Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[joeramirez]

I am giddy with glee about SWW and I'm not a SW fan and have never seen any of the movies - SORRY, don't throw things at me!! I like to consider myself a SW ally

I am so excited because this has been on my husband's bucket list for as long as I've known him. This trip is a total surprise! He just returned from a deployment and we're taking our daughter to WDW this weekend to celebrate her 6th birthday. He's been gone for a rough 7 months and while it's our daughter's special celebration, I wanted to do something for him. On the morning of our DHS day, I have arranged for the pixies from Gifts of a Lifetime to set up a personal scavenger hunt for him where he'll find Star Wars pins hidden throughout the park. The big reveal will be the final leg of the hunt where we'll receive matching Rebel Alliance t-shirts and a special dress for our daughter that I had custom made and an invitation to come back in 3 weeks for SWW.

Anyway, now that that's out of the way, I do have legitimate questions He'll be there for one day only - we have a 4 day military ticket that expires in September so we are using 3 days this weekend and 1 day over SWW. I know the character meals haven't started yet, but can anyone speculate what the odds are that he'll be able to be wrapped up with breakfast in time to view the motorcade? I'm conflicted about keeping the ADR now because the only time I could get for Sci Fi was 10:30am and now I see the motorcade is at 11:30. But it would be nice to knock out all of those characters at once. I keep trying to get an earlier ADR, but so far nothing has become available. I check multiples times daily so hopefully something will turn up.

Also, he'll be flying solo all day while my daughter and I hang out in EPCOT or MK, aside from the ADR. We'll join him for the breakfast and I was wondering what time we should plan to arrive at the gate to make it on time without being way too early - we don't have any desire to ride rides or see characters at DHS that day, so I want to try to time it as best as I can. I'm not sure what to expect in terms of long lines. I do know he'll probably get up in the middle of the night to go stand in line for an autograph, so it'll be just me navigating.

I've been reading this thread for a month now and I'm really excited even though I won't be participating Thanks to everyone for all of the great information I've picked up along the way.

Keep your ADR and book Feel the Force if there are any left and he will have a reserved spot for the parade.

 

[Maddies Mama]

Keep your ADR and book Feel the Force if there are any left and he will have a reserved spot for the parade.

Won't he miss the check-in though?

 

[Itinkso]

Won't he miss the check-in though?

The CMs with the wristbands will still be in that area. Disney always plans on latecomers so he will be fine.

 

[yulilin3]

I am giddy with glee about SWW and I'm not a SW fan and have never seen any of the movies - SORRY, don't throw things at me!! I like to consider myself a SW ally

I am so excited because this has been on my husband's bucket list for as long as I've known him. This trip is a total surprise! He just returned from a deployment and we're taking our daughter to WDW this weekend to celebrate her 6th birthday. He's been gone for a rough 7 months and while it's our daughter's special celebration, I wanted to do something for him. On the morning of our DHS day, I have arranged for the pixies from Gifts of a Lifetime to set up a personal scavenger hunt for him where he'll find Star Wars pins hidden throughout the park. The big reveal will be the final leg of the hunt where we'll receive matching Rebel Alliance t-shirts and a special dress for our daughter that I had custom made and an invitation to come back in 3 weeks for SWW.

Anyway, now that that's out of the way, I do have legitimate questions He'll be there for one day only - we have a 4 day military ticket that expires in September so we are using 3 days this weekend and 1 day over SWW. I know the character meals haven't started yet, but can anyone speculate what the odds are that he'll be able to be wrapped up with breakfast in time to view the motorcade? I'm conflicted about keeping the ADR now because the only time I could get for Sci Fi was 10:30am and now I see the motorcade is at 11:30. But it would be nice to knock out all of those characters at once. I keep trying to get an earlier ADR, but so far nothing has become available. I check multiples times daily so hopefully something will turn up.

Also, he'll be flying solo all day while my daughter and I hang out in EPCOT or MK, aside from the ADR. We'll join him for the breakfast and I was wondering what time we should plan to arrive at the gate to make it on time without being way too early - we don't have any desire to ride rides or see characters at DHS that day, so I want to try to time it as best as I can. I'm not sure what to expect in terms of long lines. I do know he'll probably get up in the middle of the night to go stand in line for an autograph, so it'll be just me navigating.

I've been reading this thread for a month now and I'm really excited even though I won't be participating Thanks to everyone for all of the great information I've picked up along the way.

