Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[Dave Tis]

Just booked Feel the Force online for myself and DW. Excited..

As we have our 2 yr old with us, it makes perfect sense as being under 3 it doesn't cost us for an extra child space, plus saves having to wait 2 hours for that perfect parade spot (and without a toddler meltdown in the process).

I don't think we will give him a sip of the alcoholic beverage though

 

[lovethattink]

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.

I will be at both meals on May 4th. I can take pics and post later at night. Or text pictures to someone who can post them.

My phone is ancient and won't usually download pics to photobucket or fb, I have to link it with a cord to my computer to download them to either. But I can text pics with my phone.

 

[denneg]

About how long is the parade and the show at the Hat? Just trying to figure out my FP+ times if we do decide to stick with the reservation.

 

[Ali]

So happy now! Got june 8th for MArk Hamill and don't have to wait forever in the sun! Yeah, Happy dance!!! Wondering what snacks there will be, can't eat the cupcakes because of gluten allergy.

Waiting for first weekend reports!

 

[GatorLady]

Does anyone have a guess for me? If the parade starts at 11:30, and with the viewing area where it is for Feel the Force, approximately how long do you think it will it take for the parade to go by that location?

I am trying to re-work my schedule around this.

TIA!

 

[Skywise]

Booya! June 6 for 4. Thanks for the post guys. I don't have to worry about a toddler meltdown so much as an older parent "my bunyons are aching" meltdown.

And while there's no seating just having the reserved space and dessert will be nice to pass the (past the parents bedtime) time!

 

[yulilin3]

About how long is the parade and the show at the Hat? Just trying to figure out my FP+ times if we do decide to stick with the reservation.

Does anyone have a guess for me? If the parade starts at 11:30, and with the viewing area where it is for Feel the Force, approximately how long do you think it will it take for the parade to go by that location?

I am trying to re-work my schedule around this.

TIA!

The parade and welcome show all together is about 25 minutes. The parade starts at the entrance of the park at 11:30am and will go by the Feel the Force area 5 to 7 minutes after. It's a short parade route

 

[yulilin3]

I will be at both meals on May 4th. I can take pics and post later at night. Or text pictures to someone who can post them.

My phone is ancient and won't usually download pics to photobucket or fb, I have to link it with a cord to my computer to download them to either. But I can text pics with my phone.

that would be super helpful... I don't think I'll be able to get out of bed early enough to make it for breakfast.
Please post and share as much as you can

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Any idea how good the seating/location is? This sounds good but will cost $140 for us 2 adults and DS. I hesitate to spend another $140 since we can go to HS for Star Wars Weekends all 3 days Fri, Sat, Sun. I thought we would check it out Friday.... then strategize another day to arrive early for the events to beat the crowd. The web site does not say what is the cancellation policy if we change our mind... like if we reserve it for Sunday, but find out Friday, the crowd wasn't unbearable so we want to cancel.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/feel-the-force/

 

[collections]

I just made our reservation for the Feel the Force package on May 16th, but with the parade being at 11:30 , we may have a timing issue.

My daughter has her D-Tech reservation at 12:10. Will we be able to make it over to Darth's Mall in time for her reservation? Is there a separate D-Tech entrance, or do we enter Darth's Mall and find the D-Tech location?

I'm wondering if she should try to reschedule her D-Tech reservation.

 

[prgal0715]

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

I just booked for June 8th, too! It's my brother's 30th birthday and he's a HUGE SW fan. This is too perfect!

 

[39CINDERELLA]

Any idea how good the seating/location is? This sounds good but will cost $140 for us 2 adults and DS. I hesitate to spend another $140 since we can go to HS for Star Wars Weekends all 3 days Fri, Sat, Sun. I thought we would check it out Friday.... then strategize another day to arrive early for the events to beat the crowd. The web site does not say what is the cancellation policy if we change our mind... like if we reserve it for Sunday, but find out Friday, the crowd wasn't unbearable so we want to cancel.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/feel-the-force/

one day to cancell

 

[yulilin3]

Any idea how good the seating/location is? This sounds good but will cost $140 for us 2 adults and DS. I hesitate to spend another $140 since we can go to HS for Star Wars Weekends all 3 days Fri, Sat, Sun. I thought we would check it out Friday.... then strategize another day to arrive early for the events to beat the crowd. The web site does not say what is the cancellation policy if we change our mind... like if we reserve it for Sunday, but find out Friday, the crowd wasn't unbearable so we want to cancel.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/feel-the-force/

It's a one day cancellation fee...This is my thinking if you have the money now (you have to pay at time of booking) do it now, then if you get a chance to grab a spot on Friday without a problem and want to cancel it's $140 coming back to you...

