Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[hydrotony]

View attachment 79151 And there are walls around soundstage 1 (home to last year's darth's mall)

They are making a third Toy Story Mania track in some of this building.

 

[poison ivy]

For any newcomers to the Star Wars Weekends.

here is a great detailed writeup from weekend 2 in 2014 w/lots of photos to help walk you through the experience.

http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/star...egy-characters-hoopla-crowds-merchandise-etc/

Obviously there are already changes taking place for 2015 as noted here, regarding the new location of Darth's Mall near Streets of America and the Celebrity talk show "Saga with the Stars" now being held on Sunset Blvd. in the Theatre of the Stars (Beauty and the Beast live show arena), but I love the time lapse photos of the crowds building up for the parade.

And this was Weekend II! You can just imagine what it was like for Weekend IV w/Mark Hamill last year.

 

[yulilin3]

For any newcomers to the Star Wars Weekends.

here is a great detailed writeup from weekend 2 in 2014 w/lots of photos to help walk you through the experience.

http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/star...egy-characters-hoopla-crowds-merchandise-etc/

Obviously there are already changes taking place for 2015 as noted here, regarding the new location of Darth's Mall near Streets of America and the Celebrity talk show "Saga with the Stars" now being held on Sunset Blvd. in the Theatre of the Stars (Beauty and the Beast live show arena), but I love the time lapse photos of the crowds building up for the parade.

And this was Weekend II! You can just imagine what it was like for Weekend IV w/Mark Hamill last year.

this is a great write up. It really includes everything. Like you said, there will be changes but at least it'll give you a good visual of crowds

 

[HCinKC]

For any newcomers to the Star Wars Weekends.

here is a great detailed writeup from weekend 2 in 2014 w/lots of photos to help walk you through the experience.

http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/star...egy-characters-hoopla-crowds-merchandise-etc/

I just came across this the other day. I really helped me figure out some time frames. Definitely a great resource with all of the photos.

I don't know if I asked this already, but I don't recall seeing an answer if I did...Is FtF pay ahead or do you book with cc backup but actually pay there?

 

[drlaurafsu]

FtF is pay at reservation. We had it last year and since it was just me and DS it was definitely worth it for the parade seating alone. Planning on doing it again this year.

 

[OZMom]

For any newcomers to the Star Wars Weekends.

here is a great detailed writeup from weekend 2 in 2014 w/lots of photos to help walk you through the experience.

http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/star...egy-characters-hoopla-crowds-merchandise-etc/

Obviously there are already changes taking place for 2015 as noted here, regarding the new location of Darth's Mall near Streets of America and the Celebrity talk show "Saga with the Stars" now being held on Sunset Blvd. in the Theatre of the Stars (Beauty and the Beast live show arena), but I love the time lapse photos of the crowds building up for the parade.

And this was Weekend II! You can just imagine what it was like for Weekend IV w/Mark Hamill last year.

Wow, that was really thorough. Now I'm really excited for SWW, but holy crowds batman. At least now I have an idea and can plan accordingly.

 

[drlaurafsu]

Need to start working on DSs autograph book. I know I need to add space for Ezra and Sabine. Any others that I might need to add extra space just in case? Han? Others? I realize they may not add anyone else but I would rather have a few extras than not enough room.

I've done general disney books using DSs previous pictures with the characters. This will be my first time doing a Star Wars one. Also any good Star Wars clip art suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[poison ivy]

If you go back into that review I posted - you'll see a link to the Feel the Force pkg. directly above where they posted the "Symphony in the Stars" fireworks video. Click on it for a very thorough look at last years Feel the Force Package offerings and set up.

We were among the masses clamoring for a front spot along the ropes in that section and unfortunately got boxed in. We never even saw or managed to take advantage of the refreshments they served during the parade. I hope they expand and better organize this section with the removal of the hat.

 

[pixiesprite]

Hi folks, hope you don't mind me popping in out of the blue - just spotted this thread.

A couple of DISers asked me to create some little scrapbooking cards for SWW last year over in Creative DISigns. They are small 3x4" cards you can use in scrapbooks, journals, fun print-outs for kids to write on about their experiences during the trip, tuck them in your photoalbums etc. You could print them a bit bigger than 3x4" too if needed. There are cards for various characters, events, the character meals and also some fun things like Star Wars Shopping themed cards, a Stormtrooper with Mickey ears arriving to catch the Magical Express and a Star Wars road trip. It's a mixture of journalling cards and title cards. Anyhoo, I thought some of you might get some use out of them while you are preparing for your trips or for afterwards when you are doing up your photos - you can find a list of all the SWW cards here , please feel free to download and enjoy any cards that catch your eye

I hope you all have a blast at SWW! (It sounds like such fun)

 

[msmama]

I really feel like not being in air conditioning for shows could change our plans. We're going week 1 (and 2) so it'll hopefully be a bit cooler than later in the summer, but maybe not (Disneyland in late April last year hit 100 degrees and it was really hard to tour like that).

Anyway, how are ride lines during shows and during the parade? Would it be worth riding TSMM during the parade? (We have 4 parade days and I don't think we have to see it each time). Star Tours and TSMM are the only rides we ride at HS.

I don't think my son will really care about the Stars of the Saga, but I think he'll LOVE the stormtrooper pre-show. I think he'll like the JAT show too (from what I've seen on Youtube).

