Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

Thanks so much for the detailed answer If it's true DBF will be tickled pink! He loves Star Wars and I convinced him to go by playing the SWW card That'd be nice though to get in a little earlier especially cuz I'm the ride freak and need to get those in too!

Just be aware that not all the rides will open as soon as they start letting people in (around 7:30am) TSM is usually up and running but I did notice that ToT and RnRC would just wait until 8am to let people inside. But you will have a great advantage time-wise.
Last year we got there around 7am, the park opened at 7:30am, rode TSM and went to ToT and RnRC and were done will all 3 by 8:15am
Thanks for the kind words Sunrise Student, I really love this event and I know that with just a little planning everyone can enjoy it and get most of what they want, done.

 

[Nemo32]

Yes, got it, thank you! I'm hoping if we get our FP for autographs we can then do the rides while we wait for our autograph time and if most rides are open around 8am that plan might work.

 

[lemonears6]

Is there FP for meeting mickey, goofy and all. Or just the people who played in SW?

 

[yulilin3]

Is there FP for meeting mickey, goofy and all. Or just the people who played in SW?

As of last years event you could only get fp for the celebrities not any of the character meet and greet. With the whole FP+ thing I'm not sure if they would add fp+ for the more popular meets or not.

 

[delmar411]

As of last years event you could only get fp for the celebrities not any of the character meet and greet. With the whole FP+ thing I'm not sure if they would add fp+ for the more popular meets or not.

FP+ for the character M&Gs would be amazing! Ah...a girl can dream!

 

[yulilin3]

FP+ for the character M&Gs would be amazing! Ah...a girl can dream!

Agreed!! or FP+ for Hoopla with a corner reserved
I am almost 100% sure that they will have FP+ for the shows at Premiere Theater since I saw a booth during the Holiday Comedy Warehouse...of course, I would be wrong and they won't touch SWW with any FP+ at all.

 

[lovethattink]

I am almost 100% sure that they will have FP+ for the shows at Premiere Theater since I saw a booth during the Holiday Comedy Warehouse...of course, I would be wrong and they won't touch SWW with any FP+ at all.

Now that, would be a wish come true. That line is brutal with 0 air flow at places in the queue and gushes of air other places.

 

[LoKiHB]

Okay, so I know I have issues, but I am becomming concerned about crowd leves for this thing. BEcause of my firend's scheduling, We would bee going on the weekend of the 23rd (Memorial Day weekemd, yikes!) and doing SW on Friday. Crowd levls are 8 and 9 for the weekend. Understanding that DHS will be crowded due to SWW, if I attend the most recommended parks on our other days, how much does that affect?

My other consideration is that May the 4th thing, but it looks like they didn't announce that last year until the end of April. More of a surprise thing. Honestly, the fireworks symphony sounds better than anything though, and crowds will be much lower. What are the odds of that happening again?

The crowds just have me on edge! Thanks!

We were there this past Memorial Day Weekend. Yes. It was crowded. However, it was crowded with Star Wars Geeks like our family!!! We found that we were able to do everything we wanted to do. We didn't do many rides or attractions, and spent the majority of the day wandering and meeting characters and just really enjoying the atmosphere. I can't even begin to describe how awesome the atmosphere is!!! Total Star Wars/Disney immersion at its finest!!!

We did this all with 2 small children (6 & 1 at the time), and we had a blast. I would recommend 2 DHS days, Friday and Saturday, if you want to fully experience SWW. If not, save a DHS day for a weekday and just enjoy the attractions.

I will admit we were totally spent after those two days. We were going to go to Animal Kingdom that Sunday (our last day)- but opted for MK because of the quick, quiet boat ride from WL. SWW sapped all our energy and we ended up leaving there by 1:30 and spending the rest of our last day lounging at the WL pool.

