Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

What if the announcement May 4th is only to make the official announcement of the celebrities for SWW? Or have they already made the list official?

The weird thing is that they announce SWW guests/celebrities online, nothing is done in the park to announce that...The thing that strikes me the most are the extended hours for DHS for that day and only that day...
Disney management extend hours when they know that it'll be busier than normal as to give the guest more time to do the attractions.
They would need to announce that something is going to be announced (a special event or just a general press conference like what they did the first day of SWW when they reopened Star Tours) that day....people will flock DHS, press will be there, etc. creating an "inconvinience" for the regular park guest and that would be the reasoning behind extending park hours...
like I said before, all of this is rumors and wishful thinking and only time will tell

 

[lovethattink]

The weird thing is that they announce SWW guests/celebrities online, nothing is done in the park to announce that...The thing that strikes me the most are the extended hours for DHS for that day and only that day...
Disney management extend hours when they know that it'll be busier than normal as to give the guest more time to do the attractions.
They would need to announce that something is going to be announced (a special event or just a general press conference like what they did the first day of SWW when they reopened Star Tours) that day....people will flock DHS, press will be there, etc. creating an "inconvinience" for the regular park guest and that would be the reasoning behind extending park hours...
like I said before, all of this is rumors and wishful thinking and only time will tell

It sure will be interesting to find out what the announcement is. Maybe a combo of carsland/pixar place and Star Wars Land? I won't get any hopes up though.

 

[dutchdisneyfamily]

We'll be there June 7. Can't wait!

My husband read online somewhere that you can sign your child up for the SWW motorcade. Is this possible? They said online it was at 11 ish but I thought the parade was at about 12:40?

 

[yulilin3]

We'll be there June 7. Can't wait!

My husband read online somewhere that you can sign your child up for the SWW motorcade. Is this possible? They said online it was at 11 ish but I thought the parade was at about 12:40?

No, they pick kids at random for the sw parade, they pick them around the Star Tours/ Indiana Jones area during the morning. The parade was at 12:40 last year.

 

[dutchdisneyfamily]

Thanks! I'll let him know. We couldn't do it at 11 anyway, but I wanted to make sure I hadn't missed something.

 

[kpitarresi]

No, they pick kids at random for the sw parade, they pick them around the Star Tours/ Indiana Jones area during the morning. The parade was at 12:40 last year.

Should the kids be dressed up to get picked?

 

[yulilin3]

Should the kids be dressed up to get picked?

kids that are dressed up or that have SW clothing, that look like they are having a great time, that are enthusiastic, are the ones that generally get picked.
Be advised that if your child is picked they give him/her a jedi robe (like the one from JTA) and a ligtsaber, they have to "march in a group with a couple of the Jedi Masters from JTA and then, a few feet behind all the parents go down the parade route.
Once they reach the stage they have to wait at the bottom of the stage while the rest of the parade comes thru and then they do the welcome ceremony, James Arnold Taylor says a few words, introduces the visiting celebrities and then they all (kids included) pose for pictures while fireworks shoot up from the Hat.
It takes about 20 minutes of your kids standing in front of the stage, in full sunlight.
All this while the parents are to the side of the stage, so you still see them while this is all happening
Here's a video of the start of the parade, the kids are the first group to come out, then the 501st and the Rebels, then the SW characters and celebrities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUCRM4L2TP4
Here's the video of the Welcome ceremony, you see the kids at the bottom of the stage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51LCF8dtKMs&playnext=1&list=PLBD3FC4946CBFF7FB&feature=results_main

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Boy, this thread is getting hard to catch up on

 

[nanay2jdr]

If they schedule Hyperspace Hoopla at 8, will we have time to catch Fantasmic at 9? We booked for Fantasmic ADR with H&V.

 

[MacClemsons]

May 17,18, 19
bluedoggy (Friday)
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
lovethattink (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
bizeemom4 (Friday, Sunday)
bentopher (Friday)
jennyjinx3 (Sunday)
Tjmj9801 (Sunday)
shelbyf31 ( Friday)
hsmamainva Friday, maybe Saturday)
fire14 and fires_grumpy ( Friday, Possibly Saturday, and Sunday)
centralfloridian99 (Saturday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)
fire14 and fires_grumpy ( Friday, Possibly Saturday, and Sunday)*
Mark P. (Friday & Sunday)
moqu (Sunday)
Dreamsdocometrue9112 (Fri & Sat)
ChandraM (Friday)
KingsKidsx4 (Sunday)
Skylizard (Friday)