First of all thank you, your family and, of course, your husband for his service!!
If your ADR is for 10:30 there's no way you'll make it to the parade, or at least, to get a semi decent spot. What you can do is as you come out of Sci-Fi, assuming it's around 11:30am or before, stand close to Star Tours and you'll get to see the 501st and Rebel Legion march on. This is pretty cool and if you don't get a chance to see the entire parade at least he can see them.
To make your 10:30 ADR plan to be at the p[ark by 9:45am, traffic might be backed up to enter the park so give yourself extra time to get to the restaurant.
That being said I would suggest to get to the restaurant earlier than your ADR and they may accomodate you earlier and then you'll have a chance to see the parade.

 

[kmcdougan]

Even if I could get a speical EU character approved like tomorrow, there is no way I could get my two troops in and then go through the steps to get approved to march.

I would have never imagined them lifing the ban on mara jade since she might be one of those EU characters that does go canon with the release of the new movies. The whole reason I orginally was shooting for this year is because of the possbility of her becoming canon and not being able to march her at all.

I am going to keep on my current path and submit by the 1st weekend in May.

I know. ANd with Mara being a face character, there is a very good shot she will be done by Disney and not allowed for 501st marching. But, she is a good one to do at a local event or convention. I would suggest a scanning crew, officer, or reserve pilot costume for SWW. SOft costume, no armor (so inexpensive and able to march), and will always be canon.

Ash

 

[Maddies Mama]

Thanks to both of you for the info.
With regards to the parade, he'll stand at the back of the pack no matter what. He's really tall and pretty self conscious about it when it comes to parades, concerts, anything where he'll be blocking someone else's view. So I think the concern here is will he be done in time to view the motorcade at all, not so much will he have a prime spot for it - not that he would anyway with the ADR. I may go ahead and book the Feel the Force right now and then if he wants to, he can cancel it.

 

[ImagineerTHAT]

If you want them centered with the Hat, Hollywood Blvd. anywhere from the tip board down to the entrance. This is prime spot so you'll need to be there at least an hour before If you don't mind them being off center with the Hat then anywhere around 50s Prime Time, Indiana Jones maybe all the way down to Star Tours. Not sure if Streets of America will be open during the fireworks but it depends on wind direction, they make that choice that day.

Thank you! Much appreciated!

 

[eschil]

Where do you check online for sci-fi breakfast availability? When I check the restaurant on line, all it shows is lunch and dinner?

 

[yulilin3]

Where do you check online for sci-fi breakfast availability? When I check the restaurant on line, all it shows is lunch and dinner?

I thought you could book online, here's the number if online booking isn't available
407-WDW-DINE
EDIT: never mind, it says on the Sci Fi page that online reservations are not available, you have to call

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I know. ANd with Mara being a face character, there is a very good shot she will be done by Disney and not allowed for 501st marching. But, she is a good one to do at a local event or convention. I would suggest a scanning crew, officer, or reserve pilot costume for SWW. SOft costume, no armor (so inexpensive and able to march), and will always be canon.

Ash

Oh Mara Jade is definitely a fun character to use at other 501st events for sure... I am not worried there... just gotta decide on a second so I can march for the mouse next year.

 

[obx_mama]

....I dont think there is anybody in the world that I would queue up for hours to meet briefly and get their autograph. Certainly not a minor celeb like Ray Park, the guy who played Jar Jar Binks or Cliff from Cheers.

Madness.

While I understand your point and certainly appreciate your opinion, just to clarify.... John Ratzenberger is more than the guy who played Cliff from Cheers and was a small part in ESB. He has been a voice character in every single Pixar movie including main characters in several. He has 130 acting credits on IMDb and that doesn't include his directing, producing or writing credits. To some folks, he is a very big deal.

As for the Jar Jar Binks guy, I couldn't agree more.

 

[juliebug1997]

While I understand your point and certainly appreciate your opinion, just to clarify.... John Ratzenberger is more than the guy who played Cliff from Cheers and was a small part in ESB. He has been a voice character in every single Pixar movie including main characters in several. He has 130 acting credits on IMDb and that doesn't include his directing, producing or writing credits. To some folks, he is a very big deal.

As for the Jar Jar Binks guy, I couldn't agree more.

ITA about Ratzenberger. I first came to know him as Cliff, but he's been a great supporter of Pixar.

