Official Star Wars Weekends 2014 Tips and Tricks

[ConnieB]

Just throwing this scenario out there... Since Ray Park has his own "show", what do you think the chances are that Stars of the Saga would be Billy Dee and Mark? (I realize this still leaves that mysteriously large gap in between shows)

Maybe all three will be on stage and the gap is because that one show will be longer? There could be a million guesses, so there is mine.

I met Mark Hamill at Celebration VI and he was as wonderful as you'd think....but heavens the man has aged, lol. Of course, I personally avoid mirrors so I still look like a star-struck teen I'm sure.

 

[yulilin3]

Ok, now I'm starting to understand more.....so these guys don't stand there all day long signing autographs (that amazed me that they would, lol).....so like an hour for each of those times with a little break in between And now JAT also does signing......ok, my girls loved meeting him at Celebration VI so I may need to add him to the choices now too, lol. Thank heavens we'll be there 3 weekends!

Thanks so much for all the great information you share and most of all for your patience!!!

You're welcome
It's one hour sessions, and James Arnold Taylor has signed beforefor only one session in the morning so I assume that he will again (he's done it every year) We love him too, last year my daughter asked him to record a message for her voicemail in the voice of Johnny Test (she loves that cartoon) and he did it using all the voices from the show. He's awesome!!

 

[StayAwake]

My nephew & I are going week III to celebrate his birthday, and he's decided he really wants to meet all 3 guest celebrities. His order of preference is John Ratzenberger, Ray Park, and then Taylor Gray.

I'd like to attempt some sleep during this weekend. I would appreciate thoughts on this schedule. We'll be arriving in Orlando Thursday around dinner time.

Friday: Arrive HS 3:30 am. Get in line for either John Ratzenberger or Ray Park, depending on whose line is shorter. (Assume Ray Park) Line up for Jedi Training Academy- request an afternoon/evening spot. Sci-Fi Breakfast. Back to the room for a nap. Return PM for autograph, JTA, Visit to the Maul (FP+) and H&V dinner. Stay for Fantasmic/Fireworks.

Saturday: Arrive HS 6:30 am. Get in line for Taylor Gray. Immediately return to room for more sleeping. Return to HS 10:30 for Parade part of Saga package. Lunch, autograph, Stars of the Saga (FP+), Boat to EPCOT for Birthday Dinner(5:40 ADR), Return to HS for Fireworks/Dessert party.

Exit park and get in line for John Ratzenberger. Stay up all night- get autograph. Return to room to sleep Sunday away. Head to MK Sunday night for rides/EMH until 2 am. Return to room for sleep until ME departure.

Is there any way this will work?

 

[yulilin3]

Maybe all three will be on stage and the gap is because that one show will be longer? There could be a million guesses, so there is mine.

I met Mark Hamill at Celebration VI and he was as wonderful as you'd think....but heavens the man has aged, lol. Of course, I personally avoid mirrors so I still look like a star-struck teen I'm sure.

that could be it as well...makes that Stars of the Saga fp more valuable, and here I am having to wait 2 more days

 

[yulilin3]

My nephew & I are going week III to celebrate his birthday, and he's decided he really wants to meet all 3 guest celebrities. His order of preference is John Ratzenberger, Ray Park, and then Taylor Gray.

I'd like to attempt some sleep during this weekend. I would appreciate thoughts on this schedule. We'll be arriving in Orlando Thursday around dinner time.

Friday: Arrive HS 3:30 am. Get in line for either John Ratzenberger or Ray Park, depending on whose line is shorter. (Assume Ray Park) Line up for Jedi Training Academy- request an afternoon/evening spot. Sci-Fi Breakfast. Back to the room for a nap. Return PM for autograph, JTA, Visit to the Maul (FP+) and H&V dinner. Stay for Fantasmic/Fireworks.

