Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

So I need some help. We are going to our first SWW on June 15 (yes the last day but that's the soonest we can get there due to us driving from California and can't leave until our kids get out of school on June 12.) My oldest DS loves to do Jedi training at DL and now wants to do it at DHS. I know we can sign up that morning (so much nicer than DL where you have to go to the show and hope you get picked which my son has been lucky to have been picked 4 out of 5 times that he's wanted to do the show). But my fear is since it's the last day of SWW the park is going to be insanely crowded and we might have issues getting a time that will work for us. We have both the breakfast and dinner already scheduled so we'll be able to at least meet the characters that matter to us with little wait. I guess my question is would you try to do Jedi training the last day of SWW or do it on our next day back to DHS (the following weekend)? We are excited for this trip and hope the drive there doesn't take too much of a toll on me and DH.

Agree with lovethattink, it's easier to get in on a non-sww day. The only difference is that during it's double tier (DV on stage and Darth Maul or Ventress at the bottom)

yulilin3 is that 4th be with you at all disney stores?

The article I read didn't say. I would call your local DIsney Store to check.

 

[lovethattink]

There has been a 3rd Dining option added to SWW, Feel the Force Premium Dining Event.

It's $54 for adults, $32 for children.

Check in is at 11-noon at Minn and Bill's. A wrist band will be given. If 1st check in is missed, the 2nd check in is at 8:30pm.

Also included is VIP motorcade viewing and Symphony in the Stars dessert party. If I understood correctly, it includes VIP viewing is near Echo Lake near Min and Bill's.

Soda and water is included for the parade viewing.

In case of inclement weather the dessert will be moved to a different location.

 

[disneygrandma]

Where do we find out details on this? Online? Phone? We might be interested.

Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

There has been a 3rd Dining option added to SWW, Feel the Force Premium Dining Event.

It's $54 for adults, $32 for children.

Check in is at 11-noon at Minn and Bill's. A wrist band will be given. If 1st check in is missed, the 2nd check in is at 8:30pm.

Also included is VIP motorcade viewing and Symphony in the Stars dessert party. If I understood correctly, it includes VIP viewing is near Echo Lake near Min and Bill's.

Soda and water is included for the parade viewing.

In case of inclement weather the dessert will be moved to a different location.

This is doable and worth it, IMHO. Here's the link:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/feel-the-force/
And it confirms that the motorcade will be at 11:30am

 

[poohntigger]

Need more details on new event, is it paid up front? They are really sucking my wallet dry...but it does make it easier to just pay for you spot for parade and fireworks.

 

[poohntigger]

Thanks for the link, booked and paid for it!

 

[figmentvinny]

Awesome idea.

 

[figmentvinny]

Booked it online.

 

[lovethattink]

This is doable and worth it, IMHO. Here's the link:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/feel-the-force/
And it confirms that the motorcade will be at 11:30am

I booked it before I posted, because I wanted details.

For some reason when I click that link, I see only Min and Bill's Dockside and that it's a participating restaurant? What do you see?

 

[disneygrandma]

I'm guessing the dessert party might be near the diner, but where is the motorcade viewing area? Confused on this, since check in is at the diner. Will this be the same viewing area as the VIP option? If I remember correctly, that was in the sun, near the hat. How many people are they planning on putting in this viewing area? I would hate to pay the money & then be 10 people deep to see the parade.

Has anyone got specific info on this, other than what the link said? Sounds promising, but just not sure yet. I wonder how many they will allow for this. But I don't want to wait too long to decide. We'll only be there for 1 day.

 

[Phelpsie70]

I just booked this over the phone. She had to put me on hold for a while but once she came back she was able to book it. This is our fifth star wars trip, my son and I have turned it into an annual thing and this year my husband is actually going (he's not a big Disney guy but he does love Star Wars). I know it's pricey but I figured it was worth it since the past few years I've let my son do the d-tech me and this year we aren't doing that experience. I also booked the character breakfast. He's 11 now and is about done with the regular characters so this gives me a chance to still get a character breakfast in the mix.

 

[lovethattink]

I see it now


Rocket your Star Wars experience into hyperspace when you buy tickets for the Feel the Force Premium Package. Enjoy a reserved premium viewing area for 2 popular Star Wars Weekends spectaculars—the Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade and the Symphony in the Stars fireworks. During the day, the motorcade viewing area includes beverages and snacks; when the stars come out, the fireworks viewing area features a Star Wars-themed dessert party.

The Feel the Force Premium Package will be with you, always: to remember this very special day in a galaxy far, far away, you’ll receive a special souvenir Disney PhotoPass card that can be used to link your photos to your Disney account—and includes a series of complimentary Star Wars photos.

•The Feel the Force Premium Package occurs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 16 to June 15, 2014.
•Price: adults $54, children $32 (per day, tax and gratuity included).
•Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade viewing experience happens from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon with the motorcade starting at 11:30 AM.
•Symphony in the Stars fireworks dessert party takes place from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM with the firework shows beginning at approximately 9:30 PM.
•To check in for this event, please visit Min and Bill's Dockside Diner starting at 10:30 AM.
•Guests will receive a wristband during the motorcade viewing that will allow entry into the evening fireworks dessert party. If you are unable to attend the motorcade viewing, please check in at Min and Bill's Dockside Diner starting at 8:30 PM.
•Beverages include soda, water, tea and coffee. The fireworks dessert party includes a specialty beverage with an alcoholic option. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
•Seating is not available.
•Discounts do not apply.

