Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

If the parade starts at 11:30am, would 10am be a good time to start waiting for a good shady spot? And does anyone have any suggestions?

You should be fine at 10am. Anywhere on Hollywood boulevard where a building can block the sun ( let side facing the Hat)

 

[JediLeia]

I got my d-tech reservation for the morning of May 30th. I put down Alderaan Princess, but it sounds like you can change your mind when you get there. I was also told that I wouldn't get an email confirmation.

 

[Feberin]

We're really excited for our first Star Wars weekend. We already have reservations for the character meal at Hollywood and Vine on Tuesday night. Then we're planning on spending Friday in Hollywood Stuidos mostly focused on doing Star Wars Weekend things. We're mostly interested in the parade since my son loves parades. About what time would we want to start staking out a spot. We don't have to have the best spot but somewhere the kids could see it. Also besides the parade and character meet & greets what else is there that would appeal to young children? Are any of the shows particularly good? Is Jedi training fun to watch even if you're kids aren't participating? Any tips for the day?

 

[alayne]

I want our SWW to be super special for my son who will be turning 10 the day before we leave.
I have booked the special Thursday ticket to preview the merchandise event, I booked both the dining experiences, and I called this morning and booked the D23 experience I saw posted on here. Is there anything I have missed??? I've been trying to keep up with these boards but so much has been going on in my life I am afraid I might have missed something.

Thanks
Allison

 

[heimlichfan]

So, I'm a Star Wars Weekend newbie... trying to get all the info I can to make it a great experience for my husband and son.

I noticed that people posted that they got their D-Tech reservations already... I called today and they said they weren't booking them until May 7?

Any insight/clarification would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[horse11]

Ok I see I have already missed something. What is D-Tech?

 

[kmcdougan]

Looks like im benched this year ..
Had to pull my submission app
Government cancelled my leave ..
So its over for me ;(. Hoping to get 2015

Also dis, has put a cap on marchers 150 -501/RL
So gone are days of up to 200 marchers in a parade ..
No more costume themed days .. Like 20 pilots one day and 30 tuskens the next and a fleet of clones the following ;(

Also certain characters are not going to be seen mostly E.U. And games Alot of epic but lesser known costumes
On of my buddy's -a personal favorite of the parades for me personally
may have to switch to a different character

Well see alot of changes this year some good - some great - some unfortunate
No more hoopla
Hopefully all these new bugs and future changes
On stage and behind the curtains get worked out
Before 2015 --- or may not do 2016

Ive always loved the weekends - but as a glass half empty person - i fear things will not be the same ??? But on the other hand hold great hopes the mouse can make the brand and epic win for all fans alike -
and not just use the franchise to make the registers ring !! But to make the wars something new and old fans will continue to grow and love for centuries to come

Sorry you won't be able to make it. My understanding of the cap is that there were some issues with timing of the parade - that is, the parade took too long. As we all know, Disney prides itself on timing and properly running the show. So, a long drawn out parade will mess it all up. The sheer volume of EU characters that are not totally recognizable to someone who may have only watched the movies or the cartoon makes limiting the costumes give the parade a level of accessibility to more people present. Couple this with the announcement some months ago that Disney was going to do a continuity check on the whole Star Wars universe to rectify some of the ongoing issues with the vast realm of video games, comics, novels, etc.. Only time will tell exactly what will happen.

As far as the parade itself is concerned, I truly hope that we can put on a good show for the crowd, whether there are 10 of us or 1000. On a happier note, I have been approved to march, and, as soon as I confirm which days, I will announce them over here. The plan is for me to march June 1, 6, 7, and 8. We will have a total of 4 of us from my garrison down there.

Ash

 

[JediLeia]

This is from last year's announcement.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/05/star-wars-d-tech-me-experience-returns-to-star-wars-weekends-at-disneys-hollywood-studios-starting-may-17-2013/

Yulilin has some updated information about this year a few pages back. For one, they are adding an x-wing pilot and Alderaan princess to the figure options.

Ok I see I have already missed something. What is D-Tech?

 

[JediLeia]

Hmmm. I'm not sure why not. I haven't seen this year's information posted anywhere yet, except for here, but I was definitely able to make a reservation. Did you call the D-Tech phone number posted here a few pages back?

I noticed that people posted that they got their D-Tech reservations already... I called today and they said they weren't booking them until May 7?

 

[disneygrandma]

Just read mention of getting a name tag at Darth Maul. Please tell me about this.

Also, when making our D-Tech Me resv's, the CM made a point of telling me that I would not receive an email.

 

[aym4Him]

I just found this massive thread and will be reading it the next few days. Wow!!