Saturday: Arrive HS 6:30 am. Get in line for Taylor Gray. Immediately return to room for more sleeping. Return to HS 10:30 for Parade part of Saga package. Lunch, autograph, Stars of the Saga (FP+), Boat to EPCOT for Birthday Dinner(5:40 ADR), Return to HS for Fireworks/Dessert party.

Exit park and get in line for John Ratzenberger. Stay up all night- get autograph. Return to room to sleep Sunday away. Head to MK Sunday night for rides/EMH until 2 am. Return to room for sleep until ME departure.

Is there any way this will work?

Sounds good, just remember that the autograph session for Taylor Gray might be in the morning so you might need to stay to get his autograph then go back to the room for a nap and you will get a feel for how long John R line is so you might not need to stay up all night for his autograph..

 

[su_A_ve]

that could be it as well...makes that Stars of the Saga fp more valuable, and here I am having to wait 2 more days

My take? The Stars of the Saga show is later because of all the people lining up. You need more time in between shows.

In any case, I got an FP+ for it and just hope he is there. Otherwise, I'll be on the lookout if a new FP+ comes out...

 

[southernfriedmom]

Still no word on Padawan Mind Challenge times? With all these special reservations our schedule is getting tight. Still anxious to hear your "surprise" about this too.

 

[yulilin3]

Ok, just called the VIP tour line and asked specifically about Mark Hamill and if he will be doing a separate show
VIP Guide: we will have access to Mark Hamill's show as well
Me: So is he doing a separate show or SotS?
VIP Guide: well entertainment schedule is not out yet...
Me: Today fp+ opened for all the shows and I see that there's a difference in the timing of Behind the Force and SotS, so does that mean he'll do a separate show?
VIP Guide: it's a strong possibility that his show will be at 3pm

That's the most I got out of him....so let the stress continue

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Is stars of the saga definitely the best FP+ of the shows? Never been to any if the shows before. I know my DH would be interested in Warwick Davis I'm just not sure? What is stars of the saga like?

 

[yulilin3]

Is stars of the saga definitely the best FP+ of the shows? Never been to any if the shows before. I know my DH would be interested in Warwick Davis I'm just not sure? What is stars of the saga like?

Stars of the Saga is a Q&A with the 2 actors, one comes out they talk about their start in SW, how they got the role, they show clips maybe from when they were cast, then the other actor comes out and they do the same thing. It's really interesting hearing the different backstories of both. It's myf avorite of all the shows offered, especially the Stormtroopers pre-show, that is REALLY FUNNYF, not to be missed.
So it's a matter of personal preference. I loved Warwick's show last year and will probably do it again.

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Stars of the Saga is a Q&A with the 2 actors, one comes out they talk about their start in SW, how they got the role, they show clips maybe from when they were cast, then the other actor comes out and they do the same thing. It's really interesting hearing the different backstories of both. It's myf avorite of all the shows offered, especially the Stormtroopers pre-show, that is REALLY FUNNYF, not to be missed.
So it's a matter of personal preference. I loved Warwick's show last year and will probably do it again.

Great thank you!!

 

[yulilin3]

Still no word on Padawan Mind Challenge times? With all these special reservations our schedule is getting tight. Still anxious to hear your "surprise" about this too.

I think we are going to have to wait for the official map for this one but it should be the same times as last year: 2:10pm and 4:30pm

 

[delmar411]

My nephew & I are going week III to celebrate his birthday, and he's decided he really wants to meet all 3 guest celebrities. His order of preference is John Ratzenberger, Ray Park, and then Taylor Gray.

I'd like to attempt some sleep during this weekend. I would appreciate thoughts on this schedule. We'll be arriving in Orlando Thursday around dinner time.

Friday: Arrive HS 3:30 am. Get in line for either John Ratzenberger or Ray Park, depending on whose line is shorter. (Assume Ray Park) Line up for Jedi Training Academy- request an afternoon/evening spot. Sci-Fi Breakfast. Back to the room for a nap. Return PM for autograph, JTA, Visit to the Maul (FP+) and H&V dinner. Stay for Fantasmic/Fireworks.

