Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[The Sunrise Student]

Ray Park is one of the more popular celebs, depending on the number of autograph sessions you might need to get there before 5am to make sure you get a fastpass

We got there 4 am in the morning and we were the very last people in line to get a FP for Ray's autograph sessions... I hope he isn't limited to one session like he was last year.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Yes, I had heard Disney was trying to cut down on the expanded universe characters in the parade. And trying to keep others like jawas true to size.

Since I am not a full member yet I haven't seen all the details but there are a lot of things they are picking on details about.

501st prides themselves in being the very very accurate... so when Disney gets even pickier than the 501st it starts to raise eyebrows.

There are many more little nuances that Disney is putting restrictions on for 501st outfits... Mara Jade was just called out right however as a no can do

 

[lovethattink]

That stinks. Love Mara Jade. I will wear my Mara shirt proudly at sww.

 

[yulilin3]

Since I am not a full member yet I haven't seen all the details but there are a lot of things they are picking on details about.

501st prides themselves in being the very very accurate... so when Disney gets even pickier than the 501st it starts to raise eyebrows.

There are many more little nuances that Disney is putting restrictions on for 501st outfits... Mara Jade was just called out right however as a no can do

That sucks!! But you could still wear it to the park

 

[nancipants]

Since I am not a full member yet I haven't seen all the details but there are a lot of things they are picking on details about.

501st prides themselves in being the very very accurate... so when Disney gets even pickier than the 501st it starts to raise eyebrows.

There are many more little nuances that Disney is putting restrictions on for 501st outfits... Mara Jade was just called out right however as a no can do

Disappointing, but not surprising. They wouldn't want to have EU characters in the parade that are rendered non-canon by the new movies. Sigh.

Bummer since one of my favorite things about the parade was picking out EU characters from the parade and yelling out the names to give them love. My costume is Mirax Terrik, and I'm always thrilled when someone actually recognizes who she is.

 

[Reizo]

I just found out that the Mara Jade costume I am working so hard on is not being allowed to march in this years Star Wars Weekend Motorcade. It seems certain types of the EU (extended Universe) characters are not being allowed in the Motorcade and Mara is one of them...

I still am moving forward with using Mara Jade as my admission into the 501st to join the Sith Lord ranks but it breaks the heart not to be able to show it off in the parade this year...

That... is terrible and lame news! So sorry for your work not to be showcased as you wanted.

 

[lovethattink]

I went on Disney's website. There was some new information.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/hollywood-studios/star-wars-weekend/

Host James Arnold Taylor

Symphony in the Stars will feature some characters?

Intergalactic dining options?

Storm Troopers at the Gate at Hollywood and Vine intersection - my guess is like last year's welcome?

Boba Fett patrol of the event stage - the picture posted was from last year, however, it says you can get close and verbally interact with him??

Stormtrooper Patrol around event stage? Sounds new. The picture looks like many, though guess it could be like the couple storm troopers who were up with the frozen Han Solo like last year?

Motorcade - as before.

Padawan Mind Challenge

JTA

Premiere Theater including
-Star Wars Voices --- from Star Wars Rebels
-Stars of the Sage
-Stormtrooper Preshow
-Obi-Wan and Beyond


FP required for the Celeb M&G (given 1st come 1st serve at Main Entrance) and wristband.

Characters changes
-Disney Pals in Darth's Mall

 

[delmar411]

Sounds like they are finally moving the disney characters out of that brutal hot sun. That would be a very positive change!

 

[Reizo]

I went on Disney's website. There was some new information.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/hollywood-studios/star-wars-weekend/

Characters changes
-Disney Pals in Darth's Mall

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/hollywood-studios/character-meet-star-wars/

Just adding the link that directly shows the character meets. By reading this, it very well looks like it might effect just a bit our character meets. Like Vader and Darth Maul could be moved near Darth Mall where Mickey will be?

-Meet Disney Pals as Star Wars Stars in Darth’s Mall

-Meet the Heroes of the Clone Wars Near the Premiere Theater

-Meet the Dark Side near Darth’s Mall

-Meet Members of the Jedi Council near Premiere Theater

-Meet Members of the Rebel Alliance Near Star Tours® - The Adventures Continue

-Star Wars Celebrity Autographs at Echo Lake

 

[Sundancer UK]

Touring plans for SWW, anyone?

