Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[d-r]

Just wanted to agree with yulilin3, I've never noticed a difference - other than the planes flying around pulling banners.

 

[d-r]

speaking of roamers, my 9-year-old son was a little freaked out by the gamorrean guard, my five-year-old daughter said "come on, its just a big green pig with an ax."

 

[nanay2jdr]

Is Star Wars his area of hyperfocus? It sure is for my son. Make sure you get there before the park opens. There will be a roped off section and someone holding a sign for JTA (left hand side of the ropes). I hope he gets a spot and his birthday wish is fulfilled. Don't forget he has to be there with you for sign ups.[/QUOTE]

He is aware of the uncertainty of maybe not getting in time so he wont have a meltdown if we missed it but well try. Thanks!

 

[Ninja Mom]

I have a question: What do Disney Star Wars fans have for breakfast when they are waiting in line at 6 am for fast passes??

The answer: THIS!

~NM

 

[jpashea]

First of all, thank you to all of you for posting all of the great SWW tips and info. It has been invaluable in planning our first ever SWW trip!
All of your stories and videos/pics have been so great
I have been following (stalking-lol) this thread for months, but still have one question I don't think was addressed. We will be staying on site, but will also have our own car. If we want to get there a little before 7am, can we drive our own car over or will the "vehicle turnstiles" not be open to traffic yet?

 

[yulilin3]

First of all, thank you to all of you for posting all of the great SWW tips and info. It has been invaluable in planning our first ever SWW trip!
All of your stories and videos/pics have been so great
I have been following (stalking-lol) this thread for months, but still have one question I don't think was addressed. We will be staying on site, but will also have our own car. If we want to get there a little before 7am, can we drive our own car over or will the "vehicle turnstiles" not be open to traffic yet?

Yes the parking lot will be open. The parking attendants don't get there until about 6:30am but there's no fence/cones blocking the entrance.

 

[cel_disney]

First of all, thank you to all of you for posting all of the great SWW tips and info. It has been invaluable in planning our first ever SWW trip!
All of your stories and videos/pics have been so great
I have been following (stalking-lol) this thread for months, but still have one question I don't think was addressed. We will be staying on site, but will also have our own car. If we want to get there a little before 7am, can we drive our own car over or will the "vehicle turnstiles" not be open to traffic yet?

You can drive over anytime!

 

[Diegosmom]

I have a question: What do Disney Star Wars fans have for breakfast when they are waiting in line at 6 am for fast passes??

The answer: THIS!

~NM

Where did you get these my son would love them...

 

[Diegosmom]

just googled it and not real so sad DS would love them

 

[Cinderumbrella]

speaking of roamers, my 9-year-old son was a little freaked out by the gamorrean guard, my five-year-old daughter said "come on, its just a big green pig with an ax."

Classic!

 

[lovethattink]

He is aware of the uncertainty of maybe not getting in time so he wont have a meltdown if we missed it but well try. Thanks!

We were at rope drop, one of the first people into the park. By the time we got to the rope, we were about the 6th person there. Guests were rude and obnoxious as soon as the rope dropped. My son was one of the last ones signed up for the 9:20am spot because of all the people pushing in front. People even ran up the steps of Hollywood and Vine to be able to go around the crowd and get ahead.

I would think as long as you are there by rope drop you should have no problem getting a spot for sometime in the day. I've been hearing that it was around 8:30 when JTA has been filled up. The parks been pretty consistently opening around 7:30. They let us through the turn stiles and to the rope around 7:15.

We had friends with us this weekend who also have a child with Aspergers. While my son was able to tolerate so much more because Star Wars is his hyperfocus, their son was unable. The line for the Premiere Theater did him in and they had to leave DHS and head to MK. He couldn't tolerate the close quarters inside the queue, the sun hitting him, or random people passing him by and bumping into him to get to their families. We've had to get to this theater an hour to an hour and a half ahead of time to get our ds in a shady spot in the queue. I really wish they had a better system for the queue to the Premiere Theater.

Previous years, the characters switching out bothered my son. He does not handle transitions well. This is the first year he is handling it very well.

