Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[handicap18]

I did cancel ours. All I can say is keep checking. Our date to pay off the trip is May 1st so there could be others possibly cancelling soon. Good luck!!

Thanks. Nothing yet. I will definitely keep checking. I've also been trying to get either Dinner on 6/5 or breakfast on 6/7 for Chef Mickey's, but nothing there either. Thats what we get for booking 65 days prior.

Sorry you had to cancel yours.

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

Okay, the Jawa Trading looks awesome. I might have to take one of the plethora of Episode 1 ILM Crew shirts that I have laying about (I'm a former LucasArts employee from that time period so I've got like six of them still in wearable shape) and trade it to them, then just go sit across the street and wait for the incredulous reactions of the person they trade that back to.

Aside from that, I do have a question regarding the shows in the Premier Theater. How early should we go to get in line for the various shows (EDIT: on a "normal" weekend, not the Mark Hamill one)? And if there are shows back to back, are you permitted to simply remain in the theater for the run, or do you need to go back out and get in line again? Finally, assuming Visit to the Maul is happening this year, does it happen even on weekends when Ray Park isn't a featured guest?

Thanks, all.

Ok What Day Will You Be Attending So I Can Stalk The Jawa You Traded With To Snag One Of These Shirts!!!

 

[poison ivy]

Okay, the Jawa Trading looks awesome. I might have to take one of the plethora of Episode 1 ILM Crew shirts that I have laying about (I'm a former LucasArts employee from that time period so I've got like six of them still in wearable shape) and trade it to them, then just go sit across the street and wait for the incredulous reactions of the person they trade that back to.

Aside from that, I do have a question regarding the shows in the Premier Theater. How early should we go to get in line for the various shows (EDIT: on a "normal" weekend, not the Mark Hamill one)? And if there are shows back to back, are you permitted to simply remain in the theater for the run, or do you need to go back out and get in line again? Finally, assuming Visit to the Maul is happening this year, does it happen even on weekends when Ray Park isn't a featured guest?

Thanks, all.

Wow! That would be a great trade. Wish I were a Jawa.

I think having them and the Stormtroopers at the breakfast is going to be a lot of fun.

re: the shows

we did 3 in a row last year - back to back. You have to exit and re-enter the theatre each time.

here's a little excerpt from my trip report segment on this:

Darth Maul meets Willow

Part II

Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The parade wrapped up around 11:30 am, which gave us the afternoon to enjoy before heading out. The plan was to leave no later than 6:00pm.

We were headed here:

Premiere Theatre – High energy shows every day this weekend.
(Item #4 on the Park Map)

Behind the Force: Star Wars Voices 12:00 pm - (Ashley Eckstein)
An Ewok’s Tale – My Short Story - starring Warwick Davis 1:45pm
Stars of the Saga 3:30pm - (James Arnold Taylor)
Visit to the Maul - starring Ray Park 5:00pm
Obi-Wan and beyond - starring James Arnold Taylor 6:30pm

Being a big fan of the movie Willow, I really wanted to catch the Warwick Davis show at 1:45pm.

I tell JQ that it looks like each celebrity hosts only 1 show and since Warwick Davis is a big draw, we should assume it will be hard to get into and get in line early.

We decide to take advantage of the fact that the autograph sessions were going on, and look for a place to grab lunch first.

continued -

Ok let’s go see Warwick Davis!



We of course have zero experience with any of this, and immediately fire off multiple questions:
( which I now have answers to!)

1. where is the Premiere Theatre?
2. how many does it hold?
3. how popular is this show?
4. do we need a special wristband to get in?
5. what time should we line up?
6. should we try to get lunch first?

The Premiere Theatre – is a 1500 seat theatre located on New York Street.
It is no longer open to the general public except during special events.

Here’s a brief blog from Disney’s website: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...backlot-theater-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

The theatre is housed inside a replica Soundstage building which also serves as the San Francisco Mural Backdrop. (it normally hides behind a barricade wall everyone typically walks by. But not today! Doors are open!!)





The line up for this venue begins in an alley directly across the street - adjacent to the Muppets Show building

No special wristband or ticket is required. So we get in line at 12:30pm

This is what we encountered at that time. We were lucky. It was cool and shaded in this area.





And this is what the crowd grew to by 1:20pm The entire alley was jam packed, and the line stretched outside all the way around the block and way up the street.



Here’s an outside shot taken earlier. The alley we were waiting in is where the rust colored steel steps are behind that steel framing. You can see the line already forming around the block.



Once the doors open, the street is blocked off and the entire line is shuffled thru this que to maximize crowd control.

Here we go! It felt really great walking in knowing we had gotten a seat.



I tried to snap a photo of the size of the line way behind us - which was still outside and around the block.

OK so I went back and checked the times of my photos to determine when we got let out and re-entered for the various shows.

Each time we left the theatre to get back in line we were further back in the que.

We left an Ewok's Tale around 2:30pm and got right in line
For Stars of the Saga - at 2:35 pm.

we were still in the alley as you can see from this photo



Stars of the Saga wrapped up at 4:15 which put us pretty far back in line for the 5:00 pm Visit to the Maul - we wound up outside and away from the alley in the sun.

(that's my husband JQ sitting on the curb in this shot - white shirt & hat shielding the sun)



but we still got in and were fine with our seats.

A really great afternoon!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

We are bringing Star Wars Trading Cards also some Episode 1 stickers for the jawas.

