Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[hemmie]

JTA schedule for SWW is out and it's gone from 15 shows to 19 shows daily 8:45am, 9:20am, 10:05am, 10:35am,11am, 12:30pm,1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm,2:30pm, 3pm,3:30pm, 4pm,4:30pm, 5pm,5:30pm, 6:30pm,7pm, 7:30pm

Thx for this! I assume this is just for actual SWW days (as in Fri, Sat, Sun only).

 

[yulilin3]

Thx for this! I assume this is just for actual SWW days (as in Fri, Sat, Sun only).

YEs, I believe it goes back down to 15 shows per day during non SWW days

 

[hemmie]

YEs, I believe it gros backd ownto 15 shows per day during non SWW days

Thanks... and sorry to keep pestering, but a couple more questions.
* did they do this last year too? (increase the number)
* do you have any sense of the latest someone can arrive at the park and still get a spot (even if it's in the evening)? [if it makes a difference, this would be for Friday, May 23]

Thanks

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks... and sorry to keep pestering, but a couple more questions.
* did they do this last year too? (increase the number)
* do you have any sense of the latest someone can arrive at the park and still get a spot (even if it's in the evening)? [if it makes a difference, this would be for Friday, May 23]

Thanks

they did it last year too. All the spots are taken during the first hour of park opening

 

[yulilin3]

Since we basically have all the information we can get before the release of the map I decided to put the schedule of the main events and shows together in order:

Star Wars Parade 11:30am (confirmed)

Behind the Force Star Wars voices (last year 12 and 1:45pm)

Padawan Mind Challenge (last year 2:10pm and 4:30pm Hat Stage)

Stars of the Saga Q&A (last year -Stormtrooper Pre-show 3:15pm Show 3:30pm)

Visit to the Maul or My Short Story (last year 5pm. Only when Ray park/Warwick Davis are here)

Obi Wan and beyond (last year it was at 6pm when there was no 5pm show or 6:30pm when there was a 5pm show)

Symphony in the stars fireworks (confirmed Pres-how at 9:30pm fireworks at 9:45 pm)

I'm expecting the Behind the Force show to drop the 12pm time or change it. I really think they will only do one show at 1:45pm

 

[aym4Him]

Same thing here! My son can't wait. When I told him things take years to build, he was a little less happy.

Yes!.My son is so excited about the Yoda Chronicles! In fact,.I am going to cancel our character dinner May 4th, so we're home in time. I was able to reschedule the dinner. My son loves Tom Kane and can't wait to see the show on Disney XD. His new Lego magazine came yesterday. Yoda Chronicles was on one cover and Rebels on the other.

I know. He was like, "Today?!?!" Haha.

I'm setting the DVR now.

Oooh!!! I wonder if the Lego Jr magazine will have anything?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Thanks... and sorry to keep pestering, but a couple more questions.
* did they do this last year too? (increase the number)
* do you have any sense of the latest someone can arrive at the park and still get a spot (even if it's in the evening)? [if it makes a difference, this would be for Friday, May 23]

Thanks

We arrived right at they were opening the turnstiles last year (around 7:35 or so) and were able to get a spot. The signup line that forms is literally 100s of people long, and I know on our SWW days not everyone in line even got a confirmed spot. If you're not there at RD, you won't get a spot.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Padawan Mind Challenge (last year 2:10pm and 4:30pm Hat Stage)

Yulilin, I'm not sure if you want to note this in the first post or not, but I thought I'd throw this out there:

Last year, our PMC slot was cancelled due to rain. Unlike the JTA shows that were cancelled (because of the rain) and the children got to meet Vader and the Stormtroopers in the Star Tours queue, our kids got nothing. I did send an email to Disney afterwards suggesting that the PMC kids be allowed to attend the Vader/Storm Trooper M&G with the JTA kids in the event of a PMC cancellation, but never got a response. Maybe mention that JTA cancellations will likely result in a Vader/Stormtrooper M&G but PMC won't in the first post to set expectations?

We were pretty disappointed, especially because we went to Star Tours after we were told PMC was cancelled, and saw the JTA kids for the same time slot (4:30) meeting with Vader and the Stormtroopers. There aren't that many PMC kids, so you'd think accommodating them wouldn't be difficult, but what do I know?