The only time he's had any major anxiety was at the celebrity autographs where they are now taking your bags before you go in there. He started to panic when the cm said they needed his bag. He has the bag hanging a certain way and everything in it at a particular spot. Heaven forbid it shifts or goes out of sight. (He watches security with a hawk eye when they inspect his bag, then fixes everything after.) Thankfully we had spoken that morning with one of the managers and he was able to prevent a meltdown by allowing the bags to remain on his medical stroller.

 

[Diegosmom]

Help me formulate a plan...

I have been on this thread for months so I have been reading alone...

I am a super planner lol but kind of lost on SWW...

This is what I am thinking tell me what you think. We will be going the last weekend Sat June 8th and Sunday June 9th.

Plan for Sat
Get there super early (not sure what time yet) we are looking to get Lando and Chewie but wont be horrible if we dont get either...going to play it by ear depending on times people came on Friday and then when we get there sat hopefully get Lando but if his line is too long we well jump in Chewie or someone else...

After rope drop was going to take DS to signup for JTA and my sister was going to go to TSM to grab fastpass...we really want an afternoon JTA so wondering instead of fighting the crazy people what if all three of us head to TSM rode once or twice depending on lines and grabbed fastpass then go to signup for JTA...both things are a priority to my son but we do have day 2 to signup for JTA in case we miss it...opnions????

Then my thinking one of us (sister or I) get in a character line and DS and other take another spin on TSM (or do something)...

We want to hit all the Disney SW characters (including R2MK)...chewie (but we want the ewoks with him), Chip and Dale as ewoks, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, at least 1 of the Jetts (dont think my son would car who), Aniken and the Queen...

Not sure the order (thinking Disney SW first) and again we have 2 days...

Thinking about catching the parade after the hat (so just 501st), where is best place to stand for this?...

We have a sci Fi reservation but might cancel (we are on quick service dining so this meal would be OP)...

Then was thinking of hitting the 3 shows...and while lined up catching Phin and Ferb, cars and the roaming star wars...(one adult stay in line other goes with DS or between shows).

Then not sure if we will stay for Hyperspace and Fantasmic or call it an early night so we can get up early again next day...

Then Sunday
again line up early...JTA signups if we missed it (or if son wants to do again or maybe the mind challenge thing)...

TSM a few times
Then catch whoever we missed from day before.
Stake out parade spot
Afternoon and show we missed and Darth Mall...shopping and to get all those characters...do the magic shot etc...

Catch Hyperspace and Fantasmic if we didnt already.

Also between the 2 days would love to fit in, Little Mermaid, Light Motor Action, Animation Building, Mike and Sully meet, Wretch it Ralph, Back Lot Express, and possibly pirate ride and great movie ride...but we know this stuff might not happen...

so any suggestions?

Also if need be might throw in an afternoon rest/pool on either/both days.

 

[yulilin3]

Help me formulate a plan...

I have been on this thread for months so I have been reading alone...

I am a super planner lol but kind of lost on SWW...

This is what I am thinking tell me what you think. We will be going the last weekend Sat June 8th and Sunday June 9th.

Plan for Sat
Get there super early (not sure what time yet) we are looking to get Lando and Chewie but wont be horrible if we dont get either...going to play it by ear depending on times people came on Friday and then when we get there sat hopefully get Lando but if his line is too long we well jump in Chewie or someone else...

After rope drop was going to take DS to signup for JTA and my sister was going to go to TSM to grab fastpass...we really want an afternoon JTA so wondering instead of fighting the crazy people what if all three of us head to TSM rode once or twice depending on lines and grabbed fastpass then go to signup for JTA...both things are a priority to my son but we do have day 2 to signup for JTA in case we miss it...opnions????

Then my thinking one of us (sister or I) get in a character line and DS and other take another spin on TSM (or do something)...

We want to hit all the Disney SW characters (including R2MK)...chewie (but we want the ewoks with him), Chip and Dale as ewoks, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, at least 1 of the Jetts (dont think my son would car who), Aniken and the Queen...

Not sure the order (thinking Disney SW first) and again we have 2 days...

Thinking about catching the parade after the hat (so just 501st), where is best place to stand for this?...

We have a sci Fi reservation but might cancel (we are on quick service dining so this meal would be OP)...

Then was thinking of hitting the 3 shows...and while lined up catching Phin and Ferb, cars and the roaming star wars...(one adult stay in line other goes with DS or between shows).

