Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[mattsdragon]

Lol, I see a trend and it's the same way it works in our family too. Although last year, was the first time we were too "late" getting to the merchandise.

We got in this queue, but waited 5 minutes before we decided not to wait 2 hours. This was around 10am-ish

What day were you there, because that kind of looks like me in that picture.

 

[lovethattink]

What day were you there, because that kind of looks like me in that picture.

Opening day of SWW 2012 May 18 according to my TR.

 

[mattsdragon]

Opening day of SWW 2012 May 18 according to my TR.

I just looked, I was wearing a different hat, but that guy in the center of the pic is a dead ringer for me, and that was the day we were there, and at the same time, I was definitely a bit further up in line from where that shot was snapped.

 

[ChristusG]

Can someone explain SWW to me like I'm 5 years old? LOL. I'm so confused....seems like there's so much going on!

So there are meet and greets? With the actual actors/actresses from the movies? Honestly, my 8 year old daughter (who is the Star Wars freak), probably won't care about this because the actors won't look like the ones in the movie. I'm sure she'd love to meet the ones who *do* look like they are from the movie....like R2D2 and C3PO. Are there any others who are in costume? She's met Darth Vader and Darth Maul during the Jedi Training Academy before so those won't be "must see's." Also, is Jedi Mickey out and about?

What's this about a parade? Is the entire parade Star Wars themed??? That is AWESOME if so! Is there only one showing per day?

What is this Darth's Mall that I've heard of? Is that the only place to buy Star Wars merchandise? I know DD will be armed with all of her allowance! Are there things that you can't usually buy at Tatooine Traders?

What other things are there to do? What is this carbon thing I've seen mentioned? And the hyper something or other? Are there special shows? Events? Does the Jedi Training still happen? Should we totally ignore the other portions of the park for this special weekend?

Is the park like mass chaos on SWW? Does it ever reach capacity? We have season passes but will be staying offsite.

Any info will be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[cgattis]

For the purposes of this thread, I'll be five too... . Does anyone have a Times Guide (I assume there's a special one just for SWW stuff?) from a previous year that they could scan and post?? So excited to be going this year!!!!

 

[mattsdragon]

Can someone explain SWW to me like I'm 5 years old? LOL. I'm so confused....seems like there's so much going on!

So there are meet and greets? With the actual actors/actresses from the movies? Honestly, my 8 year old daughter (who is the Star Wars freak), probably won't care about this because the actors won't look like the ones in the movie. I'm sure she'd love to meet the ones who *do* look like they are from the movie....like R2D2 and C3PO. Are there any others who are in costume? She's met Darth Vader and Darth Maul during the Jedi Training Academy before so those won't be "must see's." Also, is Jedi Mickey out and about?

What's this about a parade? Is the entire parade Star Wars themed??? That is AWESOME if so! Is there only one showing per day?

What is this Darth's Mall that I've heard of? Is that the only place to buy Star Wars merchandise? I know DD will be armed with all of her allowance! Are there things that you can't usually buy at Tatooine Traders?

What other things are there to do? What is this carbon thing I've seen mentioned? And the hyper something or other? Are there special shows? Events? Does the Jedi Training still happen? Should we totally ignore the other portions of the park for this special weekend?

Is the park like mass chaos on SWW? Does it ever reach capacity? We have season passes but will be staying offsite.

Any info will be GREATLY appreciated!

There are meet and greets with some of the actual actors. Usually in the past, these have not been too many of the face characters, Carrie Fischer was there once, Billy Dee has been there, Jake Lloyd (Anakin from Phantom Menace) is frequently there, but a lot of the other people you really wouldn't recognize unless you are a nut (like me). But they are actors that are in the movies and while you may not recognize their faces, you will know their names and certainly their characters. These M&G's require FP's.

There are also several other characters that are represented and available to meet, and just like every other Disney character (I still get excited about saying that), they are 100% in character, right down to matching signatures. It can be a bit bedlam-y, but it is a fun time and kids love interacting with the characters, as do the dorks (again, like me).

There is a TON of non-standard merchandise that is only available during this time. Some is LE, some is not. Darth's Mall is a giant tent/store that is set up by RNR where the LE stuff is located.

If you have kids, or are a kid at heart (like me), it is a not to miss experience. I save money all year for this. And my daughter loves it too. The parade is dedicated to Star Wars, as is a nightly hoop-la.

