Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[horse11]

The Fetts didn't come out right at opening last year, so they were a good one to get in line for after signing up for JTA. Also keep in mind that to get both Boba Fett and Jango Fett, you will likely need to go through the line twice...last year they had very few (if any) overlapping times where both are there together, and I think it's either one or the other that is there right at opening (and as I recall, Jango Fett is who we met right after opening, and then we got Boba Fett later after they switched out).

If this year is the same as last, Vader's line is completely shaded so it's a good one to save if you don't mind waiting later in the day. Chewie's line has a lot of shade, too. The Fetts' line is brutal, as is the Disney characters' line. We did have a lot of luck getting in line for the Disney characters during the parade instead of doing it first thing...we only waited about 20 minutes for them total.

Hopefully they are later then. We do not plan on seeing both. The kids will be limited to seeing one or the other. Honestly I can not remember which one it is my son likes. I believe the son. I know I know I am a Star Wars fan just not a die hard fan like the rest of my male family counterparts. So with that in mind if he is sceduled right at opening should we split. I take the kids to JTA and DH stand in line for the character meet and greet and we join him later? I just want to make sure that we are not going to be taken to the ground by some one behind us LOL!!!

 

[yulilin3]

Hopefully they are later then. We do not plan on seeing both. The kids will be limited to seeing one or the other. Honestly I can not remember which one it is my son likes. I believe the son. I know I know I am a Star Wars fan just not a die hard fan like the rest of my male family counterparts. So with that in mind if he is sceduled right at opening should we split. I take the kids to JTA and DH stand in line for the character meet and greet and we join him later? I just want to make sure that we are not going to be taken to the ground by some one behind us LOL!!!

Kenny had Jango Fett coming out at 8:30am and Bobba Fett coming out at 9am
Jango (the one in blue) is Bobba's (the one in green) dad.
If you're there at rope drop you could split but I doubt there will be many people waiting for the Fetts at 8:30am

 

[Ferrentinos]

Are Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto by the hat for meeting? I checked KtP's site but it doesn't have their location noted.

Here's our plan for when we arrive...
at RD go directly to wait for the above characters - see whichever comes out first...
then go to Chewbacca
then Ewok Chip & Dale...

after that anything would be a bonus!
Think we can accomplish those characters before the parade?

 

[yulilin3]

Are Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto by the hat for meeting? I checked KtP's site but it doesn't have their location noted.

Here's our plan for when we arrive...
at RD go directly to wait for the above characters - see whichever comes out first...
then go to Chewbacca
then Ewok Chip & Dale...

after that anything would be a bonus!
Think we can accomplish those characters before the parade?

The only characters that meet at the Hat right now are Goofy, Donald, Stitch, Chip and Dale. I don't think they have these meets during SWW just because Goofy, Donald, Chip and Dale are meeting very close inSW costumes
Sorcerer Mickey and Minnie meet inside the Animation Bldg

That's a good plan, the Disney SW characters are in direct sun all day and it gets extremely hot, fast. And tes I think you would be able to get them before the parade

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Kenny had Jango Fett coming out at 8:30am and Bobba Fett coming out at 9am
Jango (the one in blue) is Bobba's (the one in green) dad.
If you're there at rope drop you could split but I doubt there will be many people waiting for the Fetts at 8:30am

ITA. I think we waited behind 3 groups for Jango Fett and maybe 5 for Boba Fett. We met Jango Fett on our second day...we went to do the Padawan Mind Challenge signups and then got in line for Jango Fett. At 8:00ish, there were only those 3 groups in front of us. Meeting both Fetts is very doable, especially early in the day when people are distracted with JTA signups and getting in line for the most popular characters (Vader, Chewie, and the Disney characters).

 

[horse11]

Kenny had Jango Fett coming out at 8:30am and Bobba Fett coming out at 9am
Jango (the one in blue) is Bobba's (the one in green) dad.
If you're there at rope drop you could split but I doubt there will be many people waiting for the Fetts at 8:30am

Thanks for clearing that up. I guess we will just have to play it by ear. Worse case we head over there after sign up. Thanks again!

 

[horse11]

ITA. I think we waited behind 3 groups for Jango Fett and maybe 5 for Boba Fett. We met Jango Fett on our second day...we went to do the Padawan Mind Challenge signups and then got in line for Jango Fett. At 8:00ish, there were only those 3 groups in front of us. Meeting both Fetts is very doable, especially early in the day when people are distracted with JTA signups and getting in line for the most popular characters (Vader, Chewie, and the Disney characters).

