Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[kbelle8995]

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!

I think that you will have a wonderful time. If it gets too warm, The studios has a lot of places to escape the heat and sit in the shade. It is busy but arrive early in the morning to see the stormtroopers and do some fun charater greets. The majority of the characters you wanted to meet will be out. They rotate so ask a CM if you are not sure. The worst section is near Star Tours crowdwise just pay attention but you will find character everywhere. I passed Darth Vader near Pixar place and they take pictures with guests there as well. The rancor is new to the event I saw him at Star Wars Celebration but the line was so long.

If you feel like you are getting overwhelmed leave the park and come back later. Many of the speaking events are indoors (yeah air conditioning)

I have been many times and just love the atmosphere. Not sure about the pirate app.

 

[ChristusG]

Thanks for the reassurance! I'm glad to hear that there's quite a few characters indoors in the AC. That will help with our 1 year old. I think that's probably where we will plan to head first. We also want to see the parade and the Hyperspace Hoopla! We've very excited....I just wish we knew what to expect LOL!

 

[CarolinaBlue]

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

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.

Okay, thanks! We are arriving tomorrow, so I'll go over to DTD and see.

 

[obx_mama]

Wow! So much info! Excitement levels are HIGH!!!

Thanks for the map for Weekend #1.

Also, I was wondering where the charging areas are at DHS for when my poor phone is maxed out from all my apps, texts and pics?

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks for the reassurance! I'm glad to hear that there's quite a few characters indoors in the AC. That will help with our 1 year old. I think that's probably where we will plan to head first. We also want to see the parade and the Hyperspace Hoopla! We've very excited....I just wish we knew what to expect LOL!

I'll just add my 2 cents...
Try and do the outdoor characters in the morning, as soon as they open, that way you're not waiting an hour in direct sunlight.
The most popular characters are Darth Vader and Chewie.
The Droids, Luke and Leia are inside the A/C merchandise tent (Darth Mall) so you could leave those for the afternoon hours and it'll help with the heat. Also once in line for the Droids and Luke and Leia, your 9 year old can browse the merchandise while someone holds a spot in the character line.

 

[yulilin3]

Wow! So much info! Excitement levels are HIGH!!!

Thanks for the map for Weekend #1.

Also, I was wondering where the charging areas are at DHS for when my poor phone is maxed out from all my apps, texts and pics?

we like to charge our phones at the quick service restaurants.
At Backlot Express there are 2 outlets (that we always use, there are probably more) When you enter to your left there's a statue of Washington, there's an outlet there and also as you enter to your left there's a couple of tables, there's another outlet there.
At ABC Commisary the outlets are, as you enter go to your left, about 5 tables down to your left there's one and then right in front of that one, accross the dining area there's another. There's alos one outside the Commisary close to where Jedi Mickey and friends will be, we sometimes grab a table outside and just people watch while our phones are charging...
funny because I'm a blogger for touring plans and I was just talking to them to make a series of blogs about where to charge your phone in the parks...

 

[yulilin3]

Okay, thanks! We are arriving tomorrow, so I'll go over to DTD and see.

also remember about the make your own tees at DTD, you can choose SW characters and personalize your t-shirts. The store is by the Christmas store at the marketplace

 

[obx_mama]

we like to charge our phones at the quick service restaurants.
At Backlot Express there are 2 outlets (that we always use, there are probably more) When you enter to your left there's a statue of Washington, there's an outlet there and also as you enter to your left there's a couple of tables, there's another outlet there.
At ABC Commisary the outlets are, as you enter go to your left, about 5 tables down to your left there's one and then right in front of that one, accross the dining area there's another. There's alos one outside the Commisary close to where Jedi Mickey and friends will be, we sometimes grab a table outside and just people watch while our phones are charging...
funny because I'm a blogger for touring plans and I was just talking to them to make a series of blogs about where to charge your phone in the parks...

Awesome! Thanks!

See, you have your fingers on the pulse of your bloggers!

 

[ChristusG]

I'll just add my 2 cents...
Try and do the outdoor characters in the morning, as soon as they open, that way you're not waiting an hour in direct sunlight.
The most popular characters are Darth Vader and Chewie.
The Droids, Luke and Leia are inside the A/C merchandise tent (Darth Mall) so you could leave those for the afternoon hours and it'll help with the heat. Also once in line for the Droids and Luke and Leia, your 9 year old can browse the merchandise while someone holds a spot in the character line.

Great tips! Thanks! Maybe we'll head straight for Darth Vader or Chewie then. I'll have to ask her which is higher on her "must see" list. And that's great that she'll be able to browse while her dad or I waits in line....that will help with the wait too!

 

[LK4Bama]

This may have already been covered but how long does the parade last? We have an 11:20 res. at Sci Fi and was wondering if we needed to cancel. Thanks!

 

[kmcdougan]

This may have already been covered but how long does the parade last? We have an 11:20 res. at Sci Fi and was wondering if we needed to cancel. Thanks!

Parade starts at 11. The schedule is to have the stars welcome at the stage for 11:15 - so, 15 minutes from front of the park to the Hat. After the welcome, it does continue towards Star Tours, veering left of the JTA stage. That should be another 15 minutes or so following the welcome. I have assurances that the parade will be over and the participants completely clear to leave by 12. So, I would guess total for the parade fo maybe 30 minutes

If you catch the parade before the Hat, and bug out when the stars get to the stage, you should be fine.

Ash

 

[yulilin3]

Parade starts at 11. The schedule is to have the stars welcome at the stage for 11:15 - so, 15 minutes from front of the park to the Hat. After the welcome, it does continue towards Star Tours, veering left of the JTA stage. That should be another 15 minutes or so following the welcome. I have assurances that the parade will be over and the participants completely clear to leave by 12. So, I would guess total for the parade fo maybe 30 minutes

If you catch the parade before the Hat, and bug out when the stars get to the stage, you should be fine.