Then not sure if we will stay for Hyperspace and Fantasmic or call it an early night so we can get up early again next day...

Then Sunday
again line up early...JTA signups if we missed it (or if son wants to do again or maybe the mind challenge thing)...

TSM a few times
Then catch whoever we missed from day before.
Stake out parade spot
Afternoon and show we missed and Darth Mall...shopping and to get all those characters...do the magic shot etc...

Catch Hyperspace and Fantasmic if we didnt already.

Also between the 2 days would love to fit in, Little Mermaid, Light Motor Action, Animation Building, Mike and Sully meet, Wretch it Ralph, Back Lot Express, and possibly pirate ride and great movie ride...but we know this stuff might not happen...

so any suggestions?

Also if need be might throw in an afternoon rest/pool on either/both days.

It looks doable for 2 days, here are my observations on your plan:
Sign up for JTA first, send someone to grab a fp for TSMM and have them wait for you there. If you're at the tusntiles before they open (and it looks like you'll be since you're planning on grabbing a fo for Billy Dee or Peter) you shouldn't wait too long to sign up for JTA, you can request an afternoon show once you get there, if you wait until later then you'll have to wait in a longer line and the chance to have an afternoon show might be gone.

After signing up you should go ride TSMM, you'll have minimal wait (maybe 10 to 30min at the most) and get in line for Disney SW characters.

To catch the 501st and Rebel Legions you can wait on the side of the Backlot Express restaurant. It's shady and nobody is there waiting for them to march down. If you go to the little spot (it's by the side door to Backlot Express right across from the JTA stage) there's no one there. That's where I filmed the 501st this past Saturday.

A little tip that you might not know...you say you want to ride Backlot Tour (you wrote Backlot Express but I think you were refering to the ride and not the restaurant) if you have done Backlot Tour already and don't want to watch the water tank pre-show you can go to where the tram unloads and ask the CM there if you can skip the water tank and they'll let you in and you can board the backlot tour tram right away...

 

[lovethattink]

Help me formulate a plan...

I have been on this thread for months so I have been reading alone...

I am a super planner lol but kind of lost on SWW...

This is what I am thinking tell me what you think. We will be going the last weekend Sat June 8th and Sunday June 9th.

Plan for Sat
Get there super early (not sure what time yet) we are looking to get Lando and Chewie but wont be horrible if we dont get either...going to play it by ear depending on times people came on Friday and then when we get there sat hopefully get Lando but if his line is too long we well jump in Chewie or someone else...

To get Lando or Chewie you will need to get there super early. The fast passes are distributed around 7am and are on first come first serve bases.

After rope drop was going to take DS to signup for JTA and my sister was going to go to TSM to grab fastpass...we really want an afternoon JTA so wondering instead of fighting the crazy people what if all three of us head to TSM rode once or twice depending on lines and grabbed fastpass then go to signup for JTA...both things are a priority to my son but we do have day 2 to signup for JTA in case we miss it...opnions????

I don't remember how old your son is, but if he or anyone in your party is in a stroller, you will need to park the stroller before they will let you in line to sign up for JTA. JTA fills up quickly. Often there are standby spots, but there's no guarantee he'll get in it on standby. Make sure your son goes with you for sign ups. Probably your sister going for the TSM fast passes is your best bet. You do not need your ticket media to sign up for JTA. Make sure you don't lose your receipt for return time for JTA.



Then my thinking one of us (sister or I) get in a character line and DS and other take another spin on TSM (or do something)...

We want to hit all the Disney SW characters (including R2MK)...chewie (but we want the ewoks with him), Chip and Dale as ewoks, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, at least 1 of the Jetts (dont think my son would car who), Aniken and the Queen...

Anakin is a rotating character. His queue also has Shaak Ti, Kit Fisto and Mace Windu. We waited about 30 minutes and the characters we saw were not the ones when we got in queue.

Not sure the order (thinking Disney SW first) and again we have 2 days...

Thinking about catching the parade after the hat (so just 501st), where is best place to stand for this?...

I'd go for in the shade. Anywhere from AI to the JTA stage.

We have a sci Fi reservation but might cancel (we are on quick service dining so this meal would be OP)...

We ate at Sci Fi and 50's PTC because the lines for CS were out the door at times. If you time it right though you should be find with CS.

