Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[The Sunrise Student]

I see it now


Rocket your Star Wars experience into hyperspace when you buy tickets for the Feel the Force Premium Package. Enjoy a reserved premium viewing area for 2 popular Star Wars Weekends spectaculars—the Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade and the Symphony in the Stars fireworks. During the day, the motorcade viewing area includes beverages and snacks; when the stars come out, the fireworks viewing area features a Star Wars-themed dessert party.

The Feel the Force Premium Package will be with you, always: to remember this very special day in a galaxy far, far away, you’ll receive a special souvenir Disney PhotoPass card that can be used to link your photos to your Disney account—and includes a series of complimentary Star Wars photos.

•The Feel the Force Premium Package occurs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 16 to June 15, 2014.
•Price: adults $54, children $32 (per day, tax and gratuity included).
•Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade viewing experience happens from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon with the motorcade starting at 11:30 AM.
•Symphony in the Stars fireworks dessert party takes place from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM with the firework shows beginning at approximately 9:30 PM.
•To check in for this event, please visit Min and Bill's Dockside Diner starting at 10:30 AM.
•Guests will receive a wristband during the motorcade viewing that will allow entry into the evening fireworks dessert party. If you are unable to attend the motorcade viewing, please check in at Min and Bill's Dockside Diner starting at 8:30 PM.
•Beverages include soda, water, tea and coffee. The fireworks dessert party includes a specialty beverage with an alcoholic option. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
•Seating is not available.
•Discounts do not apply.

Ok help me out here... is there a MEAL in this anywhere or is this just a snack / desert thing with premium viewing of parade and fireworks?

 

[Itinkso]

Ok help me out here... is there a MEAL in this anywhere or is this just a snack / desert thing with premium viewing of parade and fireworks?

No meal. Beverages and then the "SITS Dessert Party."

 

[yulilin3]

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

This is awesome!! He's going to love it...I texted my husband that I had just bought my Mother's Day present and he texted back.... sww related?
He knows me well
He'll probably be working blocking off the area around Backlot Tours during the fireworks so i'm sure he'll have the best seats in the house

 

[disneygrandma]

I'm now getting worried that instead of spending a huge amount of time staking out a parade spot for our family, that we will instead be standing in line waiting to check in, so we can then be let in to our viewing area. I don't want to pay all of this money, only to end up standing behind 10 rows of people in front of us! In order to not be the last family in to this corral, we'll have to be one of the 1st ones in line.

It seems like we're just exchanging one waiting spot for another.......and paying a fee to do it. This whole concept is pretty neat, but we'll need to wait for some reviews & experiences that others have once this opens up. Sadly, we might end up cancelling if the area turns out to be too crowded.

 

[Itinkso]

This is awesome!! He's going to love it...I texted my husband that I had just bought my Mother's Day present and he texted back.... sww related? He knows me well He'll probably be working blocking off the area around Backlot Tours during the fireworks so i'm sure he'll have the best seats in the house

yulilin, which day did you book? I'll add it to SWW 2014 Roll Call.

If anyone else would like to be added to SWW 2014 Roll Call, please post your info on the Roll Call thread and I will add you. yulilin is planning "meets" each weekend!

 

[yulilin3]

I'm now getting worried that instead of spending a huge amount of time staking out a parade spot for our family, that we will instead be standing in line waiting to check in, so we can then be let in to our viewing area. I don't want to pay all of this money, only to end up standing behind 10 rows of people in front of us! In order to not be the last family in to this corral, we'll have to be one of the 1st ones in line.

It seems like we're just exchanging one waiting spot for another.......and paying a fee to do it. This whole concept is pretty neat, but we'll need to wait for some reviews & experiences that others have once this opens up. Sadly, we might end up cancelling if the area turns out to be too crowded.

Yep, that first Friday is Guinea Pig Friday...we will see how it turns out,at least we won't have to check in for the fireworks since we will already have the wristbands.
The most important thing is that people in the front sit. Me myself, I cant sit on the floor for more than 15 minutes so I tend to wait behind people that are sitting. I've walked thru the area that will be used (or at least I think will be used) and most people have sat down for the parade.
I wish Disney could tell people if you want to be in the front you must sit down and then if you can't/don't want to sit you can stand behind, that way everyone can see

 

[poison ivy]

I'm now getting worried that instead of spending a huge amount of time staking out a parade spot for our family, that we will instead be standing in line waiting to check in, so we can then be let in to our viewing area. I don't want to pay all of this money, only to end up standing behind 10 rows of people in front of us! In order to not be the last family in to this corral, we'll have to be one of the 1st ones in line.

It seems like we're just exchanging one waiting spot for another.......and paying a fee to do it. This whole concept is pretty neat, but we'll need to wait for some reviews & experiences that others have once this opens up. Sadly, we might end up cancelling if the area turns out to be too crowded.

