Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[JeremyGNJ]

So...I just came to this thread, and it's HUGE. No way i'm going to read the whole thing. Has anyone summarized all the important information anywhere?

 

[yulilin3]

Hi all!!

We are hoping to attend our first Star Wars Weekend ever. I have a nearly 6 year old who is head over heels in love with all things Star Wars. We have a 10:45 booked at Sci-Fi for breakfast, but I see that will put us missing the parade :/
This would be a surprise trip for my boys and the real purpose of the trip is to do both SWW and Legoland. I think if my son had to pick, his number one priority would be to meet Captain Rex, or Commander Fox. Can anyone tell me the best strategy for meeting characters?? We booked the meal obviously to meet a few characters in a short amount of time. I imagine we would also like to see any shows that are available, and the nighttime entertainment. I think I am kind of lost with all the special event + regular HS stuff. Any advice

The first post of this thread has all the information that had been confirmed so far and also the times for the shows from last years event. Capt Rex and commander Cody met next to the Premiere Theatre? Also Ahsoka and Asajj Ventress... if you follow the link from Kenny the pirate you will see where the characters were located last year... let us know any particular questions to help you plan

 

[yulilin3]

So...I just came to this thread, and it's HUGE. No way i'm going to read the whole thing. Has anyone summarized all the important information anywhere?

Read the first post on the thread, I keep updating it when we get new information

 

[uchi]

Not sure what the earliest time for breakfast they have but if you have a ressie for 8am (we also have one at that time for June 1st) then the park will have been opened for at least 15 minutes already. No need for an additional line...If you get in Chewies line you'll wait anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Don't wait until later in the day because the line just gets longer and it's hotter.

thanks yulilin! this will be our first SWW so I thought that even if the park was open there might be long lines inside and if we got to the park at 7.30 and lined up all the way to the back of the line we might enter the park - even if it's already open - at, say, 8.15 and be late for our 8am reservation.
is it not like that? does the park open and all the people in the long line enter almost at once?

 

[The Sunrise Student]

They typically open at 11:30 for lunch but they canceled ADRs booked 11:30-12 to accommodate the addition of the breakfast

Oh WOAH!

 

[yulilin3]

UCHI: even with long lines, if you're there at 7:30, and they open the park at 7:30 you will be thru the entrance by 7:45 for sure

 

[Ceryssa]

I haven't had time to read all the pages so sorry if this has been asked/answered already--do they usually release a list of celebrities that are coming and when? The only thing I've been able to find any info on is Mark Hamill coming (which is awesome, but I was wondering about some of the others).

 

[lovethattink]

With all the stipulations I am surprised people are getting TIW anymore, when I fire got it 4 years ago when it first came out it wasn't nearly as restrictive as it is now... Is it still $75 to get it?

(The year I got it I came to Disney with two big groups twice in the same year. it saved me a heck of alot more than 75$ so it was worth it to me.)

Our previous membership expired before SWW 2013. We decided not to renew it, then ended up eating at TS most of the days at SWW. So in August we decided to renew. Our current membership is good til then. I doubt we are going to get another membership when this one runs out. Being an AP saves $25 off TiW price. $125 for Florida Residents and $100 for Annual / Seasonal Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members

I think when we first started with TiW it was $50 and we got 2 cards. Now they charge $50 for the 2nd card, so we skip that!

 

[1153rsmith]

It just hit me this evening that they are starting the Star Wars Character meals on May 4th, which is International Star Wars Day. (May the 4th be with you!)

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Sorry if this is clear but the SWW character dinner at HW&V is it just on Friday, Saturday and Sundays? Tia.

 

[RAPstar]

Hey, just FYI. I was changing a reservation a bit ago and saw breakfast at Sci-Fi on there. I was using the app, and saw it for May 14 at 8:00. Maybe they finally opened it up online finally? Or it was a glitch. Either way just letting y'all know.

 

[Missyrose]

Sorry if this is clear but the SWW character dinner at HW&V is it just on Friday, Saturday and Sundays? Tia.

The special Star Wars meals are all week long, not just the weekends.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

The special Star Wars meals are all week long, not just the weekends.

cool! Thanks we will keep calling.