Then was thinking of hitting the 3 shows...and while lined up catching Phin and Ferb, cars and the roaming star wars...(one adult stay in line other goes with DS or between shows).

Keep in mind that once the line begins to move a rope goes across blocking traffic. So if they are not with you in line at that time, the will not get through to you for the show.

Then not sure if we will stay for Hyperspace and Fantasmic or call it an early night so we can get up early again next day...

Then Sunday
again line up early...JTA signups if we missed it (or if son wants to do again or maybe the mind challenge thing)...

TSM a few times
Then catch whoever we missed from day before.
Stake out parade spot
Afternoon and show we missed and Darth Mall...shopping and to get all those characters...do the magic shot etc...

Again these characters rotate. I was in line with Liliane from The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids. 3 times she tried to see the droids and each time it was not them til she got up there. I promised her if they were there when we got there she could go ahead of us to see them. Unfortunately for her just as we approached it switched to Princess Leia. I hope she eventually got to see the droids.

Catch Hyperspace and Fantasmic if we didnt already.

Also between the 2 days would love to fit in, Little Mermaid, Light Motor Action, Animation Building, Mike and Sully meet, Wretch it Ralph, Back Lot Express, and possibly pirate ride and great movie ride...but we know this stuff might not happen...

so any suggestions?

Also if need be might throw in an afternoon rest/pool on either/both days.

Hopefully the weekend won't be nearly as busy as last weekend, then you will be able to cover more ground. Expect hour waits for the Ewoks, Chewie, Vader, and possibly P&F.

We did Chewie first thing in the morning. Got in line for him as soon as ds was signed up for JTA. We were about 20 in line, and the line just grew longer and longer as we waited for Chewie to come.

 

[lovethattink]

A little tip that you might not know...you say you want to ride Backlot Tour (you wrote Backlot Express but I think you were refering to the ride and not the restaurant) if you have done Backlot Tour already and don't want to watch the water tank pre-show you can go to where the tram unloads and ask the CM there if you can skip the water tank and they'll let you in and you can board the backlot tour tram right away...

I didn't know that! Thanks for sharing. The noises are always too much for my son even with earphones to block sound.

 

[touchthesky]

Does anyone think Gay Days is going to affect the crowds at HS on Friday? Would I be better served to go on Saturday or Sunday instead, or try to plan more park time to due worse than normal crowds?

We were there for it once. I didn't notice a substantial difference at Hollywood Studios, so I think you're safe there. But, generally speaking, I would plan to avoid the designated day for Magic Kingdom if you are worried about crowds, since I've heard that day does tend to be crowded (personally never been for that exact reason).

 

[ajh88]

Help me formulate a plan...

I have been on this thread for months so I have been reading alone...

I am a super planner lol but kind of lost on SWW...

This is what I am thinking tell me what you think. We will be going the last weekend Sat June 8th and Sunday June 9th.

Plan for Sat
Get there super early (not sure what time yet) we are looking to get Lando and Chewie but wont be horrible if we dont get either...going to play it by ear depending on times people came on Friday and then when we get there sat hopefully get Lando but if his line is too long we well jump in Chewie or someone else...

After rope drop was going to take DS to signup for JTA and my sister was going to go to TSM to grab fastpass...we really want an afternoon JTA so wondering instead of fighting the crazy people what if all three of us head to TSM rode once or twice depending on lines and grabbed fastpass then go to signup for JTA...both things are a priority to my son but we do have day 2 to signup for JTA in case we miss it...opnions????

Then my thinking one of us (sister or I) get in a character line and DS and other take another spin on TSM (or do something)...

We want to hit all the Disney SW characters (including R2MK)...chewie (but we want the ewoks with him), Chip and Dale as ewoks, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, at least 1 of the Jetts (dont think my son would car who), Aniken and the Queen...

Not sure the order (thinking Disney SW first) and again we have 2 days...

Thinking about catching the parade after the hat (so just 501st), where is best place to stand for this?...

We have a sci Fi reservation but might cancel (we are on quick service dining so this meal would be OP)...

Then was thinking of hitting the 3 shows...and while lined up catching Phin and Ferb, cars and the roaming star wars...(one adult stay in line other goes with DS or between shows).

