Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[lemonears6]

There is no way I could do 499 x 6. But sounds nice

 

[Linda67]

I called earlier today and left a message and just got a call back. I haven't been on here in awhile and just scanned back a couple of pages so I apologize if I'm repeating something. I made a reservation for my dh and 10 y/o dd who is a Star Wars fanatic. They are only allowing 40
VIP packages per day and there will be 200 (inc VIP) allowed in the fireworks dessert party so that will be opened up later for the remaining 160 reservations. They are still "fine tuning" the VIP package but there will not be autographs. The VIP information had been given to cast members and it was leaked early which is why it isn't on any official Disney sites yet.

-Kara

Thanks for the info
So it sounds like they are going to be selling a separate ticketed dessert party for the fireworks - am I correct?

 

[JeremyGNJ]

How busy are we expecting the first Friday to be? Like super duper crowded? Ironically I don't do great in really big crowds (I usually go in the fall when it's not so bad). Just starting to get anxious since I'm right at a month away. Thanks!

I'm wondering the same. We'll be there the 16th, as it's the last day of our trip. We're going to HS earlier in the week so that the StarWars day, we can just focus on SW stuff and not worry about rides we didn't do.

It is a very non-busy season (post-Easter, pre-memorial day) so I'm hoping it wont be bad.

 

[yulilin3]

How busy are we expecting the first Friday to be? Like super duper crowded? Ironically I don't do great in really big crowds (I usually go in the fall when it's not so bad). Just starting to get anxious since I'm right at a month away. Thanks!

I'm wondering the same. We'll be there the 16th, as it's the last day of our trip. We're going to HS earlier in the week so that the StarWars day, we can just focus on SW stuff and not worry about rides we didn't do.

It is a very non-busy season (post-Easter, pre-memorial day) so I'm hoping it wont be bad.

The main reason the first Friday is busy is because people going to Darth's Mall to buy the limited edition stuff. Even with the Rebel merchandise event the day before I still expect the line for merchandise Friday morning will be long. So the area around Darth's Mall will be particularly busy in the morning time.
The park will be crowded but not shoulder to shoulder.

 

[hemmie]

The main reason the first Friday is busy is because people going to Darth's Mall to buy the limited edition stuff. Even with the Rebel merchandise event the day before I still expect the line for merchandise Friday morning will be long. So the area around Darth's Mall will be particularly busy in the morning time.
The park will be crowded but not shoulder to shoulder.

Do you have a sense of "most crowded" SWW weekend? And/or how much the crowd varies from Friday to Sat or Sun?

 

[alayne]

Has anyone booked the VIP tour? Being that this maybe our only SWW for many years I am seriously thinking about doing it because of the limited time we have at Disney for SWW. I just talked with Rob on the line to book it and he said that you will get to meet the Disney SWW characters for a photo in the morning at Darth Mall but not the ones you have to get the wrist band for. They tried to add that to the tour but couldn't. I like the idea of not having to wait in lines to get the perfect spot for the parade and fireworks.

I also like that the groups are small. Only 20 in each group and only 40 for each day.

 

[yulilin3]

Do you have a sense of "most crowded" SWW weekend? And/or how much the crowd varies from Friday to Sat or Sun?

Friday is the least crowded out of the three but not by much
Memorial weekend is busier for obvious reasons.
Mark Hamill weekend will be super busy but concentrated on the parade and show.
I've been going to SWW for 10 years now and, honestly, the crowds don't vary that much. It gets busier every weekend, especially the ones in June since a lot of kids are out of school but I would say that the crowd difference between weekend 1 and weekend 4 is about 20%.

 

[lovethattink]

Has anyone booked the VIP tour? Being that this maybe our only SWW for many years I am seriously thinking about doing it because of the limited time we have at Disney for SWW. I just talked with Rob on the line to book it and he said that you will get to meet the Disney SWW characters for a photo in the morning at Darth Mall but not the ones you have to get the wrist band for. They tried to add that to the tour but couldn't. I like the idea of not having to wait in lines to get the perfect spot for the parade and fireworks.

I also like that the groups are small. Only 20 in each group and only 40 for each day.

No, it outprices us. Instead, we are going multiple days (we have AP) and doing a little each day.

 

[yulilin3]

Has anyone booked the VIP tour? Being that this maybe our only SWW for many years I am seriously thinking about doing it because of the limited time we have at Disney for SWW. I just talked with Rob on the line to book it and he said that you will get to meet the Disney SWW characters for a photo in the morning at Darth Mall but not the ones you have to get the wrist band for. They tried to add that to the tour but couldn't. I like the idea of not having to wait in lines to get the perfect spot for the parade and fireworks.

I also like that the groups are small. Only 20 in each group and only 40 for each day.

