Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[The Sunrise Student]

The entire property is seeing more and more crowds. People seem to forget how crowded it was before Sep. 11 2001. And then many people took advantage of the deals that Disney and other theem parks put out to bring the crowds back ( my favorite was year of a million dreams) now crowds are picking up again, and that's a good thing , not neccesarily for those coming, but for the general economy.
Anyways you can always expect more crowds. We never get a list of celebs until May and never get the schedule of all events until the week of the first SWW so there's no difference there

I remember a year of a million dreams, I was there for that and my friend and I got the special shared Tinker bell pins from one of the CMs. Would have loved to win a night in that castle though... dying for them to do something so people can win a chance to stay in that suite again!

 

[lovethattink]

The Disney part of the parade stops at the hat. The 501st and Rebel Legion continue towards Star Tours

 

[1153rsmith]

The Disney part of the parade stops at the hat. The 501st and Rebel Legion continue towards Star Tours

Thanks for the clarification. My family would be very disappointed if we staked out a spot at the wrong part of the parade. We want to see it all.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

THis is open to the public and is a safe starting point to decide what you may want to do: http://www.501st.com/databank/Costuming:CRL

I recommend officer costumes, simply because they are easier to do and are much less expensive and do not need to go through Flagship Eclipse for approval. Just my recommendation. EU is not bad, but this year, they just want much more easily recognizable characters. Odd, since many of those who go to SWW are SW fans. I will not understand that logic. I just follow orders.

Ash

Oh Ash I have been to the CRL 100s of times, they even have the EU characters out there BUT what I really want to know are the numbers they are trimming down to that 501st Disney Trooper eluded to. The canon character number limitations, like how many officers, how many biker scouts, how many pilots are the limiting to, that sort of thing. I am rather tall and I had though about making a Royal Guard as my canon character but for the Disney Motorcade I am sure they limit that to 4 max with the emperor. I am trying to find a canon character I don't mind playing and that will still have a shot at beating the odds of getting into the motorcade... I know I am pathetic, can you see the network ENGINEER mind wizzing over here? I think it might actually be smoking too!

I actually had considered doing a grand admiral costume like yourself by the way... BUT I am worried it's not me proof and I will get that white really dirty!!!!!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Don't really need it. I wear UnderArmor which wicks moisture away pretty well, and the fabric is pretty breathable. I don;'t have issues with it. Additionally, anything mor bulky than the UnderArmor, the costume will not fit at all, and I wil have real problems.

Those guys who have cotton or wool get real hot, and, my guess is that many folks don't necessarily put enough cooling stuff in their armor. Fans, vents, portable AC units, etc.. All of it works pretty well, but if you don't anticipate it, you are not prepared for it, and you suffer.

Being from NOLA, 100 degree days with 100% humidity are normal. But for SWW, people come from all over who may not be used to it or have been exposed to it, so hydration becomes a key issue.

Ash

Oh Completely true... folks have clued me in on some of the ventilation systems they have to put into the Royal Guard costumes for they can't breath for one, and they get over heated. I think 501st Disney Trooper was telling me about pilot BLACK suits nearly burning the skin even with measure taken with long marches out in the sun.

I know some of the Bloodfin Garrison up here get over heated and have to account for temperatures, but we are from Indiana we have humidity for sure but not like what you have in NOLA!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I bought a cooling vest for my son. He can't regulate his body temp, and has been having problems both indoor and out. Since we won't have a freezer, I bought a vest that uses ice packs that freeze at 53 degrees. I hope it works!!

I have been researching alot of those sites that sell the vests because of the types of costumes that I am thinking about might require a little help. I have even seen construction workers use them too. I bet they do help alot. I know when I was my cousins helper for a June 2010 trip we had to keep her out of the sun because she can't regulate heat either. Cooling wash cloths helped on the back of the neck alot too for her.

I like that this year they are putting some of those character lines INDOORS!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

You guys!!! Y'all are making me cry- but in a good way. Thank you so much!! Dillon truly truly truly loved Star Wars. It's bittersweet that we are actually going to be at SWW without him. I need my Right Hand Man, even if he gets disgusted when I ask him a Star Wars related question whose answer (he feels) I should already know I keep catching myself wanting to turn to him or text him about random things. I know there will be a TON of those moments then.