 

[yulilin3]

Yulilin, I'm not sure if you want to note this in the first post or not, but I thought I'd throw this out there:

Last year, our PMC slot was cancelled due to rain. Unlike the JTA shows that were cancelled (because of the rain) and the children got to meet Vader and the Stormtroopers in the Star Tours queue, our kids got nothing. I did send an email to Disney afterwards suggesting that the PMC kids be allowed to attend the Vader/Storm Trooper M&G with the JTA kids in the event of a PMC cancellation, but never got a response. Maybe mention that JTA cancellations will likely result in a Vader/Stormtrooper M&G but PMC won't in the first post to set expectations?

We were pretty disappointed, especially because we went to Star Tours after we were told PMC was cancelled, and saw the JTA kids for the same time slot (4:30) meeting with Vader and the Stormtroopers. There aren't that many PMC kids, so you'd think accommodating them wouldn't be difficult, but what do I know?

Good point...did the kids last year at PMC get a toy of any sort? I didn't really watch any of the PMC and I know they use to give an action figure to them and the kids from JTA during SWW but the JTA toys got cancelled last year I was wondering about the PMC kids...I'll update the first post

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Good point...did the kids last year at PMC get a toy of any sort? I didn't really watch any of the PMC and I know they use to give an action figure to them and the kids from JTA during SWW but the JTA toys got cancelled last year I was wondering about the PMC kids...I'll update the first post

I think I heard that a "prize" was given out at the end of PMC, but when it got cancelled, the kids got nothing, so I can't confirm.

Our kids participated in JTA on our first day, and the only thing they received was the JTA diploma. And a good scare from Darth Maul!

 

[hemmie]

We arrived right at they were opening the turnstiles last year (around 7:35 or so) and were able to get a spot. The signup line that forms is literally 100s of people long, and I know on our SWW days not everyone in line even got a confirmed spot. If you're not there at RD, you won't get a spot.

Thanks. Ok. I am pretty sure we will NOT go for JTA, but I'm feeling a bit guilty about it. I just don't think we can do 9pm Fantasmic! on Thursday night, RD on Friday morning, and even with an afternoon break 9:45pm SitS. I just think that will be too much of my boys and husband after a whole week of Universal & WDW. So, I think JTA goes out the window

 

[yulilin3]

I think I heard that a "prize" was given out at the end of PMC, but when it got cancelled, the kids got nothing, so I can't confirm.

Our kids participated in JTA on our first day, and the only thing they received was the JTA diploma. And a good scare from Darth Maul!

Wow, not even the prize...that sucks.
Way back when my kids did JTA (the are 13 and 17 now) they got an action figure because the JTA during SWW was sponsored by Hasbro. But I think I read somewhere that Hasbro stopped sponsorship so they stopped giving them the toy.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I plan to grab a spot for the parade as soon as the park opens on Saturday during Mark Hamill weekend, and on Sunday go straight to the Premiere Theatre and just stay around until a line starts forming for his show

I have an arrival by air at about noon on Saturday, and Feel the Force on Sunday. so if the lines for Stars of the Saga max out before noon, it's no go on either day.

 

[yulilin3]

Just checked the feel the force package is almost sold out.
checked for a party of 2 and the only dates available are May 25, June 13 and 15.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Thanks. Ok. I am pretty sure we will NOT go for JTA, but I'm feeling a bit guilty about it. I just don't think we can do 9pm Fantasmic! on Thursday night, RD on Friday morning, and even with an afternoon break 9:45pm SitS. I just think that will be too much of my boys and husband after a whole week of Universal & WDW. So, I think JTA goes out the window

Why not do JTA on your non-SWW day (Thursday? when you're seeing Fantasmic). We've done it during both non-SWW and SWWs and honestly, the non-SWW shows are better. During SWW they're very rushed and they cut out parts of the show. On non-SWW days, the kids are given more time to complete the routines and it's easier to see your kid because they only have one level going on stage and the parents can stand closer. Having done it during SWW once, I'm going to try to dissuade my kids from doing it during SWW again. The signups are stressful, they take up valuable time right at the beginning of the day, and the shows are rushed. Other than having a possibility of fighting with Darth Maul or Ventress (not typically available during non-SWWs) there's really no advantage to doing JTA during SWW when it's offered every other day of the year as well.

