Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[d-r]

I just went back to the blog and someone asked if he would be signing autographs, and here's Garys response:
Thanks for writing. He will not be participating in autograph sessions. Instead, we have created some experiences with Mark that will allow more guests to see and hear from him during his time in Weekend IV.

Ok this is going to sound like a jerk, but I was starting to feel a little chapped by this whole "we want to appeal to a larger number of casual guests" versus the star wars hard core folks,, this is the same kind of thing they said about canceling the hoopla and adding fireworks, trying to add things in for more of the bus riders. I figure if they want an autograph they can do like us and pay more to stay at the beach club and get in line earlier rather than wiating for the first bus.

But then I realized this is a cop out. This "we will have a show so more guests can see and hear from him" is nonsense. All the celebritiies always do a show and are in the motorcade and still manage to do autographs. This is Disney-speak for "we don't want to pay him over $100 bucks an autograph when people are only paying $100 bucks for a ticket to get that fast pass." Disney couldn't care less how many poeple get in the fast pass line as long as they are able to put his face on a commercial and try to drum up more guests and more excitement and something for the people to tell the folks back home.

 

[lovethattink]

I know JAT is the host, but I kind of wonder if they'll have a "clone wars" show since that show is over and Rebels is coming up. If they do a "Behind the Force" type show it will probably be Rebels, especially since that will be on the disney channel. I bet it will be a preview type show with a taped message from Filoni and scenes, like they usually have scences from the next season of clone wars.

Disney's website says the Voices show will be Rebels.

 

[yulilin3]

Ok this is going to sound like a jerk, but I was starting to feel a little chapped by this whole "we want to appeal to a larger number of casual guests" versus the star wars hard core folks,, this is the same kind of thing they said about canceling the hoopla and adding fireworks, trying to add things in for more of the bus riders. I figure if they want an autograph they can do like us and pay more to stay at the beach club and get in line earlier rather than wiating for the first bus.

But then I realized this is a cop out. This "we will have a show so more guests can see and hear from him" is nonsense. All the celebritiies always do a show and are in the motorcade and still manage to do autographs. This is Disney-speak for "we don't want to pay him over $100 bucks an autograph when people are only paying $100 bucks for a ticket to get that fast pass." Disney couldn't care less how many poeple get in the fast pass line as long as they are able to put his face on a commercial and try to drum up more guests and more excitement and something for the people to tell the folks back home.

I understand your point and agree with it but I can also see this as a matter of security. If they would to have Hamill signing autographs they would have lines outside the park for days waiting to get a fp. If they did it via lottery (sign up here and we will send you an email that you got in) there will be a lot of upset folks. They just don 't have the capacity to deal with the huge crowds that would gather for this.

 

[wdwfanatic80]

So we are now going again this year! Myself, the kids and my mom. Usually its my kids, myself and my husband, but it's not working out for him to go this year, so my mom is coming! Pretty excited. Different for us this year though because we have always gone the 4th (last weekend) but this year we are going the first! So I am used to following how things went for everyone else and making adjustments as needed. We are planning on only going one day this year too - the 17th. We could go the 16th, but I figured day 1 would be crazy! Will getting into Darth's Maul be easier on the 17th? I know day 1 has long crazy lines to get in. Kinda nervous about weekend one, but with the kids schedules and not wanting to be there memorial day it was our only choice....

 

[lovethattink]

We avoided the Mall until later in the day and usually it was pretty empty then. If they do things like they did last year, they escorted shoppers from outside the gate to the Mall first thing in the morning. They had their own separate line for merchandise. I don't know if they was new last year or something just for last year. I don't remember seeing that any other year?

 

[lovethattink]

Ok this is going to sound like a jerk, but I was starting to feel a little chapped by this whole "we want to appeal to a larger number of casual guests" versus the star wars hard core folks,, this is the same kind of thing they said about canceling the hoopla and adding fireworks, trying to add things in for more of the bus riders. I figure if they want an autograph they can do like us and pay more to stay at the beach club and get in line earlier rather than wiating for the first bus.

But then I realized this is a cop out. This "we will have a show so more guests can see and hear from him" is nonsense. All the celebritiies always do a show and are in the motorcade and still manage to do autographs. This is Disney-speak for "we don't want to pay him over $100 bucks an autograph when people are only paying $100 bucks for a ticket to get that fast pass." Disney couldn't care less how many poeple get in the fast pass line as long as they are able to put his face on a commercial and try to drum up more guests and more excitement and something for the people to tell the folks back home.

Maybe it was part of his agreement to participate? Or maybe it's a security thing? Some people would have been willing to wait days, not just hours.

The way I read it on starwars.com and Disney's blog is that there will be the usual Stars of the Saga, but also an additional show? Am I reading more into what's written than what's actually there?

I was disappointed about Hoopla because it's tradition. My son was very upset about no Hoopla. SWW is his favorite "Holiday" and he doesn't welcome change.

If Hoopla was truly eliminated to preserve the integrity of the characters, then I'm ok with that. I know there were many who did not care to see their favorite characters so far out of character. I will miss the Hoopla this year, but welcome changes too.