<3

You know we are all Disney and SW nutz here, so asking us questions about star wars isn't a problem BUT if you feel weird asking here's something that might help. http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Cha...783&sr=8-1&keywords=star+war+character+guides

 

[The Sunrise Student]

My confirmation email came the next day.

I will keep an eye out them

 

[ktate82]

So I have a few questions since this will be our first time...

We are going the weekend Mark Hamill is going to be there, and I know it will be busy. We usually go in Sept and don't worry about finding a spot till about 20 min before the start of the parade and can find a decent spot. My question is how soon do we need to get a spot for the parade?

We have reservations for the two character meals, but do they sign autographs or do we still need to wait in line for autographs? I'm hoping by doing the meals, we won't have to wait for characters thus freeing up some time.

My son has done JTA before, but what time do we need to line up before RD to get him signed up?

How soon before RD do we need to be there for autograph FP?

 

[yulilin3]

So I have a few questions since this will be our first time...

We are going the weekend Mark Hamill is going to be there, and I know it will be busy. We usually go in Sept and don't worry about finding a spot till about 20 min before the start of the parade and can find a decent spot. My question is how soon do we need to get a spot for the parade?

We have reservations for the two character meals, but do they sign autographs or do we still need to wait in line for autographs? I'm hoping by doing the meals, we won't have to wait for characters thus freeing up some time.

My son has done JTA before, but what time do we need to line up before RD to get him signed up?

How soon before RD do we need to be there for autograph FP?

I'll start with your last question first:
Celebrity autographs lines start forming the night before. Depending on the actor/actress you need to be there before 6am. If it's someone like Ray Park (Darth Maul) you need to be there before 5am. We won't know until the celeb list comes out. If you read the first post on this thread it explains the process to get a fp for celebrities
For JTA you need to be at the entrance at 7:15am at the latest. The park usually opens around 7:30am and everyone rushes to JTA.
First year they are doing the character meals but I would assume that they will sign autographs
Last...Mark Hamill weekend will be crazy busy and since he's only going to be seen at the parade and one show I expect people grabbing spots even as soon as the park opens. The general rule, if Mark Hamill wasn't coming is grabbing a spot 1 hour and a half before the parade

 

[kmcdougan]

Oh Ash I have been to the CRL 100s of times, they even have the EU characters out there BUT what I really want to know are the numbers they are trimming down to that 501st Disney Trooper eluded to. The canon character number limitations, like how many officers, how many biker scouts, how many pilots are the limiting to, that sort of thing. I am rather tall and I had though about making a Royal Guard as my canon character but for the Disney Motorcade I am sure they limit that to 4 max with the emperor. I am trying to find a canon character I don't mind playing and that will still have a shot at beating the odds of getting into the motorcade... I know I am pathetic, can you see the network ENGINEER mind wizzing over here? I think it might actually be smoking too!

I actually had considered doing a grand admiral costume like yourself by the way... BUT I am worried it's not me proof and I will get that white really dirty!!!!!

The numbers are not specific to any type of costume. Just a cap on the number of us in the parade, in general. They are not allowing costume specific days - like last year, they had a pilot day, etc. So that it is somewhat evenly distributed that way. So, a Royal Guard would be a good costume to do, and would get you to march. Officers and Stromtroopers are the easiest canon costumes to do to get to march, as there are so many that are seen, so, even IF they so a number per costume thing, you should be good. But, that is not the case for this year. THe only issue is that they want to have stuff that is seen on screen and not video games, comic books, novels, other games, etc..

Big difference between my costume and Grand Admiral: 1) Mine is seen on screen, GA is not (ISB has about 54 seconds of screen time in the first movie - board room scene, cream jacket, and when Luke, Han and Cheiwe are getting in the elevator, 2 ISB walk by); 2) GA is an all white uniform, solid white jacket, pants, and black boots, plus bigger rank bar, and epaulettes, ISB is cream colored jacket, and black pants, with either dress shoes (straight legged pants) or the riding boots (flared, jodhpur pants).

