Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

@Itinkso didn't see your post there

 

[Sinderelly]

Thank you everyone! We are planning for HS Tues June 2 trying to avoid crowds. June 6th wouldn't work for us. That's the day we leave on an early ME bus. My DH is threatening to make me watch all the SW movies. I haven't watched any of them (ducking). DH, DS and our two DGS are really into SW though

 

[tesslor]

When do they usually announce the parade times? I scheduled Sci Fi at 10:45 not even thinking about the parade.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There's pretty much no chance that they will have the parade much later. The celebrities need to be available for shows in the afternoon.

 

[yulilin3]

When do they usually announce the parade times? I scheduled Sci Fi at 10:45 not even thinking about the parade.

hopefully once they release the information for the VIP package and Feel the Force we should have the time for the parade. SO, as a Disney CM would say "soon"

 

[tesslor]

Anyone remember from last year, is 45 minutes enough time for all the character interaction at Sci-Fi without rushing?

 

[yulilin3]

Anyone remember from last year, is 45 minutes enough time for all the character interaction at Sci-Fi without rushing?

We were the first group seated in the morning and were done in 45 minutes. Not sure later in the day, with all the tables full if it would still work. They recommend having an hour available

 

[Skywise]

45 minutes might be doable - I stupidly set the ADR for the sci-fi breakfast at 10:30 completely spacing the parade times. (I was thinking more about getting the family members out of bed. ) I'm trying for something earlier now but, alas... tis all sold out! (Everything was crazy sold out for the weekend of June 5 at 5.5 months out!)

 

[OZMom]

When do they usually announce the parade times? I scheduled Sci Fi at 10:45 not even thinking about the parade.

I did not even think of this! We have a 10:40 reservation for the galactic breakfast, I grabbed it because it had been sold out and this is the one that popped up.

We want to book the FTF package when it comes out. I guess I could take or leave the parade. I saw the youtube videos of it and unless they change a lot or it's a big celebrity it's not really our thing. But I'd hate to pay for reserve seating and then not use it. I guess I will keep looking for an earlier time.

 

[tesslor]

I did not even think of this! We have a 10:40 reservation for the galactic breakfast, I grabbed it because it had been sold out and this is the one that popped up.

We want to book the FTF package when it comes out. I guess I could take or leave the parade. I saw the youtube videos of it and unless they change a lot or it's a big celebrity it's not really our thing. But I'd hate to pay for reserve seating and then not use it. I guess I will keep looking for an earlier time.

Even if we don't do the parade I would like to use that time to ride some attractions with shorter waits! Ideally I would like to be in the TOT area just before the parade. Not sure how do-able this is if we get done with breakfast during the parade.

 

[lovethattink]

On a week day during SWW there isn't much SW going on. The character meals, JTA, and Star Tours are all you'll see.

The parade, fireworks, FTF, merchandise at Darth Mall, are SWW only. Even Tatooine Traders will have only regular SW merchandise nothing with the SWW logo

Thank you everyone! We are planning for HS Tues June 2 trying to avoid crowds. June 6th wouldn't work for us. That's the day we leave on an early ME bus. My DH is threatening to make me watch all the SW movies. I haven't watched any of them (ducking). DH, DS and our two DGS are really into SW though

Anyone remember from last year, is 45 minutes enough time for all the character interaction at Sci-Fi without rushing?

They were running behind on our breakfast day. It took a good 2 hours to see all the characters. But ours was opening day, May 4th last year.[/QUOTE]

 

[yulilin3]

Even if we don't do the parade I would like to use that time to ride some attractions with shorter waits! Ideally I would like to be in the TOT area just before the parade. Not sure how do-able this is if we get done with breakfast during the parade.

from the Sci Fi walk past the ABC Commisary, behind the stage (where the hat used to be ) if there is a stage this year. Past Brown Derby and that'll put you on Sunset Blvd

 

[tesslor]

from the Sci Fi walk past the ABC Commisary, behind the stage (where the hat used to be ) if there is a stage this year. Past Brown Derby and that'll put you on Sunset Blvd

Thank you!

 

[Koh1977]

If we don't do the FtF package, where is a good parade viewing spot (and place to see the characters on stage or broadcast on TV screens or something)?

 

[jcjen519]

We are hoping to book the VIP package when it comes out. I've been reading on here that the FTF package viewing locations aren't that great. is the VIP location the same?

has anyone done the VIP package before? what did you think?