 

[yulilin3]

@msmama the lines for rides stay the same no mater if there's parades or shows. Many people are not interested in sw stuff and TSMM and ST are very popular

 

[mmafan]

Pictures with characters - no only with the ones in Darth Mall when we were shopping
We could take as many pictures as we want every where we went except in the areas where photos are not allowed.
Hope this is what you were looking for.

thanks...........

 

[mmafan]

LETS hope they release the VIP and FTF this week......................................

 

[lovethattink]

If you go back into that review I posted - you'll see a link to the Feel the Force pkg. directly above where they posted the "Symphony in the Stars" fireworks video. Click on it for a very thorough look at last years Feel the Force Package offerings and set up.

We were among the masses clamoring for a front spot along the ropes in that section and unfortunately got boxed in. We never even saw or managed to take advantage of the refreshments they served during the parade. I hope they expand and better organize this section with the removal of the hat.

DS had his wheelchair that day and we put him at the rope, me behind him, and dh behind me. I was the designated snack getter and ran back and forth to the cart. Plus stacking as we did, we only took up one spot at the rope.

I really feel like not being in air conditioning for shows could change our plans. We're going week 1 (and 2) so it'll hopefully be a bit cooler than later in the summer, but maybe not (Disneyland in late April last year hit 100 degrees and it was really hard to tour like that).

Anyway, how are ride lines during shows and during the parade? Would it be worth riding TSMM during the parade? (We have 4 parade days and I don't think we have to see it each time). Star Tours and TSMM are the only rides we ride at HS.

I don't think my son will really care about the Stars of the Saga, but I think he'll LOVE the stormtrooper pre-show. I think he'll like the JAT show too (from what I've seen on Youtube).

The lack of air conditioning has us re-thinking our 4 night weekends. Might change them to 2 or 3 night weekends instead.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If you go back into that review I posted - you'll see a link to the Feel the Force pkg. directly above where they posted the "Symphony in the Stars" fireworks video. Click on it for a very thorough look at last years Feel the Force Package offerings and set up.

We were among the masses clamoring for a front spot along the ropes in that section and unfortunately got boxed in. We never even saw or managed to take advantage of the refreshments they served during the parade. I hope they expand and better organize this section with the removal of the hat.

I'd say that we had the worst parade view we've ever had from the FTF viewing area. We got there relatively early and were behind the first group at the rope. Then they all stood up when the parade started. And the Mr was at least 6'5" and his wife pretty tall too.

 

[lovethattink]

I'd say that we had the worst parade view we've ever had from the FTF viewing area. We got there relatively early and were behind the first group at the rope. Then they all stood up when the parade started. And the Mr was at least 6'5" and his wife pretty tall too.

That must have been frustrating. I've come to expect that though. The same thing happens in the parent parade viewing for the kids in the parade.

Things were tweaked during FSF, so things may change with the viewing area. The wheelchair section was moved to the far left. Wheelchairs were lined up side by side and at times there was only room for 1 companion behind, the kiddie viewing area was beside that and they were all asked to remain sitting. That arrangement worked well for the Frozen processional, however, that wouldn't work well if the Motorcade continues as last year, only going as far as the stage, then back tracking after the welcome. It would work great though if the entire motorcade proceeds to the exit gate at Star Tours.

 

[drlaurafsu]

Last year they had a great are all the way to the right for the kids to sit. They could pretty much see everything. I made friends with the person next to me and we swapped off saving our spots next to the ropes to get snacks. It worked out nicely. She was by herself so doubtful either of us would have gotten anything if we hadn't swapped.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I am trying out the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party at EPCOT for their fireworks this time, and these are standing tables too....

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/illuminations-sparkling-dessert-party/

... So it makes me wonder if they will add chairs or not for the FtF package, I would be happy with more tables... I think that was lacking!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

FTF was prepaid but you had until the day before to cancel. Mark Hamill weekend and we walked into Guest Services and bought a package for my friend. So people do cancel. It isn't the greatest area to view and the best part is saved for the kids, but they sit so if you want you can stand behind the kids. I wasn't there for the parade view, just to see Mark Hamill and if you're looking for the celebrities you can park right where they will get out of their cars to go up to the stage.

You do have to have a "snack buddy" at the parade to hold your spot when you go for snacks. I had 2 diet cokes, 2 waters (took one along) and about 4 strawberry bars and maybe should map out where the nearest loo is once the parade is over.

 

[poison ivy]

Last year they had a great are all the way to the right for the kids to sit. They could pretty much see everything. I made friends with the person next to me and we swapped off saving our spots next to the ropes to get snacks. It worked out nicely. She was by herself so doubtful either of us would have gotten anything if we hadn't swapped.

That sounds like a good idea. In our case there were 3 of us and we were two up front right at the rope and 1 standing behind. but since we were up against the ropes on the right, the only person who even had a chance of leaving was my son standing 1 row behind the rope line, and truthfully, even he really couldn't leave that spot. There was no way to hold it. So if you wanted this coveted viewing section within the reserved area, there is no easy way to leave for refreshments and get back in place. Way too many people were continually crowded in around us.

I am trying out the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party at EPCOT for their fireworks this time, and these are standing tables too....

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/illuminations-sparkling-dessert-party/

... So it makes me wonder if they will add chairs or not for the FtF package, I would be happy with more tables... I think that was lacking!

We were too late to get a table and everyone tends to hold their own so sharing wasn't ideal. We stood in place and snacked around the dessert tables but it was not a comfortable scene. I am wrapping up my review of this package and to be honest, unless they make some major changes to the viewing area, I would not recommend paying that upcharge for the same experience we had. Too much money for too much hassle.