Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[G00fy@n]

Great thread. Thanks to all for posting. I was already psyched for SW weekends, now June can't get here soon enough!

 

[HCinKC]

And viewing around echo lake fills in quickly.

Are any spots better than others, or is the view ok from anywhere around the lake?

Hello everyone! Found this board after wife booked our honeymoon to Disney World which happened to be the first star wars weekend.

I tried to get a seat at the sw breakfast but got into the game a little late.

Don't give up on breakfast! I also booked well past my original window and was able to get the breakfast and dinner. Those also run during the week, so don't forget to check weekdays if you are staying then.

 

[yulilin3]

Are any spots better than others, or is the view ok from anywhere around the lake?


Don't give up on breakfast! I also booked well past my original window and was able to get the breakfast and dinner. Those also run during the week, so don't forget to check weekdays if you are staying then.

For the fireworks the best area is where they have the tables and chairs across 50s Prime Time. Also you can view them by the stairs close to the entrance to Indiana Jones.

 

[lovethattink]

Even outside the park is good viewing but music isn't piped out there

 

[HCinKC]

Even outside the park is good viewing but music isn't piped out there

Since ODS walks around the house with his iPod in his back pocket, constantly streaming the Star Wars soundtrack, we could probably survive that. I even heard him humming it as we was doing a match at fencing practice the other day.

 

[coluk003]

what I saw As far as the parade ,the viewibg area is over by the stage?

How early do they let you line up for that?

As far as being at DHS for the autographs, saying there's someone I want to meet after Celebration, how early can you get there? I'm sure disney doesn't have security there overnight do they?.

From Disney's AKL, what's the best way to get over there say to get in line for the fastpass for the autographs? And if there's no one we want again what's the best way from AKL to DHS

 

[coluk003]

ALso I'm thinking of memory maker,actually I have it for 149 which is cheaper then the price right now, and I'm wonder is there a list of what characters are out? Now as I type this it might have been mentioned in this thread somewhere.

As far as the photos there will be three of us what are the chances we can each get a photo,and then a group photo and then maybe one of just that character?

 

[markmcalear]

I'm also looking forward to D-Tech, providing they can ship to Australia without doubling the price of the statue.

curious to know what was your problem with the Storm-trooper ?

It looked nothing like me!!!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

My daughter and I are thinking of grabbing 2 tables with 4 chairs each to hold for anyone wanting to come to the meets every Saturday. So we will have at least 6 extra chairs for anyone wanting to join, there's also a ledge that is used to sit

We are going to meet up with you at least one of our two saturdays down there, if not both

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Our D-tech from last year

 

[yulilin3]

Since ODS walks around the house with his iPod in his back pocket, constantly streaming the Star Wars soundtrack, we could probably survive that. I even heard him humming it as we was doing a match at fencing practice the other day.

What you can also do is, on your phone grab a video of the full fireworks show and just play it as soon as the fireworks start. It'll be off by a couple of seconds but it should work, if you are watching from outside.

what I saw As far as the parade ,the viewibg area is over by the stage?

How early do they let you line up for that?

As far as being at DHS for the autographs, saying there's someone I want to meet after Celebration, how early can you get there? I'm sure disney doesn't have security there overnight do they?.

From Disney's AKL, what's the best way to get over there say to get in line for the fastpass for the autographs? And if there's no one we want again what's the best way from AKL to DHS

You can grab a spot for the parade as early as you want, I usually grab mine an hour and a half early just to get the shady side of the street. For the weekend that Mark Hamill came we grabbed our spot as soon as the park opened, there are only 2 benches on Hollywood Blvd and we grabbed one and the other was taken by a gentelman as soon as they let us inside.
As for the lines for autographs you can camp over night. A lot of people do that, they bring chairs, air matresses even little tents and they start forming the line as early as 8pm the night before. I've never camped overnight, the earliest I've been there is 2:30am and don't remember seeing security, but I wasn't really looking for them. There were about 100 people already in line so you won;t be alone or feel unsafe. From AKL you need to take a taxi or your own vehicle, there are no parking attendant at the toll booth until about 6am so no need to worry about paying for parking if you get there before, you just park wherever you want. Disney busess start around 6am from the resort hotels, just check with the lobby to make sure what time the first one goes. As to times to get there for each celeb it depends on the actor. As soon as we have the list of celebs attending I will give you an estimate for each one to ensure you get your autograph.