As far as cleanliness goes, just stay away from known dirtiers, sch as kids with candy fingers, guys whose royal guard gloves have water soluble dye drinking water, etc., and you are OK. Take care of it, and every few months, sent it to be dry cleaned (though I could launder it regular).

Cooling systems - I know a royal guard who has a portable AC under his robes, with a hose right up to his helmet. Most everyone else has battery powered computer fans under their helmets, as space allows.

Ash

 

[disneygrandma]

When I made our D-Tech resv's, the CM told me that I would not receive an email on this. She also said that these resv's would not show up in MDE, so I should enter that info myself.

However, it sounds like some people are receiving email confirmations now for D-Tech. Is there anywhere we can enter these resv #'s to see what comes up?

Thanks.

 

[gobosox00]

Just made our D-Tech reservations for May 17th, so psyched! The CM I talked to on the phone told me to be on the look out for something else cool that we'll be able to book within the next couple of weeks but couldn't tell me what it was. Any ideas!?

 

[1153rsmith]

Just made our D-Tech reservations for May 17th, so psyched! The CM I talked to on the phone told me to be on the look out for something else cool that we'll be able to book within the next couple of weeks but couldn't tell me what it was. Any ideas!?

Oh, goodness. What on earth could that be?

 

[yulilin3]

When I made our D-Tech resv's, the CM told me that I would not receive an email on this. She also said that these resv's would not show up in MDE, so I should enter that info myself.

However, it sounds like some people are receiving email confirmations now for D-Tech. Is there anywhere we can enter these resv #'s to see what comes up?

Thanks.

the only thing I can think of is going on the Disney site loggin in and checking My Disney Experience and go to my reservations and try to link it there

Just made our D-Tech reservations for May 17th, so psyched! The CM I talked to on the phone told me to be on the look out for something else cool that we'll be able to book within the next couple of weeks but couldn't tell me what it was. Any ideas!?

no clue, maybe it'll be fp+ for some of the shows/parade/fireworks. I'm thinkin if the are going to offer fp+ they will probably offer it 30 days in advance to give everyone a fair chance. So that would be April 16

 

[Itinkso]

When I made our D-Tech resv's, the CM told me that I would not receive an email on this. She also said that these resv's would not show up in MDE, so I should enter that info myself.

However, it sounds like some people are receiving email confirmations now for D-Tech. Is there anywhere we can enter these resv #'s to see what comes up?

Thanks.

Even with a reservation number, it will not show up in MDE. You have to add it in to MDE:

Go to My Plans > the date of your D Tech reservation > Add Plans > Notes. You need to type in your reservation number and appointment time.

 

[ScoutE73]

So I have 8am Breakfast reservations at Hollywood & Vine...What time will they let us into the park?

Also want to get my boys signed up for Jedi training...with they let my wife and daughter go to breakfast while I get my boys signed up for Jedi training?

Thanks for the help! Looking forward to our first SWW!!

 

[yulilin3]

So I have 8am Breakfast reservations at Hollywood & Vine...What time will they let us into the park?

Also want to get my boys signed up for Jedi training...with they let my wife and daughter go to breakfast while I get my boys signed up for Jedi training?

Thanks for the help! Looking forward to our first SWW!!

The park will probably open to everyone around 7:30am. You should go with the kids straight to sign up for JTA. I think your entire party has to be together to check in for breakfast so they might have to wait for you.

 

[ScoutE73]

Thanks Yulilin!

Do you know if there will be Star Wars Characters at the Hollywood & Vine Breakfast? Or will it just be the Disney Jr Characters?

Thanks!

 

[kmcdougan]

Thanks Yulilin!

Do you know if there will be Star Wars Characters at the Hollywood & Vine Breakfast? Or will it just be the Disney Jr Characters?

Thanks!

Star Wars characters will only be at the Sci Fi breakfast and H&V dinner. ALl other meals should be as normal.

Ash