Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[AquaDame]

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

When I was there in November it was fine! Wifi was VERY spotty and we had a hard time playing Words with Friends in some areas (preferred way to waste line time) but usually we could toggle between wifi & LTE 90% of the time and be happy (the other 10% was inside structures).

 

[The Sunrise Student]

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...

WOW I didn't even think there would be an area to try to charge my phone, my boyfriend bought one of those external battery packs that charges the phones full at least 3 times, so we figure we might be able to be ok. That and my boyfriend uses a really nice digital camera for pictures and not his phone, however I just use my phone so I am probably going to need to charge more than he does!

 

[yulilin3]

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.

No, the kids for the parade have to be backstage and dressed in Jedi Robes by 10:30am...

 

[Diegosmom]

Anyone that went last year care to break down your schedule. Like order you did things and how much you got down by saw noon parade time last year (we will have an hours less but still might help...

Also curious how character lines are in the afternoon. Every other day of our trip we plan on taking an afternoon break but if we want to get everything in I dont think we can take a break...so just figuring out best things to do in afternoon.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

When I was there in November it was fine! Wifi was VERY spotty and we had a hard time playing Words with Friends in some areas (preferred way to waste line time) but usually we could toggle between wifi & LTE 90% of the time and be happy (the other 10% was inside structures).

LOL oh No I don't play games in line, I normally just upload pics to Picasa Web Album or FB if I am in line or chat with the group I am with. Since this is my boyfriend's first adult trip (and it's just the two of us) I will be keeping my face out of the phone and chatting it up with him. So I should be good!

 

[yulilin3]

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

WOW got tired just reading it all...here's what I think:
*cutting it close for the parade after D-Tech unless you don't mind being in the back
* Behind the Force at noon is doable
* You should be in line for Stars of the Saga by 2:45pm at the latest
* You get out of Stars of the Saga around 4pm, the next show should be at 5* not a lot of time to ride anything...maybe get a picture with characters around Premiere Theater
* You'll get out of Obi Wan and Beyond at 7pm you should go straight to grab a spot for Hoopla.

Are you coming weekend 2? because that's the weekend when they'll be 5 shows at Premiere Theater: Behind the Force-Stars of the Saga-Visit to the Maul-My Short Story and Obi Wan and Beyond...not sure what the times will be for weekend 2 for those shows

 

[NitaO]

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?

I use this when at the parks and it works great for about 1 1/2 charges . then recharge it at night for the next day..

jhttp://www.officedepot.com/a/products/304207/Ativa-Mobil-IT-Power-Boost-Black/ust

 

[AquaDame]

WOW got tired just reading it all...here's what I think:
*cutting it close for the parade after D-Tech unless you don't mind being in the back
* Behind the Force at noon is doable
* You should be in line for Stars of the Saga by 2:45pm at the latest
* You get out of Stars of the Saga around 4pm, the next show should be at 5* not a lot of time to ride anything...maybe get a picture with characters around Premiere Theater
* You'll get out of Obi Wan and Beyond at 7pm you should go straight to grab a spot for Hoopla.

It WAS a wall of text I'm sorry! We don't mind being in the back at the parade or shows or anything - better to leave the close spots for those with kids and such. We typically show up no more than 10 minutes before the other parades as well and are happy with that - not going to try and film it, just take a couple phone pics to say WE WERE THERE, lol! I have heard you can watch Hoopla on a screen elsewhere so we might do that if it is the difference between waiting an hour for the show & having more time to do the rest. I figure we will wander by 20-30 minutes before and if its too late then it is OK as long as we can see it on the other screen! I will write in those times to show up for the shows for sure! Thank you! Do you have any thoughts about R2D2/Vader/Jedi Mickey? Is there one that is more important to do in the morning vs afternoon?

 

[kmcdougan]

Good to know abut the parade. This will be my first time, and, having helped out with Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans before, the whole thing holds up when any part of it has to stop, so I anticipated a similar treatment. That works for me.

As to phones - I have always had AT&T and even with my smart phone, I don't mess with playing around online. Mostly because I don't like to burn data (I have the low plan). Service has consistently been spotty, but texts have gotten through with no problem. My only issue has really been having my phone in my pocket and not hearing it or feeling it when a message or call comes in.

Ash

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Anyone that went last year care to break down your schedule. Like order you did things and how much you got down by saw noon parade time last year (we will have an hours less but still might help...

Also curious how character lines are in the afternoon. Every other day of our trip we plan on taking an afternoon break but if we want to get everything in I dont think we can take a break...so just figuring out best things to do in afternoon.

During the years that we watched the parade we would only ever get Darth or Jedi Mickey (plus 1 other in his line) done before the parade. Good seats go fast (even more so now that the route is so short).

In past 2 years, we have found that we can see a TON of the lesser characters between 3 and 5 (which is also the hottest part of the day, so some folks have given up by then). That's when we usually try for the Clone Wars Blister Pack location, the Jedi Counsel, Darth Maul (not that he is a lesser character ), Queen A and the "other" Fett that we didn't see earlier in the day.

 

[yulilin3]

It WAS a wall of text I'm sorry! We don't mind being in the back at the parade or shows or anything - better to leave the close spots for those with kids and such. We typically show up no more than 10 minutes before the other parades as well and are happy with that - not going to try and film it, just take a couple phone pics to say WE WERE THERE, lol! I have heard you can watch Hoopla on a screen elsewhere so we might do that if it is the difference between waiting an hour for the show & having more time to do the rest. I figure we will wander by 20-30 minutes before and if its too late then it is OK as long as we can see it on the other screen! I will write in those times to show up for the shows for sure! Thank you! Do you have any thoughts about R2D2/Vader/Jedi Mickey? Is there one that is more important to do in the morning vs afternoon?