I am absolutely certain that *somewhere* I have seen a really good list of which characters to prioritise for SWW and at what times. I have 5 children and they all want to meet characters (not fussed about actors) and I want to be as efficient as possible, so a guide would be really good for me.

I. Can. Not. Find. It. Anywhere.


It's driving me mad! Did I imagine it all?! I have a feeling it was somewhere like easy WDW or Kenny the Pirate, as they are both trustworthy sites, but the things I'm finding there don't have a specific plan of action, as I'm sure I saw before.
This is the best I can find:
http://kennythepirate.com/2012/08/08/star-wars-weekends-map-and-character-schedule/
But I know that's not it.

Can anyone go any better?

 

[yulilin3]

Once again the Cast Members are left in thedark, went on the HUB and nothing new has popped up. Glad you found this

I went on Disney's website. There was some new information.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/hollywood-studios/star-wars-weekend/

Host James Arnold Taylor

Symphony in the Stars will feature some characters?

Intergalactic dining options?

Storm Troopers at the Gate at Hollywood and Vine intersection - my guess is like last year's welcome?

Boba Fett patrol of the event stage - the picture posted was from last year, however, it says you can get close and verbally interact with him??

Stormtrooper Patrol around event stage? Sounds new. The picture looks like many, though guess it could be like the couple storm troopers who were up with the frozen Han Solo like last year?

Motorcade - as before.

Padawan Mind Challenge

JTA

Premiere Theater including
-Star Wars Voices --- from Star Wars Rebels
-Stars of the Sage
-Stormtrooper Preshow
-Obi-Wan and Beyond


FP required for the Celeb M&G (given 1st come 1st serve at Main Entrance) and wristband.

Characters changes
-Disney Pals in Darth's Mall

-Intergalactic Dining options might just mean the Darth Vader cupcake and the specialty drinks. I really hope for a character breakfast since last year they were sending polls with information that looked like they were thinking of something like that.
-Stormtroopers on Hollywood and Vine, Boba Fett on the stage and Stormtroopers patrol all happened last year
-Wondering in JAT will host the Rebels show as well as the Stars of the Saga and his own show?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/hollywood-studios/character-meet-star-wars/

Just adding the link that directly shows the character meets. By reading this, it very well looks like it might effect just a bit our character meets. Like Vader and Darth Maul could be moved near Darth Mall where Mickey will be?

-Meet Disney Pals as Star Wars Stars in Darth’s Mall

-Meet the Heroes of the Clone Wars Near the Premiere Theater

-Meet the Dark Side near Darth’s Mall

-Meet Members of the Jedi Council near Premiere Theater

-Meet Members of the Rebel Alliance Near Star Tours® - The Adventures Continue

-Star Wars Celebrity Autographs at Echo Lake

So happy they're moving the Disney SW characters inside and it looks like the merchandise will be inside the Bldg. between TSMM and Backlot Tour. When they say "Meet the Dark side near Darth's Mall" that's that area. All the other meet and greets seem to be in the same spot

Touring plans for SWW, anyone?

I am absolutely certain that *somewhere* I have seen a really good list of which characters to prioritise for SWW and at what times. I have 5 children and they all want to meet characters (not fussed about actors) and I want to be as efficient as possible, so a guide would be really good for me.

I. Can. Not. Find. It. Anywhere.


It's driving me mad! Did I imagine it all?! I have a feeling it was somewhere like easy WDW or Kenny the Pirate, as they are both trustworthy sites, but the things I'm finding there don't have a specific plan of action, as I'm sure I saw before.
This is the best I can find:
http://kennythepirate.com/2012/08/08/star-wars-weekends-map-and-character-schedule/
But I know that's not it.

Can anyone go any better?

That's it, Kenny's plan was from last years event and he has a priority list for characters. It used to be:
Disney SW characters
Chewbacca
Darth Vader
Darth Maul
and then the others...now that the Disney characters will be inside A/C it might be smart to start with Chewie, then Darth Vader, Darth Maul and then the characters inside
Are you looking for a specific character?? let us know

 

[yulilin3]

First post updated...and I just re-read the fireworks and it looks like the glow with the show ears will work.

 

[lovethattink]

Air conditioning and the Disney SW characters will be great! Wonder if it will house any other characters and how the lines to get into the Mall will be affected? I remember waiting in long lines to get into Wicket's Warehouse. I always thought it was moved to the tent to have more room and decrease those lines?

