Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[The Sunrise Student]

Be there 10 minutes before your fp time

Kewl! Thanks AGAIN!

Another Question: I know I wish they would all pop into my head at once. Will there be markers as to where to line up for Autograph FPs? I know you said lines are over to the Right side in front of the entrance but there is more than one celebrity, how do I know I got the right line? I mean I know people will tell me, but what if I am first LOL

 

[yulilin3]

Kewl! Thanks AGAIN!

Another Question: I know I wish they would all pop into my head at once. Will there be markers as to where to line up for Autograph FPs? I know you said lines are over to the Right side in front of the entrance but there is more than one celebrity, how do I know I got the right line? I mean I know people will tell me, but what if I am first LOL

Here's a video I took last year, it shows you how the lines are set up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xvAvu_PHP4

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Here's a video I took last year, it shows you how the lines are set up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xvAvu_PHP4

Awesome saw the signs, thanks!

 

[d-r]

That's Winnie the Pooh!

and Tigger, Too!

AND PETE! And Humphrey! And about a thousand others!

I want to see the show with James Arnold Taylor and Jim Cummings!

 

[d-r]

Thanks so much. I don't want to be there over night but I don't want to miss him either.

OK Melissa said that 4 is on the edge based on last time. She said that by 5 it was stretched around and probably past the cut off by then.

Again, its hard to say because he was there two years ago so there may be fewer, but I wouldn't be any later than 4, and i'm not going to tell you that is safe (watch no one come after I said that).

 

[d-r]

Actually, I don't... feeling very out geeked at the moment... I did a casual look-up on him but with a common name like that came up with all sorts of listings.

So do tell....

He's a voice actor that has been a ton of Disney characters. He took over for Stirling Holloway as the voice of Winnie the Pooh, and has been Pooh's voice in the tv series' and follow up movies. Tigger, too. For those of us of a certain age that can remember those disney after-school shows like Duck Tales and Tale Spin and Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers, Jungle Cubs, etc. he voiced something in most all of them. Oh, and he is the modern Pete in the Goofy movies and House of Mouse.
From the Disney-side he is more of a big deal than from the star wars side, if that makes sense.
Here:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0191906/

 

[JamiLeigh]

Here's a video I took last year, it shows you how the lines are set up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xvAvu_PHP4

That's awesome! So I see they let people in at 7:30 and the lines were already pretty deep. We will be staying at the Contemporary. What time should we catch the bus to HS? My son (5 1/2) will be devastated if he can't do JTA. The time doesn't matter to us, I'm okay coming back in the evening to do it, I just want to make sure he gets a chance. Is getting there by 7:15 too late? And will a bus be able to get us there on time? Also, do we know where signs ups are yet?

 

[disneymomma76]

That's awesome! So I see they let people in at 7:30 and the lines were already pretty deep. We will be staying at the Contemporary. What time should we catch the bus to HS? My son (5 1/2) will be devastated if he can't do JTA. The time doesn't matter to us, I'm okay coming back in the evening to do it, I just want to make sure he gets a chance. Is getting there by 7:15 too late? And will a bus be able to get us there on time? Also, do we know where signs ups are yet?

Last year we arrived around 7:30am. They weren't letting people in yet. We were about 30-40 people deep at the turnstyles. They started letting people in around 7:45am. I had my kids by the hand and we quickly walked to JTA sign-ups. There were CMs directing people where to go. Last year it was at Indiana Jones, but I heard it may be at the old Sounds Dangerously area this year? Either way there will be people telling you know where to go. Sign-ups were quick and we got a morning time right before lunch.

Now....there were people literally RUNNING to sign up, dragging their kids. CMs asked them to walk, which I'm sure their kids appreciated. While it seemed like there were a lot of people outside the turnstyles, once everyone got into HS they all kind of went their own way and were swallowed by the park. I think many were going to line-up for characters, get FPs for rides, and ride the "big" rides like TSM, ToT, and RnRc. After we signed up for JTA we went and rode all 3 of those rides with little to no wait.

 

[JamiLeigh]

Last year we arrived around 7:30am. They weren't letting people in yet. We were about 30-40 people deep at the turnstyles. They started letting people in around 7:45am. I had my kids by the hand and we quickly walked to JTA sign-ups. There were CMs directing people where to go. Last year it was at Indiana Jones, but I heard it may be at the old Sounds Dangerously area this year? Either way there will be people telling you know where to go. Sign-ups were quick and we got a morning time right before lunch.

