Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

Unrelated SWW but related to SW. Cast announced for Episode VII
http://starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-7-cast-announced.html

sorry gobosox00 didn't see your post before mine

 

[yulilin3]

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!

This is a good idea...the last JTA is usually around 8pm. When are you coming again Hemmie?

 

[hemmie]

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!

This is a good idea...the last JTA is usually around 8pm. When are you coming again Hemmie?

I really appreciate your thinking things through with me! This is definitely a possibility, even if it means me taking the kids there by myself without DH, who may need the sleep Does anyone know how easy it is to get to BB directly from DHS?

We will be doing DHS Thursday afternoon, May 22, and Friday, May 23. The Thursday is a "most rec'd" park that day (by Josh at easyWDW) but still resort-wide crowds won't be low, heading into Memorial Wknd.

 

[velvetme22]

Perhaps this is the real reason Mark Hamil is in attendance this year? I hoped it would be true, but now he has a LOT to talk about on stage!

 

[Reizo]

Unrelated SWW but related to SW. Cast announced for Episode VII
http://starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-7-cast-announced.html

sorry gobosox00 didn't see your post before mine

And here I thought they were going to wait til May 4th, to announce it but either way!

 

[yulilin3]

I really appreciate your thinking things through with me! This is definitely a possibility, even if it means me taking the kids there by myself without DH, who may need the sleep Does anyone know how easy it is to get to BB directly from DHS?

We will be doing DHS Thursday afternoon, May 22, and Friday, May 23. The Thursday is a "most rec'd" park that day (by Josh at easyWDW) but still resort-wide crowds won't be low, heading into Memorial Wknd.

Very easy. Make a left as you exit DHS, drive for about a mile and a half(maybe less) and BB is on your left.
The JTA schedule is only out until the week of May 11 to 17 but this is Thurs. May 15th schedule: 9:20am, 10:10am,11am, 11:50am,12:40pm, 1:20pm,1:50pm, 2:20pm,3:40pm, 4:10pm,4:40pm, 5:30pm,6:20pm, 7:10pm,8pm...you could def. request a late JTA time and then go to BB. BB opens at 10am anyways so you'll have time to get there if you want to be as soon as it opens

Perhaps this is the real reason Mark Hamil is in attendance this year? I hoped it would be true, but now he has a LOT to talk about on stage!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I think I'm most excited about Andy serkis in the cast announcement. I'm assuming he'll be playing an alien. Wonder what type....

I'm a little let down only one female. Come on.

 

[kmcdougan]

Here are my quick tips for SWW. They helped me over the past couple years, and, now that I march in the parade with the 501st, they are all the more important.

1. Semper Gumby - always be flexible. There will always be something that will change a plan, alter the deal, or something else. Being flexible will help you to deal with it much easier, and you won't be the one being Grumpy (which will make the rest of your party Happy).

2. Prioritize - Have the list of things you want to accomplish ahead of time. If you want to focus on characters, stars, the parade, rides, merchandise, whatever. Figure it out and prioritize based on what you and your party WANT to do.

3. Get a Game Plan - Yeah, I "borrowed" this from FEMA, but it holds true in anything. By prioritizing and having a game plan, when things go belly up, you will be able to be much more flexible than without one. Just like in a play, having a script of what is supposed to happen and when it is supposed to happen will help get things back on track if something goes sideways.

4. Hydrate - Drink plenty of WATER in advance of your trip. And during. Hydration is not something that can be done on the fly. Being prepared for the Florida heat and humidity is a challenge to those not familiar with it. Personally, I'm from New Orleans. I breathe water and 100 degree heat with 100% humidity is actually a normal summer day for me. Many of you guys are not so situated. So, drink plenty of WATER before and during your trip. And I do mean WATER. Sodas will help dehydrate you (caffeine is a diuretic, and sugar drinks do not quench thirst). Alcohol will do it faster (diuretic and the way the body processes alcohol will use even more water). Dehydration is the fastest way to ride the one ride no one wants to take at WDW: The Reedy Creek EMS Ambulance to Celebration Hospital.

5. Cooling - Be aware of the signs of the signs of heat exhaustion and observe them. Give yourself a chance to get some AC or a cool drink as often as possible. Even a quick stroll through a gift shop gets you out of direct sun and a little AC for a couple minutes. These breaks can be life savers.

6. Pace Yourself - In light of all the above, it is important to pace yourself. The vacation, especially SWW is a marathon, not a sprint. With a good plan, priorities, and being flexible, you can accomplish wonders. On a previous trip, in one day, my crew did all of the following: rode Star Tours 3 times, TSMM 2 times, RNR, TOT, got Ray Park's autograph, saw one viewing of each of the shows at Premier Theater, caught Hoopla, had lunch, then dinner at Sci-Fi. The only thing we did not do on that day was the parade, and the only reason was because we had the last 3 FPs for Ray's morning session and he ran an hour late with it. We opted to eat rather than get the spot for the parade. But, we got it all done in a day, and were not exhausted. Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

So, I hope these help you guys get and maintain focus on what you want to get out of your SWW experience.

Ash

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks Ash !!!
I love the PPPPPP
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

 

[hemmie]

1. Semper Gumby - always be flexible. There will always be something that will change a plan, alter the deal, or something else. Being flexible will help you to deal with it much easier, and you won't be the one being Grumpy (which will make the rest of your party Happy).

