Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[kmcdougan]

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

I will post early Friday morning (day before). I will be attempting the 24 hours at MK, along with SWW, followed by the parade. Luckily, I doubt I will be able to sleep anyway.

Ash

 

[yulilin3]

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?

I've seen older, tall kids do it, where I'm asking myself "Is that kid really 12?" but I guess the CMs working the sign ups will have to decide. DCR was Disney Channel Rocks!.

 

[yulilin3]

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

We've encountered a lot of great people that make lines and we have helped each other by holding spots, to go to the restroom, grab a quick bite, etc. Just chat with the people around you and you'll make friends . Backlot Express is the QS restaurant right next to Star Tours, like I said the close QS is Pizza Planet but I really dislike the food there, the other one that's close by the Premiere Theater is Studio Catering Co. next to Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground...there's also a Herbie Truck very close to the theater that sells corn dogs and chips (maybe hot dogs, can't remember)
I'm also going on the first Friday solo (the kids are still in school) to record everything, from the line outside to grab fp, to JTA sign ups, characters, merch tent and the parade. Will leave before Hoopla.

 

[LittleRedMaximilian]

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

Ditto, Kenny! BTW, any chance the iOS version of the app will be ready by the end of the month?

 

[LittleRedMaximilian]

Has anyone met Tim Rose before? Does he have a good sense of humor? I met James Arnold Taylor 2 years ago, and he was real nice to my 2 boys and me. The mizzus and I are discussing who we want to see on weekend 2. I have something funny that I want Tim to sign, but I don't want to irritate him (I think it's funny, but then again...)

 

[Fire14]

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

will bring you one first weekend

 

[lovethattink]

Is this the same rancor that was at Celebration VI?

yes

Oh cool! We didn't get to get pics with the Rancor. The line was HUGE everyday. We saw Jabba and the wampa. If it's popularity is anything like at Celebration, this is going to be a BIG draw.

 

[501st disney trooper]

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

True story im very fortunate as well without my friends putting me up , and my flg friends , and cast member pals i wouldnt have been able to make this years event !!
Roxy is florida garrisons 501st rancor .. Its the same as c6 and will be located in the merch tent for photo opportunity's It has been advertised by disney as well . And will be over seen by cast members as well . I do not know if there will be photo pass available ??

 

[501st disney trooper]

I will post early Friday morning (day before). I will be attempting the 24 hours at MK, along with SWW, followed by the parade. Luckily, I doubt I will be able to sleep anyway.

Ash

I tried to extend my trip - as my fellow mwg members im staying with decided to stay another week (dvc). Im off another week after getting home - but wife says no flight home .. Another airline would be. 3 times the roundtrip 118.00$ we scored for me to go plus wed eat the return ..
And then id need 5 days of hoppers and food .. A no go !!! With our fam trip in sept .
I was hoping to march your weekend as well and do the 24 hr day .. But not in the cards for this trooper ! Im glad i have what i do , and it will be a blast , good friends - disney- star wars - awesome food - rides - 501st - legion dinner - swag - marching 3 days instead of just 1 - and then possible getting disney merch ??

Win / win

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I will post early Friday morning (day before). I will be attempting the 24 hours at MK, along with SWW, followed by the parade. Luckily, I doubt I will be able to sleep anyway.

Ash

We are also thinking about hopping over for the MK 24 too, that will be our last weekend there so we are going to have to see how worn down we are by the time it comes around

Speaking of too excited to sleep... does anyone remember this commercial, it's one of my favs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b95oyhSd5ls

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

Lol. I'm planning on doing the 24 hour thing at MK. Sleep a little Saturday. Go to HS around 3ish. Stay all night. Then leave Sunday. Gonna be fun

 

[brendasol]

I tried to extend my trip - as my fellow mwg members im staying with decided to stay another week (dvc). Im off another week after getting home - but wife says no flight home .. Another airline would be. 3 times the roundtrip 118.00$ we scored for me to go plus wed eat the return ..
And then id need 5 days of hoppers and food .. A no go !!! With our fam trip in sept .
I was hoping to march your weekend as well and do the 24 hr day .. But not in the cards for this trooper ! Im glad i have what i do , and it will be a blast , good friends - disney- star wars - awesome food - rides - 501st - legion dinner - swag - marching 3 days instead of just 1 - and then possible getting disney merch ??

Win / win

How do you get to march with the 501st? Do you have to interview in Florida? Please share the info, if you're allowed to do so.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

How do you get to march with the 501st? Do you have to interview in Florida? Please share the info, if you're allowed to do so.

Are you a member of a chapter of the 501st?