Once again the Cast Members are left in thedark, went on the HUB and nothing new has popped up. Glad you found this


-Intergalactic Dining options might just mean the Darth Vader cupcake and the specialty drinks. I really hope for a character breakfast since last year they were sending polls with information that looked like they were thinking of something like that.
-Stormtroopers on Hollywood and Vine, Boba Fett on the stage and Stormtroopers patrol all happened last year
-Wondering in JAT will host the Rebels show as well as the Stars of the Saga and his own show?

Lol, figures. It wasn't on the website a couple days ago. Must have been put up there yesterday or the day before.

The next mention after Intergalactic Dining was about the specialty food and drinks.

No word about another host at this point?

So happy they're moving the Disney SW characters inside and it looks like the merchandise will be inside the Bldg. between TSMM and Backlot Tour. When they say "Meet the Dark side near Darth's Mall" that's that area. All the other meet and greets seem to be in the same spot

We were at DHS on Monday. I took pictures of that building. It looks like there are 2 entrances, the one where Sorc Mickey use to M&G and the set of doors down further. Is that whole area empty or part of TSM?

 

[yulilin3]

Air conditioning and the Disney SW characters will be great! Wonder if it will house any other characters and how the lines to get into the Mall will be affected? I remember waiting in long lines to get into Wicket's Warehouse. I always thought it was moved to the tent to have more room and decrease those lines?



Lol, figures. It wasn't on the website a couple days ago. Must have been put up there yesterday or the day before.

The next mention after Intergalactic Dining was about the specialty food and drinks.

No word about another host at this point?




We were at DHS on Monday. I took pictures of that building. It looks like there are 2 entrances, the one where Sorc Mickey use to M&G and the set of doors down further. Is that whole area empty or part of TSM?

Thanks for the pictures I always forget if it's soundstage 1 or 2, now we know it's 1.
One year you would go thru the front doors, there's a like a small lobby and then you would go into the big area. Another yar you would go thru the gates to the left (if you're facing the bldg) where the strollers are parked to go inside the big area and then exit thru the sliding doors.
I remember being enough space for merchandise and the rain location for several characters but I always felt it was smaller than the tent.
And this soundstage is not part of TSM, actually it was rumored that this bldg would become the Monsters Inc. roller coaster and that's why the sw merchandise had to move.

 

[lovethattink]

Hmmm. Didn't know that. Guess $ for magic bands changed all that, lol?

I never noticed the Soundstage number before, even after looking at my pictures.

 

[yulilin3]

Hmmm. Didn't know that. Guess $ for magic bands changed all that, lol?

I never noticed the Soundstage number before, even after looking at my pictures.

Soundstage 2 is probably where TSMM is now and 3 is probably where the Pirates thing is.
It was used during the original walking portion of the Studios Backlot Tour.

 

[Reizo]

So happy they're moving the Disney SW characters inside and it looks like the merchandise will be inside the Bldg. between TSMM and Backlot Tour. When they say "Meet the Dark side near Darth's Mall" that's that area. All the other meet and greets seem to be in the same spot.

Blah, now I understand lol. The bldg is where it was mentioned the mall would be this year which means yeah Darth Vader and the rest will be in the same spots. Not sure why I was getting confused but thanks for the clarification.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

That stinks. Love Mara Jade. I will wear my Mara shirt proudly at sww.

That's Awesome!

I have two Mara Jade shirts as well and I will be wearing both, you can be sure of that!

That sucks!! But you could still wear it to the park

I unfortunately will not risk wearing the costume in the park but once it is finished I will make sure I will post it here. Unlike the makeshift Mara Jade I wore last year, the movie quality version I am making now is a BIT pricey to chance ruining it walking around the park, let along on rides and what not.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Disappointing, but not surprising. They wouldn't want to have EU characters in the parade that are rendered non-canon by the new movies. Sigh.

Bummer since one of my favorite things about the parade was picking out EU characters from the parade and yelling out the names to give them love. My costume is Mirax Terrik, and I'm always thrilled when someone actually recognizes who she is.

What is crazy is that in the past they have had Disney CMs playing EU characters too... like Ventress, she is all EU!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

That... is terrible and lame news! So sorry for your work not to be showcased as you wanted.

Thanks Reizo