Saturday: Arrive HS 6:30 am. Get in line for Taylor Gray. Immediately return to room for more sleeping. Return to HS 10:30 for Parade part of Saga package. Lunch, autograph, Stars of the Saga (FP+), Boat to EPCOT for Birthday Dinner(5:40 ADR), Return to HS for Fireworks/Dessert party.

Exit park and get in line for John Ratzenberger. Stay up all night- get autograph. Return to room to sleep Sunday away. Head to MK Sunday night for rides/EMH until 2 am. Return to room for sleep until ME departure.

Is there any way this will work?

Keep in mind you will have to be out of your room by 11am, regardless of when your ME departs.

 

[thumperjr9]

Ok, this FP+ is frustrating me. I got a FP for Stars of the Saga, which is a good thing....but I had to trade it for TSM. Our other day that we'll be in DHS is 5/23 for the SW breakfast and checking out SW merchandise. Didn't make any FP's because then we head to MK for the 24hr party, so our FP's are for there. So looks like no TSM for me this trip. While there are some good aspects of FP+, I have never had such a confusing time planning a WDW vacation....end of venting!!!

The other thing I want to say is how thankful I am for this thread! We have been to SWW before (several years ago) so things have changed somewhat. I've gotten tons of useful info from here!! Thanks!

 

[CAS239]

It might have been posted/answered pages and pages back in this thread....But if you're going first thing to Darth Maul's Mall, what time do you get to the park if you want to be ahead of the crowd?

I went last year for the first time to SWW on the very first day. Park didn't open until 8, so I got there about 7:30 only to find out they were already letting people in the park. Wound up waiting 4 hours in line. That was pretty brutal.

 

[yulilin3]

It might have been posted/answered pages and pages back in this thread....But if you're going first thing to Darth Maul's Mall, what time do you get to the park if you want to be ahead of the crowd?

I went last year for the first time to SWW on the very first day. Park didn't open until 8, so I got there about 7:30 only to find out they were already letting people in the park. Wound up waiting 4 hours in line. That was pretty brutal.

Are you going the first Friday? If so you're going to encounter the same problem...unless there is something LE that you must have I recommend going to Darth's Mall later in the day and you won't have to wait.

 

[Music City Mama]

Ok, just called the VIP tour line and asked specifically about Mark Hamill and if he will be doing a separate show
VIP Guide: we will have access to Mark Hamill's show as well
Me: So is he doing a separate show or SotS?
VIP Guide: well entertainment schedule is not out yet...
Me: Today fp+ opened for all the shows and I see that there's a difference in the timing of Behind the Force and SotS, so does that mean he'll do a separate show?
VIP Guide: it's a strong possibility that his show will be at 3pm

That's the most I got out of him....so let the stress continue

Very interesting . . . If he does a separate show, I will be dropping my SotS FP+ for it. I saw Billy Dee Williams last year during it, and I'm already going to Ray Park's show. The timing also works much better for me if there is a 3:00 show.

I will be glued to this thread!! Maybe they will open this one up at the 30 day mark (for all to have access to) since it will be such a coveted FP. I'm on pins and needles! Now, off to see if I can get a Sci-Fi breakfast . . .

 

[RAPstar]

Any idea how the FP for the shows will work? Everything I read about the dining with an imagineer says it will be 3 hours long (so roughly 12-3pm). And as long as it doesn't run over I can rush to the theater for the stars show (if I miss the preshow, I miss it). It says FP will be 3:02-3:20, so I'm assuming there will be a reserved section? Just brainstorming so I can be prepared.

 

[alayne]

Have the opened up the FP for the shoes? I can't find a FP for my show that I need.

 

[yulilin3]

Have the opened up the FP for the shoes? I can't find a FP for my show that I need.

All the shows at Premiere Theatet have fp they are on Tier 1