Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[yulilin3]

Ok so,we are there the week of June 1 through the 9th. I left our Friday open so we could go to DHS for SWW, thinking it would be the better choice rather than the weekend days. But then we ended up scheduling the SWW breakfast for Saturday morning. So, trying to decide if we should split up some SWW activities, rather than spend the whole day in a crazy crowded park. So my idea would be to go somewhere else on Friday, then head over in the evening and try to catch the fireworks. And then on Saturday we will go over for breakfast, and see the parade. Our ressie is for 8:05, what time should we get a spot for the parade? I don't even know what time it's at or where we should go. Any advice?

Splitting SWW between 2 or more days is best. The parade last year was at 11am, there's a solid rumor that this year it'll be at 11:30am. If you want a spot on the shady side (left hand side looking at the Hat) then you need to grab a spot one and a half to two hours before.
The parade goes from the front of the park to the Hat Stage

 

[ktate82]

Splitting SWW between 2 or more days is best. The parade last year was at 11am, there's a solid rumor that this year it'll be at 11:30pm. If you want a spot on the shady side (left hand side looking at the Hat) then you need to grab a spot one and a half to two hours before.
The parade goes from the front of the park to the Hat Stage

That is the weekend with Mark Hamill, do you think Friday or Saturday will be harder to get a spot for the parade and how early do we need to line up? We are planning to try to see it Friday, but if we can't get a good spot (depending on JTA), we could wait till Saturday, unless Friday would be easier. Ugh! It is a bit much. We are planning to get something from Starring Rolls and stake out a good spot.

 

[yulilin3]

That is the weekend with Mark Hamill, do you think Friday or Saturday will be harder to get a spot for the parade and how early do we need to line up? We are planning to try to see it Friday, but if we can't get a good spot (depending on JTA), we could wait till Saturday, unless Friday would be easier. Ugh! It is a bit much. We are planning to get something from Starring Rolls and stake out a good spot.

I didn't notice the date.... Mark Hamill weekend is a different story...I imagine people grabbing spots for the parade as soon as the park opens... Friday or Saturday I think it won't matter...

 

[juliebug1997]

On one of our mornings, we have breakfast at H&V scheduled (I am a sucker for the Disney Jr. characters and I wanted to be able to go back to my friends and talk about the two new characters) and on the other the Sci Fi. On both mornings, our plan is to go straight to a parade spot after breakfast. If it's at 11:30 AM, then we should be all right, right? We have no choice but to go Memorial Day Weekend.

 

[yulilin3]

On one of our mornings, we have breakfast at H&V scheduled (I am a sucker for the Disney Jr. characters and I wanted to be able to go back to my friends and talk about the two new characters) and on the other the Sci Fi. On both mornings, our plan is to go straight to a parade spot after breakfast. If it's at 11:30 AM, then we should be all right, right? We have no choice but to go Memorial Day Weekend.

As long as you can grab a spot an hour and a half before the parade you're fine. You could probably find a spot on the sunny side up to 45 minutes before but the sun is brutal and 45min. in full sun is a killer

 

[kmcdougan]

Splitting SWW between 2 or more days is best. The parade last year was at 11am, there's a solid rumor that this year it'll be at 11:30pm. If you want a spot on the shady side (left hand side looking at the Hat) then you need to grab a spot one and a half to two hours before.
The parade goes from the front of the park to the Hat Stage

Shouldn't that be AM? God, I hope they don't make us march at 11:30 at night.. LOL

 

[juliebug1997]

As long as you can grab a spot an hour and a half before the parade you're fine. You could probably find a spot on the sunny side up to 45 minutes before but the sun is brutal and 45min. in full sun is a killer

Yeah, the sun thing. I don't know if the surgeon wants me to have that much sun exposure. Thanks though. I was pretty sure we'd be okay! You're the best!

 

[kmcdougan]

God, I hate Jar Jar so much.

You and most of the rest of the fans. At least it is all his fault that Palpatine gets as powerful as he does.

Ash

 

[yulilin3]

Shouldn't that be AM? God, I hope they don't make us march at 11:30 at night.. LOL

Yep, good catch...fixing original post now

 

[ktate82]

I didn't notice the date.... Mark Hamill weekend is a different story...I imagine people grabbing spots for the parade as soon as the park opens... Friday or Saturday I think it won't matter...

Sounds good. What times are the talk shows usually? I know we will have to line up early for that too.

 

[yulilin3]

Sounds good. What times are the talk shows usually? I know we will have to line up early for that too.

last years schedule and map is on the first post of this thread

 

[kmcdougan]

And, Yulilin, for the record, last year, I did hear you there cheering for me. I just couldn't react to it. They make us march like a military unit, since that is our "organization" and "back story".

Ash

 

[Raenstoirm]

Can you get a "feel" for SWW in a few morning hours? We will only be at WDW for 36 hours and we want to spend most of our first day at Epcot for the last day of F&G. We are coming off a cruise ship on the first SWW sunday, so I suspect we will be able to get to DHS early, but not park opening early. I would like a photo with a Fab 5 character, but I am not picky as to who, so whomever seems to have the shortest line. The plan would be to wander around and watch the madness and not really do much. Would like to watch the parade, but a great spot is not required, type thing. Is that a total waste of time? Should we skip it and just head to Epcot?