I just made our reservation for the Feel the Force package on May 16th, but with the parade being at 11:30 , we may have a timing issue.

My daughter has her D-Tech reservation at 12:10. Will we be able to make it over to Darth's Mall in time for her reservation? Is there a separate D-Tech entrance, or do we enter Darth's Mall and find the D-Tech location?

I'm wondering if she should try to reschedule her D-Tech reservation.

You'll have time to get to Darth's Mall after the parade and welcome show. I'm sure they'll understand if you're a couple of minutes late. If there's a line outside of Darth Mall just let the CM know that you have a D-Tech appointment

 

[lovethattink]

Booya! June 6 for 4. Thanks for the post guys. I don't have to worry about a toddler meltdown so much as an older parent "my bunyons are aching" meltdown.

And while there's no seating just having the reserved space and dessert will be nice to pass the (past the parents bedtime) time!

We booked that day too.

that would be super helpful... I don't think I'll be able to get out of bed early enough to make it for breakfast.
Please post and share as much as you can

Our breakfast isn't too early. I'll share what I can. So excited!

Any idea how good the seating/location is? This sounds good but will cost $140 for us 2 adults and DS. I hesitate to spend another $140 since we can go to HS for Star Wars Weekends all 3 days Fri, Sat, Sun. I thought we would check it out Friday.... then strategize another day to arrive early for the events to beat the crowd. The web site does not say what is the cancellation policy if we change our mind... like if we reserve it for Sunday, but find out Friday, the crowd wasn't unbearable so we want to cancel.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/feel-the-force/

If people are respectful of others this should be a great viewing area! I don't know how many people will be permitted in the viewing area or how many rows of people it will end up. Or if people in the front row will sit or kneel so that people in the back can see? As the end of the motorcade approaches the street will be filled with a sea of people following the rope. But the stage is elevated higher than the people.

 

[gobosox00]

Just made our D-Tech reservations for May 17th, so psyched! The CM I talked to on the phone told me to be on the look out for something else cool that we'll be able to book within the next couple of weeks but couldn't tell me what it was. Any ideas!?

The Feel the Force package must have been what the cast member was alluding to when I booked my D-Tech on April 10. Just booked the package for Sunday May 18! Definitely seems worth it if only to save time not having to line up hours in advance of the parade and fireworks!

 

[budafam]

This Star Wars stuff is costing me more and more money everyday! I do think this is well worth it though. I was very worried about getting a spot for the parade with our schedule and having to sit in a spot for a few hours to get a good fireworks view.

Now our plan is to get there when it opens, sign up DS for Jedi Training, 9:30am we have a Sci-Fi reservation, hopefully be done by 11 and check in for the parade... hopefully we can fit some rides in during the afternoon hours. 5pm we have Cape May reservation and then back to the park for the fireworks and hopefully to catch the 2nd showing of Fantasmic.

I've never been so scared of a Disney vacation.. lol, I'm going to be BEAT after this one.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

The Feel the Force package must have been what the cast member was alluding to when I booked my D-Tech on April 10. Just booked the package for Sunday May 18! Definitely seems worth it if only to save time not having to line up hours in advance of the parade and fireworks!

I'm thinking this may be very well worth it. The last thing I want to do is have to line up an hour or more before the evening fireworks show with the parade. And from what I hear it is very very crowded. Now to pick a date. Friday Saturday or Sunday.

 

[Goldeelox9]

I am not a Star Wars fan (don't throw anything at me) I have not even seen any of the movies. BUT I am married to a huge Star Wars fan and I have this whole weekend trip planned as a surprise for him! He knows nothing about it. Friday when he gets home from work I will be packed and we will head to the Airport. I just booked the Feel the Force package and I am so excited about it! I am so glad I can share it with you guys since he is the only person I know who would care and it's all a surprise for him....LOL

 

[katieam1]

Just booked the Feel the Force Package!! So excited this will be our first SWW and things are really looking great!!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I am not a Star Wars fan (don't throw anything at me) I have not even seen any of the movies. BUT I am married to a huge Star Wars fan and I have this whole weekend trip planned as a surprise for him! He knows nothing about it. Friday when he gets home from work I will be packed and we will head to the Airport. I just booked the Feel the Force package and I am so excited about it! I am so glad I can share it with you guys since he is the only person I know who would care and it's all a surprise for him....LOL

That is super cool of you! I'm pretty obsessed with star wars so if you have any further questions you can pm me or I'm sure you'll get a ton of responses in here.

Make sure you pack him some star wars shirts!