience requesting a specific time for JTA during SWW? I am planning around getting the 10:35 show. Of course, I can flex if need be but just wondering if it is even an option.

Also - how much time before and after the show should I allow, assuming my kids are in it? Is this about right?:

Arrive at JTA stage 10:15 (for 10:35 show)
JTA 10:35 - ??? (what is it, 15 minutes?)
Finished by 10:55 (?)

Thanks!

I was wondering the same thing. Say they give us a time that conflicts with an ADR, can we request one that is later, after we eat?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I was wondering the same thing. Say they give us a time that conflicts with an ADR, can we request one that is later, after we eat?

Yes

 

[JamiLeigh]

Looking at these, I wonder if the parade time is going to be earlier than 12:40. Seems like they wouldn't have JTA starting 10 minutes before the parade. (would they?) The longest gap between JTA shows is between 10:35 and 12pm so maybe an 11 am parade??

If that's the case, then we will be coming back for sure on Sunday. I think our lunch is going to interfere with the parade.

 

[okienick]

By the afternoon it should be better

Better as in, say 30 mins or so to wait? I'm wondering if the parade is at 11am, if we just plan to be there for that, and then get some merchandise, then we can leave and go to the MK for the rest of the day. That's what I would like to do, just don't know how realistic it is.

 

[d-r]

I was wondering the same thing. Say they give us a time that conflicts with an ADR, can we request one that is later, after we eat?

It is much easier to ask for one for a later time than it is to ask for a specific time, but even then remember that they are writing down the names so they have to start the later list and that might be easy (if one of the other check ins have already started the list for that show time) or it might not and they may not have started it yet. So, if you may be able to ask for the "next" slot they are giving out, or you could go get back in the line. But you probably won't be able to say "just give me one of the last times on the bottom of your pile, because they have to write down the names for that show and may not have that list started. Or if you are worried about it figure out the times they are giving out and count off the kids and let people in front of you if you have to. Honestly, on star wars weekends JTA > ADR.

 

[TallandGoofy]

In general, you get what you get and you don't get to pick. Remember that there will be a ton of people there. They will be using the whole wind through of Indiana Jones as the que, and will have stations to "approve" the kids as being old enough first and then two or three stations to give out the passes at the end. One time, we got a time that was the same time that we had just gotten celebrety autograph fast passes for, so they were kind enough to give us passes from a later time. But it is kind of frantic, a rush in the morning, and I honestly wouldn't plan on getting a certain time.

For the time before the "show" I think that it is 1/2 hour before the show time that they have you meet at sounds dangerously, but I'm not 100% sure. They'll let you know know when they give you your pass though.

ETA - think about it this way, there are 19 shows a day with 30 kids a show. Each kid will have a parent with them in line (and some will bring the whole entourage). And they will all book up first thing in the morning. So you have to figure probably over 1200 anxious people waiting to get a slip, there's no time to make individual appointments really.

Another ETA - we've tried to time it before also to get either Darth Maul or Asajj Ventriss, and you can kind of do that by letting people pass you. So maybe if you are really heads up you can count it out. You'd need to be between kid #90 and #120. That is not going to be easy going the rope drop through the Indiana Jones que. You might be able to ask people coming through what time they got anmethid estimate it, but seriously, unless you could only possibly be there at that one time because of your flight or something I wouldn't even try it. It would be much harder than getting a picture with Kit Fisto and Shak Ti and Anakin all at once.

One last ETA: Just honestly. Here's the thing. It is really, really good to have a plan, and it is good to have information before hand to plan, but don't overplan this. Make sure as you go you have some flexibility in your plan and options because it will be surprisingly crowded, it could be hot or rainy, your kid might be invited to be in a parade who knows. Just imho. I would count on more time than you are allotting for jta just for getting around the crowds. Remember also that you'll want to take your jta photopass card to get the pictures transferred to your regular photopass and you'll be surprised at how long that will take.


AND yeah, it looks like they are planning an 11:00 parade.

Cool - I will be prepared to be flexible!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I've seen a few people ask, "What are the limited edition items?" It was something I was wondering myself when I came across this link.

http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/blog/star-wars-weekends-2013-merchandise/

I don't know if it is a definitive list but it gives people a pretty good idea of the items and quantity so that they can plan accordingly. The item I want wasn't listed as "LE" but I'm still contemplating going early on the first Friday so the remaining weekends I won't have to hunt and hope.