Then not sure if we will stay for Hyperspace and Fantasmic or call it an early night so we can get up early again next day...

Then Sunday
again line up early...JTA signups if we missed it (or if son wants to do again or maybe the mind challenge thing)...

TSM a few times
Then catch whoever we missed from day before.
Stake out parade spot
Afternoon and show we missed and Darth Mall...shopping and to get all those characters...do the magic shot etc...

Catch Hyperspace and Fantasmic if we didnt already.

Also between the 2 days would love to fit in, Little Mermaid, Light Motor Action, Animation Building, Mike and Sully meet, Wretch it Ralph, Back Lot Express, and possibly pirate ride and great movie ride...but we know this stuff might not happen...

so any suggestions?

Also if need be might throw in an afternoon rest/pool on either/both days.

The one thing I would be considering is the show times in relation to Hoopla. Obi Wan and Beyond starts pretty late (6 or 6:30, I already forgot!) and it would be difficult to get a main stage viewing spot if you attend. AI screen would likely still be doable though. We just forgot to factor in show times with Hoopla spot scouting when planning our trip. Have fun!

 

[Diegosmom]

It looks doable for 2 days, here are my observations on your plan:
Sign up for JTA first, send someone to grab a fp for TSMM and have them wait for you there. If you're at the tusntiles before they open (and it looks like you'll be since you're planning on grabbing a fo for Billy Dee or Peter) you shouldn't wait too long to sign up for JTA, you can request an afternoon show once you get there, if you wait until later then you'll have to wait in a longer line and the chance to have an afternoon show might be gone.

After signing up you should go ride TSMM, you'll have minimal wait (maybe 10 to 30min at the most) and get in line for Disney SW characters.

To catch the 501st and Rebel Legions you can wait on the side of the Backlot Express restaurant. It's shady and nobody is there waiting for them to march down. If you go to the little spot (it's by the side door to Backlot Express right across from the JTA stage) there's no one there. That's where I filmed the 501st this past Saturday.

A little tip that you might not know...you say you want to ride Backlot Tour (you wrote Backlot Express but I think you were refering to the ride and not the restaurant) if you have done Backlot Tour already and don't want to watch the water tank pre-show you can go to where the tram unloads and ask the CM there if you can skip the water tank and they'll let you in and you can board the backlot tour tram right away...

we actually didnt get to ride Backlot Tour (not express lol) last time we were there so hoping to do the whole thing...thanks for suggestion though...

and thanks for location for viewing 501st...

Looks like we will do signup for JTA first...wasnt thinking of long line later...thanks...

 

[Diegosmom]

The one thing I would be considering is the show times in relation to Hoopla. Obi Wan and Beyond starts pretty late (6 or 6:30, I already forgot!) and it would be difficult to get a main stage viewing spot if you attend. AI screen would likely still be doable though. We just forgot to factor in show times with Hoopla spot scouting when planning our trip. Have fun!

Thanks I didnt realize it was so late...

I'll check the schedule thanks

 

[Diegosmom]

Hopefully the weekend won't be nearly as busy as last weekend, then you will be able to cover more ground. Expect hour waits for the Ewoks, Chewie, Vader, and possibly P&F.

We did Chewie first thing in the morning. Got in line for him as soon as ds was signed up for JTA. We were about 20 in line, and the line just grew longer and longer as we waited for Chewie to come.

Thanks for info...we do plan on being there super early so hopefully we can get sigs..

Diego is 6 but I did rent a stroller...mostlly so when we are waiting for hours outside of DHS he can sleep in stroller and for the lines and he has some sensory issues so I thought this would be best...I will send stroller with my sister when she gets fastpass to TSM and just have him walk to JTA...

We are going to play the Sci-Fi ressie by ear...I have no desire to wait in line for an hour for CS...we usually eat off hours though so this might be ok...

And we have met P&F before so if it is a 1 hour wait we will skip it. Focus of trip is Star Wars so although we would like to do other DHS stuff we will skip to do other star wars stuff...

I am aware of the rotating and hopefully we will time them ok...and we will use Kenny's site to help...and we are fine if we miss a few (although we would like the driods and leiah and luke but that line is in ac...

Thanks for info...

Is darth vader the only one who meets during parade? maybe we can meet him then and then head over to see the 501st