Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[hemmie]

(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.)

That would be HUGE!

 

[Vala]

PS - Is anyone else going to RR Event?

*raises hand*

There's a topic buried somewhere. A number of people posting on the board are going.

 

[parith1114]

quick question...there is a lot of info on this thread and I apologize if it has been asked before. My 60 day window opens tomorrow...are there any special Star Wars events or meet and greets allowed with the new FP+? Trying to figure out which FP we want and making sure there's no surprises going to show up tomorrow. Thanks in advance!

 

[yulilin3]

quick question...there is a lot of info on this thread and I apologize if it has been asked before. My 60 day window opens tomorrow...are there any special Star Wars events or meet and greets allowed with the new FP+? Trying to figure out which FP we want and making sure there's no surprises going to show up tomorrow. Thanks in advance!

NO fp+ experiences have been announced for any of the SWW events and meet and greets. If you do see something SWW related when you're booking your fp+ please let us know

 

[parith1114]

NO fp+ experiences have been announced for any of the SWW events and meet and greets. If you do see something SWW related when you're booking your fp+ please let us know

Thank you for the quick reply! I will definitely check back in if I see any.

 

[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

Ok, after being on hold for 30 minutes I got the info:
The 7" is 99.95 plus tax comes out to 106.45
The 16" she said was 1499.95 I asked twice for her to verify this price plus tax
If you book for the 16" but decide to switch to the 7" they ask that you let them know at least a day ahead of time, they want to know how many of each size figure to produce.
You can change from an of the 4 options the day of your reservation.

 

[hemmie]

With my family of four (boys 10 & 8) plus my 50+ sister, we are planning to be at SWW RD on the Friday of Memorial Weekend - haven't quite decided on JTA yet, but regardless, plan is RD.

Question is, should we push through and stay as long as we can through the afternoon until our exhaustion and the crowd get to be too much? Or is it worth taking a break during the hottest/most crowded part of the day and returning at night?

In other words, will it be less crowded that night or about the same? (also, this is the same day as MK being open 24 hrs, which may draw some of the crowd away).

Thanks!

 

[lovethattink]

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.

This is exciting news!

My mind drifts to air conditioned character meets? Viewing of Star Wars films or Clone wars clips? Lego building? Games like that Angry Bird one last year?

Ok, after being on hold for 30 minutes I got the info:
The 7" is 99.95 plus tax comes out to 106.45
The 16" she said was 1499.95 I asked twice for her to verify this price plus tax
If you book for the 16" but decide to switch to the 7" they ask that you let them know at least a day ahead of time, they want to know how many of each size figure to produce.
You can change from an of the 4 options the day of your reservation.

That is a huge difference in price. 10 times more?

 

[yulilin3]

With my family of four (boys 10 & 8) plus my 50+ sister, we are planning to be at SWW RD on the Friday of Memorial Weekend - haven't quite decided on JTA yet, but regardless, plan is RD.

Question is, should we push through and stay as long as we can through the afternoon until our exhaustion and the crowd get to be too much? Or is it worth taking a break during the hottest/most crowded part of the day and returning at night?

In other words, will it be less crowded that night or about the same? (also, this is the same day as MK being open 24 hrs, which may draw some of the crowd away).

Thanks!

the crowds won't diminish, in fact, since DHS never has fireworks this might attract more people to the park at night. Now being that it is the same day as the 24 hours event at MK might help you but not a whole lot.
To go back to your hotel and take a midday break is completely up to you, I find that the hassle of taking the bus back and forth (or a car) sometimes is more draining than finding a place inside the park and taking an hour break.
Also remember that here will be SWW shows during the whole day and if you leave you won't see them. Again you and your families choice.
We go at RD as well and stay the entire day. We take breaks whenever possible. Go inside a quick service restaurant or inside One Man's Dream or the Animation Bldg. Sit down, have a snack, maybe rest our eyes for about an hour and then keep going

 

[hemmie]

the crowds won't diminish, in fact, since DHS never has fireworks this might attract more people to the park at night. Now being that it is the same day as the 24 hours event at MK might help you but not a whole lot.
To go back to your hotel and take a midday break is completely up to you, I find that the hassle of taking the bus back and forth (or a car) sometimes is more draining than finding a place inside the park and taking an hour break.
Also remember that here will be SWW shows during the whole day and if you leave you won't see them. Again you and your families choice.
We go at RD as well and stay the entire day. We take breaks whenever possible. Go inside a quick service restaurant or inside One Man's Dream or the Animation Bldg. Sit down, have a snack, maybe rest our eyes for about an hour and then keep going

Ok, so you are confirming my initial instinct; I even made a list in each park of "downtime ideas" for the middle of the day rather than leaving the park. Thanks!