My thoughts exactly. If you are a group of three or more, the price really starts to add up. And it's standing room only from what I'm reading. How would that work with a dessert party?

I'll be curious to read how it plays out.

 

[yulilin3]

yulilin, which day did you book? I'll add it to SWW 2014 Roll Call.

If anyone else would like to be added to SWW 2014 Roll Call, please post your info on the Roll Call thread and I will add you. yulilin is planning "meets" each weekend!

If mosts of us book this we can meet for sure before the parade.
We booked for May 17th.
Thanks a lot for managing that thread

 

[denneg]

My thoughts exactly. If you are a group of three or more, the price really starts to add up. And it's standing room only from what I'm reading. How would that work with a dessert party?

I'll be curious to read how it plays out.

When I just reread the description, I have to wonder if the "no seats" applies to the parade and not the fireworks? If the firework viewing area is in front of where we check in, I would think they would use the tables already there - unless there isn't enough seating for 200?

 

[Itinkso]

If mosts of us book this we can meet for sure before the parade. We booked for May 17th. Thanks a lot for managing that thread

You're welcome - I'm happy to help you out! I'll post the first weekend Roll Call list over here a week before the first SWW... Is that early enough?

 

[lovethattink]

Ok help me out here... is there a MEAL in this anywhere or is this just a snack / desert thing with premium viewing of parade and fireworks?

Drinks are available for parade viewing. Didn't I read snack too on Disney's site?

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

What a wonderful surprise!

I'm now getting worried that instead of spending a huge amount of time staking out a parade spot for our family, that we will instead be standing in line waiting to check in, so we can then be let in to our viewing area. I don't want to pay all of this money, only to end up standing behind 10 rows of people in front of us! In order to not be the last family in to this corral, we'll have to be one of the 1st ones in line.

It seems like we're just exchanging one waiting spot for another.......and paying a fee to do it. This whole concept is pretty neat, but we'll need to wait for some reviews & experiences that others have once this opens up. Sadly, we might end up cancelling if the area turns out to be too crowded.

Guess we'll find out after the first day. I know for FP+ at the Festival of Fantasy, they did check in very quickly.

 

[disneygrandma]

We're a group of 7, so this will be a pretty expensive event for what it is. I jumped at it when I thought I would be saving time before the parade, and I would be able to stay with the family instead of staking out our spot on the parade route. With fireworks, we'll be looking up in to the sky, so that wasn't as important. I wish that Disney would have limited this to less people so we could all fully enjoy what we're paying for.

 

[lovethattink]

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[denneg]

Drinks are available for parade viewing. Didn't I read snack too on Disney's site?.

Yes, from the Disney site:

"During the day, the motorcade viewing area includes beverages and snacks; when the stars come out, the fireworks viewing area features a Star Wars-themed dessert party."

 

[yulilin3]

You're welcome - I'm happy to help you out! I'll post the first weekend Roll Call list over here a week before the first SWW... Is that early enough?

That sounds good

We're a group of 7, so this will be a pretty expensive event for what it is. I jumped at it when I thought I would be saving time before the parade, and I would be able to stay with the family instead of staking out our spot on the parade route. With fireworks, we'll be looking up in to the sky, so that wasn't as important. I wish that Disney would have limited this to less people so we could all fully enjoy what we're paying for.

Keep in mind this will save you time before the parade, you don't have to wait 1 and a half hours before (at the least) for a good spot. Yes, the check in will be dicey especially that first Friday while they figure everything out but in any case you have a guaranteed spot, in the shade, maybe not curbside but if most people cooperate everyone will have a fine view, plust water/drinks/snacks.
With the fireworks even though they are in the sky there's a special pre-show that no one has seen before, and if you're not close to the stage you won't be able to see, plus the desserts and drinks.
And we don't know for sure the exact number of people that Disney will sell, yes the Cast Member told someone that it would be 200 but that's not set in stone.
So I say wait for first weekend reviews

 

[poison ivy]

When I just reread the description, I have to wonder if the "no seats" applies to the parade and not the fireworks? If the firework viewing area is in front of where we check in, I would think they would use the tables already there - unless there isn't enough seating for 200?

It's probably standing for both.
I don't think Min and Bills has more than a few tables.

I'm picturing this being run similar to the Illuminations Dessert Parties they had at the entrance to world showcase.
cookies/brownies/rice crispie treats/ lemonade.
Things that are easy to eat with a napkin while standing.

 

[yulilin3]

thanks for sharing the list of artists Lovethatink

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I agree about the sitting if your on the curb. Lets at least 2 rows of people see.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Took the plunge and booked the "Feel the Force" package for May 30th... I'll keep watching the boards and if people say it's a waste I always have time to cancel since I am the third weekend there will be those that have gone before me...

 

[RalphinSC]

Thanks for the Feel the Force Premium head's up!

Between that and the character breakfast, this is going to be an awesome Star Wars trip!