ALso I'm thinking of memory maker,actually I have it for 149 which is cheaper then the price right now, and I'm wonder is there a list of what characters are out? Now as I type this it might have been mentioned in this thread somewhere.

As far as the photos there will be three of us what are the chances we can each get a photo,and then a group photo and then maybe one of just that character?

Kenny The Pirate has the full list of characters from last year. It may be too much to try and get an individual, plus a group picture plus a solo character picture, but you can do it, just be very fast about it.

 

[yulilin3]

Sunshine love them, they look a lot like you guys

 

[lovingeire]

I think I am finally caught up on the SWW thread after my Princess Half weekend!

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

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!)

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.

I also grabbed a 10:45am breakfast after we started talking about shifting our trip a day. I still have my breakfast at the beginning of our trip, but logistically I'm not sure it's feasible to do. I am watching for an earlier time, and have enlisted the help of Dining Buddy. I got a notification for one while at Disney, but I happened to be at the concierge desk about the ME docs we didn't get on our door on our last day and it was gone by the time I checked. We shifted a day to do SWW with friends who are coming in for their trip so we had decided to do the FtF package with them as an easy way to get together. (Plus, DH likes the idea of the drinks!) So I guess time will tell. Hopefully we'll be able to grab an earlier time on the 5th.

 

[coluk003]

You can grab a spot for the parade as early as you want, I usually grab mine an hour and a half early just to get the shady side of the street. For the weekend that Mark Hamill came we grabbed our spot as soon as the park opened, there are only 2 benches on Hollywood Blvd and we grabbed one and the other was taken by a gentelman as soon as they let us inside.
As for the lines for autographs you can camp over night. A lot of people do that, they bring chairs, air matresses even little tents and they start forming the line as early as 8pm the night before. I've never camped overnight, the earliest I've been there is 2:30am and don't remember seeing security, but I wasn't really looking for them. There were about 100 people already in line so you won;t be alone or feel unsafe. From AKL you need to take a taxi or your own vehicle, there are no parking attendant at the toll booth until about 6am so no need to worry about paying for parking if you get there before, you just park wherever you want. Disney busess start around 6am from the resort hotels, just check with the lobby to make sure what time the first one goes. As to times to get there for each celeb it depends on the actor. As soon as we have the list of celebs attending I will give you an estimate for each one to ensure you get your autograph.
.

Duh I should have been more specific. For the parade I was talking about the feel the force package. From the post I saw the viewing area is over by the stage is that correct

 

[yulilin3]

Duh I should have been more specific. For the parade I was talking about the feel the force package. From the post I saw the viewing area is over by the stage is that correct

yes. By the stage. You can start lining up around 10 to 10:30 to get a spot toward the front of the rope

 

[Crew-JTA]

I love your D-tech Sunshine!!! Last year was our first SWW and I didn't know anything about D-tech until we got there. I'm still a little in the dark about it. How and when do you sign up for it?

 

[BobaFettFan]

Disney

Our D-tech from last year
View attachment 80296 View attachment 80297 View attachment 80298

Omg those are so cool!

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

So sorry to ask a question that I'm sure has been in one of these posts...I have read many over past couple of months, but may have missed it or forgotten it: for the parade I see the kids in front of the stage dressed as Padawans...how are these kids chosen?

Also VERY frequent WDW traveller but have NEVER been during SWW-I would really like to take my 10 yr old this year, and I know we are a bit late to the game. Is Memorial Day weekend horrible?? Obviously I know it's not the most ideal timing, but since we are coming from Massachusetts it will give us an extra day that does not require missing school.

Do we know yet, if they are offering a Feel the Force package? I'm pretty sure I read that last year it went on sale late-I wasn't sure if had been confirmed yet (just not available for purchase yet). It seems like this had some nice perks for decent viewing(other than fireworks) and treats.

Thank you!!

 

[yulilin3]

@mackeymouse4eva the kids are chosen at random on the morning hours around star tours and the park entrance. They usually look for Kids in star wars clothes or costumes
Memorial day weekend will be busy but not unbearable, just have a good plan of attack
It hasn't been officially confirmed but hinted by cast members on the phone line and the Disney parks blog. The word is it should be on sale by late March

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

@mackeymouse4eva the kids are chosen at random on the morning hours around star tours and the park entrance. They usually look for Kids in star wars clothes or costumes
Memorial day weekend will be busy but not unbearable, just have a good plan of attack
It hasn't been officially confirmed but hinted by cast members on the phone line and the Disney parks blog. The word is it should be on sale by late March

Thank you so very much!!!!