Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

I have the VIP package, is "free time" only between 4pm - 7pm? I thought we would have at least until 8:30pm.

techincally until 8:15pm when they open the dessert party. I mean you don't have to be there at 8:15pm or even 8:30pm but if you want to take advantage of the entire time it's open then you need to be there by 8:30pm

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I have the VIP package, is "free time" only between 4pm - 7pm? I thought we would have at least until 8:30pm.

I was thinking 4-7 assuming the Obi wan show is at 7 (or 7:30), and that you want to do that one.

 

[lvstitch]

OK thanks, I have dinner at 6:40 at Beaches and Cream and maybe wanted to get in a ride or two before the fireworks. I would probably skip the Obi Wan Show.

 

[yulilin3]

I was thinking 4-7 assuming the Obi wan show is at 7 (or 7:30), and that you want to do that one.

this makes sense. I forgot about Obi Wan show. It is sooooo good, JAT is amazing and such a great, inspirational person

 

[jtowntoflorida]

any thoughts on the SW Darth Vader breakfast slots opening up last minute via cancellations?

both last year & this my DH said, no, too expensive, especially since he's not a big on breakfast. I finally decided to go ahead and book as a splurge this year and he was thrilled (go figure, men lol).

problem is it's on the morning we were set to depart for the beach & it always seems to be something on checkout day.

I'm happy to have the existing, booking but wondering how realistic it is to keep trying for a spot earlier in the week.

I have tried to get other reservations in the past a day or so prior, thinking people might cancel 'extras' to avoid the ADR charge, but never have had any luck in that regard.

I think it's still too early for "last minute" cancellations considering we have no schedule. Personally, I have a couple of ADRs I'm holding onto since our plans aren't final yet, so I'd keep checking if I were you. There are also services you can pay for (some which cannot be mentioned on the DIS so you'll have to Google) that will ping Disney's system and alert you when a desired ADR comes available. We used one of these to get a BOG ADR in December on a party night. I want to say I got notices of 10 cancellations in the month that I had a notification set up. I think I want a H&V ADR on June 5th, so I'll check the ADR cancellation thread for awhile, but once we get to 50 days out or so, I'll sign up for the ADR service. With BOG, there were a whole bunch of cancellations between about 60 and 30 days, and then nothing. With these SWW meals, I think we'll see more ADR cancellations when the schedule becomes available.

 

[Seltzer76]

Don't give up! I was able to find a bfast and dinner within our dates just a few days ago. As dory says 'just keep checking'

Thank you, that is encouraging! Yep, I've already been checking at least once a day and I'm sure that will intensify as June gets closer

 

[yulilin3]

TBT This was the Clone Wars cast reunion last year, they look like they are a lot of fun and they couldn't stay immune from the Frozen Phenomenon

 

[Cynister]

I'm sorry if this was covered already but can anyone give me an idea of the schedule for the VIP? We have booked it & I know there's "free" time in there but I'm wondering how much of it is really free if you want to do the shows that are included in the package & JTA. I think someone said the last show that you are escorted to ends around 4? If your child is doing JTA when does that happen? What about the 3rd show, I think it is at 7 or so? How long is that show? Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

I'm sorry if this was covered already but can anyone give me an idea of the schedule for the VIP? We have booked it & I know there's "free" time in there but I'm wondering how much of it is really free if you want to do the shows that are included in the package & JTA. I think someone said the last show that you are escorted to ends around 4? If your child is doing JTA when does that happen? What about the 3rd show, I think it is at 7 or so? How long is that show? Thanks!

Basically you have things planned until 4pm that's when Stars of the Saga comes out. Then you have a fp available for Obi Wan and Beyond *30 min show), last year that show was at 7:30pm. So basically JTA would be done between SotS and Obi Wan.

 

[lovethattink]

On the Disney Blog post about FSF in the comments. Shawn Slater said the stage is temporary for SWW and FSF and its position will be a bit different.

 

[OZMom]

Just dropped a 10:30AM galactic breakfast for 2 on May 15th. Snagged an earlier time. Sorry I couldn't co-ordinate

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just sharing a favorite SWW moment from 2011:

 

[yulilin3]

@KAT4DISNEY I was there that day too. Where you in the media stands area? This is a great picture

 

[keishashadow]

I think it's still too early for "last minute" cancellations considering we have no schedule. Personally, I have a couple of ADRs I'm holding onto since our plans aren't final yet, so I'd keep checking if I were you. There are also services you can pay for (some which cannot be mentioned on the DIS so you'll have to Google) that will ping Disney's system and alert you when a desired ADR comes available. We used one of these to get a BOG ADR in December on a party night. I want to say I got notices of 10 cancellations in the month that I had a notification set up. I think I want a H&V ADR on June 5th, so I'll check the ADR cancellation thread for awhile, but once we get to 50 days out or so, I'll sign up for the ADR service. With BOG, there were a whole bunch of cancellations between about 60 and 30 days, and then nothing. With these SWW meals, I think we'll see more ADR cancellations when the schedule becomes available.

really? I need to get my head out of the sand lol, off to look

 

[Cynister]

Basically you have things planned until 4pm that's when Stars of the Saga comes out. Then you have a fp available for Obi Wan and Beyond *30 min show), last year that show was at 7:30pm. So basically JTA would be done between SotS and Obi Wan.

Thanks! Do you know when JTA usually is & how long it is?

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks! Do you know when JTA usually is & how long it is?

This was last years JTA schedule
8:45am, 9:20am, 10:05am, 10:35am,11am, 12:30pm,1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm,2:30pm, 3pm,3:30pm, 4pm,4:30pm, 5pm,5:30pm, 6:30pm,7pm, 7:30pm
The shows are about 15 to 20 minutes

 

[Itinkso]

Thanks! Do you know when JTA usually is & how long it is?

This was last years JTA schedule
8:45am, 9:20am, 10:05am, 10:35am,11am, 12:30pm,1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm,2:30pm, 3pm,3:30pm, 4pm,4:30pm, 5pm,5:30pm, 6:30pm,7pm, 7:30pm
The shows are about 15 to 20 minutes

Your child will have to report to their session at least 30 minutes early to receive directions and their robes. You'll need to factor in at least 50 minutes if you are planning on JTA.

 

[yulilin3]

That's true. What @Itinkso said

 

[Skywise]

really? I need to get my head out of the sand lol, off to look

Note that these aren't guaranteed but they definitely help and the sooner you start watching, the better. I was trying to avoid using them for this SWW trip but I've got 2 sides of the family seeing each other personally for the first time in 5 years and I realized that Ohana would be a good place for the entire family to eat and at 165 days out I jumped on to make the ADRs and... they're booked solid (well there's an opening at 9:30... :/) After bashing my head on the table for not thinking of it sooner I setup a watch for it on the service I used for NYE. That was back in January and just last night, when I was at dinner with one of the family members, I got a text saying an ADR had opened up for the date/time/size I was looking for. My family member was shocked and wondering why I was going through all this hassle.

 

[peterb]

Thank you, that is encouraging! Yep, I've already been checking at least once a day and I'm sure that will intensify as June gets closer

i currently have two galactic reservations for june 5th, one is at 8 am for 2 peole and 1040 for three. A professor Buddy of mine decided he need to attend as well. he does a perfect Yoda impression. i am trying to get the 8am changed to 3 people but nothing is free yet. i will keep checking as well and if 8am is not working i will cancel then ADR. what is the best way to let everyone know that an ADR is now free. great information from everyone...peter