Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

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

Not sure what that is exactly
Stormtroopers open the park in the morning, then you see stormtroopers patrolling around Hollywood Blvd and Backlot Tour area.
There are plenty of stormtroopers from the 501st. marching in the parade
Where exactly did you hear this term?

 

[kmcdougan]

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

I will be easy to spot. I will be with the officers, usually in the front of the parade. MY costume is a white jacket and black pants. Likely, there will only be me and maybe one other in that costume. the 501st stays in character when marching. We are, essentially, a military unit, and march as such. So, we can't smile, nod, wave, or interact with the crowd in any way. We just march on. We can hear the cheering, though, and, I know I love it, as does every other member I have spoken to.

If anyone wants to catch me around the parks, shoot me a PM, and I can let people know where I am likely to be on a given day. I have my own trading card which I would be happy to pass out.

Ash

 

[like2workout]

does anyone know if there is a list of characters that will be available for meet and greets during star wars weekends? thx.

 

[yulilin3]

I will be easy to spot. I will be with the officers, usually in the front of the parade. MY costume is a white jacket and black pants. Likely, there will only be me and maybe one other in that costume. the 501st stays in character when marching. We are, essentially, a military unit, and march as such. So, we can't smile, nod, wave, or interact with the crowd in any way. We just march on. We can hear the cheering, though, and, I know I love it, as does every other member I have spoken to.

If anyone wants to catch me around the parks, shoot me a PM, and I can let people know where I am likely to be on a given day. I have my own trading card which I would be happy to pass out.

Ash

I got a video of you from last year when you marched. Is it Ok to repost?

does anyone know if there is a list of characters that will be available for meet and greets during star wars weekends? thx.

Here's a list from Kenny the Pirate:

http://kennythepirate.com/2012/08/08/star-wars-weekends-map-and-character-schedule/
these are last year times, they don't release the times the characters are out, Kenny just stood by the meet and greets and recorded the times they did. Sometimes some CM are nice about showing you the times but for the most part you won't know their exact schedule only a "from 9am to 6pm" sort of thing
Also new this year the Disney characters dressed in SW costumes will be inside Darth Mall next to TSMM

 

[handicap18]

As usual please treat this as a rumor until Disney confirms but coming from a source close to entertainment the parade will be at 11:30am this year.

I hope this is true. It will be much better for my party as we will be at H&V for breakfast at 10:10. We won't get a great spot for view the parade (unless they have a special spot for people with scooters) but at least we'll have a better shot at being able to see it without rushing through breakfast as much.

 

[kmcdougan]

I got a video of you from last year when you marched. Is it Ok to repost?

Absolutely! Go right ahead.

Ash

 

[yulilin3]

Absolutely! Go right ahead.

Ash

Cool!! Here's the video of the 501st abd Rebel Legion
(BTW I hate my voice in videos )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs4mf5w1pns

 

[PatMcDuck]

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.

Close to our plan for Memorial Day weekend this year….. We want to open MK at 6 am Friday, stay until about 10 am, then move over to the Studios. After a break in the afternoon, return to Studios, have the SW dinner that night, and will see the SW fireworks. After a little sleep, we hope to return to MK around 3 am until 6 am Saturday.

SLEEP SLEEP after this on Saturday, lol.

We will also go to the Studios on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend to see the parade, and whatever else we can.

 

[cindermomma]

Cool!! Here's the video of the 501st abd Rebel Legion
(BTW I hate my voice in videos )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs4mf5w1pns

Great video!

 

[kmcdougan]

Cool!! Here's the video of the 501st abd Rebel Legion
(BTW I hate my voice in videos )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs4mf5w1pns

Yep. There I am, right up front, white tunic and all. This pace is about 1/2 to 2/3 of what we march at for Mardi Gras. And Mardi Gras is a much longer route (about 7 miles). Most of our guys make specific modifications to their armor so that they can march such distances in all kinds of weather.

I can say that the DHS parade is the shortest 15 minutes I have ever experienced, but it was the most awesome. I can't wait to do it again this year.

Ash

 

[dorchrislen]

WooHoo! I just booked a D-Tech Me for 2:30 6/14 for my DS (13). I am trying to justify the expense as his only souvenier for the trip and due to its uniqueness.

I was shocked to see a prior poster that planned 3 small and one large at over $1300 total. Now that's crazy, but if you have it and are a huge fan, more power to you!!

 

[lovethattink]

Yep. There I am, right up front, white tunic and all. This pace is about 1/2 to 2/3 of what we march at for Mardi Gras. And Mardi Gras is a much longer route (about 7 miles). Most of our guys make specific modifications to their armor so that they can march such distances in all kinds of weather.

I can say that the DHS parade is the shortest 15 minutes I have ever experienced, but it was the most awesome. I can't wait to do it again this year.

Ash

 

[1153rsmith]

Very Nice!

 

[1153rsmith]

Are reservations required for D-Tech Me or can you do walk-ups? My son is on the fence about doing it.. He really wants too, but can't decide if the money would be better spent elsewhere.

 

[lovethattink]

Very Nice!

I'm pretty sure this picture was from my photopass cd, my son was in the same parade

 

[yulilin3]

Are reservations required for D-Tech Me or can you do walk-ups? My son is on the fence about doing it.. He really wants too, but can't decide if the money would be better spent elsewhere.

not required but recommended...You can reserve your slot and then you can cancel up to 2 days before without penalty

 

[lovethattink]

Are reservations required for D-Tech Me or can you do walk-ups? My son is on the fence about doing it.. He really wants too, but can't decide if the money would be better spent elsewhere.

Last year they took some walk-ups and worked them around the reservations. In 2012 when they first started this, my son was taken as a walk-up, but that was on a weekday when it was in the Sounds Dangerous Soundstage.

 

[kmcdougan]

Ah, the PhotoPass guy's pic. I did love that shot. We are not allowed to turn our heads or react to the crowds. I was scanning with my eyes back and forth, and the photographer snapped this perfect picture. I really liked this one.

Ash

 

[disneygrandma]

Regarding the name tags: We have a 1:00 D-Tech Me time. If we order the name tags then, will we be able to pick them up yet that afternoon? How long does it take? Any idea of prices?

As always, thanks for the info.

 

[yulilin3]

Regarding the name tags: We have a 1:00 D-Tech Me time. If we order the name tags then, will we be able to pick them up yet that afternoon? How long does it take? Any idea of prices?

As always, thanks for the info.

In this video you can see the price from 2 years ago on 1:15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjiWlQTwOGA
This was the year I had mine made, it took about 45 minutes but last year it was more popular and I think people were told to pick them up anywhere from 2 to 4 hours after ordering them