I'm taking my 5yr old DS May 20-27. This is our 1st SWW and we are going in memory of my husband who passed, unexpectedly, in October.

DS caught his daddy watching the Clone Wars when he was 3 and became hooked. My DH couldn't have been prouder. He's already picking out costumes and has requested to eat breakfast with Darth Vader & the rest of the "Big People Star Wars Characters!" We do have ADRs for Sci-Fi & H&V the 22nd.

I'm so sad- devastated, actually, that my husband is not here. This is HIS thing. Well, their thing. I'm such a noob. I've seen the movies but things didn't stick in my brain like they did theirs. I'm so lost w/I DH as it is...tackling Disney alone, much less for something he was SO giddy about, he was ready to start plan a trip last fall. In fact, a trip to WDW was one of the last things he and I talked about the night before he died (passed in his sleep). We had booked a surprise trip for Nov. He passed 10/29. Some days, I still can't believe it.

Anyway- so sorry to be a downer. I am just wanting you guys to understand that, not only am I semi-dumb about Star Wars but I am also grieving and I think that must zap brain cells faster than pregnancy brain!!! Please bear with me. I want to do all I can to make this trip memorable for my brave boy and keep myself from going crazy.

 

[yulilin3]

We're really excited for our first Star Wars weekend. We already have reservations for the character meal at Hollywood and Vine on Tuesday night. Then we're planning on spending Friday in Hollywood Stuidos mostly focused on doing Star Wars Weekend things. We're mostly interested in the parade since my son loves parades. About what time would we want to start staking out a spot. We don't have to have the best spot but somewhere the kids could see it. Also besides the parade and character meet & greets what else is there that would appeal to young children? Are any of the shows particularly good? Is Jedi training fun to watch even if you're kids aren't participating? Any tips for the day?

People start grabbing the good spots (curbside and shaded) around an hour and a half before the parade. It's really hot in May/June and a shady spot is necesary. Anywhere on the left hand side of Hollywood Blvd as you face the Hat with a building blocking the sun will be good. They are having a show called Star Wars Voices it's all about voice over acting and the new animated series Disney Rebels that could appeal to young children. I love stopping for a few minutes and watching JTA. It's always fun to see the little kids battling Vader and Maul/Ventress. Read the first post of this thread there's everything you need to know and it's being updated as we get new info

I want our SWW to be super special for my son who will be turning 10 the day before we leave.
I have booked the special Thursday ticket to preview the merchandise event, I booked both the dining experiences, and I called this morning and booked the D23 experience I saw posted on here. Is there anything I have missed??? I've been trying to keep up with these boards but so much has been going on in my life I am afraid I might have missed something.

Thanks
Allison

Wow!! It looks like you'll have an awesome experience. Other than all the pre booked stuff just plan your day. Don't pack too much into it and leave some wiggle room

Just read mention of getting a name tag at Darth Maul. Please tell me about this.

Also, when making our D-Tech Me resv's, the CM made a point of telling me that I would not receive an email.

They are making nametags at Darth Mall with the logo of Star Tours. Blue for the general ticket holders, black if you're a Passholder and Orange if you're attending the merchandise event on the 15. They look like cast member name tags and you can choose which Star Wars planet you want to be from and they write it in Aurebesh (Star Wars language) I'll look for pictures or videos and post them later

I just found this massive thread and will be reading it the next few days. Wow!!

I'm taking my 5yr old DS May 20-27. This is our 1st SWW and we are going in memory of my husband who passed, unexpectedly, in October.

DS caught his daddy watching the Clone Wars when he was 3 and became hooked. My DH couldn't have been prouder. He's already picking out costumes and has requested to eat breakfast with Darth Vader & the rest of the "Big People Star Wars Characters!" We do have ADRs for Sci-Fi & H&V the 22nd.

I'm so sad- devastated, actually, that my husband is not here. This is HIS thing. Well, their thing. I'm such a noob. I've seen the movies but things didn't stick in my brain like they did theirs. I'm so lost w/I DH as it is...tackling Disney alone, much less for something he was SO giddy about, he was ready to start plan a trip last fall. In fact, a trip to WDW was one of the last things he and I talked about the night before he died (passed in his sleep). We had booked a surprise trip for Nov. He passed 10/29. Some days, I still can't believe it.

Anyway- so sorry to be a downer. I am just wanting you guys to understand that, not only am I semi-dumb about Star Wars but I am also grieving and I think that must zap brain cells faster than pregnancy brain!!! Please bear with me. I want to do all I can to make this trip memorable for my brave boy and keep myself from going crazy.

