Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[gypsy45]

I will be arriving on May 17th thru May 26th. Do you know when we should know the full celebrity list. Also, will the carbon freeze experience be available this year and when can we book it?

 

[yulilin3]

The parade is worth it and you don't have to get there early. We've never waited for the parade and always have excellent views.

I'm on the small size (think Yoda-size) and I always grab a spot at least an hour before to be able to be in front. If you are tall and don't mind being behind othr people I would agree with your statement

Did you take any pictures?

Sorry, no pictures, I left my phone with my son charging at ABC Commisary, I'll try and go next weekend and get pics of the merchandise now available

Where is a good spot??

The parade route is very short, from the entrance of DHS to the Hat Stage, a would say that any spot on Hollywood Blvd is best and if you're facing the Hat Stage try and grab a spot on the left side of the street since that area will have a bit more shade than the right at that time of day. After the parade is over all celebrities and characters go on stage and have the official welcome, it's a great photo op sonce you get everyone together for a brief moment.

I will be arriving on May 17th thru May 26th. Do you know when we should know the full celebrity list. Also, will the carbon freeze experience be available this year and when can we book it?

The full list of celebs should come about a month before the first SWW, the schedule of events doesn't come out until that very first weekend or days before. Carbon Freeze Me was very popular and I expect they'll do it again.

 

[BensWife]

Will there still be stuff to buy the last weekend? We are going to go the very last day of SWW (Sunday, June 9th). I don't think we want to go shopping until later in the day (will be getting fast passes, character meets, jedi academy etc), but we do want to get some things (I know my 2 little boys will for sure). Should we make shopping higher on our priority list? This will probably be our one and only trip during SWW. We don't want to miss out on anything!

 

[501st disney trooper]

In years ,When i march .. My wife and girls never have waited around for a spot .. They just do their own thing while im backstage getting ready to do our thing .. Then when the parade starts they just watch from wherever they are .. And tape us as we go by . My wife says they have never had issue .. And some years are buisy !!! But it is a short parade .. As stated from the front gates to the hat .. Reopening of star tours / celebration the parade was a tad longer and we were out in the open longer ... So.
You never know ? As things have changed for us from year to year ... (501st legion / rebel legion - marchers) And with disney owning the franchise - im looking forward to this years event as things have become interesting !! Im personally wondering since disney is always plusing things and moving forward what if any extra events or merch may we be seeing ? New rides ? A 5th star wars park? The options for them are endless !!!

 

[yulilin3]

Will there still be stuff to buy the last weekend? We are going to go the very last day of SWW (Sunday, June 9th). I don't think we want to go shopping until later in the day (will be getting fast passes, character meets, jedi academy etc), but we do want to get some things (I know my 2 little boys will for sure). Should we make shopping higher on our priority list? This will probably be our one and only trip during SWW. We don't want to miss out on anything!

There will be alot of merchandise just maybe not alot of LE things. And in years past, they have all the SWW merchandise (with the logo of this years SWW) on sale.

 

[Monny2AE]

Subbing for tips!

We're arriving June 8th and I just noticed that we'll be there for the last weekend! My son is beyond thrilled!!! We've never been before.

 

[tink70]

We will be there again this year. It was incredibly hot last year, didn't stay long because DD couldn't take the heat.
Does anyone know when and where to find the jawas? I brought gum to trade but didn't get to see any....

 

[501st disney trooper]

We will be there again this year. It was incredibly hot last year, didn't stay long because DD couldn't take the heat.
Does anyone know when and where to find the jawas? I brought gum to trade but didn't get to see any....

Whats this gum to trade ??
Never heard of this ... Please explain ?

Disney doesnt sell gum on property ..
And prefers it not brought in as its bard to remove from everything , really ?

Sounds like jawas up to their tricks ""

*Hey what are you trying to pull on us - this r2 unit has a bad motivator -- uncle owen !! *

Lol. Sorry had to quote

 

[delmar411]

Whats this gum to trade ??
Never heard of this ... Please explain ?

