Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[lpoeppelman]

the only difference in JTA during SWW is that they have 2 tiers, on stage will be Darth Vader and on the bottom will be Darth Maul/Assaj Ventress (they alternate) and when Assaj is at the bottom the Jedi instructor is Ahsoka Tano. Also in the past they would give a small toy to each JTA participant during SWW but last year that didn't happen, so not sure if they'll do it again this year or not ( it had something to do with Hasbro not renewing contract with Disney)
If you can do JTA on a non SWW it'll be easier to sign up for it. But you still have to be at the park early for JTA sign ups even though it's not SWW

Thanks! :0) also curious... I didn't realize you had to sign ip for this. Are sign u ps in the same place as SWW?

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks! :0) also curious... I didn't realize you had to sign ip for this. Are sign u ps in the same place as SWW?

during SWW sign ups will be at the Indiana Jones Theater, during non-SWW sign ups will be at the ABC Sounds Studio (old Sounds Dangerous). JTA is very popular, during non-SWW it fills up in the first 2 hours of the park being open, durig SWW it fills up in the first 30 to 45min.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Have you tried the Disney Wifi?

No I haven't yet, they didn't have it last time I was there... Is it open, or is there something special you have to do?

 

[Zooshoveller]

Sounds good! who are you trying to meet, celeb-wise?
If you want to do JTA on the same day I would sign up for JTA first then PMC, but if you do have another day to do JTA yu could just take it easy, and sign up for PMC first.
Another thing about the shows they start loading the theater 10 to 15 min . before hand and for Stars of the Saga they let you in around 3:10pm since they have the stormtroopers pre-show at 3:15pm and you don't want to miss that, it's really funny.

DS will want to meet Ray Park, but I don't know if DD will want Warkwick or Jim Cummings. DH and I can't decide. We will figure it out next Thursday when we surprise the kids.

I'm only prioritizing PMC because they can do JTA another day and this may be our only SWW.

 

[cheer25mom]

So, we are going for weekend IV, and DD HAS to meet AShley Eckstien. What time do we need to show up to get a FP? Is she one of the more popular meet and greets, or will it be a little easier since she is there every weekend?

 

[lovethattink]

Have you tried the Disney Wifi?

Yes, I've tried Disney's wifi. It's like it possesses my phone and makes it do funky things. I've also tried sprints 3G and 4G connections to little avail. My dh has the same problem with his phone. The oddest thing is that it changes our phone's internal clock. We pull up to the TTC and our phone suddenly says 9pm. This is consistent at the MK. If we turn the phone off it resets ok, but then at anytime it does that again.

Texting works great, even sending pictures. But the data part is painfully slow. I cannot download pictures to facebook or photobucket. It just goes to a blank screen. Same with posting times for TP's Lines. It takes me 15 minutes to post a time so I just don't bother.

 

[yulilin3]

No I haven't yet, they didn't have it last time I was there... Is it open, or is there something special you have to do?

It's free and open to everyone...when there's a high volume of users it does tend to drop. I've found that one of the best areas for it is inside the Backlot Express Restaurant.

DS will want to meet Ray Park, but I don't know if DD will want Warkwick or Jim Cummings. DH and I can't decide. We will figure it out next Thursday when we surprise the kids.

I'm only prioritizing PMC because they can do JTA another day and this may be our only SWW.

Sounds like you're all set.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

DS will want to meet Ray Park, but I don't know if DD will want Warkwick or Jim Cummings. DH and I can't decide. We will figure it out next Thursday when we surprise the kids.

I'm only prioritizing PMC because they can do JTA another day and this may be our only SWW.