I know I am planning on some day marching but I have to get a costume together that will be approved to be able to become a member.

Only members of the 501 can march.

Start here at their main page http://www.501st.com/

Then check out a garrison near you. Your local garrison can help you get started with any questions.

Here's a FAQ page from them too on how to join http://www.501st.com/databank/Membership:JoinUs

 

[kmcdougan]

How do you get to march with the 501st? Do you have to interview in Florida? Please share the info, if you're allowed to do so.

I can jump on this one. First, you have to be an active member of the 501st Legion or the Rebel Legion (sister organization, does good guy costuming). Then, you have to have attended at least two troops/events in costume between the end of last year's SWW and the cut off point for submission. Then, when the window opens, you take pictures in accordance with the posted policies for submitting pics, post them up, and wait for the designated person to give you the "approved to march" clearance. This means that you have a screen accurate , canon costume (exactly as see in the movies or cartoon, with no optional add-ons).

Once that is done, there are still a few things to do, such as sign a waiver, read the rules, show up on time, pick our marching dates, etc., as well as make your travel arrangements. Most of that is relatively easy to get done, as the hard part is having the costume, being approved for membership in general, then getting approved to march. Approval must be done each year, regardless of the individual's past experience in marching.

Hope that helps.

Ash

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I can jump on this one. First, you have to be an active member of the 501st Legion or the Rebel Legion (sister organization, does good guy costuming). Then, you have to have attended at least two troops/events in costume between the end of last year's SWW and the cut off point for submission. Then, when the window opens, you take pictures in accordance with the posted policies for submitting pics, post them up, and wait for the designated person to give you the "approved to march" clearance. This means that you have a screen accurate , canon costume (exactly as see in the movies or cartoon, with no optional add-ons).

Once that is done, there are still a few things to do, such as sign a waiver, read the rules, show up on time, pick our marching dates, etc., as well as make your travel arrangements. Most of that is relatively easy to get done, as the hard part is having the costume, being approved for membership in general, then getting approved to march. Approval must be done each year, regardless of the individual's past experience in marching.

Hope that helps.

Ash

Ash, THANKS for adding on the good info! I didn't realize that part, BUT I also wasn't going to be ready to march this year, heck I am not sure I am even going to bring my partial costume with me to wear.

I do have another question for those whom attend SWW in costumes, I have a blaster that I am in the process of painting that will look more like Han Solos blaster (eventually will have a Mara Jade costume set up hoping to join the 501st with it) can I even bring a blaster of that realistic look to WDW? I mean should I leave that at home and just bring my lightsaber (If I do bring my gear to wear)?

 

[kmcdougan]

Are you a member of a chapter of the 501st?

I know I am planning on some day marching but I have to get a costume together that will be approved to be able to become a member.

Only members of the 501 can march.

Start here at their main page http://www.501st.com/

Then check out a garrison near you. Your local garrison can help you get started with any questions.

Here's a FAQ page from them too on how to join http://www.501st.com/databank/Membership:JoinUs

Good answers. I went specifics, but this is very true and correct. GOt to be a member first. Get with your local Garrison first. They can help you get started with where to go to get your costume stuff done so that you can get approved. Also, while you are working on your costume, it does not hurt to assist with events - some call it "handling" some call it "wrangling". In either case, you get to know your garrison people and how to make the costumes work properly, as well as how events go. I did that since August of 2011 before having everything done and approved April 20 this year. Greatest bunch of people I have the pleasure of knowing and working with.

Ash

 

[kmcdougan]

Ash, THANKS for adding on the good info! I didn't realize that part, BUT I also wasn't going to be ready to march this year, heck I am not sure I am even going to bring my partial costume with me to wear.

I do have another question for those whom attend SWW in costumes, I have a blaster that I am in the process of painting that will look more like Han Solos blaster (eventually will have a Mara Jade costume set up hoping to join the 501st with it) can I even bring a blaster of that realistic look to WDW? I mean should I leave that at home and just bring my lightsaber (If I do bring my gear to wear)?

Not too sure, but I would recommend only lightsabers. Blasters are too random and clumsy. (Sorry, could not resist.) Seriously, they look too much like regular guns, and I would not recommend them at all, even for a full costume. The only full on blasters I ahve seen were in the parade, but, as part of the costumes, they end up back in the totes backstage after it is over anyway. If you go with one, keep it the bright orange or whatever toy color it is, but, I would still leave it home.

MAra Jade is a great costume. WHich version are you going with? the black with the leather parts and the white head wrap?

