Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[TDC Nala]

I'm surprised with the restaurants being TiW restaurants they aren't.

I'm not. In fact I expected them to say there would be no TIW acceptance.

 

[yulilin3]

Do you mean if they get in line after the breakfast?

I also have an 8am res, and need to work out how I'm going to do this. I want to get autographs done and out of the way early in the morning and Chewie will be top of our list I think. If he doesn't come out until 8:30 then I can't line up before breakfast, but having the Sci-Fi res means I won't want to hurry there either. So if I'm not out and at Chewie's line until 9:30, does that mean we will have a ridiculously long wait time?

The line stays pretty consistent thru out the day. 1 to 2 hours long. The earlier you get in line the better it will be, not neccesarily because of the time you wait in line, but because of the heat.

 

[Reizo]

I haven't read the entire thread so I apologize if this has already been stated. I called Disney Dining today to book a dinner at Hollywood and Vine on June 7th, but the automated system told me there was no availability for the date and time I wanted. I pushed all the right buttons and was routed to a live CM and was able to get the date and time that I wanted.

Don't give up if the automated system tells you that you are out of luck. We all know that the droids were separatist's and shouldn't be trusted.

Talk to a live CM and your destiny just may be fulfilled.

May the force be with us all.

Well just to let you know that everyone's contributions to this thread is helpful. Took your advice and called today. Figured I'd bite the bullet and just attempt to talk my group of 7 into going to one of these meals and I actually DID get a ressie for Hollywood & Vine on May 16th.

So thank you and May the force be with us all.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Do you mean if they get in line after the breakfast?

I also have an 8am res, and need to work out how I'm going to do this. I want to get autographs done and out of the way early in the morning and Chewie will be top of our list I think. If he doesn't come out until 8:30 then I can't line up before breakfast, but having the Sci-Fi res means I won't want to hurry there either. So if I'm not out and at Chewie's line until 9:30, does that mean we will have a ridiculously long wait time?

At 9:30, you'll be looking at a long wait. I think that because of the breakfast conflict, you should expect to wait at least an hour for Chewie...unless you're willing to skip the parade. We were able to jump into the line for the Fab 4 during the parade and waited less than 30 minutes for them. We could see that Chewie's line was very short during that time as well. We watched the parade from the steps in front of the American Idol building, and as soon as the 501st went by we went and got in the Fab 4 line. This meant we missed the stage show, but the kids were more interested in actually meeting the characters rather than seeing them on stage anyway (and they had no interest in the celebrities).

 

[yulilin3]

At 9:30, you'll be looking at a long wait. I think that because of the breakfast conflict, you should expect to wait at least an hour for Chewie...unless you're willing to skip the parade. We were able to jump into the line for the Fab 4 during the parade and waited less than 30 minutes for them. We could see that Chewie's line was very short during that time as well. We watched the parade from the steps in front of the American Idol building, and as soon as the 501st went by we went and got in the Fab 4 line. This meant we missed the stage show, but the kids were more interested in actually meeting the characters rather than seeing them on stage anyway (and they had no interest in the celebrities).

This is a good tip if you're willing to skip the parade. Good idea!

 

[pressedKenny]

In case anyone is having trouble getting ressies for Hollywood & Vine during SWW...

My first recommendation is to call WDW Dining. I'm not sure what system they use to check availability, but it certainly isn't the MDE website.

But today I discovered something else you can try. If you select a late afternoon time like 4-5pm, the MDE site might display some times during the evening that aren't available otherwise. For instance, on 5/25 if you search for party of 4, "Dinner" or "6:30pm", it says "No tables available around 5:00pm to 10:00pm on Sunday May 25, 2014". But if you try 4:30pm then it shows an opening at 6:25pm.

I tried several other SWW days with similar results, so it is worth a try if you are still trying to book H&V.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

This is a good tip if you're willing to skip the parade. Good idea!

The bonus to this was that we got to see the coolest thing in the parade, which is the 501st, by far. In my humble opinion. The kids were absolutely intrigued by the 501st. Plus, we were able to sit down.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Saw a post stating that Darth Vader is going to be the separate photo op at breakfast. He will not walk around. Came from a poster who is apparently a restaurant CM although you can never tell online.

That makes sense, like at Akerush where Belle has a special area where she meets before you sit down, then the rest of the princesses walk around... thanks for the info

The same kind of idea happened to me at Cinderella's Royal Table in the Castle & at Be Our Guest Restaurant. I got to get pictures with Cinderella before the meal then the to other princesses walked around to meet you at your table at the Cindy's Royal Table. With Be Our Guest we got to get a photo op with Beast by himself, but there were not other characters there walking around, however "The Master" did walk into the main dinning hall for a moment but didn't visit any tables.

If they do the Galactic Star Wars Dine In and have Darth Vader as a photo op and the rest of the characters walk around that would be kewl!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

These blackout dates TiW has for other restaurants in the same time frame, that I can understand being applied to these new character meal offerings.


I would understand better Disney's decision better if they followed their same rules as above. I'm surprised with the restaurants being TiW restaurants they aren't.

With all the stipulations I am surprised people are getting TIW anymore, when I fire got it 4 years ago when it first came out it wasn't nearly as restrictive as it is now... Is it still $75 to get it?