 

[HCinKC]

We are hoping to book the VIP package when it comes out. I've been reading on here that the FTF package viewing locations aren't that great. is the VIP location the same?

has anyone done the VIP package before? what did you think?

If you go back just a few pages, you will see VIP reviews. According to the comments, last year's location was the same for VIP and FtF. I have not done either though.

 

[Delilah1310]

So I need some help in planning a SWW "lite" version.
We will be there Sunday, June 7.
It is our only DHS day.

Our DS7 is interested in meeting some SW characters, wants to see the parade and fireworks, and we have a 5 pm dinner with Jedi Mickey already booked.
He is NOT interested in meeting celebrities/autographs, watching the shows, or Jedi Training Academy (he has done this twice and says he doesn't want to do it again).

He is also interested in NON-SWW things that he has not been to in the past - RNR, Fantasmic - as well as favorites - ToT, TSMM, StarTours, LMA.

Can someone help me figure out what I should consider when planning our day?

Right now I am thinking maybe it would be best to use that early 8 am entry to get on RNR and ToT without any FP.
And then if we can get to the SW characters by 9 am, that would fill the time before the parade.
Parade would be 11 or 11:30-ish.
Lunch.
LMA at 1:20
FP uses from 2-5 (and fill with other attractions as time allows)
Jedi Mickey Mickey Dinner at 5
FP uses from 6:30 - 8:30 (and fill with other attractions as time allows)
Fantasmic at 9 pm
Fireworks at 9:30

Is it possible to get a decent fireworks view after 9 pm fantasmic?
What about the Feel the Force package - if this is offered, could we be able to get to the designated area by 9:30 from 9 pm fantasmic?
Would the 10:30 fantasmic be a better option? (but its SO late for DS7 by the time we would get back to the hotel!!)

thanks for any help you can provide.
this is our first SWW so I'm sure how to judge the crowds, priorities, etc.

thanks!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you want to meet Chewbacca or Darth Vader it is best to get in line for one of them first, before doing anything else. Those lines will be over an hour relatively soon after opening.

If you do the feel the force package you will miss the dessert party if you decide to go to Fantasmic at 9. Also attending Fantasmic at 9 might hamper your ability to get a good view of the fireworks. Do the later Fantasmic if you can at all.

 

[Skywise]

Is it possible to get a decent fireworks view after 9 pm fantasmic?
What about the Feel the Force package - if this is offered, could we be able to get to the designated area by 9:30 from 9 pm fantasmic?
Would the 10:30 fantasmic be a better option? (but its SO late for DS7 by the time we would get back to the hotel!!)

No and no.

Fantasmic will finish about 9:20 and with the fireworks at 9:30 there's just no way you'll get to a decent spot before the fireworks start. 10:30 Fantasmic is a better time - Especially if you get the FtF package!

 

[OZMom]

So I need some help in planning a SWW "lite" version.
We will be there Sunday, June 7.
It is our only DHS day.

Our DS7 is interested in meeting some SW characters, wants to see the parade and fireworks, and we have a 5 pm dinner with Jedi Mickey already booked.
He is NOT interested in meeting celebrities/autographs, watching the shows, or Jedi Training Academy (he has done this twice and says he doesn't want to do it again).

He is also interested in NON-SWW things that he has not been to in the past - RNR, Fantasmic - as well as favorites - ToT, TSMM, StarTours, LMA.

Can someone help me figure out what I should consider when planning our day?

Right now I am thinking maybe it would be best to use that early 8 am entry to get on RNR and ToT without any FP.
And then if we can get to the SW characters by 9 am, that would fill the time before the parade.
Parade would be 11 or 11:30-ish.
Lunch.
LMA at 1:20
FP uses from 2-5 (and fill with other attractions as time allows)
Jedi Mickey Mickey Dinner at 5
FP uses from 6:30 - 8:30 (and fill with other attractions as time allows)
Fantasmic at 9 pm
Fireworks at 9:30

Is it possible to get a decent fireworks view after 9 pm fantasmic?
What about the Feel the Force package - if this is offered, could we be able to get to the designated area by 9:30 from 9 pm fantasmic?
Would the 10:30 fantasmic be a better option? (but its SO late for DS7 by the time we would get back to the hotel!!)

thanks for any help you can provide.
this is our first SWW so I'm sure how to judge the crowds, priorities, etc.

thanks!

Someone posted this link upthread and it was REALLY really helpful to me. This is also our first SWW.

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