Warning, if no one has told you yet Ray Parks is ONLY doing one autograph session a day, which means you must get to the parks really REALLY early. My boyfriend and I are trying to be sure to get in line Saturday at 4 am, I hear others are shooting for possibly earlier!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Here's the full schedule:


Padwan Mind Challenge (Sorcerer Hat Stage) 2:10pm and 4:30pm

Jedi Training Academy (Star Tours Stage) 8:45am; 9:20am; 10:05am; 10:35am; 12:00pm; 12:30pm; 1:00pm; 1:30pm; 2:00pm; 2:30pm; 3:00pm; 3:30pm; 4:00pm; 4:30pm; 5:00pm; 5:30pm; 6:30pm; 7:00pm; 7:30pm

Rebel Star Wars Character Encounters 8am to 7:30pm

Imperial Star Wars Character Encounters 8am to 7:30pm

Celebrity Motorcade 11:00am

Celebrity Welcome at Sorcerer Hat Stage 11:15am

Behind the Force (Premiere Theater) with host Ashley Eckstein and guests 12pm and 1:45pm

Stars of the Saga (Premiere Theater) with host James Arnold Taylor and guests 3:30pm

Obi-Wan and Beyond (Premiere Theater) - Starring James Arnold Taylor and a Galaxy of Voices 6:30pm

Visit to the Maul (Premiere Theater) with host James Arnold Taylor - Starring Ray Park 5pm

Hyperspace Hoopla! (Sorcerer Hat Stage) 8pm

 

[The Sunrise Student]

It's free and open to everyone...when there's a high volume of users it does tend to drop. I've found that one of the best areas for it is inside the Backlot Express Restaurant.

Good tip... not going to try to use it all the time, was just wondering. I know I have never had problem with cell coverage at the world so I was just wondering with the wifi...

Has the cell coverage degraded since the wifi got put in?

 

[Zooshoveller]

Warning, if no one has told you yet Ray Parks is ONLY doing one autograph session a day, which means you must get to the parks really REALLY early. My boyfriend and I are trying to be sure to get in line Saturday at 4 am, I hear others are shooting for possibly earlier!

Our plan is to be there no later than 5:00. I don't know how early I can get the kids up without them being miserable by noon. We will have our own vehicle, so no worries with buses or cabs.

 

[yulilin3]

Our plan is to be there no later than 5:00. I don't know how early I can get the kids up without them being miserable by noon. We will have our own vehicle, so no worries with buses or cabs.

I have a feeling that his autograph session will be longer than 1 hour. I'll make sure to ask the CMs manning the celeb lines about that and report as soon as I know on Friday morning

 

[CarolinaBlue]

Does anyone know if there's anywhere at Downtown Disney that sells Star Wars shirts? Would like to have one to wear on Friday.

 

[Dikran]

Does anyone know if there's anywhere at Downtown Disney that sells Star Wars shirts? Would like to have one to wear on Friday.

I've bought some from Once Upon a Toy in the past

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Does anyone know if there's anywhere at Downtown Disney that sells Star Wars shirts? Would like to have one to wear on Friday.

The SWW logo stuff will ONLY be at DHS during the weekends. But there should be some regular Star Wars shirts at World of Disney or Once Upon a Toy.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, we have bought the SWW tshirts at the stand just outside the DHS turnstyles while waiting in line to get in.

 

[kennythepirate]

Yes, I've tried Disney's wifi. It's like it possesses my phone and makes it do funky things. I've also tried sprints 3G and 4G connections to little avail. My dh has the same problem with his phone. The oddest thing is that it changes our phone's internal clock. We pull up to the TTC and our phone suddenly says 9pm. This is consistent at the MK. If we turn the phone off it resets ok, but then at anytime it does that again.

Texting works great, even sending pictures. But the data part is painfully slow. I cannot download pictures to facebook or photobucket. It just goes to a blank screen. Same with posting times for TP's Lines. It takes me 15 minutes to post a time so I just don't bother.

I used to hate ATT connection at WDW, so I switched to Verizon and it's much better for me personally. Only thing I see is that the reception varies in different areas of the parks from 4G to 1X.

Here's the full schedule:

Rebel Star Wars Character Encounters 8am to 7:30pm

Imperial Star Wars Character Encounters 8am to 7:30pm

I sure wish they would just print out the actual character schedules. It would be SOOO much easier on the guests and on the Cast Members who have to answer the same question over and over and over.

 

[yulilin3]

I used to hate ATT connection at WDW, so I switched to Verizon and it's much better for me personally. Only thing I see is that the reception varies in different areas of the parks from 4G to 1X.



I sure wish they would just print out the actual character schedules. It would be SOOO much easier on the guests and on the Cast Members who have to answer the same question over and over and over.

They don't even have the character schedules for Cast Members to look at at the HUB. Unless it's the same day and just for the next couple of hours not the full thing....At least it gives the CM something to do other than stand in the sun all day.

