Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[Joanna71985]

I hear that Chip and Dale may take Chewie's location at the speeder bike, which means Chewie and the ewoks will be out of a location.

I heard Chip and Dale wouldn't be at the Speeder Bike, but in that general area (closer to Sci-Fi though)

 

[brendasol]

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



Last day for kids here in Orlando is June 5th

Thanks for all the great info!!!!

AND.....knowing how late the area schools have class into the summer, I think we'll bring all the kids next year mid May to enjoy Disney

 

[brendasol]

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.

I think our start time is actually around August 20th, too (next year it's Aug 21st). This past year our state cut funding for education. To save on bus transportation, staff, etc....they shortened the school year by a week or 2. Then they added an extra 10 minutes, or so, per school day to make up for the necessary class time.

 

[disneyluvrtink]

So is the darth mall usually open as late as the park is??

 

[mesaboy2]

So is the darth mall usually open as late as the park is??

Yes.

 

[kmcdougan]

Something else I noticed with regard to the merchandise:

They used the words "limited release" for the event logo pin. There is a difference between those words and "limited edition of xxxx". The latter usually means that there are a finite amount of pins ever made. The former usually indicates that they will only be put out for a certain period of time.

Just my observations, for what it's worth.

Ash

 

[Gantu]

Any idea where they are going to put the Rancor?

(Thanks for posting everyone!)

 

[kmcdougan]

Any idea where they are going to put the Rancor?

(Thanks for posting everyone!)

I'm keeping an eye on the 501st on FB, and will post whatever I know as soon as I have it. Roxy is big from what I hear, so, she will need space. I suspect Darth's Maul will be huge this year.

Ash

 

[lovethattink]

I'm keeping an eye on the 501st on FB, and will post whatever I know as soon as I have it. Roxy is big from what I hear, so, she will need space. I suspect Darth's Maul will be huge this year.

Ash

Is this the same rancor that was at Celebration VI?

 

[lovethattink]

For anyone going the first Friday, please be patient with the CM working this event.
On May 4th I was told by a CM that has worked SWW for about 8 years now (he usually manages the Disney SW character line) that entertainment was going to take over their job. Meaning that he, and many other seasoned SWW CM would not be working the event this year...If they have their act together it will be fine, but what often happens is that new groups of CM need a weekend to learn the ropes of the whole thing.
He did tell me that they had all of them on standby and he might be working the event in other areas.
As much as I love Disney I don't understand why the want to fix what isn't broken...just be patient...last year it took them up to weekend 3 to put some umbrellas on the line for the Disney characters...this year during the 4th event, no umbrellas . It's like they forget what works and what doesn't.

Does this include both the cm who escort the characters and the cm keeping the queue in order? Last year the ones escorting wore black and the ones with the queue wore blue.

 

[kennythepirate]

is this the same rancor that was at celebration vi?

yes

 

[yulilin3]

Does this include both the cm who escort the characters and the cm keeping the queue in order? Last year the ones escorting wore black and the ones with the queue wore blue.

the cm keeping the queue in order are the ones I'm talking about, they are the ones that usually have the schedule for the characters...I have found that the CM wearing the black shirts are not as willing to help, just my personal experience

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Something else I noticed with regard to the merchandise:

They used the words "limited release" for the event logo pin. There is a difference between those words and "limited edition of xxxx". The latter usually means that there are a finite amount of pins ever made. The former usually indicates that they will only be put out for a certain period of time.

Just my observations, for what it's worth.

Ash

Ash this gives me more hope that I don't have to stand in line for the LE items when the park opens just to get an event pin. But I am kinda interested in the 30 year ROTJ pin so... might end up in line anyway...

But as Yulilin3 says priorities, we are already doing D-TECH, we are already waiting in line for 3 celebrities, plus waiting around in crowd/lines for parades, and hoopla, and Visit with the Maul, and Visit with Ewok... let's face it I am not even including waiting in line for dress up CMs in SW costumes!

We'll just have to see, this is my boyfriend's first time to Disney since he was 11 and as you can see by my signature this isn't my first rodeo, BUT it is my first SWW, so I do want us BOTH to enjoy it.

 

[yulilin3]

Ash this gives me more hope that I don't have to stand in line for the LE items when the park opens just to get an event pin. But I am kinda interested in the 30 year ROTJ pin so... might end up in line anyway...