Ash

If they're doing it like in years past it happens like this:
The Disney SW characters and the JTA kids and Jedi Masters come out first, they take the space at the bottom of the stage and stay there
Then the 501st and Rebel Legion comes out and does the entire route, not stopping at the hat.
Then the Disney owned (not part of the 501st) SW characters come out along with the cars with the celebrities and hosts, they take their place on the stage for the welcome ceremony.
They have the ceremony at 11:15am; after the mayority of the SW characters go backstage by the Great Movie Ride (the entire area behind the Hat is roped off) and the celebrities hop back on their cars and ride back on Hollywood Blvd to the front of the park where the parade started.
Here's a video of the welcome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51LCF8dtKMs

now, as with all things Disney they might change it up, but this is how it's been in the past

 

[lovethattink]

If they're doing it like in years past it happens like this:
The Disney SW characters and the JTA kids and Jedi Masters come out first, they take the space at the bottom of the stage and stay there
Then the 501st and Rebel Legion comes out and does the entire route, not stopping at the hat.
Then the Disney owned (not part of the 501st) SW characters come out along with the cars with the celebrities and hosts, they take their place on the stage for the welcome ceremony.
They have the ceremony at 11:15am; after the mayority of the SW characters go backstage by the Great Movie Ride (the entire area behind the Hat is roped off) and the celebrities hop back on their cars and ride back on Hollywood Blvd to the front of the park where the parade started.
Here's a video of the welcome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51LCF8dtKMs

now, as with all things Disney they might change it up, but this is how it's been in the past

When you say the 501st does the entire route, does that mean back to Star Tours? If so, that means my son can see the 501st walking the rest of the way!! I never realized this. He can't be out in the heat for a prolonged period of time and there are never last minute spots in the shade along the motorcade route. But the 501st full route will work!! I'm I understanding this correctly?!

 

[Diegosmom]

It seems to me that the last JTA before the parade is cutting it a bit close. Do you think they might possibly use these kids in the parade?

DS wants to do JTA and I would prefer not one of the morning ones cause we want to do characters but we'll take what we can get.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

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.

Oh I completely understand.... I am dying at the thought of us trying to get up as early as we are for it too. We are staying at the Swan so at least we can walk over, but still that means leaving the room no later than 3:30. My boyfriend and I are going to time that walk Friday when we get there to be certain we are all set for Saturday morning.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

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

I truly hope Ray Park's session is longer than an hour cause this is going to be a nightmare... I would love to hear if it is on Friday

 

[AquaDame]

Starting to wonder if I'll have time to do it all... this was going to be a solo trip so I was going to go back every day of the weekend to get it all done, but now I am having to prioritize because my husband wants to see the other parks too and isn't staying there the whole time - he leaves Sunday. Would this even be doable? Is this the best order?

-Opening "show" before park opening (we are not getting a celebrity autograph)
-Try to get an autograph book before park opening; if not then after we get:
-Go get TSMM FP or just ride it (then go get the book?)
-Picture with Jedi Mickey/whomever else of the fab 4 but I really want Mickey this first time! If he is with R2M2 even better...
-Assuming this is a long line we hopefully can get a ST FP now or after our D-Tech appointment? Would we be able to do a couple character lines by the 10:10 appointment do you think?
-Go do D-Tech to get storm trooper hubby! Appointment is for 10:10 so either we'll do this now or after another task...
-After appointment see the parade
-Get in line for the noon Behind the Force (is that doable?)
-We then should have about an hour before our lunch ADR at 1:30. I'd like to get a picture with R2D2; would that be possible here? Should we do him first in the morning and THEN go after Jedi Mickey instead in this hour? Or just go take in the atmosphere/ride Star Tours if possible?
-Have lunch at 1:30
-Ride some stuff/perhaps go try for R2D2 here instead?
-Stars of the Saga @ 3:15
-Another Character line maybe? Or ride if hubby is losing his cool
-See My Short Story @5 (assuming its at the same time as the Darth show)
-Character or ride? Or should I just get back into line for:
-Obi-Wan & Beyond @6:30
-Character or ride
-Hyperspace Hoopla
-Darth Mall (does this close early?)

Oof... I just don't know what to do about characters/timing/lines! >_< What order should we do these guys? Is it better to do Mickey first or Darth & mickey in the afternoon?

If I had to choose, my priorities would be:
1) R2D2(+C3PO or whomever)
2) Jedi Mickey(+whomever he is with)
3) Boba Fett
4) Darth Vader
5) Rancor
5) Luke/Leia
6) Stormtroopers
7) Cantina Band

 

[The Sunrise Student]

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.

Oh crap, now you are scaring me cause I have AT&T

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Just got this from the Florida Garrison -

Marchers for weekend #1

Fri - 131
Sat - 172
Sun - 158

Just thought I would share that.

Ash

WOW! That's awesome!

 

[yulilin3]

When you say the 501st does the entire route, does that mean back to Star Tours? If so, that means my son can see the 501st walking the rest of the way!! I never realized this. He can't be out in the heat for a prolonged period of time and there are never last minute spots in the shade along the motorcade route. But the 501st full route will work!! I'm I understanding this correctly?!

the 501st and Rebel Legion keep marching down to Star Tours gate, there will be CM telling people that the parade is not going to go that way but Disney has to get the 501st and Rebel Legion out of the park that way. I'll double check on Friday about it but that's how it's been this past few years after they got the new Hat Stage