 

[RAPstar]

I wonder if the breakfast will make the line shorter for Darth Vader in the park. I hope so. Since Chip n Dale might be at the dinner (the wording sounded like they may or may not be there) I figure I could hit up the Darths (don't they meet close to each other?) after meeting Chewie right at opening.

 

[uchi]

UCHI: even with long lines, if you're there at 7:30, and they open the park at 7:30 you will be thru the entrance by 7:45 for sure

thanks again yulilin, you are the best!

 

[mrstomrice]

I wonder if the breakfast will make the line shorter for Darth Vader in the park. I hope so. Since Chip n Dale might be at the dinner (the wording sounded like they may or may not be there) I figure I could hit up the Darths (don't they meet close to each other?) after meeting Chewie right at opening.

. I read where we get a photo pass picture with Chip and Dale as part of the package.

 

[Sundancer UK]

Oooohhh trying during the parade is a fantastic idea thanks! We will have two days at SWW, but as one is in the 24 hour MK day, we were going to go there first then over to DHS, so unlikely to be first in line for a M&G. Can use that day to skip the parade though, and try to get a good spot for it straight after breakfast on our other day
It's all pulling together now...


On another note - with the SW meals lasting all week, does the SWW event look to anyone else like it's at some point going to become a regular longer event, like flower and garden or food and wine at Epcot? I hope it does, they could fit so much in and relieve the pressure of it all.

 

[Hej2222]

Hey, just FYI. I was changing a reservation a bit ago and saw breakfast at Sci-Fi on there. I was using the app, and saw it for May 14 at 8:00. Maybe they finally opened it up online finally? Or it was a glitch. Either way just letting y'all know.

Both breakfast and dinner are available now online!

 

[Linda67]

You could totally try and do that... when are you coming? If it's after weekend 1 you will have reports on the times Chewie actually came out, and that could give you a better idea

Thanks for answering my Q Yulilin
Sorry for the delayed response - dang time zones!
We are actually visiting on June 7 & 8 so will keep checking here for info
If Chewy is out at 8am then this is easy but if he isn't out until 8:30 as in previous years it could be tricky to make an 8:40am ADR
We are two fast moving adults so could potentially be somewhere near the start of the line

 

[yulilin3]

I haven't had time to read all the pages so sorry if this has been asked/answered already--do they usually release a list of celebrities that are coming and when? The only thing I've been able to find any info on is Mark Hamill coming (which is awesome, but I was wondering about some of the others).

We should see the full celebrity list during April

I wonder if the breakfast will make the line shorter for Darth Vader in the park. I hope so. Since Chip n Dale might be at the dinner (the wording sounded like they may or may not be there) I figure I could hit up the Darths (don't they meet close to each other?) after meeting Chewie right at opening.

That's what I was thinking...yes Darth Maul and Vader are close to each other by the Backlot Tour area. Remember that there will be plenty of day guests that have no clue what is going on and upon seeing Vade they will jump in the line without hesitation, so the lower lines for the characters might not happen at all. But I would go Chewie, Vader and Maul

thanks again yulilin, you are the best!

Happy to help and if you have any other question just let us know

Oooohhh trying during the parade is a fantastic idea thanks! We will have two days at SWW, but as one is in the 24 hour MK day, we were going to go there first then over to DHS, so unlikely to be first in line for a M&G. Can use that day to skip the parade though, and try to get a good spot for it straight after breakfast on our other day
It's all pulling together now...


On another note - with the SW meals lasting all week, does the SWW event look to anyone else like it's at some point going to become a regular longer event, like flower and garden or food and wine at Epcot? I hope it does, they could fit so much in and relieve the pressure of it all.

Not sure if it would work as a full week event, especially with the celebrity autographs, first they get paid per autograph given so don't think Disney would want to pay that much, second, the availability of the celebrities, most of them work the convention circuits and actually have other jobs...it would be really great if it was a week long/month long celebration though

Thanks for answering my Q Yulilin
Sorry for the delayed response - dang time zones!
We are actually visiting on June 7 & 8 so will keep checking here for info
If Chewy is out at 8am then this is easy but if he isn't out until 8:30 as in previous years it could be tricky to make an 8:40am ADR
We are two fast moving adults so could potentially be somewhere near the start of the line

You'll have a good idea on Chewies schedule by that point...you are coming on Mark Hamill weekend, expect extra huge lines to come thru the entrance, for the shows and grabbing spots for the parade.