And with Disney now owning Lucasfilm, this year should be really special. Can't wait to see Princess Leia merchandise as a "Disney Princess" (she's the best shot. . .sorry Merida).

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Any ideas for things to wear? I figured I'd better get started sewing.

We are not wearing costumes.

I am sewing a pair of shorts for DS that has some of the Jedi flyers on them for one of our SWW days.

For the other day, I am making him a button down shirt with fabric from the original trilogy.

I may buy DD a t-shirt from Her Universe. I REALLY love the tee that has Vader and Leia and says, "Daddy's Little Girl".

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

In order to get into Darth's Mall, all people stand in line, which forms back by RNR. I got in about an hour after RD on day 1 last year and waited for about 2 hours.

Everyone has to stand in the line, regardless of whether or not they want the LE merchandise. Once inside the tent, if you want LE items, you stay in the line, if you want something else, you can get out and shop. I did the majority of line standing while the wife takes the kid to see characters, they then go in with me, and go to the general merchandise area while I wait in the LE line.

Then they leave me with a ton of crap in my hands, while I stand in the LE and cashier lines.

Are you seeing a trend?

There is limits to the amount of each limited item you can buy, but all of it can be found on ebay about an hour after park opening if that tells you anything.

Great info Matt. Thanks.

So am I to assume that the LE pins for the weekend are in the Mall?

 

[mattsdragon]

Great info Matt. Thanks.

So am I to assume that the LE pins for the weekend are in the Mall?

correct

Here are some of my pins. Both LE and regularly available. . .

 

[CalSea12]

Just decided to add an extra day for SWW so we will be going three days instead of two. To me it sounded like we needed more, plus one of those days will be the 1st day

 

[lovethattink]

For the purposes of this thread, I'll be five too... . Does anyone have a Times Guide (I assume there's a special one just for SWW stuff?) from a previous year that they could scan and post?? So excited to be going this year!!!!

It's here on kennythepirate's blog http://kennythepirate.com/category/star-wars-weekends/

Hopefully the one for 2013 will be published online before the first SWW.

 

[cgattis]

Thanks, 'tink! Seems like you're always the one answering all my questions! Glad we're not going to the first weekend, so we can see the guide ahead of time and make our plan of attack!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

correct

Here are some of my pins. Both LE and regularly available. . .

Dude...

My jaw just hit the floor.

Those.are.amazing!!!!

 

[lovethattink]

I wonder if they will do anything special for SSW with the Year of the Ear?

Thanks, 'tink! Seems like you're always the one answering all my questions! Glad we're not going to the first weekend, so we can see the guide ahead of time and make our plan of attack!

You're welcome!

I'd be willing to bet the guide will come out a few days before. Last year Dave Filoni was added to a Saturday for a show at the event stage which was not in the guide previously. So there can always be a surprise too.

 

[Disneymaddness]

Can someone tell me when the very first SWW was?

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

1997

 

[mattsdragon]

Dude...

My jaw just hit the floor.

Those.are.amazing!!!!

Thankis, wife keeps trying to hide the sets that aren't in a board, but she's failing so far.

 

[ChristusG]

I just checked out all the characters on Kenny's blog.....my daughter is going to want to meet a ton of those! C3PO, Luke, Anakin, Chewy, Boba Fett, Jango.....seriously, what are the odds? The lines have to be like crazy long, right? And the fast passes are only for the actual celebrity actors/actresses, right?

 

[mesaboy2]

I just checked out all the characters on Kenny's blog.....my daughter is going to want to meet a ton of those! C3PO, Luke, Anakin, Chewy, Boba Fett, Jango.....seriously, what are the odds? The lines have to be like crazy long, right? And the fast passes are only for the actual celebrity actors/actresses, right?

That list is possible in a day. Of the ones you listed, Chewie and the Fetts typically have the longest lines. Yes, FPs for celebrities only, not characters.

 

[mattsdragon]

I just checked out all the characters on Kenny's blog.....my daughter is going to want to meet a ton of those! C3PO, Luke, Anakin, Chewy, Boba Fett, Jango.....seriously, what are the odds? The lines have to be like crazy long, right? And the fast passes are only for the actual celebrity actors/actresses, right?

Very possible, we got all of them on our last trip, and on a few other trips.

The Fetts replace themselves.

Chewy also usually shows up with an Ewok.

You shouldn't have any problems and will have a great time.

Vader's line is always the longest from my experience.