(The year I got it I came to Disney with two big groups twice in the same year. it saved me a heck of alot more than 75$ so it was worth it to me.)

 

[yulilin3]

The bonus to this was that we got to see the coolest thing in the parade, which is the 501st, by far. In my humble opinion. The kids were absolutely intrigued by the 501st. Plus, we were able to sit down.

Another good spot for watch the 501st March before they go backstage is at Backlot Express, you can grab a seat and its usually never that crowded, from there you can walk across to Chewies meet.... remember that if you are in this spot you will only see the 501st and Rebel Alliance, the rest of the characters will stay at the Hat Stage for the welcome ceremony before heading backstage by Great Movie Ride....Jedi Mickey boards his wing fighter and drives back down Hollywood Blvd to the entrance as well as the celebrities in their respective cars.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Well just to let you know that everyone's contributions to this thread is helpful. Took your advice and called today. Figured I'd bite the bullet and just attempt to talk my group of 7 into going to one of these meals and I actually DID get a ressie for Hollywood & Vine on May 16th.

So thank you and May the force be with us all.

AWESOME, glad you didn't have to ditch, I mean leave those lovely souls behind

 

[Linda67]

Trying not to turn this into a thread about breakfast but we have a 8:40am reservation at Sc-Fi
If we make sure we are at the park bright and early and hot foot it straight to Chewy at rope drop, is it at all possible we could do the meet and still make our ressie?
What I am thinking is, if we are in the first few people and he comes out at 8:30 we may just be able to do it?
I'm also assuming that you have a few minute grace period after your allocated ADR time
If I am crazy tell me and we will just bite the bullet and get in line after breakfast

 

[yulilin3]

Trying not to turn this into a thread about breakfast but we have a 8:40am reservation at Sc-Fi
If we make sure we are at the park bright and early and hot foot it straight to Chewy at rope drop, is it at all possible we could do the meet and still make our ressie?
What I am thinking is, if we are in the first few people and he comes out at 8:30 we may just be able to do it?
I'm also assuming that you have a few minute grace period after your allocated ADR time
If I am crazy tell me and we will just bite the bullet and get in line after breakfast

You could totally try and do that... when are you coming? If it's after weekend 1 you will have reports on the times Chewie actually came out, and that could give you a better idea

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Got an interesting voice mail today on my phone....

I am one of those folks that already has reservations to Hollywood and Vine for diner prior to the character meal upgrade.

Today I got a phone call from a Disney CM letting me know that this was occurring, that they had upgraded the meal to "Jedi Mickey's Star Wars Character Meal" that the cost would be increased and that if I was using the Disney dinning plan the points had changed from one to two. They also stated that if I didn't want to take part in this new meal upgrade I could call disney dining and cancel my reservations.

So I guess they are trying to make an attempt to let people know. Some of you may be able to get reservations who couldn't before cause there MIGHT be some who do cancel cause of the upgraded cost in money and/or points.

Keep trying for those ressies Dissers...

 

[CinderElsa]

Got an interesting voice mail today on my phone....

I am one of those folks that already has reservations to Hollywood and Vine for diner prior to the character meal upgrade.

Today I got a phone call from a Disney CM letting me know that this was occurring, that they had upgraded the meal to "Jedi Mickey's Star Wars Character Meal" that the cost would be increased and that if I was using the Disney dinning plan the points had changed from one to two. They also stated that if I didn't want to take part in this new meal upgrade I could call disney dining and cancel my reservations.

So I guess they are trying to make an attempt to let people know. Some of you may be able to get reservations who couldn't before cause there MIGHT be some who do cancel cause of the upgraded cost in money and/or points.

Keep trying for those ressies Dissers...

It was nice of them to give you the option. It seems they just dumped the Sci-Fi people.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

It was nice of them to give you the option. It seems they just dumped the Sci-Fi people.

HUH? SciFi restaurant never did breakfast before now, are you saying they are canceling some lunch folks?

 

[yulilin3]

And the Disney blog just announced the character meals http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...s-may-4-june-15-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

HUH? SciFi restaurant never did breakfast before now, are you saying they are canceling some lunch folks?

They typically open at 11:30 for lunch but they canceled ADRs booked 11:30-12 to accommodate the addition of the breakfast

 

[Blessedwithboys]

Hi all!!

We are hoping to attend our first Star Wars Weekend ever. I have a nearly 6 year old who is head over heels in love with all things Star Wars. We have a 10:45 booked at Sci-Fi for breakfast, but I see that will put us missing the parade :/
This would be a surprise trip for my boys and the real purpose of the trip is to do both SWW and Legoland. I think if my son had to pick, his number one priority would be to meet Captain Rex, or Commander Fox. Can anyone tell me the best strategy for meeting characters?? We booked the meal obviously to meet a few characters in a short amount of time. I imagine we would also like to see any shows that are available, and the nighttime entertainment. I think I am kind of lost with all the special event + regular HS stuff. Any advice

 

[jtowntoflorida]

HUH? SciFi restaurant never did breakfast before now, are you saying they are canceling some lunch folks?

I believe some people who had early lunch reservations (like before noon) had their reservations cancelled without notice.