My family also misses Clone Wars. (My guys want to get Netflix so we can see Season 6.)

 

[d-r]

They could sell it as a hard ticket.

 

[d-r]

lovethattink you should get netflix and watch them. There is probably a two-weeks-for-free code laying around the google somewhere.

 

[yulilin3]

They could sell it as a hard ticket.

Then people would complain.... that's the thing now...

 

[lovethattink]

lovethattink you should get netflix and watch them. There is probably a two-weeks-for-free code laying around the google somewhere.

Eventually I'll get to see it!

 

[RAPstar]

I actually wouldn't mind too much if they made this a hard ticket event. Especially if it meant making access to things easier (especially not having to camp out over night to get to meet the celebs). But the logistics probably wouldn't work out, cause they'd either have to close the park completely for the days of the events, or do it in the evenings like MNSSHP or the Christmas one, and I don't think the celebs would be up for that. Just a thought.

 

[JennyMP03]

Oh God, Luke has always been my favorite. I was a massive Star Wars fan as a teen (and totally in love with Luke Skywalker) and I still am, though not as rabid as in those days.

I was hoping he WOULDN'T be there on my weekend so I wouldn't have the complication. But sure enough, he is. I don't even know what to do now. I can't ignore the fact that Luke Skywalker is going to be there. I was only going to visit Friday evening and maybe catch the parade and fireworks.

Hnng. I am so conflicted now.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I don't think they are buying them ahead of time, unless they are from years past. Many of the Ebayers say it's a pre-sale and that they will send them the weekend of May 17th (first weekend) I believe that the large figs. are usually between $70 and $100 but I could be wrong on that

thanks! I am going 3rd SWW so hope I get some I really like like them! To keep though no way I will sell mine!

 

[d-r]

if they can sell a $250 package for merchandising, they could sell a hard ticket for Mark's autograph. I mean maybe he doesn't want to sign, then that's fine. But based on the idea that he charges $100-150 per autograph at celebration I think it is a matter of money. So they could sell a hard ticket for $100-150 whatever he wants. If people want to buy it, fine, if not fine. Just have one special session where those hard tickets come in. Put him inside and take the tickets at the door one at a time. It's nothing they couldn't do easily.

 

[d-r]

Oh God, Luke has always been my favorite. I was a massive Star Wars fan as a teen (and totally in love with Luke Skywalker) and I still am, though not as rabid as in those days.

I was hoping he WOULDN'T be there on my weekend so I wouldn't have the complication. But sure enough, he is. I don't even know what to do now. I can't ignore the fact that Luke Skywalker is going to be there. I was only going to visit Friday evening and maybe catch the parade and fireworks.

Hnng. I am so conflicted now.

the motorcade will be around lunch time not at night, I don't think there will be an evening parade. About the only time you'll be able to see him will be a the motorcade and during the show he's in. So there will be a line for that show!

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

I was trying to find a picture(that I am pretty sure was posted on this thread) of a photo op during star wars weekends. It was a big "monster" (tannish color) that you could have you picture taken with. I believe the caption said that you could have your picture taken with this "monster" after you met someone else first...I also remember the caption mentioned that this monster prop was not disney owned, but belonged to someone in the 501st??? does anyone know which picture I am referring? If so, could you tell me where to locate it?? Thanks!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I was trying to find a picture(that I am pretty sure was posted on this thread) of a photo op during star wars weekends. It was a big "monster" (tannish color) that you could have you picture taken with. I believe the caption said that you could have your picture taken with this "monster" after you met someone else first...I also remember the caption mentioned that this monster prop was not disney owned, but belonged to someone in the 501st??? does anyone know which picture I am referring? If so, could you tell me where to locate it?? Thanks!

It's the rancor (the monster that Luke Skywalker fights in Return of the Jedi after he's dropped into Jabba's pit). Last year, it was located in the merchandise tent (i.e. Darth's Mall), and you could stop for a photo op in front of it after you met the classic Star Wars characters (Luke/Leia/C3PO/R2D2).

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

It's the rancor (the monster that Luke Skywalker fights in Return of the Jedi after he's dropped into Jabba's pit). Last year, it was located in the merchandise tent (i.e. Darth's Mall), and you could stop for a photo op in front of it after you met the classic Star Wars characters (Luke/Leia/C3PO/R2D2).

Thank you!!! That was the character I was looking for! We just watched return of the jedi yesterday and i was pretty sure that was it!

 

[williamscm3]

When are dates for SWW officially announced? We won't be able to make it this year but are definitely planning a visit one weekend in 2015. Thanks!

 

[1153rsmith]

When are dates for SWW officially announced? We won't be able to make it this year but are definitely planning a visit one weekend in 2015. Thanks!

I am sure someone here will chime in shortly with an approximate date of the announcement, but I would think you can bank on at least the last 2 weekends in May and the first 2 weekends in June. I think they have added one or two extras this year, but the 4 mentioned above have remained pretty constant over the past several years.