Yes, you can watch Hoopla from the AIE jumbotron and you should be able to find a spot 30 to 20 minutes before 8pm.
I would do Jedi Mickey first just because that line is in the sun and stays long all day...R2D2 will be a gamble since they rotate but at least you're indoors...Vader also stays long all day, maybe try and catch him before Hoopla? maybe people will be waiting for that?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

It WAS a wall of text I'm sorry! We don't mind being in the back at the parade or shows or anything - better to leave the close spots for those with kids and such. We typically show up no more than 10 minutes before the other parades as well and are happy with that - not going to try and film it, just take a couple phone pics to say WE WERE THERE, lol! I have heard you can watch Hoopla on a screen elsewhere so we might do that if it is the difference between waiting an hour for the show & having more time to do the rest. I figure we will wander by 20-30 minutes before and if its too late then it is OK as long as we can see it on the other screen! I will write in those times to show up for the shows for sure! Thank you! Do you have any thoughts about R2D2/Vader/Jedi Mickey? Is there one that is more important to do in the morning vs afternoon?

We watch it at the American Idol screen exclusively now. I battled the crowds at the Jedi stage for years and I am grateful to have a much more civilized alternative

Just remember that most of the SWW M&Gs end around 6 (? help here Yulilin and Kenny) and the Hoopla isn't until 8pm.

 

[AquaDame]

I use this when at the parks and it works great for about 1 1/2 charges . then recharge it at night for the next day..

jhttp://www.officedepot.com/a/products/304207/Ativa-Mobil-IT-Power-Boost-Black/ust

We got an Anker astro 2 dual from Amazon - great reviews and currently half price. We've only used it once so far, but so far so good for iPhone 5! (It also works with a whole slew of other phones)

 

[yulilin3]

We watch it at the American Idol screen exclusively now. I battled the crowds at the Jedi stage for years and I am grateful to have a much more civilized alternative

Just remember that most of the SWW M&Gs end around 6 (? help here Yulilin and Kenny) and the Hoopla isn't until 8pm.

the map this year is showing characters until 7:30pm...that may be the best alternative to get the ones with long lines...

 

[Cinderumbrella]

the map this year is showing characters until 7:30pm...that may be the best alternative to get the ones with long lines...

Oh good!!! I never understood why that part ended so early before

Will be awaiting Kenny's list anxiously....

 

[AquaDame]

Yes, you can watch Hoopla from the AIE jumbotron and you should be able to find a spot 30 to 20 minutes before 8pm.
I would do Jedi Mickey first just because that line is in the sun and stays long all day...R2D2 will be a gamble since they rotate but at least you're indoors...Vader also stays long all day, maybe try and catch him before Hoopla? maybe people will be waiting for that?

Great to know! We'll go Mickey, try for R2 and if we have time do Vader (if not I'm OK with that). Thank you!

We watch it at the American Idol screen exclusively now. I battled the crowds at the Jedi stage for years and I am grateful to have a much more civilized alternative

Just remember that most of the SWW M&Gs end around 6 (? help here Yulilin and Kenny) and the Hoopla isn't until 8pm.

I think I read somewhere they go until 7:30, but I know that is entirely dependant on the character if that was even correct info..! regardless, I don't think my husband will have another 1 hour+ wait in him if there is another viable (and civilized!!) option!

I'll have Sunday night after he leaves to myself, but I am not sure how much good it will really do me. He should be getting on ME around 2:30 though so if I really need to, I can hustle my butt back over and see what else I can get done! My original plan was to try and do a walk up ADR for BoG that day, but priorities might change depending on how Friday goes...

 

[yulilin3]

a new video for Cast Members only has Dan Cockerell talking about the event. He confirms Chip and Dale as Ewoks but didn't say where, custodial cast members will be making water art with their brooms of R2D2 and Vader around the Star Tours area, Sotrmtroopers will be patrolling around the Tip Board area, there will be a special lightsaber umbrella sold at Darth Mall (it looks really cool, must have) and a print directly to phone cover with your favorite SW character...

 

[Cinderumbrella]

a new video for Cast Members only has Dan Cockerell talking about the event. He confirms Chip and Dale as Ewoks but didn't say where, custodial casy member will be making water art with their brooms of R2D2 and Vader around the Star Tours area, Sotrmtroopers will be patrolling around the Tip Board area, there will be a special lightsaber umbrella sold at Darth Mall (it looks really cool, must have) and a print directly to phone cover with your favorite SW character...

Be still my geeky heart!!

 

[yulilin3]

Be still my geeky heart!!

It looks sooo cool, I could get a picture of it from the video but don't want to get in trouble...it's a lighsaber handle (like the ones from build a saber) and then the umbrella is black with the Jedi logo in silver

 

[Diegosmom]

During the years that we watched the parade we would only ever get Darth or Jedi Mickey (plus 1 other in his line) done before the parade. Good seats go fast (even more so now that the route is so short).

In past 2 years, we have found that we can see a TON of the lesser characters between 3 and 5 (which is also the hottest part of the day, so some folks have given up by then). That's when we usually try for the Clone Wars Blister Pack location, the Jedi Counsel, Darth Maul (not that he is a lesser character ), Queen A and the "other" Fett that we didn't see earlier in the day.

Are you saying from park opening till parade you only met 1 character?...Did you do anything else during that time, like ride rides? And what time did you get a parade spot.