Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[TDC Nala]

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!

this is exactly what I did, stayed for OBW and Beyond and then went to the AI screen. I tried with the main stage, but I was told I couldn't stand by the fence to the left side because there is a photopass picture opportunity there. So I watched on the screen, I even got a seat on a bench, although if you sit on the benches people will be walking by you.

 

[Diegosmom]

this is exactly what I did, stayed for OBW and Beyond and then went to the AI screen. I tried with the main stage, but I was told I couldn't stand by the fence to the left side because there is a photopass picture opportunity there. So I watched on the screen, I even got a seat on a bench, although if you sit on the benches people will be walking by you.

Yeah not really interested in staking a spot for 2 hours to be totally crowded and then probably not being able to see...we were thinking AI screen anyway.

 

[lovethattink]

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

Sorry, I'm not sure about Vader this year.

Each time we went to Darth Mall for characters, the queue was 30 to 45 minutes long. The first day, I was told the queue extended outside and was over an hour. We've gone in the heat of the afternoon to stay cool, so didn't really care how long the line was. We hit it good and got Leia the first time and the droids the 2nd.

One Man's Dream is a great place for quiet and coolness. We have spent a lot of time in there.

 

[jpashea]

You can drive over anytime!

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.

Thanks so much, guys!
We are driving "home" as we speak, and we can't wait to join in all the fun during SWW week 3! I know that we'll get so much more accomplished because of all the great advice.
Thanks again!

 

[heyitsmejosh]

around what time did the first session of warwick davis run out last week? i'm thinking about heading up after work friday night and get there about 1-130 and just sleep on the sidewalk like i did for ray park with my gf and then head home after meeting him and stuff, i just really want the early one so im not there all day

 

[nanay2jdr]

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.

Its our first trip so not sure how he will react to things. Your experience is helpful so I can give him enough warnings.

 

[lovethattink]

around what time did the first session of warwick davis run out last week? i'm thinking about heading up after work friday night and get there about 1-130 and just sleep on the sidewalk like i did for ray park with my gf and then head home after meeting him and stuff, i just really want the early one so im not there all day

My dh got there at 2:15am and he got the end of the first. For Ray Park, he got there at 12:30am. Although Ray Park won't be there this weekend, so hard to say.

 

[lovethattink]

Its our first trip so not sure how he will react to things. Your experience is helpful so I can give him enough warnings.

I also bring a backpack filled with things for him. Toys to play with in line, 2 hand held air conditioners, extra batteries for our cell phones so he can play the games on them, his ear phones, glow sticks or flash lights, and a cooler bag filled with frozen waters to help cool him down.

One Man's Dream and Writer's Stop are great places to cool down. One Man's Dream is usually pretty quiet and a good place to calm down after too much stimulation. You don't have to stay for the movie. You don't even have to walk through the theater part. You can exit the same way you entered. But near the entrance to the theater it's usually very quiet with few people until close to show time.

 

[Karpkg]

around what time did the first session of warwick davis run out last week? i'm thinking about heading up after work friday night and get there about 1-130 and just sleep on the sidewalk like i did for ray park with my gf and then head home after meeting him and stuff, i just really want the early one so im not there all day

I got there at 4:30 and my daughter got standby, so I hung around the first session and she got in. He actually had 5 minutes to spare so took several walk ups as well.

One time I had 2nd session with ray parks and i needed 1st session cuz I had to leave for home before noon also so I begged and traded mine for someone's first session. U could also do that as a last resort.

 

[michygoomy]

Hi everyone,

I've doen SWW many times but never thought it was worth standing in line for celebrity autographs bit I'm rethinking that this time since Billy Dee Williams will be there. A few questions:

What time do you think I need to line up for him?

Do they let you get a picture with thme, too?

Do buses run from the resorts early enough to get in line?

TIA

 

[bjakmom]

We are home and unpacked! Whewwww - what a whirlwind trip that was!
It was so great to meet DisneyBoyz in line - what a great family! and my DGrD9 LOVED talking to 'cool' GeekyGirl and her Chewy backpack - which she kept spotting through the day and would have stalked her forever if I'd let her! LOL
Always so nice to share the lines with DISers.

On Monday we had bonus excitement when Warwick Davis and his family were at the pool all day right by us. DGrD was stalking again! She was so excited as he is one of her favs and she loved his show - his family is lovely!
I did stop quickly when he was sitting alone to say hi and tell him how glad we were that he was back at SWW after all these years. I told him that people online were raving about his show and calling it a 'don't miss' SWW event. He was so nice and seemed genuinely pleased to hear that. His adorable daughter came up as I was saying that and clearly beamed with pride at her dad. It was such a thrill for us to just say hello - and at least DGrD stopped stalking them after that. LOL
We'll be back for 2015 if she is still interested in going - hoping Disney will be using SWW that year to make a big deal before #7 is released. Hope Warwick and Ray Park return!
Thanks again all for the reports, pics and info! And a million thanks to Kennythepirate for the character schedule - life saver!

