Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[Itinkso]

We have a 8am on a non sww also. Our kids also want to do JTA. Hope to get everything worked out. Also what is the dinning entrance. I know we will enter park early

It should be the far left tapstiles. There should be a sign above it designating breakfast reservations or something to that effect.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We have a 8am on a non sww also. Our kids also want to do JTA. Hope to get everything worked out. Also what is the dinning entrance. I know we will enter park early

It is the far left tapstile. It is likely that a line will start forming around 7:30 or so. A CM will go down the line, verifying your breakfast reservation before they start letting people in (they'll redirect anyone without a breakfast reservation into another line). We've always done 8:00 breakfasts at H&V, and they've never let us in more than a few minutes prior to 8:00, so you probably won't be in super early. 8:00 is the first breakfast slot and there's really no reason to let people in earlier than that since there's nothing else to do other than walk straight to the restaurant (internal ropes keep guests from where they don't belong that early, and nothing else is open). I'm sure the Sci Fi breakfasts will be offered in a similar manner, though hopefully they'll have more than one tapstile open. Last time we were there (in October) there was a quite a line built up before they started letting people in for their breakfast reservations (but they also seemed to be having an issue with the MBs/tapstiles in general that day, so the long, slow line may have been a fluke).

 

[aym4Him]

It is the far left tapstile. It is likely that a line will start forming around 7:30 or so. A CM will go down the line, verifying your breakfast reservation before they start letting people in (they'll redirect anyone without a breakfast reservation into another line). We've always done 8:00 breakfasts at H&V, and they've never let us in more than a few minutes prior to 8:00, so you probably won't be in super early. 8:00 is the first breakfast slot and there's really no reason to let people in earlier than that since there's nothing else to do other than walk straight to the restaurant (internal ropes keep guests from where they don't belong that early, and nothing else is open). I'm sure the Sci Fi breakfasts will be offered in a similar manner, though hopefully they'll have more than one tapstile open. Last time we were there (in October) there was a quite a line built up before they started letting people in for their breakfast reservations (but they also seemed to be having an issue with the MBs/tapstiles in general that day, so the long, slow line may have been a fluke).

We had an 8:10 reservation in Nov. We were told that if we were taking the bus to allow for 30 mins to 1 hr for travel from the resort. It didn't take long at all and it was COLD that morning!! They did not let us in until 7:55. We were the 2nd family in line (I think we got there at 7:15). The funny thing was that once we checked in, it took forever for our names to be called. They sat two larger families with later reservations before our party of 3. I was a lil grumpy that morning because I knew we needed to hurry to sign him up for JTA. Woo. That was an interesting morning!!

They only had one line open and it was pretty long.

 

[Sundancer UK]

Oh! I'm going to try & remember to make a few signs to leave on the table for that very reason!!! Thank you for sharing that. Yes!!! He met DV on his Wish Trip. He was a month shy of turning 4 and didn't even want to get close to the JTA stage for fear DV & the Stormtroopers would see him. He had no idea what was about to happen! He wouldn't let me put him down for a little bit and you are correct. DV did not break character and didn't want to give DS a fist bump (the ice-breaker we use). He snatched his red lightsaber away from him and just looked at him. He stared him up and down before presenting him with his own. DS thought it was awesomely terrifying . He finally got down & stood for a group pic with DV, Stormtroopers & his daddy. He was SO happy. It's now a very very treasured pic and memory. Never would I have dreamed it would be our one & only family trip to Disney.

That's really made me well up. What a happy memory. I think that you are doing an amazing job and I hope that this trip brings you both lots of joy. xxx

 

[lovethattink]

Looks like I may have to cancel our May 4th breakfast and dinner. Dh says he is working that day. He looked at the schedule wrong. Trying to decide what to do. DH says keep it but change it to one less person. Can I do that? Or would I risk losing the ADR if I change the number?

 

[Itinkso]

Looks like I may have to cancel our May 4th breakfast and dinner. Dh says he is working that day. He looked at the schedule wrong. Trying to decide what to do. DH says keep it but change it to one less person. Can I do that? Or would I risk losing the ADR if I change the number?

When you arrive at SciFi, just let them know you have one less person. Do the same at H&V. The CMs at the podium don't mind when it is a smaller party, it's when you attempt to add someone that may cause a problem.

 

[lovethattink]

When you arrive at SciFi, just let them know you have one less person. Do the same at H&V. The CMs at the podium don't mind when it is a smaller party, it's when you attempt to add someone that may cause a problem.

I didn't think about that. Thanks!

Though I know dh was the most excited of the family for these meals, might have to see if there's an opening another day. Though looking at our schedule it pushes it to June.

 

[FencerGirl]

I have a question regarding the celebrity meet and greets.

Will they sign more than one item? Obviously, we won't go crazy, but we want to know if we need to choose between our three items.

 

[yulilin3]

I have a question regarding the celebrity meet and greets.

Will they sign more than one item? Obviously, we won't go crazy, but we want to know if we need to choose between our three items.

No, they will only sign 1 item per fastpass/wristband...sometimes they will sign your item and also sign a black and white headshot that they have.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I have a couple of questions - I've read the main post, most of this thread (but certainly not all of it), Josh and Kenny and my head is spinning!

Do all of the characters (with workable hands) sign / autograph? or do they just do pictures? DD is not interested in the celebrities so that's a non issue.

Also will the official map be available before the first Friday (we'll be there the first weekend) ? Or will it be handed out in the turnstile area before we go in (so we can study it a bit since it seems some things are moving this year)?