To summarize- SWW is AWESOME!!! But you will be totally exhausted afterward

(My apologies for yet another long winded post- but I like to be detailed)

 

[BrianL]

We were there this past Memorial Day Weekend. Yes. It was crowded. However, it was crowded with Star Wars Geeks like our family!!! We found that we were able to do everything we wanted to do. We didn't do many rides or attractions, and spent the majority of the day wandering and meeting characters and just really enjoying the atmosphere. I can't even begin to describe how awesome the atmosphere is!!! Total Star Wars/Disney immersion at its finest!!!

We did this all with 2 small children (6 & 1 at the time), and we had a blast. I would recommend 2 DHS days, Friday and Saturday, if you want to fully experience SWW. If not, save a DHS day for a weekday and just enjoy the attractions.

I will admit we were totally spent after those two days. We were going to go to Animal Kingdom that Sunday (our last day)- but opted for MK because of the quick, quiet boat ride from WL. SWW sapped all our energy and we ended up leaving there by 1:30 and spending the rest of our last day lounging at the WL pool.

To summarize- SWW is AWESOME!!! But you will be totally exhausted afterward

(My apologies for yet another long winded post- but I like to be detailed)

No problem, I appreciate the help. The thing is, my travelling companion has not been to the World in like 15 years. He wants to do the usual, including the attractions. I was always prepared for DHS to be crowded, but the other parks matter as well.

As I have been looking at it, the only things about SWW that actually appeal to me are the parade and Hyperspace Hoopla (and I don't think my friend would really be into either; he is not a show person). I have little to no interest in autographs, merchandise, and panels (maybe panels depending on what/who it is). It seems like that would eat all the time.

Conversely, going in late April/Early May is not only less crowded and cheaper, it is also my buddy's birthday. Plus we could see Flower & Garden (I know, no replacement for Star Wars). The more I look at it, the more the pros of the earlier trip outweigh the SWW experience.

 

[yulilin3]

No problem, I appreciate the help. The thing is, my travelling companion has not been to the World in like 15 years. He wants to do the usual, including the attractions. I was always prepared for DHS to be crowded, but the other parks matter as well.

As I have been looking at it, the only things about SWW that actually appeal to me are the parade and Hyperspace Hoopla (and I don't think my friend would really be into either; he is not a show person). I have little to no interest in autographs, merchandise, and panels (maybe panels depending on what/who it is). It seems like that would eat all the time.

Conversely, going in late April/Early May is not only less crowded and cheaper, it is also my buddy's birthday. Plus we could see Flower & Garden (I know, no replacement for Star Wars). The more I look at it, the more the pros of the earlier trip outweigh the SWW experience.

It really is an individual decision. You and only you knows what you want to take out of this experience. SWW will still be there for years to come (I don't see this event going away anytime soon) if you're going with your friend and the goal is to tour all the parks and do attractions then by all means focus on that. It's true that most events at SWW are time consuming and you are the only one that can make a plan that will suit your travel needs

 

[BrianL]

It really is an individual decision. You and only you knows what you want to take out of this experience. SWW will still be there for years to come (I don't see this event going away anytime soon) if you're going with your friend and the goal is to tour all the parks and do attractions then by all means focus on that. It's true that most events at SWW are time consuming and you are the only one that can make a plan that will suit your travel needs

Yeah, it is starting to look that way. I mean we are both big SW fans and all, love it to the Nth degree. As a card-carrying geek though I find I don't care for conventions and that sort of stuff, and it sounds similar (granted BETTER than any con I can imagine; it's at WDW for the Force's sake!). That stuff only kinda appeals to me and not at all to my friend.

I had originally dangled SWW to maybe get a whole group of my friends to go, but most of them are lame, and after initial interest dropped out one by one. As it stands It looks like the Force is not with us, but at least I won't get dirty looks for the "I The Phantom Menace" T-shirt I wanted to wear. Things may change though.

 

[lovethattink]

Yeah, it is starting to look that way. I mean we are both big SW fans and all, love it to the Nth degree. As a card-carrying geek though I find I don't care for conventions and that sort of stuff, and it sounds similar (granted BETTER than any con I can imagine; it's at WDW for the Force's sake!). That stuff only kinda appeals to me and not at all to my friend.