Yes but we will be one of those familys destracted by JTA sign up. The boys are already in practice at home. Trust me it very entertaining LOL!!!

 

[Reizo]

Using's Kenny's guide really helped last year. We went on the 2nd Saturday and I remember going straight to see Mickey & Minnie first at rope drop. We were 3rd in line doing this.

Took our photos, went to grab a quick pastry to grub on and I remember we decided to go for Chewy but his line was already out the wazoo. Decided to instead ride TSM and it was about after that when we got in line for the Fetts.

Their line wasn't too long and I think we waited 15-20min for Jango but instead got Boba which was fine with me considering we didn't run to them first.

Really I think at rope drop, it's about choosing either the Mickey gang, Chewbacca or getting in line for Vader first when it's about meeting priority chars at the beginning of your SWW day and Vader's line gets very long later but his line has shade.

 

[Ferrentinos]

The only characters that meet at the Hat right now are Goofy, Donald, Stitch, Chip and Dale. I don't think they have these meets during SWW just because Goofy, Donald, Chip and Dale are meeting very close inSW costumes
Sorcerer Mickey and Minnie meet inside the Animation Bldg

That's a good plan, the Disney SW characters are in direct sun all day and it gets extremely hot, fast. And tes I think you would be able to get them before the parade

I'm going crazy! So where are the disney characters that are dressed up at SW characters going to be? Where are they hiding??

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm going crazy! So where are the disney characters that are dressed up at SW characters going to be? Where are they hiding??

Historically, near the exit of GMR.

 

[d-r]

Hopefully they are later then. We do not plan on seeing both. The kids will be limited to seeing one or the other. Honestly I can not remember which one it is my son likes. I believe the son. I know I know I am a Star Wars fan just not a die hard fan like the rest of my male family counterparts. So with that in mind if he is sceduled right at opening should we split. I take the kids to JTA and DH stand in line for the character meet and greet and we join him later? I just want to make sure that we are not going to be taken to the ground by some one behind us LOL!!!

Be careful about planning too rigidly; remember that Jango and Boba rotate, so even if you time it to get the one that comes out at 9:00 or 9:30 there can be interruptions etc. that mess with the timing. If your son is going to be majorly disapointed not to see Boba then plan enough time to make it through the line twice just in case. They will not be out at park opening which will probably be earlier than the posted time. In fact, some years in the past Boba has been in the "hub" area on stage at the posted park opening time (after actual opening) so will not be in the meet and greet area. I would expect that this year. It is a good idea to "split" but I don't know if it is best to stand in line for something that won't start for over an hour. But, with fast pass plus there won't be any people splitting to do a fast pass run, so there may be more people staking out character lines and making those rediculous. But then again, a lot of people will probably have to go make same day fast passes at the kiosk so that may cut some of that down. It remains to be seen how fast pass plus will actually impact everything. Maybe they will not open early because there are not cast members there to man the kiosks. Maybe they will open early but the kiosks won't be open yet so that everyone is going to jta sign up and rides. Or maybe the kiosks will be open when the park opens and it will drain off a lot of the crowd. Who knows. Probably not Disney at this point. The great majority of people there for rope drop are disney resort guests that come in on the busses starting at 7. But overall for the day the majority of people will be from off property. That's just imho from past observations.

 

[yulilin3]

I'm going crazy! So where are the disney characters that are dressed up at SW characters going to be? Where are they hiding??

If you go to page one of this thread and look at the back from last year each side (the rebel side and imperial side) have a character symbol. Where you see that symbol is where characters are.
The symbol of the rebels (red and black) close to the Hat that's where the Disney gang in SW costume have met for the past years. They can't have any of the same characters meeting at the Hat for obvious reasons. Looking back at Kenny's post it says that the characters that regularly meet at the hat meet inside the Animation Bldg during SWW (So Goofy, Donald, Chip and Dale in their 1940's costumes would meet inside the Animation bldg during the morning hours)

 

[horse11]

Be careful about planning too rigidly; remember that Jango and Boba rotate, so even if you time it to get the one that comes out at 9:00 or 9:30 there can be interruptions etc. that mess with the timing. If your son is going to be majorly disapointed not to see Boba then plan enough time to make it through the line twice just in case. They will not be out at park opening which will probably be earlier than the posted time. In fact, some years in the past Boba has been in the "hub" area on stage at the posted park opening time (after actual opening) so will not be in the meet and greet area. I would expect that this year. It is a good idea to "split" but I don't know if it is best to stand in line for something that won't start for over an hour. But, with fast pass plus there won't be any people splitting to do a fast pass run, so there may be more people staking out character lines and making those rediculous. But then again, a lot of people will probably have to go make same day fast passes at the kiosk so that may cut some of that down. It remains to be seen how fast pass plus will actually impact everything. Maybe they will not open early because there are not cast members there to man the kiosks. Maybe they will open early but the kiosks won't be open yet so that everyone is going to jta sign up and rides. Or maybe the kiosks will be open when the park opens and it will drain off a lot of the crowd. Who knows. Probably not Disney at this point. The great majority of people there for rope drop are disney resort guests that come in on the busses starting at 7. But overall for the day the majority of people will be from off property. That's just imho from past observations.