May 24, 25,26
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
kmcdougan (definitely Friday, early part of Saturday)
bizeemom4 (Friday)
Zooshoveller (Saturday)
Supermom3 (Sunday, maybe Saturday)
bjakmom (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
obx_mama (Friday & Saturday)
lovethattink (Saturday, Sunday)
RobertLC (Saturday)
ajh88 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Meech Loves Mickey (Friday afternoon/evening, Saturday, maybe Sunday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)
moqu (Friday)
wdwviabuffalo (Friday Only)
LoKiHB (Friday & Sat)
MacClemsons (all 3 days)

May 31, June 1,2
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
lovethattink (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
AquaDame (Friday, maybe Sunday)
Nole95 ( Friday)
wishinuponastar (Saturday and Sunday)
centralfloridian99 ( Saturday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)
Disneymomma76 (Sunday)
AFVChic (Fri & Sat)
WDWChloe (Sunday)

June 7,8,9
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
Hanover (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
lovethattink (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Music City Mama (Friday and Sunday)
cheer25mom (Friday and possibly Saturday)
HappyHaunts999 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)*
humboldthny (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Disneymomma76 (Friday)
Gooshy & DarthGooshy (Friday, maybe Saturday)
Ninja Mom (Friday Saturday and Sunday!)
Lilfoot93 (Friday)
Diegosmom (Sat. and Sunday)
Welovmickey! (Sat. and Sun.)
MLC2002 (Sat. & Sun.)
tammilynne (Friday and Sunday)
Kpitarresi (Friday)

 

[tryplm]

Copy, paste, and add your info
As far as I can find, this is everyone. Some people aren't copying the latest and greatest info before adding theirs.

Be sure you have the latest copy!

May 17,18, 19
bluedoggy (Friday)
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
lovethattink (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
bizeemom4 (Friday, Sunday)
bentopher (Friday)
jennyjinx3 (Sunday)
Tjmj9801 (Sunday)
shelbyf31 ( Friday)
hsmamainva Friday, maybe Saturday)
fire14 and fires_grumpy ( Friday, Possibly Saturday, and Sunday)
centralfloridian99 (Saturday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)
fire14 and fires_grumpy ( Friday, Possibly Saturday, and Sunday)*
Mark P. (Friday & Sunday)
moqu (Sunday)
tryplm (Friday & Saturday)
May 24, 25,26
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
kmcdougan (definitely Friday, early part of Saturday)
bizeemom4 (Friday)
Zooshoveller (Saturday)
Supermom3 (Sunday, maybe Saturday)
bjakmom (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
obx_mama (Friday & Saturday)
lovethattink (Saturday, Sunday)
RobertLC (Saturday)
ajh88 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Meech Loves Mickey (Friday afternoon/evening, Saturday, maybe Sunday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)
moqu (Friday)

May 31, June 1,2
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
lovethattink (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
AquaDame (Friday, maybe Sunday)
Nole95 ( Friday)
wishinuponastar (Saturday and Sunday)
centralfloridian99 ( Saturday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)
Disneymomma76 (Sunday)
AFVChic (Fri & Sat)

June 7,8,9
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
Hanover (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
lovethattink (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Music City Mama (Friday and Sunday)
cheer25mom (Friday and possibly Saturday)
HappyHaunts999 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)*
humboldthny (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Disneymomma76 (Friday)
Gooshy & DarthGooshy (Friday, maybe Saturday)
Ninja Mom (Friday Saturday and Sunday!)
Lilfoot93 (Friday)
__________________

.

 

[bizeemom4]

If they schedule Hyperspace Hoopla at 8, will we have time to catch Fantasmic at 9? We booked for Fantasmic ADR with H&V.

Yes.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

May 17,18, 19
bluedoggy (Friday)
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
lovethattink (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
bizeemom4 (Friday, Sunday)
bentopher (Friday)
jennyjinx3 (Sunday)
Tjmj9801 (Sunday)
shelbyf31 ( Friday)
hsmamainva Friday, maybe Saturday)
fire14 and fires_grumpy ( Friday, Possibly Saturday, and Sunday)
centralfloridian99 (Saturday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)
fire14 and fires_grumpy ( Friday, Possibly Saturday, and Sunday)*
Mark P. (Friday & Sunday)
moqu (Sunday)
Dreamsdocometrue9112 (Fri & Sat)
ChandraM (Friday)
KingsKidsx4 (Sunday)
Skylizard (Friday)

