Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[The Sunrise Student]

Right now it's just the MK parades. Also, not all character M&Gs are FP+ eligible. I wouldn't expect any of the SWW M&Gs being FP+ eligible because there is not infrastructure in place at the M&G locations to redeem a FP+. At DHS, you might actually have a hard time finding 3 attractions you actually want to use a FP+ for in one day, since you can't use a FP+ for TSM and RNR on the same day.

There is a big FP+ thread, and the first post in that thread is really good for information on FP+ eligible attractions.

ETA: This is the FP+ attraction list for DHS. As you can see, there are no M&Gs on the list.

FastPass+ Attraction List With Suggested Priorities
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS (Tiering)
A - Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
A - Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
A - Toy Story Midway Mania
B - Star Tours
B - The Great Movie Ride
C - American Idol Experience
C - Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage *Priority Access
C - Disney Junior - Live on Stage *Reserved Area (center front section, poor viewing, pic @ Post #459)
C - Fantasmic *Priority Access
C - Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular *Priority Access
C - Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
C - Muppet Vision 3D
C - Voyage of the Little Mermaid *Priority Access

ETA 2:
This is the informative FP+ thread. You really only have to read the first post, as it's updated with confirmed information.

kewl thanks for the list and the tip about FP+ thread, will have to check it out.

 

[1osfan]

I have been reading as much of this thread as I can over the past several months. There is so much information here and I am very grateful for the help. Does anyone have any links to trip reports focused on SWW? I have looked but can't find any. Thanks!

 

[lovethattink]

There are some links in my siggie

 

[TDC Nala]

Oh my! Is this true of all parades or MK parades?

As of June, when the Jammin' Jungle parade at AK is discontinued, there will be only MK parades. Epcot and DHS do not currently have daily parades. There is no FP+ for Jammin' Jungle.

 

[andrniki]

I set my alarm the other night to wake up at midnight and was able to get every fp+ I wanted for our whole trip at the times I wanted. My tip is to be prepared with a list of which ones you want and when you want to ride them ahead of time because the system is weird. Once you pick your three fp's, it gives you 4 options of times - A, B, C or D - for all 3 of your picks together. I found that it's best to pick the option that is farthest from when you actually want your times. Then, on the next screen it lets you modify each ride time individually. If you have another fp at that time, or it overlaps, you have less time choices. So make your initial A, B, C or D choice nowhere near when you want to go on the ride and you'll have lots of time choices when you modify your times. It's way less complicated than it sounds And of course, see you all on Star Tours

 

[5 Disney Fans]

I was able to get reservations for both of the meals each on a different day. I got through w/o any problems at 9am this morning and got the exact times I was hoping for on May 30 and May 31st.

The person who I got on the phone automatically gave me the Fantasmic! dining package and I didn't realize it was an option not to do the Fantasmic package. I was planning on skipping F! so that we aren't rushing to see the fireworks. Not sure if there is overlap b/c the Fireworks and F! but to tell you the truth I'm just not feeling like going to F! either way.

So if I call back and drop the Fantasmic! portion of the dining at H&V I still get to do the character meal, the photo etc... right?

Also, not that it means anything but the cast member did say I use my TIW card. Actually he said "you can hand it to the waiter or waitress" so technically he didn't say a discount would be applied.

Soooo excited for the meals! They should make this a permanent thing for sure. Esp the playing of Star Wars clips at Sci-Fi.

 

[dorchrislen]

FYI I was able to reach an agent today to confirm that my dinner with Jedi Mickey and friends was in fact the Star Wars buffet even though it only said Hollywood and Vine on the my Disney experience site. So for the rest of you that are worrying about this, don't, because she said anyone who has reservations during dinner for those dates will be doing the star was dinner.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I set my alarm the other night to wake up at midnight and was able to get every fp+ I wanted for our whole trip at the times I wanted. My tip is to be prepared with a list of which ones you want and when you want to ride them ahead of time because the system is weird. Once you pick your three fp's, it gives you 4 options of times - A, B, C or D - for all 3 of your picks together. I found that it's best to pick the option that is farthest from when you actually want your times. Then, on the next screen it lets you modify each ride time individually. If you have another fp at that time, or it overlaps, you have less time choices. So make your initial A, B, C or D choice nowhere near when you want to go on the ride and you'll have lots of time choices when you modify your times. It's way less complicated than it sounds And of course, see you all on Star Tours

I have been talking with my boyfriend and we are already trying to get a list together and will be staying up late Saturday night to get the FP+ ressies.

It seems crazy the rules too the tiering for some rides that you can't do the same day?! NUTZ! I will play the game, but the more and more I hear about this system the more and more I HATE IT!

 

[vital]

I just got the last available Sci-Fi reservation for our dates (May 23-30)!. DS is 14 so he chose that one over the characters in their SW gear. It's on our last day at WDW so what a way to end a trip!