Unfortunitly " may be" is all we have to go by as of now. All I can say is #1 on our list is to get the boys registered for JTA. After that I am not going to plan anything except staking out a good spot for the Motorcade at least an hour if not closer to an hour and a half before. We do plan on getting in line to see which ever Fetts are in line right after JTA. I am thinking about sending the DH down there to check things out and possibly get in line while we are at sign up. We could text each other to keep each other updated. I just think it is best not to plan anything inbetween sign up and the time we try to get a spot for the parade. This way we can plan on these ops when characters switch. Once we have our spot for the parade then DH and I can take turns taking one child to a possible quick ride or grab a snack while the others hold down the fort. We will plan FP's in advance for right before dinner and right after. This is the park I will not have planned as well as all the others just because there is still so much unknowns. I sure hope we are going about this the right way. I just don't feel as comfortable not being able to make soild plans.

 

[yulilin3]

Unfortunitly " may be" is all we have to go by as of now. All I can say is #1 on our list is to get the boys registered for JTA. After that I am not going to plan anything except staking out a good spot for the Motorcade at least an hour if not closer to an hour and a half before. We do plan on getting in line to see which ever Fetts are in line right after JTA. I am thinking about sending the DH down there to check things out and possibly get in line while we are at sign up. We could text each other to keep each other updated. I just think it is best not to plan anything inbetween sign up and the time we try to get a spot for the parade. This way we can plan on these ops when characters switch. Once we have our spot for the parade then DH and I can take turns taking one child to a possible quick ride or grab a snack while the others hold down the fort. We will plan FP's in advance for right before dinner and right after. This is the park I will not have planned as well as all the others just because there is still so much unknowns. I sure hope we are going about this the right way. I just don't feel as comfortable not being able to make soild plans.

I think you are taking the right approach, having a priority (JTA) and then trying to get the Fetts is totally doable before the parade. Have a plan but be flexible with it

 

[yulilin3]

A couple of updates related and un-related to Star Wars:

Today is the premiere of Star Wars The Clone Wats on Netflix including the final season that never aired on TV. (planning on watching it in a bit)

Annual Passholders can now order their magic bands thru the Disney site, it does say that they will start shipping mid March so you should receive them by the end of the month (just ordered mine)

 

[horse11]

I think you are taking the right approach, having a priority (JTA) and then trying to get the Fetts is totally doable before the parade. Have a plan but be flexible with it

Thanks! That helps the comfort level in a big way! I will be looking at this thread daily to help keep me informed. Thanks for all your hard work!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Mara Jade fans, Look what I saw at the Florida Mall's Disney Store:

Oh you know I love that

(I am about to tell a little secret... I have been working really hard on a new Mara Jade costume... It is my hope to get it approved by the 501st and become a full fledged member in time to march during this years SWW... Wish me luck!)

 

[Reizo]

Oh you know I love that

(I am about to tell a little secret... I have been working really hard on a new Mara Jade costume... It is my hope to get it approved by the 501st and become a full fledged member in time to march during this years SWW... Wish me luck!)

Good luck! Would love to see it!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Good luck! Would love to see it!

Thank You Reizo, when I finally get approved I will be sure to let everyone know if I get to March in the Motorcade or not We are only going for weekend 3 this year, so I am hoping I will get a spot.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Shew.... I am finally caught up. I have been staying away from the boards for a while cause I found the lack of announcements for celebrities disturbing

I see that we have a host announced, that's good, James is a kewl guy, loved his show last year.

I know Yulilin and a few of us kicked around a SWW Disboards meeting a few times during the SWWs.... I didn't see anything new on the subject while catching up, but then again we have no idea of schedule yet either... and with Disney shaking things up (proof of this is canceling Hoopla ) there is not telling if we can even guestimate a schedule like in the past, let alone plan around it.

BUT is there still an interest in a meeting of the disboards SWW fans?!