Thanks!

 

[hemmie]

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.

Re: Symphony in the Stars... is the pre-show worth staking out a good spot super far in advance? I ask because any more than an hour ahead of SitS would be challenging with kids, especially if we aren't sitting down. Otherwise, if the pre-show isn't that big a deal, then we will just position ourselves for the fireworks. Also, where for the best pre-show spots and how early do we need to stake it out?

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Writer's Stop has both and shouldn't be too far away.

That's what we did last year right before getting in line for Chewie and it worked out great.

 

[slmoore]

Why should we watch the movies in that order? 4,5,1,2,3,6

I guess I'll go google it!

I still haven't let my DS watch episode 3 but I think he's finally old enough

Lots of people (me included) prefer to watch them 4, 5, 2, 3, 6. This is referred to as Machete Order, after the guy that first suggested it (and if you want to google). You can skip episode 1 entirely. The main characters in that movie either die (Qui Gon Jinn & Darth Maul), or are irritants (Jar Jar) and aren't important to the overall story.

The reason that you go back to the 2 & 3 after Empire, is that it is that the overall story is about Luke. Empire ends with Luke learning that Vader is his father. Flash back to 2 & 3 you get to see Anakin at roughly the same stage of life that Luke is in, and see how he handles it and turns to the dark side. Then at the beginning of 6, you see a couple of things that make you wonder if Luke has turned - he is dressed in black (like Vader), he uses the force choke hold (like Vader) and you worry he is heading down the same path.

 

[lovethattink]

Re: Symphony in the Stars... is the pre-show worth staking out a good spot super far in advance? I ask because any more than an hour ahead of SitS would be challenging with kids, especially if we aren't sitting down. Otherwise, if the pre-show isn't that big a deal, then we will just position ourselves for the fireworks. Also, where for the best pre-show spots and how early do we need to stake it out?

It's brand new. They didn't have a pre-show last May the 4th. I'm hoping they will broadcast it on the Idol screen too.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Thanks for acknowledging it . It helps to talk about the good stuff.

I smiled really big when I read about your family's DV adventure. Please do share

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We had an 8:10 reservation in Nov. We were told that if we were taking the bus to allow for 30 mins to 1 hr for travel from the resort. It didn't take long at all and it was COLD that morning!! They did not let us in until 7:55. We were the 2nd family in line (I think we got there at 7:15). The funny thing was that once we checked in, it took forever for our names to be called. They sat two larger families with later reservations before our party of 3. I was a lil grumpy that morning because I knew we needed to hurry to sign him up for JTA. Woo. That was an interesting morning!!

They only had one line open and it was pretty long.

This was our experience, too. We got on a bus super early for really no good reason, and then stood there outside the park for no good reason. Then we got to the restaurant and waited to be called. Luckily, since we had the 8:00 spot, we didn't wait long (we were some of the first people seated) but there were a ton of people who got into the park before us who were waiting on the H&V patio for far longer than us. I think they must calll parties by their reservation times, not by when they check into the restaurant.

JTA is always our #1 priority and I think that making sure you get your top things turns you into a crazy person. LOL. This year, I will try to be a bit more rational and not have us at DHS so early. Leaving at 7:30 for an 8:00 reservation should be plenty of time for the time of year we're traveling. I just hope that they continue with the Star Wars-themed Sci Fi breakfasts after SWW ends. It would be awesome to meet some of our favorite bad guys (Boba Fett and Vader) outside of SWW weekends.

 

[yulilin3]

I have a couple of questions - I've read the main post, most of this thread (but certainly not all of it), Josh and Kenny and my head is spinning!

Do all of the characters (with workable hands) sign / autograph? or do they just do pictures? DD is not interested in the celebrities so that's a non issue.

Also will the official map be available before the first Friday (we'll be there the first weekend) ? Or will it be handed out in the turnstile area before we go in (so we can study it a bit since it seems some things are moving this year)?

Thanks!

The only ones that don't sign are R2D2, R2MK and C3PO
Officially no, they usually release the map the morning of the frist Friday. But we have been able to get a copy the sunday before, as soon as I have it I'll post it here

Re: Symphony in the Stars... is the pre-show worth staking out a good spot super far in advance? I ask because any more than an hour ahead of SitS would be challenging with kids, especially if we aren't sitting down. Otherwise, if the pre-show isn't that big a deal, then we will just position ourselves for the fireworks. Also, where for the best pre-show spots and how early do we need to stake it out?

Brand spanking new, no one knows if it'llbe worth it. I too hope that they will show it on the Idol JUmbotron

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Which direction does the parade route ... front to the back of the park or the opposite ?

 

[yulilin3]

Which direction does the parade route ... front to the back of the park or the opposite ?

Front of the park to the Hat Stage, most of the parade (characters and celebrities) go on stage for the welcome ceremony, the only part of the parade that marches on are the members of the 501sta nd Rebel Legion....they keep marching past the Hat and exit the park by Star Tours

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Front of the park to the Hat Stage, most of the parade (characters and celebrities) go on stage for the welcome ceremony, the only part of the parade that marches on are the members of the 501sta nd Rebel Legion....they keep marching past the Hat and exit the park by Star Tours

For the stage show does anything happen other than characters and celebs being introduced? Are they the same characters that are in the parade? ie would we be missing out big time if we just saw the parade and didn't see the stage part?

Also thanks for answering my question about characters that sign and when the map will come out. I'm the planner - DD and DH are the huge Star Wars fans!

Thanks!