Now....there were people literally RUNNING to sign up, dragging their kids. CMs asked them to walk, which I'm sure their kids appreciated. While it seemed like there were a lot of people outside the turnstyles, once everyone got into HS they all kind of went their own way and were swallowed by the park. I think many were going to line-up for characters, get FPs for rides, and ride the "big" rides like TSM, ToT, and RnRc. After we signed up for JTA we went and rode all 3 of those rides with little to no wait.

This makes me feel much better, thank you!!! I realize it's going to be crazy busy and if JTA is all he does, he will be the happiest little boy in the world. Of course I'll be holding his 2 1/2 yr old brother wondering why he can't fight "Darth Avar"

 

[GeekyGirl]

Hello, I've been scanning through this thread and I'd like to thank you all for such helpful information! This year will be my first go at Star Wars Weekends and after experiencing, May the 4th, I can't wait for SWW!

 

[megloowho]

I keep reading about fast passes for celebrities, but I wanted to know about characters? So there are FP for the real celebs, but are there also FPs for the characters or the Disney SWW characters?

Also, if you are not wanting to get autographs from celebs how early should you go? I really want to see the merch (hopefully pins!) and get pictures with the Disney SWW characters.

 

[Nole95]

My son and I are going to SWW on Friday May 31. Official park opening is 8am, and we are staying at the Beach Club Resort.

Since I know the park usually opens prior to 8am, I am sure the boats will not be running from the resorts as early as I need them to be. Anyone ever stayed at one of these resorts for SWW? I am guessing my only option might be to walk.

We have no desire for any celebrity autographs, but my son does want to do JTA. I figure we want to be in line at the turnstiles between 6:30 and 7.

 

[HappyHaunts999]

OK Melissa said that 4 is on the edge based on last time. She said that by 5 it was stretched around and probably past the cut off by then.

Again, its hard to say because he was there two years ago so there may be fewer, but I wouldn't be any later than 4, and i'm not going to tell you that is safe (watch no one come after I said that).

Thanks so much for your help. We changed our SWW so that my ds and dd could meet him and Peter Mayhew.

 

[brendasol]

Just got ressies for DTech! Woohoo! Now if my son doesn't get the opportunity to get any autographs, I think a stormtrooper statue of himself will make everything better

Reading everyone's posts is really making me excited for next week!

 

[Mark P.]

My son and I are going to SWW on Friday May 31. Official park opening is 8am, and we are staying at the Beach Club Resort.

Since I know the park usually opens prior to 8am, I am sure the boats will not be running from the resorts as early as I need them to be. Anyone ever stayed at one of these resorts for SWW? I am guessing my only option might be to walk.

We have no desire for any celebrity autographs, but my son does want to do JTA. I figure we want to be in line at the turnstiles between 6:30 and 7.

Hi,
Not sure as to when the boats will be running, and my guess is that they will be pretty full heading to the HS for SWW, so we usually walk. From BC, it's a bit of a walk, but nice just the same. I believe it takes us around 30 mins. at an easy pace. Might be the way to go to ensure an early arrival.
Have a great time!

 

[Mark P.]

Finally!!
Was able to schedule the Carbon-Freeze Me experience for DS.

Leaving in 8 days!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

My son and I are going to SWW on Friday May 31. Official park opening is 8am, and we are staying at the Beach Club Resort.

Since I know the park usually opens prior to 8am, I am sure the boats will not be running from the resorts as early as I need them to be. Anyone ever stayed at one of these resorts for SWW? I am guessing my only option might be to walk.

We have no desire for any celebrity autographs, but my son does want to do JTA. I figure we want to be in line at the turnstiles between 6:30 and 7.

Hi Nole,

I know my boyfriend and I are staying at the Swan and we are just planning to take the walk way that starts behind the Atlantic Dance Hall because we are some of the that plan to be there super early for FP Celerity lines.

Here's a link to ALLEARS Pic that Deb was kind enough to post showing where the path starts.

http://allears.net/acc/swan25.jpg

Good Luck!

 

[yulilin3]

Good Morning everyone, I see the excitement is kicking into high gear

I keep reading about fast passes for celebrities, but I wanted to know about characters? So there are FP for the real celebs, but are there also FPs for the characters or the Disney SWW characters?

Also, if you are not wanting to get autographs from celebs how early should you go? I really want to see the merch (hopefully pins!) and get pictures with the Disney SWW characters.