I was thinking about bringing some 501st trading cards to trade, but have to see if I can get some from some of my buddies

Looking to trade unique stuff so that the next kid the Jawas trades with will get a sweet surprise Not so concerned with what I get back, I just think the whole idea is super cool!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Woohoo! I'm SO glad you mentioned Jawa trading. I didn't know about it last time and forgotten a it it this time!

I too had seen it but forgot all about it! And was giddy with excitement when I realized I could so some trading. I love the pictures posted by Poison Ivy, it gave me an idea of size they can carry... looks like smaller things that can fit in that pack in the front is the key.

I'm very much hoping for Palpatine Stitch! Stitch is one of my favourites at the moment and I can't wait to introduce my Stitch-like terror of a toddler to him lol

I LOVE the idea of Palpatine Stitch, we ran into a fan last year that was wearing the cloak and had a stick had and gloves on see picture below!

 

[yulilin3]

Poison Ivy thank you for the post and especially the pictures....this is what SWW looks like, around Premiere Theater, Star Tours and Backlot Tour areas.
For people wanting to know about crowds this is the best example...
The rest of the park will seem less packed.

 

[lovethattink]

I was thinking about bringing some 501st trading cards to trade, but have to see if I can get some from some of my buddies

Looking to trade unique stuff so that the next kid the Jawas trades with will get a sweet surprise Not so concerned with what I get back, I just think the whole idea is super cool!

My son loved the interaction with them. He didn't really care what he got in return.

Jawa will sign autographs too



here's one of the toys ds got




I think the jawa thought I was trading ds for something





Nope, just taking him somewhere without people to trade



Happy with the trade

 

[hemmie]

This Jawa trading has me super excited.

I'm trying to think of unique but inexpensive things we can bring from here that would be fun to trade. Any ideas? Glow sticks? Something from our state that is easily obtained?

 

[The Sunrise Student]

My son loved the interaction with them. He didn't really care what he got in return.

Jawa will sign autographs too



here's one of the toys ds got




I think the jawa thought I was trading ds for something





Nope, just taking him somewhere without people to trade



Happy with the trade

Love it, too cute

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks!

 

[poison ivy]

Poison Ivy thank you for the post and especially the pictures....this is what SWW looks like, around Premiere Theater, Star Tours and Backlot Tour areas.
For people wanting to know about crowds this is the best example...
The rest of the park will seem less packed.

thanks yulilin3 and thanks for all your help especially with the pre dawn information to obtain celebrity autographs. This thread has been fantastic.

This Jawa trading has me super excited.

I'm trying to think of unique but inexpensive things we can bring from here that would be fun to trade. Any ideas? Glow sticks? Something from our state that is easily obtained?

The Jawas are an easy crowd. Anything you have on you to trade at the time is usually a big hit Small and inexpensive could be as simple as a plastic trinket.
A glowstick or home state treat sounds great.

 

[CinderElsa]

Thanks to all who posted about trading with the Jawas! I'll come prepared.

 

[ajh88]

Great pictures and report Poison Ivy - so much better than my baby-addled memory!!

 

[aym4Him]

thanks yulilin3 and thanks for all your help especially with the pre dawn information to obtain celebrity autographs. This thread has been fantastic. The Jawas are an easy crowd. Anything you have on you to trade at the time is usually a big hit Small and inexpensive could be as simple as a plastic trinket. A glowstick or home state treat sounds great.

I ditto my thanks. Love seeing all the pictures, too!!

If I get adventurous, I may make lil lightsabers out of some glow sticks. I think duct tape & a sharpie will work. We'll see. I definitely want to trade them something that another person won't be bummed over!!

 

[JayCab]

You must get in line at least an hour before especially for Visit to the Maul and Stars of the Saga. You have too come back out and get back in line for each show. Visit to the Maul only happens when Ray Park is here as a visiting celebrity

Second, we lined up 45-60 minutes before shows. The theater is pretty huge and I don't know if people are turned away (or how many are), but if you want to pick your own location, that timeframe worked.

we did 3 in a row last year - back to back. You have to exit and re-enter the theatre each time.

Thanks a ton for the info, folks! I'll be waiting for the show schedule for the week I'm there, then, so we can rearrange the FP's we've made for that day (simply as backup or for getting some shade and A/C time).

 

[Sundancer UK]

I LOVE the idea of Palpatine Stitch, we ran into a fan last year that was wearing the cloak and had a stick had and gloves on see picture below!

That's so cool!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I love the Jawa trade idea! I have not heard of this before. I am so excited! Do they just wonder around the park or is there a special place they hang out please?

 

[yulilin3]

I love the Jawa trade idea! I have not heard of this before. I am so excited! Do they just wonder around the park or is there a special place they hang out please?

they hang around the Premiere Theater/Streets of America area in the afternoon

 

[kmcdougan]

I was thinking about bringing some 501st trading cards to trade, but have to see if I can get some from some of my buddies

Looking to trade unique stuff so that the next kid the Jawas trades with will get a sweet surprise Not so concerned with what I get back, I just think the whole idea is super cool!

I was thinking the same thing. Good thing I was planning on packing as many of my cards as I could. The only problem with flying is that I will not be able to bring the whole box of each of my cards. Ugh. Oh well, just have to pack efficiently.

Ash

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I love the Jawa trade idea! I have not heard of this before. I am so excited! Do they just wonder around the park or is there a special place they hang out please?

They come out on the Streets of America at certain times. We met them right in front of the San Francisco/Golden Gate Bridge backdrop. After the first weekend, you'll have a better idea of when to look for them. Kenny the Pirate will have likely times posted on his website.

They're also apparently going to be at the Sci Fi meal.