But as Yulilin3 says priorities, we are already doing D-TECH, we are already waiting in line for 3 celebrities, plus waiting around in crowd/lines for parades, and hoopla, and Visit with the Maul, and Visit with Ewok... let's face it I am not even including waiting in line for dress up CMs in SW costumes!

We'll just have to see, this is my boyfriend's first time to Disney since he was 11 and as you can see by my signature this isn't my first rodeo, BUT it is my first SWW, so I do want us BOTH to enjoy it.

Remember to eat . you see plenty of us eating in line for the shows, one person holds the spot while the other goes and buys food and brings it back to eat while sitting on the ground...we are some people indeed . Speaking of which, Backlot Express has take out boxes so it's easier to do this and that way we don't have to eat from Pizza Planet (the closest QS restaurant from the Premiere Theater), not sure about the rest of the QS.

 

[LoKiHB]

I'll do my best!



OR MORE! Chewie, Vader and Maul were regularly an hour or more and Fetts were at least 45 most days. To get Mickey group, you line up well before the next set even begins.



1. 45-60 minutes depending on where you want to sit.
2. Taxi or personal car.

Thanks Kenny! The world owes you a drink (at the very least) for all the great info you provide!

 

[kmcdougan]

Ash this gives me more hope that I don't have to stand in line for the LE items when the park opens just to get an event pin. But I am kinda interested in the 30 year ROTJ pin so... might end up in line anyway...

But as Yulilin3 says priorities, we are already doing D-TECH, we are already waiting in line for 3 celebrities, plus waiting around in crowd/lines for parades, and hoopla, and Visit with the Maul, and Visit with Ewok... let's face it I am not even including waiting in line for dress up CMs in SW costumes!

I'm interested in that one, too. The event pin has been listed as limited release each of the last two years. When I went second weekend (both years), they still had plenty. I have heard reports of plenty being available at the end, too.

I wold love to get the pin/patch set, but I am not holding my breath. I've been very fortunate in this trip - first, getting to go, second, having my costume for the 501st, third, meeting all the requirements to be able to put in to march in the parade, fourth, getting approved for the parade, and fifth, having access to the special 501st shirts and patches only available to marchers. Any other LE stuff is pure gravy to me at this point.

Ash

 

[kennythepirate]

Thanks Kenny! The world owes you a drink (at the very least) for all the great info you provide!

Bottled water would be great. Make sure it's cold and wipe the water off the outside, like Disney used to do

 

[yulilin3]

I'm interested in that one, too. The event pin has been listed as limited release each of the last two years. When I went second weekend (both years), they still had plenty. I have heard reports of plenty being available at the end, too.

I wold love to get the pin/patch set, but I am not holding my breath. I've been very fortunate in this trip - first, getting to go, second, having my costume for the 501st, third, meeting all the requirements to be able to put in to march in the parade, fourth, getting approved for the parade, and fifth, having access to the special 501st shirts and patches only available to marchers. Any other LE stuff is pure gravy to me at this point.

Ash

Ash, make sure to remind us the day before you're marching so we don't forget to look out for you...

 

[rocknroll]

Remember to eat . you see plenty of us eating in line for the shows, one person holds the spot while the other goes and buys food and brings it back to eat while sitting on the ground...we are some people indeed . Speaking of which, Backlot Express has take out boxes so it's easier to do this and that way we don't have to eat from Pizza Planet (the closest QS restaurant from the Premiere Theater), not sure about the rest of the QS.

I might have to borrow that line because Roehl Solo is going to have to remember to bring food and water. No spot holders for me. I will definitely make sure I know where Backlot Express is and go there before major lines.

I will be searching for this, but any recommendations for early morning/camp out food? Take out from off property or trail mix? I figure I am going to have to go back on the 18th since it looks like one day might not be enough to get the autographs I need to get as a dad.

Thanks again to all of the information providers. You are making planning a lot easier.

If they let me (and my PB video can handle whatever lighting is in Darth Mall) I am hoping to contribute by getting video or at least pictures by 0830/0900 of the inside, including lines and merchandise, on the 17th after my Carbon-Freeze Me experience.

Cheers!

Roehl

 

[staciemkg]

Okay, a couple of things. Jedi training is a must, we just missed it last trip (they had room for one and we have 3 kids). Our oldest is 12 (13 in July) and is taller than me (not saying a whole lot, but still). Will they still let her participate? Do older kids do it as well? Also, what is dcr that's cancelled?