I love this. May have to be my mantra throughout my whole trip

Very easy. Make a left as you exit DHS, drive for about a mile and a half(maybe less) and BB is on your left.
The JTA schedule is only out until the week of May 11 to 17 but this is Thurs. May 15th schedule: 9:20am, 10:10am,11am, 11:50am,12:40pm, 1:20pm,1:50pm, 2:20pm,3:40pm, 4:10pm,4:40pm, 5:30pm,6:20pm, 7:10pm,8pm...you could def. request a late JTA time and then go to BB. BB opens at 10am anyways so you'll have time to get there if you want to be as soon as it opens

Thank you! The 6:20pm or 7:10pm would be perfect. I should have clarified - we won't have a car, so I'll be relying on WDW transpo or taxi.

 

[handicap18]

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

The parade time is the best news for me. I did switch my breakfast at H&V from 10:10 to 9:15. This will now give us plenty of time to get a decent spot.

What I want most out of my SWW day is to see the parade and get lots of pictures, to meet as many characters as possible (we're also doing regular DHS stuff too) and to buy a SWW Pin for my Disney pin trading collection and maybe let the kids pick out something small. I'm not really interested in the shows or waiting in line to meet any of the actors.

I also want to do TSMM (already have a FP+), ST (FT+), ToT, RnR, Indiana Jones (FP+) and a few others, possible LMA. I'm big on characters. I'm at 71 different characters now (including a bunch from my SWW day in '06) and based on M&G's at the 3 parks we're going to and character meals, I have the potential (though I know I won't get all) to meet 50 new (to me) characters including 18 Star Wars characters. I'm also really looking forward to meeting Darth Goofy, Leia Minnie and Stormtrooper Donald. I did meet Jedi Mickey on my last SWW trip, but we'll probably look for him as well so my boys can meet him. So long as we get to the park as early as I hope (for 7:30/8am) I'll make a B line to Chewbaca before our breakfast then maybe head back and ride RnR and/or ToT depending on how long things take. Also I'll be interested to find out if they will be doing Character-Poloza on the Streets of America on SWW days. I read they didn't last year, but who knows if they will or won't this year.

So I guess I have my priorities straight.

 

[Skywise]

My main goals are to hit the parade and the fireworks. I've met some of the cast before so that's not a major deal for me.

But what is this... Darth Mall of which people speak? Is it located around tattonie traders off of Star Tours? Are there really unique items sold there only at that time?

I'll be in on Friday June 6 for the parade and then back in the evening for dinner at sci-fi then catching the fireworks. I'm thinking Darth Mall will be fairly "easy" to get into in the evening?

 

[Itinkso]

I love this. May have to be my mantra throughout my whole trip Thank you! The 6:20pm or 7:10pm would be perfect. I should have clarified - we won't have a car, so I'll be relying on WDW transpo or taxi.

There are park to park buses but I am not sure about BB. If your kids would like to ride the boat, you can boat over to Swan/Dolphin and then catch a bus to BB.

 

[Itinkso]

Join in SWW 2014 Roll Call. yulilin will be posting "meet" information before each SWW!

 

[yulilin3]

My main goals are to hit the parade and the fireworks. I've met some of the cast before so that's not a major deal for me.

But what is this... Darth Mall of which people speak? Is it located around tattonie traders off of Star Tours? Are there really unique items sold there only at that time?

I'll be in on Friday June 6 for the parade and then back in the evening for dinner at sci-fi then catching the fireworks. I'm thinking Darth Mall will be fairly "easy" to get into in the evening?

Darth Mall is easier to get into in the evenings, it closes at park closing so you have plenty of time. There's a lot more merchandise that the Star Tours gift shop, many artists and limited edition merchandise. It's located between TSMM and Backlot tour

There are park to park buses but I am not sure about BB. If your kids would like to ride the boat, you can boat over to Swan/Dolphin and then catch a bus to BB.

Correct, no buses between DHS and BB. So from DHS walk to Swan/Dolphin or boardwalk (about a 10 min. walk) and taket he bus from there...or take a taxi

 

[kmcdougan]

Thanks Ash !!!
I love the PPPPPP
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

There should be another P in there, but I felt it not appropriate for these boards. Much of this advice I got from former military personnel regarding other stuff, but, it relates heavily to Disney.

Ash

 

[hemmie]

Correct, no buses between DHS and BB. So from DHS walk to Swan/Dolphin or boardwalk (about a 10 min. walk) and taket he bus from there...or take a taxi

There are park to park buses but I am not sure about BB. If your kids would like to ride the boat, you can boat over to Swan/Dolphin and then catch a bus to BB.

Thanks! Both sound like good options.

 

[poison ivy]

Ok so we were able to switch the Sci-Fi breakfast to 8:05 am on Friday 6/6.
Which I was thrilled to get.

But I know Iron Man is planning to line up for an autograph in the wee hrs of the morning.

What time do they give out those FP's again?

 

[mickey1968]

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"

You beat me to it. I was just about to post!

 

[yulilin3]

Ok so we were able to switch the Sci-Fi breakfast to 8:05 am on Friday 6/6.
Which I was thrilled to get.

But I know Iron Man is planning to line up for an autograph in the wee hrs of the morning.

What time do they give out those FP's again?

They start putting on the wristbands around 6am and hand out the fast pass around 7am