May 24, 25,26
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
kmcdougan (definitely Friday, early part of Saturday)
bizeemom4 (Friday)
Zooshoveller (Saturday)
Supermom3 (Sunday, maybe Saturday)
bjakmom (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
obx_mama (Friday & Saturday)
lovethattink (Saturday, Sunday)
RobertLC (Saturday)
ajh88 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Meech Loves Mickey (Friday afternoon/evening, Saturday, maybe Sunday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)
moqu (Friday)
wdwviabuffalo (Friday Only)
LoKiHB (Friday & Sat)
MacClemsons (all 3 days)
STLDisney_Freak (Friday only)

May 31, June 1,2
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
lovethattink (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
AquaDame (Friday, maybe Sunday)
Nole95 ( Friday)
wishinuponastar (Saturday and Sunday)
centralfloridian99 ( Saturday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)
Disneymomma76 (Sunday)
AFVChic (Fri & Sat)
WDWChloe (Sunday)

June 7,8,9
yulilin (probably Friday, def. Saturday and Sunday)
Hanover (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
lovethattink (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Music City Mama (Friday and Sunday)
cheer25mom (Friday and possibly Saturday)
HappyHaunts999 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
joanna71985 (most likely Fri, Sat, and Sun)*
humboldthny (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Disneymomma76 (Friday)
Gooshy & DarthGooshy (Friday, maybe Saturday)
Ninja Mom (Friday Saturday and Sunday!)
Lilfoot93 (Friday)
Diegosmom (Sat. and Sunday)
Welovmickey! (Sat. and Sun.)
MLC2002 (Sat. & Sun.)
tammilynne (Friday and Sunday)
Kpitarresi (Friday)

 

[kpitarresi]

I know I've asked this already but I want to make sure I understand clearly...We are staying at the Poly and we will have a car. We are coming to SWW on June 7th. My 6 year old will want to do JTA and I want to see if he can get picked for the parade. So, my question is what time do we need to leave Poly to be at HS at what time? What transportation should we take (our car or Disney Transportation)? BTW, this thread has been great and I appreciate all the info

 

[TallandGoofy]

Planning out our SWW day (just one). Does this look reasonable/doable?

Arrive 7:15/7:30 Assuming gates will open by 7:40/7:45

Take kids (DS10 and DD5) to JTA sign up. Would like the 10:45 am show - can we make requests?

TSMM
RnR
ToT

finish those by 9 am(?)

Merchandise Tent - meet C3PO and R2D2
Star Tours area - grab ST FP
Meet Chewie? (or will we see an hour line by now...?)
JTA 10:45 show (guessing we need to be there by 10:15)
Ride ST with FP
11:30 lunch at Sci Fi

DW and DD will leave park for break.
DS and I will explore - go to parade, see shows as we can, see characters here and there, maybe do Indy and/or LMA.

At 4, DD5 and DW will join us again
Then - Disney Jr, Mermaid, B and B, Muppets and GMR. Then, hope to stay for Hoopla.

Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

I know I've asked this already but I want to make sure I understand clearly...We are staying at the Poly and we will have a car. We are coming to SWW on June 7th. My 6 year old will want to do JTA and I want to see if he can get picked for the parade. So, my question is what time do we need to leave Poly to be at HS at what time? What transportation should we take (our car or Disney Transportation)? BTW, this thread has been great and I appreciate all the info

I would take your own car so you can be at DHS by 7:30am. The park is scheduled to open at 8am but it can open earlier. I would leave the parking lot of the Poly the latest at 7:15am.

Planning out our SWW day (just one). Does this look reasonable/doable?

Arrive 7:15/7:30 Assuming gates will open by 7:40/7:45

Take kids (DS10 and DD5) to JTA sign up. Would like the 10:45 am show - can we make requests?

TSMM
RnR
ToT

finish those by 9 am(?)

Merchandise Tent - meet C3PO and R2D2
Star Tours area - grab ST FP
Meet Chewie? (or will we see an hour line by now...?)
JTA 10:45 show (guessing we need to be there by 10:15)
Ride ST with FP
11:30 lunch at Sci Fi

DW and DD will leave park for break.
DS and I will explore - go to parade, see shows as we can, see characters here and there, maybe do Indy and/or LMA.

At 4, DD5 and DW will join us again
Then - Disney Jr, Mermaid, B and B, Muppets and GMR. Then, hope to stay for Hoopla.

Thanks!

