Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[obx_mama]

Found more info on auditions for SWW:
"Star Wars look-alike performers for the roles Queen Amidala, Princess Leia, Zam Wessel, Shaak Ti, Aurra Sing, Ahsoka Tano, Asajj Ventress, Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu, Darth Maul and Hans Solo may audition"
YAY!!! a Han Solo character finally during SWW...it doesn't say anything if it's for meet and greet or for Hyperspace Hoopla, but still pretty exciting
Auditions will be held on Feb. 26th

What!!! My daughter will flip to hear this news! Yeay for insider info!

 

[disney mom of 6]

From our trip last year....

Outside Characters- Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Darth Maul, Chewie, all the others, we were definitely able to keep the stroller in line.

Premiere Theater- Stroller Parking outside just like the rest of the time

Darth's Maul- No strollers allowed

Thank you for this info.

Tammy

 

[yulilin3]

All i have to say is wow - we go to disney often and have never been on SWW. Our son will be 7 when we go in May. I am subscribing to this thread for info. I thought we were experts on all things Disney but when it comes to SWW we are such newbies . We are headed to Fl on 5/14 -5/21. I think that is opening weekend. Any tips. We have a 2.5 year old with us too. TIA !!!

The first post on this thread has a lot of information. Depending on what your priorities are you can plan your day...if you have any specific questions let us know

What!!! My daughter will flip to hear this news! Yeay for insider info!

Hopefully they find the right "Solo"

 

[Huskerfan72]

Totally jealous. I'd consider moving to Florida just so I could go to Star Wars weekend each year. Hope everyone has fun.

 

[Rizzo1]

Bump.

 

[njpyro]

I'm very excited for my first Star Wars Weekend. This is my first time having an AP, so I'm glad I get to go back a few times through out the year. I already have my magic band ready for May!

 

[lovethattink]

Great paint job, fingernail polish? I didn't realize it would still work if the Mickey was painted.

 

[Bluegrrl]

I used to do a lot of the SWW march (Florida branch of the Rebel Legion!!!), but stopped when I had my baby (no one wants to see a pregnant A-Wing pilot.)
From past experience, opening weekend and closing weekend is when there were a lot of 501 and Rebel Legion folks. Ra Kura (the Florida Rebel base) will be having its "Pilots Day" on June 2nd. That's a day when all of the pilots from the base will be marching. It's sort of a tradition for them, and you might even see some special stuff that they do - it's different every year. For instance, we got into Star Tours, up into the room where the Admiral Ackbar animatronic is the year they were going to refurb ST. It was pretty cool.

The 501st and RL usually do not wear their costumes into the park. It's hot as hell, and we are usually glad to strip them off and get a quick cold shower b/f getting back into the parks! The process of lining up for the parade is a lot of "hurry up and wait!", so we are frying by the time we actually march!

Also, for the guests watching the parade, give some love and shout outs for the Rebels! The 501st gets lots of cheering, but the Rebels are independent of the 501st (we are sister organizations), and we need the love too!

And yes, we make all of our costumes (our costumes require lots of sewing) by hand, must be approved by the Legion and are pretty hot. Plus, give major props to RL Ewoks. They are super sweaty after the march. To much dancing in the fur.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm always amazed by the costumes of the 501st and RL!

My son was in the parade last year, and they all were backstage and costumed before the kids got back there. It was hot as blazes for us, so I can only imagine being in full costume.

For a couple of the days we stood down near Star Tours and Back Lot Express restaurant just get pics of the 501st and RL. Love how the 501st smile with their eyes while looking so serious. Got some great pictures of the good guys because they smile and wave even more when they get cheered on.

 

[BlackCat9Lives]

Hi! Just wondering if you have any suggestions on what time to get there to secure a spot in the Padawan Mind Challenge

 

[yulilin3]

Hi! Just wondering if you have any suggestions on what time to get there to secure a spot in the Padawan Mind Challenge

To be sure I would get there no later than 8:30am. Go straight to the sign up desk by the former Sounds Dangerous.