 

[yulilin3]

This is what I'm thinking:
The parade viewing will be, facing the Hat to your left, do youg uys know that whole area that has the DHS sign for you to take pics in front of? that entire area is under trees so I'm thinking it's there, I'll try to find a pic online to give you a visual...for the firewrks it might be that same area or do it in front of Mim and Bills, althought it clearly says that there won't be seating available. If it's more toward Mim and Bills it's perfect fireworks viewing, and I'm thinking that the 10 minute pre-show will be shown on the American Idol jumbotron.
I also just booked, for May 17th.
You have to pay in advance

 

[yulilin3]

Here's the picture, the area I'm thinking of is to the left, where it curves in after the last green umbrella, that's mostly shaded

 

[disney mom of 6]

There has been a 3rd Dining option added to SWW, Feel the Force Premium Dining Event.

It's $54 for adults, $32 for children.

Check in is at 11-noon at Minn and Bill's. A wrist band will be given. If 1st check in is missed, the 2nd check in is at 8:30pm.

Also included is VIP motorcade viewing and Symphony in the Stars dessert party. If I understood correctly, it includes VIP viewing is near Echo Lake near Min and Bill's.

Soda and water is included for the parade viewing.

In case of inclement weather the dessert will be moved to a different location.

This is doable and worth it, IMHO. Here's the link:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/feel-the-force/
And it confirms that the motorcade will be at 11:30am

Thank you both for posting this. I love coming here to read up on all the great advice and newest happenings! Booked and paid for! Thank you again!

 

[denneg]

Just booked Feel the Force, but I'm not certain I will keep it. We have never watched the parade or the fireworks, and I'm not 100% that will change this trip. I am going to wait and see what people on the first weekend say about the experience and then decide - if the parade viewing is in full sun, that might make it easier for us to choose! Usually we go on rides during the parade, because although DS is a Star Wars fan, he doesn't know the movies well and doesn't know who all the characters are, so it's a time for us to get more done. So we'll see!

 

[yulilin3]

Just booked Feel the Force, but I'm not certain I will keep it. We have never watched the parade or the fireworks, and I'm not 100% that will change this trip. I am going to wait and see what people on the first weekend say about the experience and then decide - if the parade viewing is in full sun, that might make it easier for us to choose! Usually we go on rides during the parade, because although DS is a Star Wars fan, he doesn't know the movies well and doesn't know who all the characters are, so it's a time for us to get more done. So we'll see!

I'll be doing this the first Saturday and will be reporting live here...
looking thru the HUB not any new information other than the desserts offered:
An assortment of decadent Desserts, featuring Park-famous Darth Vader Cupcake, Specialty Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverage, Sodas, Water, Tea, and Coffee
It also confirms:
Star Wars motorcade is at 11:30am
Pre Show of Symphony in the Stars is at 9:30pm
Fireworks at 9:45pm
first post updated

 

[disneygrandma]

I went ahead & booked it for 5/30. I was afraid if I waited for more details, that it would be all booked up. My only concern is the number of people they will allow in to the viewing area for the parade. Hopefully, this will be on the shady side.....and will be for the full motorcade area before the parade reaches the hat.

Thanks for the info on this new SWW opportunity. This will be our 1st SWW, and we now have the breakfast & dinner booked on 5/29, and D-Tech Me and this new pkg on 5/30.

Thanks again!

 

[Roxylovesbears69]

Hi guys and gals. I can answer the number Disney will be allowing for the parade and dessert party. 200 total. 40 from the Ultimate SW Package and 160 from the Feel the Force Premium Package. When I booked my Ultimate Package on April 13th the CM I spoke to gave me that information. On the day the Feel the Force Premium Package was not available but I was told it was going to be released. Hope this is helpful.

50 days until I leave for Disney. I can not wait!!!

 

[hemmie]

I see it now


Rocket your Star Wars experience into hyperspace when you buy tickets for the Feel the Force Premium Package. Enjoy a reserved premium viewing area for 2 popular Star Wars Weekends spectaculars—the Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade and the Symphony in the Stars fireworks. During the day, the motorcade viewing area includes beverages and snacks; when the stars come out, the fireworks viewing area features a Star Wars-themed dessert party.

The Feel the Force Premium Package will be with you, always: to remember this very special day in a galaxy far, far away, you’ll receive a special souvenir Disney PhotoPass card that can be used to link your photos to your Disney account—and includes a series of complimentary Star Wars photos.

•The Feel the Force Premium Package occurs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 16 to June 15, 2014.
•Price: adults $54, children $32 (per day, tax and gratuity included).
•Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade viewing experience happens from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon with the motorcade starting at 11:30 AM.
•Symphony in the Stars fireworks dessert party takes place from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM with the firework shows beginning at approximately 9:30 PM.
•To check in for this event, please visit Min and Bill's Dockside Diner starting at 10:30 AM.
•Guests will receive a wristband during the motorcade viewing that will allow entry into the evening fireworks dessert party. If you are unable to attend the motorcade viewing, please check in at Min and Bill's Dockside Diner starting at 8:30 PM.
•Beverages include soda, water, tea and coffee. The fireworks dessert party includes a specialty beverage with an alcoholic option. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
•Seating is not available.
•Discounts do not apply.

Thanks for all this info! I'd love to book it but may cancel... but MDE won't let me book it due to "another reservation at the same time" - the SWW breakfast at SciFi. Annoying.

Q: do you have to pay at the time of reservation? If not, what's the cancellation policy?