A couple of things...not sure if you'll be done with TSMM, ToT and RnRC by 9am.
Chewie's line will be long by then, I would sign up for JTA, ride TSMM, and make the line for Chewie, the earlier you start that line the better.
Then go do RnRC and ToT and meet the Droids. Not sure if you'll be able to do all this before the 10:45am JTA, I think they ask that you be there 20 min. before.
Having lunch at 11:30am would get you out and grabbing a spot for Parade at the earliest at 12:20pm, that's cutting it very short, I doubt you'll find a good spot, unless you don't mind standing in the back.
To be completely honest, it looks like you have alot planned for that day. If you can't go another day to DHS I would consider making priorities on your must do...each show (VoTLM, B&B, Disney Jr.) take time, you have to line up for them at least 15min. before and then the actual show is anywhere from 15min to 25min...
For Hoopla you have to grab a spot very early, at least an hour. Can you stay after Hoopla? then maybe you can do some attractions after the show
I'm not saying all of this can't be done but it'll be very tight, going from one thing to another.

 

[la_la]

If they schedule Hyperspace Hoopla at 8, will we have time to catch Fantasmic at 9? We booked for Fantasmic ADR with H&V.

I was coming to ask this same question! I also have the F! dinner package booked. I'm really hoping to make it because this is our third trip and we still haven't seen Fantasmic.

 

[TallandGoofy]

I would take your own car so you can be at DHS by 7:30am. The park is scheduled to open at 8am but it can open earlier. I would leave the parking lot of the Poly the latest at 7:15am.



A couple of things...not sure if you'll be done with TSMM, ToT and RnRC by 9am.
Chewie's line will be long by then, I would sign up for JTA, ride TSMM, and make the line for Chewie, the earlier you start that line the better.
Then go do RnRC and ToT and meet the Droids. Not sure if you'll be able to do all this before the 10:45am JTA, I think they ask that you be there 20 min. before.
Having lunch at 11:30am would get you out and grabbing a spot for Parade at the earliest at 12:20pm, that's cutting it very short, I doubt you'll find a good spot, unless you don't mind standing in the back.
To be completely honest, it looks like you have alot planned for that day. If you can't go another day to DHS I would consider making priorities on your must do...each show (VoTLM, B&B, Disney Jr.) take time, you have to line up for them at least 15min. before and then the actual show is anywhere from 15min to 25min...
For Hoopla you have to grab a spot very early, at least an hour. Can you stay after Hoopla? then maybe you can do some attractions after the show
I'm not saying all of this can't be done but it'll be very tight, going from one thing to another.

Thank you! I figured that was a little aggressive of a schedule. Chewie isn't necessarily a "must". Asked my DS who his "musts" would be and it's the droids. I love Chewie but I have bunches of pictures of him from when I worked at WDW in Studios Entertainment. I can't get over how back then (early 90's), Chewie roamed freely around Star Tours on a regular basis. Don't think he ever got a HUGE line. Anyway, I worked VERY closely with him.

So, maybe we hit the big three (TSMM, RnR + ToT) and meet the Droids and then get to JTA by 10:15ish...?

I may see about changing the 11:30...But, I am quite tall (6'6") so ok with being in the back. DS is also tall for his age.

I think we could probably stay after Hoopla so that would help.

I originally had us at the Studios on a non-SWW day + a SWW day but then the SWW day was going to be our day of departure so we'd only have a few hours. This way, I was thinking I can get full SWW action. I see that I will have to keep expectations in check with regard to doing it all. Still have our last day open so we could return if needed. I'd like to keep it as a sleep in and laze around the resort day if possible, though.

Thanks for the advice - very helpful!

 

[JamiLeigh]

If I get to HS at opening and go straight to sign up for JTA, can I just go ahead and request a time later in the day, maybe even in the evening? We have lunch already scheduled and with the meet n' greets I don't want our morning to be jam packed. Also, do we know where the location to sign up will be? And... Yes I'm full f questions, when will they announce times and places for character meet n greets?

 

[yulilin3]

If I get to HS at opening and go straight to sign up for JTA, can I just go ahead and request a time later in the day, maybe even in the evening? We have lunch already scheduled and with the meet n' greets I don't want our morning to be jam packed. Also, do we know where the location to sign up will be? And... Yes I'm full f questions, when will they announce times and places for character meet n greets?

If you want to sign up your kids for JTA you HAVE TO get there before it opens and go straight over to sign up, spots fill up in the first 30 to 45min. after the park opens. Not sure if you can request a specific time for JTA. Sign up during sww last year was at Indiana Jones. They don't give a specific schedule for the character just where to find them and they're out from 9-7. Kenny the Pirate has a site where he researches the time for the m&g, he'll probably post a list during three first weekend.