Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[FencerGirl]

Q: do you have to pay at the time of reservation? If not, what's the cancellation policy?

You pay at the time of reservation and there is a 1 day cancellation policy according to the terms.

I just booked it and am super-excited!

 

[yulilin3]

Hi guys and gals. I can answer the number Disney will be allowing for the parade and dessert party. 200 total. 40 from the Ultimate SW Package and 160 from the Feel the Force Premium Package. When I booked my Ultimate Package on April 13th the CM I spoke to gave me that information. On the day the Feel the Force Premium Package was not available but I was told it was going to be released. Hope this is helpful.

50 days until I leave for Disney. I can not wait!!!

I remember reading that...200 sounds excesive, especially if you think about checking in at 10:30 at Min & Bills and the "experience" beginning at 11am. I fear there will be a huge line forming to get your wristbands.

 

[denneg]

I'll be doing this the first Saturday and will be reporting live here...
looking thru the HUB not any new information other than the desserts offered:
An assortment of decadent Desserts, featuring Park-famous Darth Vader Cupcake, Specialty Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverage, Sodas, Water, Tea, and Coffee
It also confirms:
Star Wars motorcade is at 11:30am
Pre Show of Symphony in the Stars is at 9:30pm
Fireworks at 9:45pm
first post updated

Great, knew I could depend on you! I debated the first weekend but decided it might be better to end our trip with a late night than start it off that way! They didn't have much on the booking page, just saying snacks would be offered during the parade and desserts during fireworks - but 3 Darth cupcakes might cost us almost as much as the price of this package, so could be worth it! Plus if we can drink our weight in water during the parade and have snacks, and then DH and I can take advantage of the specialty alcoholic beverages....that plus the whole experience might well be worth it. Now I need to go rearrange my FP selections since I had booked them all around 11!

 

[lovethattink]

This is what I'm thinking:
The parade viewing will be, facing the Hat to your left, do youg uys know that whole area that has the DHS sign for you to take pics in front of? that entire area is under trees so I'm thinking it's there, I'll try to find a pic online to give you a visual...for the firewrks it might be that same area or do it in front of Mim and Bills, althought it clearly says that there won't be seating available. If it's more toward Mim and Bills it's perfect fireworks viewing, and I'm thinking that the 10 minute pre-show will be shown on the American Idol jumbotron.
I also just booked, for May 17th.
You have to pay in advance

This is what was read to me. "left side of open plaza as face sorcerer's hat near Min and Bills.

 

[ktate82]

Just booked it and super excited! We were already planning to steak out a parade spot when the park opened so we could see Mark Hamill, but this is well worth it to not have to do that! Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

This is what was read to me. "left side of open plaza as face sorcerer's hat near Min and Bills.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's that area, you know where some characters meet in the morning, they can't block the parade path closer to the Hat because the 501st has to march on, so I'm sure it's that curved are where the DHS sign is.
This calls for a reconnaisance trip this Saturday, I'll take pictures of the area.

 

[Roxylovesbears69]

The people attending the Ultimate SW Package doesn't have to check in at Minn & Bills. We will already be checked because our Ultimate Package starts early in the morning the date we will have attended.
Thanks
Roxanne

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

So excited!!! Booked mine for 5/30 For a short trip, its looking to get pricey but worth it

 

[yulilin3]

Great, knew I could depend on you! I debated the first weekend but decided it might be better to end our trip with a late night than start it off that way! They didn't have much on the booking page, just saying snacks would be offered during the parade and desserts during fireworks - but 3 Darth cupcakes might cost us almost as much as the price of this package, so could be worth it! Plus if we can drink our weight in water during the parade and have snacks, and then DH and I can take advantage of the specialty alcoholic beverages....that plus the whole experience might well be worth it. Now I need to go rearrange my FP selections since I had booked them all around 11!

No kidding on the cupcakes; they are $5.49...I think this one is worth it, I might end up cancelling breakfast at Sci Fi depedning on the reviews.

The people attending the Ultimate SW Package doesn't have to check in at Minn & Bills. We will already be checked because our Ultimate Package starts early in the morning the date we will have attended.
Thanks
Roxanne

Good point, still 160 people checking in in an hour span of time..seems like a lot

 

[yulilin3]

I was thinking of going to DHS on May 4th and sneak inside the restaurants to take pictures of the set up for the character meals. Not sure if I'll be able to because I'm volunteering the night before for the Expedition Everest Challenge until 1am. But I'll do my best.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

just booked for Sun 8th

 

[mickeyplanner]

Just found this thread and subbing for sure. We are headed down May 16-25 and ready to part take in SWW. Is the parade definitely at 11:30am? If so I need to make some changes to our plans.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I just booked for the first day. I can write a short review in here after that day if anyone's interested.

To me I'm paying to save time. Everyone talks about needing to line up for the parade an hour and a half ahead of time if you want shade. Who knows how long in advance you need to wait for a decent firework viewing spot.

So yeah, $55 is worth it to save anywhere from 2-3 hours of time. Then throw in an alcoholic drink and some cupcakes and it's not so bad.

 

[yulilin3]

Just found this thread and subbing for sure. We are headed down May 16-25 and ready to part take in SWW. Is the parade definitely at 11:30am? If so I need to make some changes to our plans.

Yes, it's clearly stated on the dessert package plus we had heard a solid rumor about 3 weeks ago that it would be at 11:30am

 

[yulilin3]

I just booked for the first day. I can write a short review in here after that day if anyone's interested.

To me I'm paying to save time. Everyone talks about needing to line up for the parade an hour and a half ahead of time if you want shade. Who knows how long in advance you need to wait for a decent firework viewing spot.

So yeah, $55 is worth it to save anywhere from 2-3 hours of time. Then throw in an alcoholic drink and some cupcakes and it's not so bad.

I totally agree with you....hey, how about they throw in a pair of Glow with the Show ears!!! Now that would be a bargain

 

[jeanneg4of4]

Just booked Feel the Force Premium Package as well for the last day of Star Wars weekend 6/15/2014

Now that my kids are adults this trip is becoming a bit pricey. At least the two oldest are out of the house and not going, leaving just the 4 of us.
So far we have Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine and Star Wars Dine-In Galactic Breakfast! at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Cant bare to muster the strength to book the VIP PACKAGE. Hope everyone has a great time and enjoys Star Wars weekend. BTW, we have been helping the time go by playing Star Wars trivia on our phones/ipad/tablet. Fun and we can play almost anywhere. Will be loads of fun on the drive down. Of course the movies are on the TV on an almost constant loop these days

 

[ZachnElli]

I just booked the Feel the Force package for June 7th for my family of 5! I asked DH how bad he wants to see Mark Hamil, pretty bad he said! I told him if the reviews are bad before we leave I will cancel. He's super excited tho!

 

[jacksonsmom]

just booked for June 8!
Going to be watching reviews though and see if it is worth it.

 

[yulilin3]

I found a good video that shows how shaded the area I'm thinking about is, and it's an excellent parade spot, starting at minute 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDqaCq9L_UQ

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Just booked Feel the Force Premium Package as well for the last day of Star Wars weekend 6/15/2014

Now that my kids are adults this trip is becoming a bit pricey. At least the two oldest are out of the house and not going, leaving just the 4 of us.
So far we have Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine and Star Wars Dine-In Galactic Breakfast! at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Cant bare to muster the strength to book the VIP PACKAGE.

We booked the same as you. I'm not sure I'd worry about the VIP. At this point you have the dessert party and the viewing, if your not going mark hamills weekend I wouldn't worry about getting seats for the shows.