 

[kmcdougan]

Just got this from the Florida Garrison -

Marchers for weekend #1

Fri - 131
Sat - 172
Sun - 158

Just thought I would share that.

Ash

 

[ChristusG]

Getting a little nervous about our first SWW experience!!! Our family are frequent Disney visitors (have been since I was born) and we have season passes. So we've been to Disney LOTS of times. But I'm ashamed to admit that we've never been to SWW! Even though we are Star Wars fans! I know we must have achieved some level of Disney/Star Wars failure.

Anyways, it will be DH and I, our 17 year old nephew (who lives with us) and our three little girls....ages 9, 6, and 1. How miserable are we going to be? LOL! My 9 year old daughter and I are the biggest Star Wars fans. I already know that my nephew may choose to do a different park that day...he's not a big SW fan. It's the 1 year old that I'm worried about. I told my two older girls that they need to be expecting 1 hour + waits for characters. Is that about right? That's pretty much what we are mostly interested in doing. We can do Jedi Training and Star Tours at any time, so we'll probably skip those. My 9 year old really wants to see the Rancor, Luke, Leia, R2D2, Chewbacca, Anakin, Darth Vader, Queen Amidala....you know, all the main characters. Are all of those available? What are the chances that we'll be able to see them all? DD9 is also pretty excited about the Darth Mall thing. She's saved upa lot of money. Is there a line to get in there? We're doing a Sunday at DHS and then the following Sunday as well. We're doing other things the rest of the time.

I'm quite nervous about the crowds, waiting time, and dealing with a fussy and curious 18 month old.

Also, I keep reading on here about an app from Kenny the Pirate. I can't seem to find where it's at though. Any help?

Thanks for any tips!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Getting a little nervous about our first SWW experience!!! Our family are frequent Disney visitors (have been since I was born) and we have season passes. So we've been to Disney LOTS of times. But I'm ashamed to admit that we've never been to SWW! Even though we are Star Wars fans! I know we must have achieved some level of Disney/Star Wars failure.

Anyways, it will be DH and I, our 17 year old nephew (who lives with us) and our three little girls....ages 9, 6, and 1. How miserable are we going to be? LOL! My 9 year old daughter and I are the biggest Star Wars fans. I already know that my nephew may choose to do a different park that day...he's not a big SW fan. It's the 1 year old that I'm worried about. I told my two older girls that they need to be expecting 1 hour + waits for characters. Is that about right? That's pretty much what we are mostly interested in doing. We can do Jedi Training and Star Tours at any time, so we'll probably skip those. My 9 year old really wants to see the Rancor, Luke, Leia, R2D2, Chewbacca, Anakin, Darth Vader, Queen Amidala....you know, all the main characters. Are all of those available? What are the chances that we'll be able to see them all? DD9 is also pretty excited about the Darth Mall thing. She's saved upa lot of money. Is there a line to get in there? We're doing a Sunday at DHS and then the following Sunday as well. We're doing other things the rest of the time.

I'm quite nervous about the crowds, waiting time, and dealing with a fussy and curious 18 month old.

Also, I keep reading on here about an app from Kenny the Pirate. I can't seem to find where it's at though. Any help?

Thanks for any tips!

That's ALOT of characters to see in 1 day, but its doable.

If the characters stay in the same location as last year, Luke, Leia and R2-D2 will be in a rotating character line inside Darth Maul (also with C3-P0). That will be a lot of waiting over and over to see all 3 but at least its in the A/C. The thought is that the Rancor will be in there too. I can't predict how long it will take since the line will be VERY long but there are no autographs to slow it down.

Chewy and Vader are going to be at least 60-90 minutes EACH.

The Queen and Anakin will be be about 30, but Anakin is also in a rotating line, so timing him might be tricky.

If you are spreading it over 2 days (sorry, I wasn't clear if you h ad 2 days dedicated to SWW or not) then I would split Chewy and Vader on different days. Then try all the Darth Maul characters one day (say with Chewy) and do Vader, Anakin and the Queen on another.

The only line I ever read about to enter Darth Maul is opening weekend, Day 1 in the AM when the collectors come in hoards to get the Limited Edition things.

HTH!