No fastpasses for characters and the lines get pretty long and most of them are in the sun, so make a priority of which characters you want to meet and try and get them early in the morning. I always recommend getting there as soon as the park opens for the characters, it's when you'll se the least amount of people.. The merchandise tent will be crazy the first morning of SWW, after that it should be ok, at any hour, but the afternoon hours are less busy inside the tent.

My son and I are going to SWW on Friday May 31. Official park opening is 8am, and we are staying at the Beach Club Resort.

Since I know the park usually opens prior to 8am, I am sure the boats will not be running from the resorts as early as I need them to be. Anyone ever stayed at one of these resorts for SWW? I am guessing my only option might be to walk.

We have no desire for any celebrity autographs, but my son does want to do JTA. I figure we want to be in line at the turnstiles between 6:30 and 7.

I know someone here has stayed at the Epcot resorts and they know when the boats started but, I would rather walk it. That way you'll be sure to get there in time, for JTA sign ups I would get there no later than 7:15am

 

[yulilin3]

Order I would do the characters based on popularity and the sun, characters were out from 9am to 7pm last year:

1.-Disney SW: Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy ,Stormtrooper Donald and R2MK. The rotate so you may start making the line for a pair and then they switch which contributes for this line being so long, also it’s in the sun all day and even though they put up some umbrellas, it doesn’t help that much. They are by the exit to Great Movie Ride (1 hour and up)

2.- Chewbacca and Ewok: Another very long line, they go in every 20min., they come out about 5 minutes after they go in, Chewbacca is very popular, this line stays consistently long thru out the day. It’s semi-shaded so that helps. They are at the Speeder by Star Tours. (1 hour and up)

3.- Darth Vader: It’s the Dark Lord what more can I say. The good thing is that it’s under roof all day but, again, it stays long all the time. He meets by the exit to Backlot Tour (45min and up)

4.- Darth Maul: His line gets some shade during the day, he meets next to the entrance to Backlot Tour. (30 min. line)

5.- Bobba and Jango Fett: very little shade for them, they also rotate, they meet by the entrance to Backlot Tour (30 min. line)

6.- Clone Wars. Ahsoka Tano, Asajj Ventress, Rex and Cody: the line is in direct sunlight all day and they also rotate. They are by the Premiere Theater (Muppetvision 3D area) (30 min line)

7.- Jedi Council. Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu, Shaak Tii and Kitt Fisto: they are by the San Francisco mural and get sun during the day. (30 min. line)

8.- Queen Amidala: the poor Queen is in the sun all day, she meets next to Sounds Dangerous (20 min. line)

9.- C3P0, R2D2, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia: They rotate and it takes time to get all four of them but the good news and why I leave this one for the end is that they met inside the Merhandise tent last year. A/C makes a huge difference.
There are roaming characters that are around the park. These are easier to get a picture, you just jump in.
Around Star Tours you may find the Cantina Band
Around Premiere Theater you may find Jawas, Clone Troopers
Around Backlot Tour Stormtroopers, Tusken Raiders, Gamorrean Guard, Aurra Sing (my fave) and Zam Wessell
This year there are rumors we might see Chip and Dale as Ewoks, talking to a character CM during May the 4th he said that they should have a separate line…also pictures from the May the 4th event we saw Greedo meeting outside Backlot Tour. Like Berlioz said he makes an appearance during Hoopla but has never been out for M&G.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

My son and I are going to SWW on Friday May 31. Official park opening is 8am, and we are staying at the Beach Club Resort.

Since I know the park usually opens prior to 8am, I am sure the boats will not be running from the resorts as early as I need them to be. Anyone ever stayed at one of these resorts for SWW? I am guessing my only option might be to walk.

We have no desire for any celebrity autographs, but my son does want to do JTA. I figure we want to be in line at the turnstiles between 6:30 and 7.

Last year the boats started running at 7am for an 8am scheduled opening. We left the YC right at 7am, just as the first boat was coming under the bridge and heading towards BWI. We beat the boat with time to spare, but we were walking at a pretty good pace.

Yulilin- thanks for that list!! The past few years we have done Vader first on 1 day and Chewy first on another. But I think I might relent this year and do Vader later in the day to have that coveted shade, since you are correct that Vader's line is long the ENTIRE day. I will be paying close attention to the early weekend folks (as well as Kenny the Pirate's character times) to see just how/when to fit Ewok Chip and Dale in as well...