You'll still have to be there at RD to sign up, but on Thursday it will be a 9:00 opening instead of 8:00 like on SWW days, and that extra hour of sleep can make all the difference!

 

[1153rsmith]

Since we basically have all the information we can get before the release of the map I decided to put the schedule of the main events and shows together in order:

Star Wars Parade 11:30am (confirmed)

Behind the Force Star Wars voices (last year 12 and 1:45pm)

Padawan Mind Challenge (last year 2:10pm and 4:30pm Hat Stage)

Stars of the Saga Q&A (last year -Stormtrooper Pre-show 3:15pm Show 3:30pm)

Visit to the Maul or My Short Story (last year 5pm. Only when Ray park/Warwick Davis are here)

Obi Wan and beyond (last year it was at 6pm when there was no 5pm show or 6:30pm when there was a 5pm show)

Symphony in the stars fireworks (confirmed Pres-how at 9:30pm fireworks at 9:45 pm)

I'm expecting the Behind the Force show to drop the 12pm time or change it. I really think they will only do one show at 1:45pm

Thanks, it helps to consolidate all this info. My head is swimming trying to keep it all straight. There is more that we want to do, than we can possibly get done. Now we have to start prioritizing.

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks, it helps to consolidate all this info. My head is swimming trying to keep it all straight. There is more that we want to do, than we can possibly get done. Now we have to start prioritizing.

The magic word
It can get overwhelming trying to do everything, even trying to do as much as possible...I think during SWW you should aim to have 3 things you really want to do and no more, the rest it should be taken as icing on the Imperial Cake

 

[hemmie]

Why not do JTA on your non-SWW day (Thursday? when you're seeing Fantasmic). We've done it during both non-SWW and SWWs and honestly, the non-SWW shows are better. During SWW they're very rushed and they cut out parts of the show. On non-SWW days, the kids are given more time to complete the routines and it's easier to see your kid because they only have one level going on stage and the parents can stand closer. Having done it during SWW once, I'm going to try to dissuade my kids from doing it during SWW again. The signups are stressful, they take up valuable time right at the beginning of the day, and the shows are rushed. Other than having a possibility of fighting with Darth Maul or Ventress (not typically available during non-SWWs) there's really no advantage to doing JTA during SWW when it's offered every other day of the year as well.

You'll still have to be there at RD to sign up, but on Thursday it will be a 9:00 opening instead of 8:00 like on SWW days, and that extra hour of sleep can make all the difference!

Because we were planning to do Blizzard Beach on Thursday AM and not get to HS until 5pm or so (after an afternoon break at the hotel). My schedule so far looks like this (and this is after a few days at Universal):

Weds - MK
RD (9am)
afternoon break
return in evening & stay through 10pm Wishes

Thurs - BB/HS
RD at BB (10am)
afternoon break,
HS in evening & stay through 9pm Fantasmic!

Fri - HS (SWW)
arrive no later than for 10:30am SciFi character breakfast
afternoon break
return in evening & stay through 9:45pm SitS

Sat - EP
RD (9am)
afternoon break
return in evening but don't stay for Illuminations

Sun - AK
RD (8am)
stay for as long as we want
mid-to-late afternoon return to hotel

Monday depart (early flight out)

** I am realllllllly trying hard to build in enough downtime so we don't burn out and/or get too cranky ***

 

[gobosox00]

Not Disney related but they announced the cast of the new movie today!! Thought people in this thread might enjoy

From Starwars.com:

"The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Director J.J. Abrams says, "We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer"

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Because we were planning to do Blizzard Beach on Thursday AM and not get to HS until 5pm or so (after an afternoon break at the hotel). My schedule so far looks like this (and this is after a few days at Universal):

...

Thurs - BB/HS
RD at BB (10am)
afternoon break,
HS in evening & stay through 9pm Fantasmic!

...

** I am realllllllly trying hard to build in enough downtime so we don't burn out and/or get too cranky ***

How about this? Go to DHS at 9:00 for RD, sign the kid(s) up for JTA, and ask for an evening slot. Then you can leave the park and head for BB. You can do JTA after your afternoon break.

Just offering up an option. JTA really is fun if you have a Star Wars fan, but trust me, you guys will have a great time at SWW even without JTA!