 

[yulilin3]

Good morning everyone;
so March is coming to a close and I hope that April brings the Celebrity list.
I'll be after the parade every Saturday and Sunday at Backlot Express for about 15 minutes (in case the show times stay the same I have to get to the Premiere Theater)
So from about 11:30am to 11:45am to be able to meet as many Dissers as I can.
If I'm going to see the parade that particular day I'll post it here and also where I am in the masses in case you want to meet up before the parade.
I hope this works for everyone interested in meeting
MTFBW

 

[AuntieK]

Can someone describe the procedure for rope drop? From this thread I can see that the park generally lets you in around 7:30. I'm planning on getting us there around 6:45. Does the Rope Drop show begin early too?

We have the breakfast at 9:10 and I'm trying to figure out what we can or can't do between opening and breakfast. I'm hoping we can quickly get to TSM and then get an autograph with Chewbacca. Or at least one of those.

 

[lovethattink]

The ropes are around Hollywood and Vine. The storm troopers start around the Event Stage and travel up to the rope for the show. As soon as the show is over the ropes are removed and people herd in.

If Chewbacca is located at the same spot and starts at the same time, you should have time for his M&G then breakfast. His line grows quickly, so you'll want to head straight there. I think last year he started around 8:30.

 

[yulilin3]

Can someone describe the procedure for rope drop? From this thread I can see that the park generally lets you in around 7:30. I'm planning on getting us there around 6:45. Does the Rope Drop show begin early too?

We have the breakfast at 9:10 and I'm trying to figure out what we can or can't do between opening and breakfast. I'm hoping we can quickly get to TSM and then get an autograph with Chewbacca. Or at least one of those.

Officially the park opens at 8am, depending on the crowds outside the gates management decides to open the park earlier. Let's say they start letting people in at 7:30am...they hold you (as in cast members with a rope) at the corner of Hollywood and Vine. Then stormtroopers come out around 7:40am (it's usually 10 minutes after they start letting people in) and do their opening skit, this lasts about 8 minutes. Then the different CM walk you to their different attractions. Here's a video I took last year from the opening skit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKd33OuFmXI
You can go straight to TSM, the lines will be minimal, sometimes attractions are not ready to open before 8am but TSMM and ST were the ones that were open before 8 everyday I was there last year.
Lets say you get to TSMM at 7:50am you should be out of there around 8:10 you could go and see how long the Chewie line is... when you say you have "the breakfast" at 9:10am is this Sci Fi or Hollywood and Vine breakfast? If it's Sci Fi the Chewie line is right there next to it, so you could make the line for Chewie and play it by ear.
Hope this helps

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Actually I was about to consider it but realized that I wasn't too sure everyone in the group I'm going with wanted to fork over the money to have such an awesome experience. My DW and I definitely but it's much harder considering a general consensus. ....Maybe we should just leave 'em

Haha I wouldn't do that but it's tough being the planner considering what's planned already for the day.

FP+ is a bit difficult to figure ahead of time with events like SWW. You kinda don't know where you'll be so you try to figure the 3 FP+ as best as you can. Considering for our group, riding RnR and ToT has to happen.

*snickers* at leaving them behind for a character meal... I am very fortunate to just have my boyfriend and I... and we are in agreement about a great many things *wicked emperor cackle*

I doubt very much that there will be any FP for SWW events, except of course unless you are talking about the passes for Autographs, which they really need to come up with another name besides Celebrity FP cause that is kinda confusing to those that know about the FP system... But I guess once you are one of the crazy people that get up early and stand in line for those Celebrity FPs you never get confused about the difference again

 

[AuntieK]

Great, both replies are a great help. Guess I'll decide whether or not to ride TSMM based on the opening time that day. Chewie will be a bigger priority than TSMM for us. Yes, our breakfast is at the Sci-Fi - if only Chewie were inside too.

 

[yulilin3]

Great, both replies are a great help. Guess I'll decide whether or not to ride TSMM based on the opening time that day. Chewie will be a bigger priority than TSMM for us. Yes, our breakfast is at the Sci-Fi - if only Chewie were inside too.

With Darth Vader and Boba Fett being at breakfast and the DIsney characters in SW costumes at Dinner I think Chewies line will be priority number one for many. And the characters inside the meals will be easier to get on their regular meets around the park

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Great, both replies are a great help. Guess I'll decide whether or not to ride TSMM based on the opening time that day. Chewie will be a bigger priority than TSMM for us. Yes, our breakfast is at the Sci-Fi - if only Chewie were inside too.

I wonder if it's because they were afraid he'd get hair in everybody's food

 

[cadale]

Chewie is the main character we need to meet since we will be seeing mostly everyone else at the two character meals ) ).

How fast does his line build in the morning? We are hoping to see him before our breakfast ressie.

 

[Missyrose]

I wonder if it's because they were afraid he'd get hair in everybody's food

Or that outfit would be really hard to maneuver in a dark restaurant such as Sci-Fi.

 

[yulilin3]

Chewie is the main character we need to meet since we will be seeing mostly everyone else at the two character meals ) ).

How fast does his line build in the morning? We are hoping to see him before our breakfast ressie.

Last year he started his sets at 8:30am sometimes he came out earlier. And it really depends on the people in front of you (if they take pictures as a group or individually). If Chewie is a priority walk straight down Hollywood Blvd toward the Hat, take Commisary Lane and you'll get there faster than walking thru Indy Theater and Star Tours. His line builds really fast, and now with these character meals it'll be a longer line for sure