Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[disneygrandma]

The grandkids are going to be so excited about all these items & experiences for our 1st SWW.

I do have a question concerning the different shows (or lectures ?) that will be going on during the day. Will these hold the attention of children? Or are they more for the adults?

Thanks!

 

[aym4Him]

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?

Thank you!

Gosh- there's so much going on. I guess I just don't want him to miss anything. I wish we could get him into JTA but we barely got in for the trip in Nov (Yes- we still went since flights were booked, etc. Plus, I needed to get out of Dodge. My sister came with us since we had ressies for three. It was good because if I needed to take a moment (or twelve!), she was there for my son. He had a BLAST!). I had thought about trying the morning of our breakfast but it's at 8:15. I don't really want to rush it, either.

We have 5 day PH so I guess that works in our favor. We are staying at Pop. I had NO IDEA there were strategies for resort stays, etc.

He loves Darth Maul, Grievous, DV, Ashoka & Ventress. I need to talk with him more. Tonight, we had a grief counseling meeting & balloon release. They gave us stars to decorate. He drew his dad on one side, with a blue lightsaber & himself as General Grievous on the other. He said they were playing Star Wars. This sucks He should be here!

Alas, he is not and so we shall carry on. So, for costumes, can the kids wear masks, helmets, etc? What about lightsabers & guns? I figured not but thought I would ask. I don't really wanna schlep that stuff around, anyway.

How sturdy are the D-Tech figures? Holy cats. $$$$$$

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.

Thank you so much. When we went in Nov, we took a laminated picture of him. He rode Star Tours with us and E (my son) had a great time holding him up in some Photo Pass pictures. A CM even put it on one of those Star Wars pix in Tattoine Traders. E insisted on a scene with 3 ppl (my sister wasn't there at the time). We had one like that taken when we were on his Wish Trip in '12. Anyway, I handed him the pic of DH and he was able to use it.

 

[Linda67]

Thank you!

Gosh- there's so much going on. I guess I just don't want him to miss anything. I wish we could get him into JTA but we barely got in for the trip in Nov (Yes- we still went since flights were booked, etc. Plus, I needed to get out of Dodge. My sister came with us since we had ressies for three. It was good because if I needed to take a moment (or twelve!), she was there for my son. He had a BLAST!). I had thought about trying the morning of our breakfast but it's at 8:15. I don't really want to rush it, either.

We have 5 day PH so I guess that works in our favor. We are staying at Pop. I had NO IDEA there were strategies for resort stays, etc.

He loves Darth Maul, Grievous, DV, Ashoka & Ventress. I need to talk with him more. Tonight, we had a grief counseling meeting & balloon release. They gave us stars to decorate. He drew his dad on one side, with a blue lightsaber & himself as General Grievous on the other. He said they were playing Star Wars. This sucks He should be here!

Alas, he is not and so we shall carry on. So, for costumes, can the kids wear masks, helmets, etc? What about lightsabers & guns? I figured not but thought I would ask. I don't really wanna schlep that stuff around, anyway.

How sturdy are the D-Tech figures? Holy cats. $$$$$$


Thank you so much. When we went in Nov, we took a laminated picture of him. He rode Star Tours with us and E (my son) had a great time holding him up in some Photo Pass pictures. A CM even put it on one of those Star Wars pix in Tattoine Traders. E insisted on a scene with 3 ppl (my sister wasn't there at the time). We had one like that taken when we were on his Wish Trip in '12. Anyway, I handed him the pic of DH and he was able to use it.

I just wanted to add my condolences.
I think it's wonderful that you are taking your DS to SWW, something that clearly meant a lot to your family and will continue to do so

 

[yulilin3]

The grandkids are going to be so excited about all these items & experiences for our 1st SWW.

I do have a question concerning the different shows (or lectures ?) that will be going on during the day. Will these hold the attention of children? Or are they more for the adults?

Thanks!

There are 3 main shows:
Stars of the Saga is a Q&A with the visiting celebrities, they show clips from the movies and talk how the movies where made and the actors experiences. This could be more for adults. The preshow with the sotrmtroopers i so funny though, I wouldn't miss that

Star Wars Voices: is about voice over acting and they will focus on Star Wars Rebels the new cartoon coming to Disney XD. Kids would enjoy this one more I think

Obi Wan and Beyond is James Arnold Taylor talking about his career and how he got his start. He does over 200 voices on this show, he is a ver accomplimshed voice actor and does the voice of Obi Wan, Fred Flistones, Ratchet, Johnny Test and much much more. It has a great inspirational message at the end. I think kids will enjoy this one as well but depends on how old the are. I think anyone over 7 will appreciate this show

There are 2 other shows that happen when that specific actor is here
Ray Park (Darth Maul) does Visit to the Maul and he talks and shows his moves in martial arts and how they inspired the movements for Darth Maul. They randomly pick kids for this show to go up on stage and learn a routine using the lightsaber.