Ash

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Not too sure, but I would recommend only lightsabers. Blasters are too random and clumsy. (Sorry, could not resist.) Seriously, they look too much like regular guns, and I would not recommend them at all, even for a full costume. The only full on blasters I ahve seen were in the parade, but, as part of the costumes, they end up back in the totes backstage after it is over anyway. If you go with one, keep it the bright orange or whatever toy color it is, but, I would still leave it home.

MAra Jade is a great costume. WHich version are you going with? the black with the leather parts and the white head wrap?

Ash

Yeah my blaster will have gray and black pant, and look dinged up like a real gun, so I thought that might be bad.

On the advise of 501st Disney Trooper I am starting fun, then working on dealing out the real cash for my expensive props.

I am going for the Mara Jade with black suit and white cowl, like in the 501st home page gallery of approved outfit.

Right now I have a plain black unitard suit, if I keep going I will sew the full on armor. I do not have the knee and shin guards yet. But I do have the cowl, cloak, Vader's toy replica lightsaber (BUT it's the one from Think Geek and not just a cheesy toy so it looks pretty kewl). I can make the leather harnesses myself but the metal thing she has in the middle on her back and the buckles for it I will have to buy unfortunately I am not a smith as much as I would love to be one I need to get the boots, I keep trying to find some but with my size feet it's men's boots and being a woman sometimes those run really wide and I am a woman with narrow BIG feet (size 12 in woman's ) so shoe shopping is a nightmare! I have ordered several boots and sent them back, that's why I am not sure I will be wearing the costume this SWW, seems funny without at least the boots, even if I don't have the guards yet. And the boots are also my hang up for getting the guards because I wanna make sure they work with the boots I get. I am a red head so I got that covered I will someday have to look into green contacts because my eyes are gray/blue.

 

[kmcdougan]

Yeah my blaster will have gray and black pant, and look dinged up like a real gun, so I thought that might be bad.

On the advise of 501st Disney Trooper I am starting fun, then working on dealing out the real cash for my expensive props.

I am going for the Mara Jade with black suit and white cowl, like in the 501st home page gallery of approved outfit.

Right now I have a plain black unitard suit, if I keep going I will sew the full on armor. I do not have the knee and shin guards yet. But I do have the cowl, cloak, Vader's toy replica lightsaber (BUT it's the one from Think Geek and not just a cheesy toy so it looks pretty kewl). I can make the leather harnesses myself but the metal thing she has in the middle on her back and the buckles for it I will have to buy unfortunately I am not a smith as much as I would love to be one I need to get the boots, I keep trying to find some but with my size feet it's men's boots and being a woman sometimes those run really wide and I am a woman with narrow BIG feet (size 12 in woman's ) so shoe shopping is a nightmare! I have ordered several boots and sent them back, that's why I am not sure I will be wearing the costume this SWW, seems funny without at least the boots, even if I don't have the guards yet. And the boots are also my hang up for getting the guards because I wanna make sure they work with the boots I get. I am a red head so I got that covered I will someday have to look into green contacts because my eyes are gray/blue.

Boots always seem to be a problem for everyone. That's part of why I went route I did on the costume. Imperial Security, with the straight legged pants and dress shoes. All I have to do is have plain rounded toe shoes, properly hemmed pants, and hide my laces. Easy enough to do. The metal bits ought to be pretty easy to get. I'm sure you've checked the boards for the EU characters. There has to be someone making those at a reasonable price. Shin guards are a little tougher, but, with a gloss black paint job, as long as they are the right brand, you should be good to go.

501st Trooper is right - start with fun. Part of why I went my way was so that I could get to trooping as fast as I could - only really hard part was the jacket. Everything else was off-the-rack or easily made in a day or so.

Make sure you keep 501st Trooper and I up to date on your progress. I', always glad to see new folks get approved (I'm still pretty shiny myself, so I know how exciting the whole process is).

Ash

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Boots always seem to be a problem for everyone. That's part of why I went route I did on the costume. Imperial Security, with the straight legged pants and dress shoes. All I have to do is have plain rounded toe shoes, properly hemmed pants, and hide my laces. Easy enough to do. The metal bits ought to be pretty easy to get. I'm sure you've checked the boards for the EU characters. There has to be someone making those at a reasonable price. Shin guards are a little tougher, but, with a gloss black paint job, as long as they are the right brand, you should be good to go.

501st Trooper is right - start with fun. Part of why I went my way was so that I could get to trooping as fast as I could - only really hard part was the jacket. Everything else was off-the-rack or easily made in a day or so.

Make sure you keep 501st Trooper and I up to date on your progress. I', always glad to see new folks get approved (I'm still pretty shiny myself, so I know how exciting the whole process is).

Ash

I will be sure to do so... I just sent you a friend request on DIS Boards