 

[nancipants]

I love the Rebel Legion! I'm actually a member but haven't trooped yet. I'm kind of shy and have nobody to go with.

Ra Kura (the Florida Rebel base) will be having its "Pilots Day" on June 2nd. That's a day when all of the pilots from the base will be marching. It's sort of a tradition for them, and you might even see some special stuff that they do - it's different every year.

That's awesome! I'll need to wear my Rogue Squadron dress that day in support. But June 2 is a Monday?

 

[Bluegrrl]

Hey, if you are in RL, then you must have, what - two or three troops under your belt to be in the parade.

Troop it girl!!! Megacon is a troop (and super-fun) and there are also a couple of events coming up.

And DON'T be shy!!! It's so cool to troop and see all the kids faces light up, and to just have fun. Plus, if you are a pilot, Ra Kura has a history of having the most pilots in the bases. The pilot squad was the Warhawks, but now they are called the Phoenix Squadron. Go to the RL site, and get active!!!!!

 

[yulilin3]

I just saw this on another thread, although I can't find any info on the HUB ( a little sleep deprived at this point) I'll keep digging, but it's coming from a reliable source.
http://www.easywdw.com/news/minor-updates-to-disney-world-operating-schedules-for-february-may-2014/
A second Fantasmic! added at 10:30, during Memorial day weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun) the park closes at 11pm. I'm updating the first post

 

[lovethattink]

I just saw this on another thread, although I can't find any info on the HUB ( a little sleep deprived at this point) I'll keep digging, but it's coming from a reliable source.
http://www.easywdw.com/news/minor-updates-to-disney-world-operating-schedules-for-february-may-2014/
A second Fantasmic! added at 10:30, during Memorial day weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun) the park closes at 11pm. I'm updating the first post

Whoa, that will be incredible if it's anything like May the 4th's was!

 

[Reizo]

I just saw this on another thread, although I can't find any info on the HUB ( a little sleep deprived at this point) I'll keep digging, but it's coming from a reliable source.
http://www.easywdw.com/news/minor-updates-to-disney-world-operating-schedules-for-february-may-2014/
A second Fantasmic! added at 10:30, during Memorial day weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun) the park closes at 11pm. I'm updating the first post

Hopefully the news is true as that will be a great thing to look forward to as we missed last year's May the 4th event

Video for Symphony of the Stars:
http://youtu.be/Oa-UvQCWnbc

 

[nancipants]

I am so excited. I get to end my wedding day (May 25) with Symphony in the Stars fireworks. (We're staying at the Swan that night and were already planning on watching the Hoopla.) What a perfect way to end the day!

 

[yulilin3]

Here's a video of Symphony in the Stars from last years May the Fourth event. It should be the same show or very similar to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiQCpsOmh_k

As for what the best location is to view them; if you want to have the Hat centered with the show then anywhere down Hollywood Blvd. Do not go to close to the Hat or you will lose some of the fireworks, I would say from the tip board down to the main entrance is fine.
If you don't mind not having the hat in the center then around Echo lake is a good alternative. By the Indy theater is a good place and you can sit in the stair around there. We always watch the special events fireworks from DHS (July 4th, NYE) from a bench next to 50s Prime Time, it's obviously not centered but it's better than battling the crowds down Hollywood Blcd.
Do not watch them from Sunset Blvd, there are bldgs and tress that will block you.
I haven't watched them from the back of the park (Streets of America/Backlot Area) but you should be able to see them fine since the fireworks are launched from a top of The Great Movie Ride and from the backstage areas of Backlot Tour
I guess I'll have another excuse to stay late every night to see them from different angles and report back .
Sorry Reizo I didn't realize you had already posted a link to the fireworks

 

[Linda67]

Do people think that the addition of the Symphony In The Sky fireworks will extend to the final SWW in June?

 

[yulilin3]

Do people think that the addition of the Symphony In The Stars fireworks will extend to the final SWW in June?

They just today updated the June DHS schedule on the HUB to show the 8am to 10pm with both Fantasmics! I'm sure that if they are going to have fireworks for every SWW it will be added to the June dates as well.