I wouldn't call the spot for the parade or fireworks "perfect" when I called to ask I was told that it's to the right of the Hat stage, that's in full sun, and even though you don't have to wait there long it will get hot fast.
And that's the same spot for fireworks def. not good. The Hat will block most of the fireworks, you will see the pre-show on the stage fine though.
It is a time saver and if you have the resources I would say go for it!!

 

[lovethattink]

I wonder if that means the kids aren't going to be in the parade?

 

[lovethattink]

Didn't I read that there are characters for fireworks? Might miss the fireworks there, but would see the characters if they are there.

 

[yulilin3]

I wonder if that means the kids aren't going to be in the parade?

Didn't I read that there are characters for fireworks? Might miss the fireworks there, but would see the characters if they are there.

I'm hoping that kids will still be able to march...and, yes, there will be a 10 minute pre show for the fireworks with characters (that's what the person from the VIP services said) so you will have great spots for that but not for the fireworks

 

[SKTiger]

Tried searching for this, but we'll be in Hollywood Studios on May 4. Saw this is when they're starting character dining. Anyone know of any other happenings for May the Fourth be with you?

 

[yulilin3]

Tried searching for this, but we'll be in Hollywood Studios on May 4. Saw this is when they're starting character dining. Anyone know of any other happenings for May the Fourth be with you?

Nothing else has been announced

 

[alayne]

No, it outprices us. Instead, we are going multiple days (we have AP) and doing a little each day.

We have APs too but because my son is still in school and we have an 8 hour drive we will on be there three days. My son didn't get to ride any of the rides like Everest, SM, TM, Test Track, etc on our last trip because my DH broke his ankle and we had our 2 year old with us. He wants to be able to go to the other parks too and not just spend the three days at DHS.

It is very pricey so I am going to have to do some hard thinking.

 

[alayne]

I wouldn't call the spot for the parade or fireworks "perfect" when I called to ask I was told that it's to the right of the Hat stage, that's in full sun, and even though you don't have to wait there long it will get hot fast.
And that's the same spot for fireworks def. not good. The Hat will block most of the fireworks, you will see the pre-show on the stage fine though.
It is a time saver and if you have the resources I would say go for it!!

I looked at that too on the maps that are on here. I thought if we were really disappointed in seeing the fireworks we could come back another night just for the fireworks show since we have AP with park hopper options.

 

[yulilin3]

I looked at that too on the maps that are on here. I thought if we were really disappointed in seeing the fireworks we could come back another night just for the fireworks show since we have AP with park hopper options.

Good plan! Make sure to report back about your experience if you do decide to do the Vip package

 

[lovethattink]

I'm hoping that kids will still be able to march...and, yes, there will be a 10 minute pre show for the fireworks with characters (that's what the person from the VIP services said) so you will have great spots for that but not for the fireworks

I hope so too!

That would be the curtain call that was eluded to earlier in the thread. Yes, from that VIP vantage point, to see the fireworks you'd have to look straight up. I'd think the hat and building would block the view.

We have APs too but because my son is still in school and we have an 8 hour drive we will on be there three days. My son didn't get to ride any of the rides like Everest, SM, TM, Test Track, etc on our last trip because my DH broke his ankle and we had our 2 year old with us. He wants to be able to go to the other parks too and not just spend the three days at DHS.

It is very pricey so I am going to have to do some hard thinking.

If you do decide to buy the VIP package please report back. I think it would definitely be a time saver.

 

[alayne]

I did book the VIP package for Saturday, May 17th. My husband and I talked it over and decided to try it out. I looked at the complete day and its going to be a long one. I plan to get my son into bed early Friday night so we don't have any meltdowns.

I will post back with what we think of it as soon as we get home from the trip.

The only thing my DH keeps saying is that there should be more ride options from the time the last show ends to the fireworks. I moved all our FP to fit that time so I'm hoping it will all work out.

 

[alayne]

This would actually be a really great timesaver, because each of those things you get VIP access to (the shows, parade, and fireworks) people will likely be scoping spots hours in advance. It really sucks for the character meets, though, because you're using that prime morning time to ride rides instead, which is a little odd. I'd like to see an option added to do at least one high-priority character M&G first thing in the morning...like a pic with all the classic characters together, or a pic with the Fab 4 in their Star Wars gear before their official meets start for the day (maybe at Darth's Mall after you're doing your shopping). If that were an option, I'd probably sign up for it because that would be a huge time saver for us.

I also wonder if they'd let you do an early signup for JTA. It might be worth $500 alone to not have to deal with the stampede.

When I booked our VIP I asked about character meets and Rob told me that there will be a pic after the shopping at Darth's Mall with the Fab 4 in the Star Wars gear and maybe a few other characters around too. It just doesn't include any of the people you get the wrist bands to see.

Hope that helps.