OK, WAIT A MINUTE.... The actual event pin is listed on this site as a LE item??? I know when I was there to pick up scraps of what I could at the end of SWW 2010 (didn't get to event, I snuck away from the gathering to get merch) I was able to get the event pin, I have two of them!!! (still with there original backing cardboard and everything)

My question is, am I really going to have to wait in line for over two hours for the event logo pin?!?!

 

[yulilin3]

Look what I found! This was posted in the Passholder facebook page:

 

[yulilin3]

Better as in, say 30 mins or so to wait? I'm wondering if the parade is at 11am, if we just plan to be there for that, and then get some merchandise, then we can leave and go to the MK for the rest of the day. That's what I would like to do, just don't know how realistic it is.

We went in the afternoon, after the parade last year, so around 1pm and while the tent was very busy we only waited about 10 minutes to pay. We didn't even have to wait to get inside...but you never know

OK, WAIT A MINUTE.... The actual event pin is listed on this site as a LE item??? I know when I was there to pick up scraps of what I could at the end of SWW 2010 (didn't get to event, I snuck away from the gathering to get merch) I was able to get the event pin, I have two of them!!! (still with there original backing cardboard and everything)

My question is, am I really going to have to wait in line for over two hours for the event logo pin?!?!

Remember that not all of the LE merchandise sells out the first Friday...I would not over-think this. Plan what you can and, again, make priorities of what you want to accomplish during SWW. I remember last years event pin was still available the last weekend.

 

[AquaDame]

Look what I found! This was posted in the Passholder facebook page:

EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

 

[yulilin3]

Here's the link to all Ebay sellers that shows the merchandise and it shows what's LE and what's not:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...kw=star+wars+weekends+2013&_sacat=0&_from=R40

 

[PrincessKida]

Look what I found! This was posted in the Passholder facebook page:

Oh gosh they are so cute. I'm so upset I'm not making it to SWW this year.... I just can't pull myself away from this thread!

 

[AquaDame]

Here's the link to all Ebay sellers that shows the merchandise and it shows what's LE and what's not:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...kw=star+wars+weekends+2013&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Can they be trusted though? I know sometimes sellers put limited on things that aren't really limited for other things... couldnt they do the same here? I really didnt think the mickey/chip & dale guys were going to be limited! Bummer!

 

[yulilin3]

Can they be trusted though? I know sometimes sellers put limited on things that aren't really limited for other things... couldnt they do the same here? I really didnt think the mickey/chip & dale guys were going to be limited! Bummer!

You can't trust these, but I did zoom in to some of the Pictures and on the packaging it says.LE of xxx numbers. If you read some of the descriptions one of the sellers states that he'll go to every weekend to buy more merchandise....

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Look what I found! This was posted in the Passholder facebook page:

Oh totally awesome, I love Chip and Dale

 

[AquaDame]

You can't trust these, but I did zoom in to some of the Pictures and on the packaging it says.LE of xxx numbers. If you read some of the descriptions one of the sellers states that he'll go to every weekend to buy more merchandise....

Oooh I see thank you! I am sure with only that many they will be gone in a flash... oh well, I'll check when I get there week 3 but wont get my hopes up!

 

[TallandGoofy]

Holy Mackerel!!

This sounds COOL!!

Picture with a Rancor!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/star...pearing-at-this-year's-star-wars-weekends.htm

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Also new this year is a photo opportunity with a life-size rancor. The giant beast, which was Jabba the Hutts prized pet in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, will be on display during the event. The handcrafted replica is 17 feet long and weighs more than 700 pounds. The reptomammal sculpture is well-traveled  its a popular piece at Star Wars events around the globe and will make its way to our park for Star Wars Weekends.

 

[AquaDame]

Holy Mackerel!!

This sounds COOL!!

Picture with a Rancor!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/star...pearing-at-this-year's-star-wars-weekends.htm

I might pee my pants...!

 

[GOOFY D]

As far as taking pictures with the characters (i.e. Jedi Mickey or Darth Maul, etc.), is it just like normal characters in that you stand in line, or do you need a fast pass for that?