So sorry for your loss, I can't imagine what you're going thru.
Please let us know anything we cand o to help you plan a great SWW erxperience. If you read the first post of this thread there's information on everything going on, and I update it when I get new info. So you don't have to read thru all these pages. Any particular thing you want to do with your son?

 

[Linda67]

The mall is better in the afternoon. Not sure if you could order them late and pick them up next day. The mall used to stay open until park closing, with the location of it this year I'm not sure. They have to close Pixar lane from One Man's Dream to Backlot Tour because of the fireworks.

Thanks as always for the quick answer
I will keep an eye on this thread to see if you have any news on the Mall once the weekends have actually started

 

[yulilin3]

Here's a video I took last year of the first Friday of weekend 1. Youtube muted it because of the SW music in the background but it will give you a general idea on crowds and things to see. First is the lines for celebrity autographs outside the park, then it's the line for JTA sign ups and then just walking around the several character meet and greets and Darth Mall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrBgyive7I4

Here's another video from 2012 at 1:15 you can briefly see the name tags
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjiWlQTwOGA

 

[alayne]

We just got back from Disney World and while we were there a CM stopped us to ask us if we would take a survey. We got to talking to him and told him we were coming back for SWW in May.

He said he wouldn't be surprised if SWW turned into something like the Flower and Garden Show and Food and Wine. He said he really thinks they will do it longer and not just on weekends in the next few years. I hope this is true.

This will be my first SWW so I'm not at all an expert but from reading this board it seems to me that you need the whole weekend if you want to do it all and even then you might have to cut something. Having more weekdays might give you more of a chance not to miss something.

(On a NON SWW note we had a CM tell us that they would be adding the option for park hopper tickets holders to add two more FP selections for another park to their 3. I'm really hoping this comes soon.)

 

[Dave Tis]

Hi all,
I have managed to reserve the D Tech me experience for me and my partner (Stormtrooper & Princess Leia) - however I booked the 16" figures as when I spoke to the Disney call-op I was convinced he stated $149.95..

Im from the UK, so our line wasn't the clearest, so I responded by saying $150 and he said yes..

Now seeing (form earlier posts) the 16" could be $1,049... well you can probably tell I am a little anxious therefore:-

1) Please can anyone confirm the 16" price
2) Will I be able to attend on the day and switch from 16" to 7" (if price is $1,049) or contact for a change by other means (i'd rather avoid calling again due to the long time delays and the price of the calls for us over the Atlantic)

One final Q: Im also attending the Rebel Rendevous Event on May 15th - does anyone know what extra special events are being held for this?

Many thanks
Dave T

 

[yulilin3]

So, I'm a Star Wars Weekend newbie... trying to get all the info I can to make it a great experience for my husband and son.

I noticed that people posted that they got their D-Tech reservations already... I called today and they said they weren't booking them until May 7?

Any insight/clarification would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Did you call 407 WDW TECH?

Ok I see I have already missed something. What is D-Tech?

All the info is on page 110 of this thread. Post number 1641

 

[yulilin3]

Hi all,
I have managed to reserve the D Tech me experience for me and my partner (Stormtrooper & Princess Leia) - however I booked the 16" figures as when I spoke to the Disney call-op I was convinced he stated $149.95..

Im from the UK, so our line wasn't the clearest, so I responded by saying $150 and he said yes..

Now seeing (form earlier posts) the 16" could be $1,049... well you can probably tell I am a little anxious therefore:-

1) Please can anyone confirm the 16" price
2) Will I be able to attend on the day and switch from 16" to 7" (if price is $1,049) or contact for a change by other means (i'd rather avoid calling again due to the long time delays and the price of the calls for us over the Atlantic)

One final Q: Im also attending the Rebel Rendevous Event on May 15th - does anyone know what extra special events are being held for this?

Many thanks
Dave T

Here's the email address for merchanidse, maybe they'll be able to answer your questions without having to call again: merchandiseguestservices@disney.go.com
I'll try to call later and ask all of these questions as well
No events have been announced for the Rendevous event

 

[yulilin3]

There's a STRONG possibility that we will have 2 large merchandise locations this year. Starting May 1st the parking behind RnRC is being assigned for SWW14...this is the same space that has been used for Darth Mall for the past 4 years...just speculating but what else would they be using this space for?
Still D-Tech will be at Soundstage 1 (between TSMM and Backlot Tour) as well as the special Rendevous event on the 15.
As usual I will keep you guys posted.

 

[Dave Tis]

Thanks Yulilin 3 - I have sent an e-mail across.

I assume if any Rebel Rendevous Event details - then they will be posted on here?

PS - Is anyone else going to RR Event?