Disney doesnt sell gum on property ..
And prefers it not brought in as its bard to remove from everything , really ?

Sounds like jawas up to their tricks ""

*Hey what are you trying to pull on us - this r2 unit has a bad motivator -- uncle owen !! *

Lol. Sorry had to quote

The jawas trade with the kids, they have random items in their bags. We let the kids trade stickers or other little trinkets.

Last year they were over in the lights,action,motor area but I think we only ran into them once.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We will be there again this year. It was incredibly hot last year, didn't stay long because DD couldn't take the heat.
Does anyone know when and where to find the jawas? I brought gum to trade but didn't get to see any....

Behind Muppet Vision, near LMA. They are only out in the afternoons. They are roaming characters so no lines to see them.

If you bring something small, they will trade with you. I have seen people trade stickers, candy etc. My DS really wanted to trade one year and I had a piece of doublesided fashion tape in my backpack. The Jawa was fascinated by it! I think we were given a sheet of stickers in exchange for it.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Behind Muppet Vision, near LMA. They are only out in the afternoons. They are roaming characters so no lines to see them.

If you bring something small, they will trade with you. I have seen people trade stickers, candy etc. My DS really wanted to trade one year and I had a piece of doublesided fashion tape in my backpack. The Jawa was fascinated by it! I think we were given a sheet of stickers in exchange for it.

This sounds so cool!!

 

[tink70]

Whats this gum to trade ??
Never heard of this ... Please explain ?

Disney doesnt sell gum on property ..
And prefers it not brought in as its bard to remove from everything , really ?

Sounds like jawas up to their tricks ""

*Hey what are you trying to pull on us - this r2 unit has a bad motivator -- uncle owen !! *

Lol. Sorry had to quote

I just bought the small packets of gum, never even thought of how disney doesn't have gum. I will bring something else this time. I had heard they trade beads or whatever. I just thought it would be a neat interaction for DD. and me......

 

[yulilin3]

I just bought the small packets of gum, never even thought of how disney doesn't have gum. I will bring something else this time. I had heard they trade beads or whatever. I just thought it would be a neat interaction for DD. and me......

Yep...you can't buy gum or cigarettes on WDW property (other than the Hess gas stations)

 

[lovethattink]

We brought some nuts and bolts for the jawas but didn't see them any of the weekends. I think they were the only characters we didn't see last year.

 

[501st disney trooper]

I had no idea .. Thats pretty fantastic

I love that there are always new things just around the corner at disney !! Every trip

 

[lovethattink]

I had no idea .. Thats pretty fantastic

I love that there are always new things just around the corner at disney !! Every trip

It's Disney, isn't that "just around the river bend"?

 

[501st disney trooper]

There so needs to be a like button


Oh pete

 

[wdwfanatic80]

We have ALWAYS had a car in WDW. We found great deals on flights and are planning to fly. As of now I cannot find a great rental car deal, so we are considering just using ME and Disney buses.

So my question....we would like to be at the park by 715/730. We are staying at Pop. Will the buses begin at 7 since the park officially opens at 8? Im thinking if so we should be good. We aren't concerned with celeb autographs. Just want to be there as early as possible.

Still crossing our fingers for a good rental deal!!!

 

[mesaboy2]

We have ALWAYS had a car in WDW. We found great deals on flights and are planning to fly. As of now I cannot find a great rental car deal, so we are considering just using ME and Disney buses.

So my question....we would like to be at the park by 715/730. We are staying at Pop. Will the buses begin at 7 since the park officially opens at 8? Im thinking if so we should be good. We aren't concerned with celeb autographs. Just want to be there as early as possible.

Still crossing our fingers for a good rental deal!!!

Buses generally start running to the resorts about 6:30a. YMMV.

 

[wdwfanatic80]

Buses generally start running to the resorts about 6:30a. YMMV.

Perfect!!! Thank you!! Now just to let go of my OCD need for a car!!