Warwick Davis when he was here last year he did My Short Story, again talking about his career. He picked people from the audience to be part of the show and play different people that influenced his life. This was a funny show but I don't think young kids will sit thru it.

 

[lovethattink]

Thank you!

Gosh- there's so much going on. I guess I just don't want him to miss anything. I wish we could get him into JTA but we barely got in for the trip in Nov (Yes- we still went since flights were booked, etc. Plus, I needed to get out of Dodge. My sister came with us since we had ressies for three. It was good because if I needed to take a moment (or twelve!), she was there for my son. He had a BLAST!). I had thought about trying the morning of our breakfast but it's at 8:15. I don't really want to rush it, either.

We have 5 day PH so I guess that works in our favor. We are staying at Pop. I had NO IDEA there were strategies for resort stays, etc.

He loves Darth Maul, Grievous, DV, Ashoka & Ventress. I need to talk with him more. Tonight, we had a grief counseling meeting & balloon release. They gave us stars to decorate. He drew his dad on one side, with a blue lightsaber & himself as General Grievous on the other. He said they were playing Star Wars. This sucks He should be here!

Alas, he is not and so we shall carry on. So, for costumes, can the kids wear masks, helmets, etc? What about lightsabers & guns? I figured not but thought I would ask. I don't really wanna schlep that stuff around, anyway.

How sturdy are the D-Tech figures? Holy cats. $$$$$$

Hi, Amy. I followed Ethan's MAW PTR. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. You are very strong, courageous, and caring to take your son to SWW. I'm sure the two of you will have an awesome time.

There is a DISer, mommy2mrb, who lost her husband in the Haiti earthquake. She and her daughter have done several trips to WDW and DLR. They have found Disney to be helpful to their healing process.

How is Ethan's heart doing since his MAW trip?

The D-Tech figures are too fragile to play with. And somehow my son got a water drop on his and it left a definite mark.

My son loves to wear costumes to SWW, though this year I don't think he'll be able to. He is on more medication and it's really wreaking havoc on his temperature regulation. But in past years he loved to wear full costumes and carry accessories that went with them. I still have to figure out what he's going to do this year.

 

[501st disney trooper]

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

Im in that one i sold my tie pilot This year
So next year i hope to have my clone done - and my skytrooper

 

[501st disney trooper]

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

I hope to march with you next year !! And your approved !!! Yay .. Hope to see you on you tube
Since i cannot attend

And yes parade slots have filled up fast - i agree with everything you've said as well !!
Heres to an epic 2013 ash

 

[disneygrandma]

Thanks so much for explaining the shows. Now we'll be more prepared to decide what all we want to do at SWW.

Thanks again!

 

[denneg]

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.

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine your grief, I hope you believe in some sort of afterlife that allows your DH to be with you and DS every second of SWW.

We are going to be down the week before you, our DS is 5 too, if we were there at the same time I would have looked for you to let them play a bit so you could catch your breath!

We went to our first SWW last year, just DS and I while DH was somewhere with the Army (DH and I had been once before, but it was an accident, we were on a golf trip and wanted to visit HS for the day). DS loved every minute, even though we were scattered and really didn't know what we were doing. I used Kennythepirate's advice (he has a website too if you google him) as far as when to do character meets, and we got everyone he wanted other than Chewie. This year I booked the meals because he got heat stroke waiting in all the lines, I don't want to repeat that. We skipped JTA because he's tried before and was scared of DV - and with DM there too, there was just no way he could do it. DM scared both of us just during our meet and greet, never mind JTA! Overall we had a great time, if you have any questions about doing it alone with a 5 year old, let me know!

 

[hemmie]

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.

Am so very sorry for your loss. Taking your DS to Disney & SWW is a wonderful way to grieve him and honor him; I hope this will be healing for you.

 

[hemmie]

There are 3 main shows:
Stars of the Saga is a Q&A with the visiting celebrities, they show clips from the movies and talk how the movies where made and the actors experiences. This could be more for adults. The preshow with the sotrmtroopers i so funny though, I wouldn't miss that

Star Wars Voices: is about voice over acting and they will focus on Star Wars Rebels the new cartoon coming to Disney XD. Kids would enjoy this one more I think

Obi Wan and Beyond is James Arnold Taylor talking about his career and how he got his start. He does over 200 voices on this show, he is a ver accomplimshed voice actor and does the voice of Obi Wan, Fred Flistones, Ratchet, Johnny Test and much much more. It has a great inspirational message at the end. I think kids will enjoy this one as well but depends on how old the are. I think anyone over 7 will appreciate this show

There are 2 other shows that happen when that specific actor is here
Ray Park (Darth Maul) does Visit to the Maul and he talks and shows his moves in martial arts and how they inspired the movements for Darth Maul. They randomly pick kids for this show to go up on stage and learn a routine using the lightsaber.