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Hi everyone,

I've doen SWW many times but never thought it was worth standing in line for celebrity autographs bit I'm rethinking that this time since Billy Dee Williams will be there. A few questions:

What time do you think I need to line up for him?

Do they let you get a picture with thme, too?

Do buses run from the resorts early enough to get in line?

TIA

1: that depends on how many secessions he has, if its 1 then before 3am for sure 2 probably before 4 since he will be very popular

2: yes they let you take pictures with them

3. no the buses do not run youll need to cab it/drive

 

[lovethattink]

My weatherman says there is an increased chance of rain everyday through the weekend. Last year there was plenty of rain. I forget, what happens with the characters when it rains? What about the celeb m&g? I remember from last year if the rain pools on the stage, Hoopla is canceled. If there's lightening, hoopla is canceled. Also, when there was rain, it was questionable if hoopla would be shown on the AI screen.

 

[yulilin3]

My weatherman says there is an increased chance of rain everyday through the weekend. Last year there was plenty of rain. I forget, what happens with the characters when it rains? What about the celeb m&g? I remember from last year if the rain pools on the stage, Hoopla is canceled. If there's lightening, hoopla is canceled. Also, when there was rain, it was questionable if hoopla would be shown on the AI screen.

last year some of the characters met inside Darth Mall but now with the Rancor there I don't think that will happen...other than that I really don't see any other rain locations for the SW characters
The celeb m&g move to inside the ABC Sound Studio (where the kids wait for JTA) I'm sure that'll be the case, if it rains the kids for JTA might be moved to the area where you used to line up for Sounds Dangerous
I have not forgot about weekend 3 map it's just not posted yet...stalking the HUB

BTW: DHS Cast members are asked to park at Epcot again this weekend

 

[d-r]

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

is he OK with catrosphe canyon part of the backlot tour? that can get pretty intense for kids

 

[disneyluvrtink]

Man today is going to be the longest work day ever!!! I'm so ready to get on the road to my favorite place!!!!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

As promised here is an open link to the Sunday May 19th SWW Motorcade.

https://picasaweb.google.com/ladyenyo/20130519DisneySWWMotorcade

Please feel free to share this link, especially with all your 501st buddies. My boyfriend took a ton of pictures!

501st Disney Trooper, I wish we could have met you but I believe my boyfriend got good shots of you in the parade from your description.

(PS the following weekends Saturday Motorcade will be posted shortly )

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Hello Gang, as promised again... SWW 2 Saturday May 25th Motorcade.

https://picasaweb.google.com/ladyenyo/20130525DisneySWWMotorcade

Please feel free to share this link... especially with any 501st folks that marched!

Ash is was great to meet you in person, and I still say you in the white officers uniform in the mist of black was a stunning sight... just take a look at the pictures


I'll be posting more pictures as soon as we go through them but I wanted to make sure I got these up here quickly

 

[The Sunrise Student]

weekend 2...done. Here are some videos I took on Saturday.
This first one is the 501st and Rebel Legions marching on Saturday, you can hear my voice a couple of times. I yelled at Ash and he gave me the eye aknowledgment This is a great spot to watch them march if you don;t mind not seeing the rest of the parade. Completely deserted on this side and shady:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs4mf5w1pns

Here are the stormtrooper's show when opening the park:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKd33OuFmXI

Here's the stormtrooper's pre-show of Stars of the Saga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW6bmXPYqik

Here's the final minutes of Stars of the Saga:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvESFwJl4j4

Now for anyone going to get autographs on Friday please report back how bad Tim Rose's line is, this is the only celebrity we're interested in and we would have only Saturday to meet him since Friday is school day and my sister decided to move to her new place Sunday and we have to help her.

These are AWESOME!!!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I meant before they run out, not sell out.
We didn't get there until about 8:30, and I went over right away so we were able to get our toy story FP. I think they were gone by 10:30. We were able to ride Star Tours a couple times with FP (my poor dh keeps getting the SAME RIDE EVERY TIME!!).

It was crowded, but Disney does crowds so well, we were able to have a good time and see a lot of fun stuff.

We rode Star Tours several times over the two weekends, got a couple repeats but then had a few where just one piece changed and the rest was a repeat...