 

[cindermomma]

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

My family and I will be there for the weekend of the 7-8th! Hope to see you in the parade!

 

[poison ivy]

Ok, so you are confirming my initial instinct; I even made a list in each park of "downtime ideas" for the middle of the day rather than leaving the park. Thanks!

last year we park hopped from the 24 hr event to the studios around 3. I have some photos of the crowds but it wasn't too bad.

We went back to SWW on Sun - Memorial Day Weekend and didn't feel overwhelmed but we did line up for the parade and shows early.

 

[cindermomma]

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.

Just wanted to tell you how very sorry I am for your loss. I am sure your DH will be there with you in spirit. Sending all my love and hugs to you and your precious DS.

 

[Dikran]

There are just too many new things and unknowns this year to really accurately predict what's going to happen... Crowds and lines could be higher or lower depending how the RR goes with merchandise. The character meals could make for shorter waits outside. But then there's the whole fireworks and Mark Hamil thing that could make it unbearably crowded... And who knows who the other guests will be. It wouldn't surprise me if Lucas himself showed up at this point!

 

[JennCa]

Do you think June 1st will be very different in crowds compared to June 8th? I saw that Mark Hamil is planning to be there on the 8th and wondering if that will make a difference to the crowds? Is that correct in that he will be there the whole weekend of June 6-8 or is he other dates also?

Jenn

 

[yulilin3]

There are just too many new things and unknowns this year to really accurately predict what's going to happen... Crowds and lines could be higher or lower depending how the RR goes with merchandise. The character meals could make for shorter waits outside. But then there's the whole fireworks and Mark Hamil thing that could make it unbearably crowded... And who knows who the other guests will be. It wouldn't surprise me if Lucas himself showed up at this point!

Lucas attending is the longest standing SWW rumor...people say he comes every year and no one has seen him. The only time I ever saw him was at the Last Tour to Endor event

Do you think June 1st will be very different in crowds compared to June 8th? I saw that Mark Hamil is planning to be there on the 8th and wondering if that will make a difference to the crowds? Is that correct in that he will be there the whole weekend of June 6-8 or is he other dates also?

Jenn

Mark Hamill weekend will be huge!! Crowds will be craziest. Even more so than Memorial weekend

 

[yulilin3]

There are just too many new things and unknowns this year to really accurately predict what's going to happen... Crowds and lines could be higher or lower depending how the RR goes with merchandise. The character meals could make for shorter waits outside. But then there's the whole fireworks and Mark Hamil thing that could make it unbearably crowded... And who knows who the other guests will be. It wouldn't surprise me if Lucas himself showed up at this point!

The entire property is seeing more and more crowds. People seem to forget how crowded it was before Sep. 11 2001. And then many people took advantage of the deals that Disney and other theem parks put out to bring the crowds back ( my favorite was year of a million dreams) now crowds are picking up again, and that's a good thing , not neccesarily for those coming, but for the general economy.
Anyways you can always expect more crowds. We never get a list of celebs until May and never get the schedule of all events until the week of the first SWW so there's no difference there

 

[disneygrandma]

Looking at past pictures of the parade, I see several children marching also. How are the children chosen for the parade? Does it have something to do with JTA that day?

 

[JaxMummy]

What is "Storming the Park" that I've read about? Is this a must see for SW weekend?

 

[yulilin3]

Looking at past pictures of the parade, I see several children marching also. How are the children chosen for the parade? Does it have something to do with JTA that day?

They are picked at random around Star Tours and the Premiere Theater to march in the parade representing the kids from the JTA. They usually pick kids in star wars outfits or costumes that seem enthusiastic. They give them a robe and a lightsaber to march. One parent needs to march behind them and the rest of the party has a special viewing area (in the direct sun next to the Hat Stage)