I had originally dangled SWW to maybe get a whole group of my friends to go, but most of them are lame, and after initial interest dropped out one by one. As it stands It looks like the Force is not with us, but at least I won't get dirty looks for the "I The Phantom Menace" T-shirt I wanted to wear. Things may change though.

Sorry to hear that. Perhaps you can plan a few hours solo? My husband did a couple days last year and he really enjoyed himself. There was nobody to hold him back and he could accomplish whatever he wanted and time allowed.

 

[BrianL]

Sorry to hear that. Perhaps you can plan a few hours solo? My husband did a couple days last year and he really enjoyed himself. There was nobody to hold him back and he could accomplish whatever he wanted and time allowed.

It's not really that. We could totally split up if we wanted to. I'm just weighing the value of one parade and one show (and lots of cool costumes) when crowd levels will be 8-9 (Memorial Day weekend), versus Crowd levels of 4-5 if going before SWW. It feels like, to me, that Star Wars is very appealling but that Star Wars Weekends is not. Having never done it though, I'm not sure. The crowds scare me though.

 

[disney mom of 6]

Hi, This is our first starwars weekend and I have a question. Can you take strollers into the character lines that are outside while waiting? Like Chewbacca or Mickey and gang. Just wondering so I don't do the wrong thing. I know I can't take it to sign up for jedi training.

Thanks
Tammy

 

[lovethattink]

Hi, This is our first starwars weekend and I have a question. Can you take strollers into the character lines that are outside while waiting? Like Chewbacca or Mickey and gang. Just wondering so I don't do the wrong thing. I know I can't take it to sign up for jedi training.

Thanks
Tammy

I know for a fact that for the character meets inside Darth's Mall, the answer is no. Strollers are not allowed. There is stroller parking outside of the tent.

I can't remember about the other lines.

I know for the Premiere Theater that strollers were fine in line, but had to be parked outside prior to entering the theater.

 

[lovethattink]

It's not really that. We could totally split up if we wanted to. I'm just weighing the value of one parade and one show (and lots of cool costumes) when crowd levels will be 8-9 (Memorial Day weekend), versus Crowd levels of 4-5 if going before SWW. It feels like, to me, that Star Wars is very appealling but that Star Wars Weekends is not. Having never done it though, I'm not sure. The crowds scare me though.

SWW is definitely laid back compared to the conventions. They are more like Star Wars Weekends on steroids.

If you do decide on a SWW day, Friday would be your best bet.

No doubt, you will encounter larger crowds on the weekend vs the weekday during SWW.

If you can't decide, toss a coin, lol.

 

[delmar411]

Hi, This is our first starwars weekend and I have a question. Can you take strollers into the character lines that are outside while waiting? Like Chewbacca or Mickey and gang. Just wondering so I don't do the wrong thing. I know I can't take it to sign up for jedi training.

Thanks
Tammy

No you can't bring the stroller in the lines...at least not the vast majority of them.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Does anyone know when the actors/actresses were announced in years before? I'm getting really excited about SWW but I want to know who is coming this year.

I am one of those crazy people who used to go to the conventions when they were in Indy, so I already have quite a few autographs and I'm hoping that some people will show up who I don't have

 

[lovethattink]

Does anyone know when the actors/actresses were announced in years before? I'm getting really excited about SWW but I want to know who is coming this year.

I am one of those crazy people who used to go to the conventions when they were in Indy, so I already have quite a few autographs and I'm hoping that some people will show up who I don't have

Last year the hosts were announced with the dates. Then little by little others were officially announced. Other websites/blogs occasionally announced before Disney made it official.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Last year the hosts were announced with the dates. Then little by little others were officially announced. Other websites/blogs occasionally announced before Disney made it official.

Cool, so hopefully we'll know soon about a few names at least. I really hope Anthony Daniels goes. I would love to meet him. I have a feeling I'll probably hear about who is going here first.