 

[emilyyvic]

It really depends on what you think to be a SW experience.
Some people get the experience just by walking around looking at the characters, shopping for SW stuff, listening to the music.
Others prefer to see the parade or actually meet and take pics with the characters.
In your timeframe there will be one show you could do. Behind the Force Star Wars Voices is with the voice actors for the new Disney XD cartoon Star Wars Rebels, that show lasts about 30 min. and you can line up for it about 30min before.
But it all really depends on you and your family

Thank you!

 

[Reizo]

While I understand your point and certainly appreciate your opinion, just to clarify.... John Ratzenberger is more than the guy who played Cliff from Cheers and was a small part in ESB. He has been a voice character in every single Pixar movie including main characters in several. He has 130 acting credits on IMDb and that doesn't include his directing, producing or writing credits. To some folks, he is a very big deal.

As for the Jar Jar Binks guy, I couldn't agree more.

It could be that some kids actually like Jar Jar Binks.. but it makes you wonder just how it's going to turn out for his autograph line because I'm not even sure Disney realizes there's a large loathe for Jar Jar and not the actor himself

Either way, just caught up reading the thread and it's really nice and I must give props to everyone here going all out to make the Star Wars fans in their family guarantee a good time.

 

[LMN]

Yulilin3: Just saw the info regarding Feel the Force package. Do you know where the reserved area will be for the parade and/or the fireworks? Am trying to decide if this is a good use of $250 for our family or if the reserved spots will be just as crowded as everywhere else? Any insight that you could provide will be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[su_A_ve]

Ok - so we have breakfast at 10:40 on 6/6 and booked the Feel the force for 6/7. Need to adjust FP+ now, but hoping they'll have them for autographs.

 

[jkramer]

It could be that some kids actually like Jar Jar Binks.. but it makes you wonder just how it's going to turn out for his autograph line because I'm not even sure Disney realizes there's a large loathe for Jar Jar and not the actor himself

Either way, just caught up reading the thread and it's really nice and I must give props to here here going all out to make the Star Wars fans in their family guarantee a good time.

I know everyone hates Jar Jar, but I was 11 when Star Wars Ep 1 came out, and I LOVED him! Now that I'm older, I get it; but I still <3 him.

 

[ajh88]

It could be that some kids actually like Jar Jar Binks.. but it makes you wonder just how it's going to turn out for his autograph line because I'm not even sure Disney realizes there's a large loathe for Jar Jar and not the actor himself

Either way, just caught up reading the thread and it's really nice and I must give props to here here going all out to make the Star Wars fans in their family guarantee a good time.

I am not a Jar Jar hater. My step son was 9 when Episode 1 came out and his favorite character was (and is) Jar Jar. Even my DD enjoys Jar Jar. I get that he is annoying to many adults, but he is loved by the kids of our house! I seem to recall the Ewoks did not have a very favorable reception back when ROTJ came out either, but I was a 7 year old girl and they have always been my favorites!

We booked the VIP package for the first Saturday and now I'm debating about down grading to the Feel the Force package instead - we booked VIP before FTF was announced. Mostly wanting to minimize some wait times since we will have a 6 month old with us. Such a huge monetary difference and I can't decide. DH wants to keep VIP and I'm much more on the fence. We will have fun either way and I sort of hope Ahmed's line isn't too long because we would totally jump in and meet him, but don't plan on getting up at dark-thirty to do it.

Counting down the days!

 

[yulilin3]

Yulilin3: Just saw the info regarding Feel the Force package. Do you know where the reserved area will be for the parade and/or the fireworks? Am trying to decide if this is a good use of $250 for our family or if the reserved spots will be just as crowded as everywhere else? Any insight that you could provide will be much appreciated! Thanks!

Still trying to figure it out...It says left side as you face the stage near Echo Lake, so, if you're familiar with DHS, I'm thinking that area where they put the DHS photo op, that you can take a picture in front of...it's so hard to explain...whene some characters come out in the mirning to take pictures? That's the area I'm thinking it'll be, it's shaded by trees, so that's a good thing

 

[lovethattink]

Ok - so we have breakfast at 10:40 on 6/6 and booked the Feel the force for 6/7. Need to adjust FP+ now, but hoping they'll have them for autographs.

According to Disney's website, it will be paper FP and wristband as in previous years for getting celebrity autographs. Or were you hoping for character FP+? That would be cool.