 

[budafam]

How are ride lines during SWW? I'm seeing a lot of "line up early" for shows, parades, fireworks... I'd like to catch a few of them but I don't want to spend my whole day standing in lines for a few events. We want to be able to do rides as well.

 

[alayne]

I guess there is good and bad to going the first weekend. From all the info I have read on the SW Breakfast and Dinner it doesn't really list who the characters are going to be. Does anyone have any additional insight into which characters will be at the meals? I am working on making autograph cards for my son to take and usually with the traditional character meals I put them in ziplock bags with the name of the restaurant so we don't have to carry so much each day or spend a lot of time looking to find the right character.

Thanks for the help.

 

[RAPstar]

I guess there is good and bad to going the first weekend. From all the info I have read on the SW Breakfast and Dinner it doesn't really list who the characters are going to be. Does anyone have any additional insight into which characters will be at the meals? I am working on making autograph cards for my son to take and usually with the traditional character meals I put them in ziplock bags with the name of the restaurant so we don't have to carry so much each day or spend a lot of time looking to find the right character.

Thanks for the help.

Breakfast: Darth Vader, Greedo, Boba Fett, Jawas, Stormtroopers
Dinner: Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minney, Stormtrooper Donals, Darth Goofy, and Chip n Dale as Ewoks

 

[ktate82]

Breakfast: Darth Vader, Greedo, Boba Fett, Jawas, Stormtroopers
Dinner: Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minney, Stormtrooper Donals, Darth Goofy, and Chip n Dale as Ewoks

So they will be signing autographs as well? I had asked this on another tread, but it wasn't answered.

 

[yulilin3]

And, Yulilin, for the record, last year, I did hear you there cheering for me. I just couldn't react to it. They make us march like a military unit, since that is our "organization" and "back story".

Ash

I know Ash, it was great cheering you on and you just gave me "that look" . That's what's fun about it

Can you get a "feel" for SWW in a few morning hours? We will only be at WDW for 36 hours and we want to spend most of our first day at Epcot for the last day of F&G. We are coming off a cruise ship on the first SWW sunday, so I suspect we will be able to get to DHS early, but not park opening early. I would like a photo with a Fab 5 character, but I am not picky as to who, so whomever seems to have the shortest line. The plan would be to wander around and watch the madness and not really do much. Would like to watch the parade, but a great spot is not required, type thing. Is that a total waste of time? Should we skip it and just head to Epcot?

You can totally get a SW feel in just a few hours, just walking around, hearing the SW music and seeing people dressed up is fun. Keep in mind that Jedi Mickey, Leia Miccie, Stormtrooper Donald and Darth Goofy met in the same area and would rotate, sometimes 2 at a time sometims just one. This year they are moving to inside Darth's Mall so I'm not sure if the same set up will happen. I say go for it!!

How are ride lines during SWW? I'm seeing a lot of "line up early" for shows, parades, fireworks... I'd like to catch a few of them but I don't want to spend my whole day standing in lines for a few events. We want to be able to do rides as well.

As in any park, the earlier you do rides the better. They build up thruout the day. So if you're there early you could ride a couple of things and then do the parade/shows then go on rides again.

I guess there is good and bad to going the first weekend. From all the info I have read on the SW Breakfast and Dinner it doesn't really list who the characters are going to be. Does anyone have any additional insight into which characters will be at the meals? I am working on making autograph cards for my son to take and usually with the traditional character meals I put them in ziplock bags with the name of the restaurant so we don't have to carry so much each day or spend a lot of time looking to find the right character.

Thanks for the help.

These were announced with the meals
Sci Fi breakfast: Characters scheduled to appear during “Star Wars” Dine-In Galactic Breakfast may include Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Jawas, Greedo, and Boba Fett. Please note that character appearances are subject to change without notice.

H&V Dinner: Characters scheduled to appear during Jedi Mickey’s “Star Wars” Dine at Hollywood & Vine may include Jedi Mickey Mouse, Princess Leia Minnie Mouse, Darth VaderGoofy, Stormtrooper Donald Duck, and Chip ‘n Dale as Ewoks. Please note that character appearances are subject to change without notice.

 

[yulilin3]

So they will be signing autographs as well? I had asked this on another tread, but it wasn't answered.

Yes they will. Not sure how the set up is, if all of them would be walking around the restaurant or if the main character in each meal (Darth Vader and Jedi Mickey) will be in a set spot, you take your picture, go eat and the other ones go thru out the tables.

 

[ktate82]

Yes they will. Not sure how the set up is, if all of them would be walking around the restaurant or if the main character in each meal (Darth Vader and Jedi Mickey) will be in a set spot, you take your picture, go eat and the other ones go thru out the tables.

Thanks! And thank you so much for all the information you have given! This is our first SWW, and while I know Disney, this is a different pace. I really appreciate all the time you have put in, and I'm sure everyone else on the board does as well!