Warwick Davis when he was here last year he did My Short Story, again talking about his career. He picked people from the audience to be part of the show and play different people that influenced his life. This was a funny show but I don't think young kids will sit thru it.

This is really really helpful! Thank you! So, for my family (us plus our boys 10 & 8, plus my 50+ sister), I'd love some feedback. The following I think is true:
- we may or may not do JTA; will play this by ear as to how we are feeling by the end of 6 days of parks.
- we WILL get there by RD regardless of JTA (or at least take the first possible bus from AKL)
- we will not be waiting for characters, with the possible exception of Chewie, in part bc we have the SW character breakfast at SciFi at 10:30am.
- we will likely not be attending the SWW shows/talks

Given all of the above, I wonder if it's still worthwhile to go the previous afternoon (a Thursday) after Blizzard Beach to ride some rides with lower wait times. I have FP+s for ToT, RnR and Star Tours.

What do you think? Or should we just do the one day at HS and use that previous afternoon to park hop to the Josh (easyWDW)-recommended parks of AK or MK? Currently, I only have one day at AK and MK on our itinerary.

Thanks!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Excuse my question but what are the name tags I keep reading you guys are getting? Something I should have?

 

[lovethattink]

They are around $10. It's your name in Aurebesh. You choose a title or planet for it you.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

They are around $10. It's your name in Aurebesh. You choose a title or planet for it you.

cool thanks! I want one of those! Where do you get them from and do you have to preorder? Thanks for your help!

 

[yulilin3]

This is really really helpful! Thank you! So, for my family (us plus our boys 10 & 8, plus my 50+ sister), I'd love some feedback. The following I think is true:
- we may or may not do JTA; will play this by ear as to how we are feeling by the end of 6 days of parks.
- we WILL get there by RD regardless of JTA (or at least take the first possible bus from AKL)
- we will not be waiting for characters, with the possible exception of Chewie, in part bc we have the SW character breakfast at SciFi at 10:30am.
- we will likely not be attending the SWW shows/talks

Given all of the above, I wonder if it's still worthwhile to go the previous afternoon (a Thursday) after Blizzard Beach to ride some rides with lower wait times. I have FP+s for ToT, RnR and Star Tours.

What do you think? Or should we just do the one day at HS and use that previous afternoon to park hop to the Josh (easyWDW)-recommended parks of AK or MK? Currently, I only have one day at AK and MK on our itinerary.

Thanks!

I think it's a good idea to stick with your plan of going to DHS the day before, do the irdes and then the next day do SWW stuff. Even if you don't think you might weant to do a show or meet a character things might change and it's better to have the time. Also you can ride some rides again. Just my opinion

Excuse my question but what are the name tags I keep reading you guys are getting? Something I should have?

Here's a link that shows you the name tag up close. They sell for about $10. You get blue, black (for passholders and this year orange for people going to the special merchandise event on May 15
http://www.*****************/Disney...kends-2013-Star-Tours-Logo-Black_p_21884.html

 

[kmcdougan]

I hope to march with you next year !! And your approved !!! Yay .. Hope to see you on you tube
Since i cannot attend

And yes parade slots have filled up fast - i agree with everything you've said as well !!
Heres to an epic 2013 ash

Thanks, my brother. Hope to see you at a troop sooner or later. I am sure someone will get a video of at least one of my parades up. DISers are good that way!

Ash

 

[lemonears6]

Is there a list of meet and greets this year?

 

[yulilin3]

Is there a list of meet and greets this year?

This is the only official word as of today:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/hollywood-studios/character-meet-star-wars/
All the usual characters plus they auditioned early this year for Han Solo

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I would so laugh if you got your approval on April 20 (my approval anniversary date). Yeah, I found out about Mara a couple weeks ago, or was it just a week or two ago? Anyway, they are tightening up on the EU characters and seem to want to have recognizable characters in the parade. You can do an officer which is still a face character and can march.

Glad to hear about the boyfriend's costume. It is great to be able to share the hobby. As I said before, going out and wrangling (that's what we call it) is great way to meet everyone and know the workings before going out in costume.

Ash

I had remembered you got approved only a few moments before SWW and had to get some events in mighty quick to be able to march in SWW motorcade last year. Would be funny if I got your date too, BUT I am betting it might be beginning of May. I have to go through EU board too with mine, takes a bit longer.

Wrangling/helper/handler tasking has been really fun! We have been going to as many events as we can with our schedules.

SWW: What weekend are you going to be there this year? We are there for only the third weekend this year.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

D-TECH

Official posting for Disney on this yet...

looking for a full price guide and options, can't find one on the net.