Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[Ninja Mom]

While I'm at it here is the menu for The Back lot Express:
http://allears.net/dining/menu/backlot-express/lunch-dinner

Keep in mind that none of the CM's care if you get your food at one location and then bring it to another restaurant to sit down and eat. The Ninja family's teens sometimes want to get food from another quick service restaurant so I have them meet me at what ever quick service restaurant I am eating at. This is a good strategy when you have members in your group that want to do different things at a park. I have my guys meet me for lunch and we can catch up on each others adventures, then go our separate ways again. This "Meeting up for meals" makes it feel like we are still vacationing as a family, even though we are doing completely different activities in the park.

~NM

 

[gretchnh]

I caught up on this entire threat today. Whew!
I've seen people talking about when FP+ for shows may be released.
But if history repeats itself, when do they release the celebrities??
And my other question, when viewing the fireworks, where exactly around echo lake is the best? Seeing the jumbotron would be fine. But my #1 priority is the perfect view of the fireworks AND hearing the music.

So technically this is our 2nd SWW, but our first was 10 years ago and I wasn't the Disney planner that I am now.

 

[ArielRae]

Can purchases from Darth's Mall be sent to the front of the park for pick up later that day?

When does the store open for the day?

 

[yulilin3]

Sorry if this has been mentioned but is there a place close to the stage that can be staked out for the Motorcade parade. That is not a VIP area and may be sheltered by the sun some what? If so How soon should one arrive to this spot to hold it? I am helping my friend in planning their day. They have a 8 year old and a 5 year old. I thought a spot by the stage may give them something to look at while they wait for the parade. We were there last May but were close to the main street and it was in the full sun. I can not remember what it was like close to the stage area. Any other suggestion would be helpful.

Close to the stage there's no real space that's not vip, ftf, wheelchair with shade. They can sit across from the tip board on the left side of the street for shade, that would be the closest. I'm assuming they want to be curbside for the parade?

I'm sure this has been answered before but....are the SWW shows the same celebrity guests for the entire weekend? To clarify, would Fridays Stars of the Saga be the same as Sundays? I'm considering doing the VIP tour just to make sure I've covered my bases (for all the shows)but if I don't I will try to fast pass one show for each day of the weekend. Also if I do the VIP and if it happens that there is a 5 pm show that day, I wonder if the VIP tour would include FPs for it? or if they announce a 5pm show I should probably grab a FP for that show.... I think the tour has some down time after 3 or 4pm...??

Yes, same celebrities for the weekend. If there is a 5pm show and the vip won't cover it and you want to watch it you could get a fp for it. Down time is between 4pm to 7pm, that is if you want to watch Obi Wan and Beyond

I caught up on this entire threat today. Whew!
I've seen people talking about when FP+ for shows may be released.
But if history repeats itself, when do they release the celebrities??
And my other question, when viewing the fireworks, where exactly around echo lake is the best? Seeing the jumbotron would be fine. But my #1 priority is the perfect view of the fireworks AND hearing the music.

So technically this is our 2nd SWW, but our first was 10 years ago and I wasn't the Disney planner that I am now.

Last year fp for the shows were released May 5. The celebrity list was announced April 24. You can't get fp for autographs in advance, if interested in celebrity autograph read the first post see how this is done. Best spot for fireworks is I the area where the tables and chairs are in echo lake across from 50 prime time

Can purchases from Darth's Mall be sent to the front of the park for pick up later that day?

When does the store open for the day?

Yes purchases can be sent to the front and it opens at 8am

 

[lovethattink]

Last year fp for the shows were released May 5. The celebrity list was announced April 24. You can't get fp for autographs in advance, if interested in celebrity autograph read the frost post see how this is done. Best spot for fireworks is I the area where the tables and chairs are in echo lake across from 50 prime time

The frost post, huh? Lol, you caught my brain freeze.

 

[yulilin3]

The frost post, huh? Lol, you caught my brain freeze.

This is what happens when answering from my phone fixing it now

 

[ConnieB]

The frost post, huh? Lol, you caught my brain freeze.

More evidence that Frozen is taking over.........

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Yeah, that's what I thought. We'll have to find something else for her. Thanks!

ETA: It's just so frustrating because there is so little Star Wars stuff out there for girls that isn't pink or super girly, or proclaiming the wearer to be a "Star Wars princess" or stuff like that. My kid isn't super girly, isn't especially into princesses, hates being referred to as a princess, doesn't really like wearing pink, but she isn't a tom boy and doesn't like having to wear boy clothes just to get her Star Wars fix. Ashley Eckstein's stuff fills that void, but most of it is for grownups and not a kid who just wants a Boba Fett t-shirt made for a girl!

Try Hot Topic. Ashley has some things there not available on the HU site. For instance, I got A-lines for the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors there, a bit cheaper than HU, and also seem to run a teensy bit smaller than HU site A-lines. Good luck!

 

[cherice95403]

I am going to be at the park for one non SWW day and one SWW day. Can someone tell me which shows are bumped on a SWW day? I need to make sure I get them in on the non SWW day. Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

I am going to be at the park for one non SWW day and one SWW day. Can someone tell me which shows are bumped on a SWW day? I need to make sure I get them in on the non SWW day. Thanks!

the only change to regular DHS offerings will be Beauty and The Beast since the SW shows will take over Theater of the Stars in the afternoon.
During SWW B&B will only be performed 3 times a day at 9am, 10:15am and 11:30am

 

[lovethattink]

Are we sure B&B will be in the morning? If so I assume only standby because it doesn't show as a FP+ option.

 

[yulilin3]

Are we sure B&B will be in the morning? If so I assume only standby because it doesn't show as a FP+ option.

yes, it's already on the schedule and someone had reported that it was only standby during SWW

 

[cherice95403]

the only change to regular DHS offerings will be Beauty and The Beast since the SW shows will take over Theater of the Stars in the afternoon.
During SWW B&B will only be performed 3 times a day at 9am, 10:15am and 11:30am

Thanks!

 

[rdw]

Does anyone know if it is possible to see Illuminations and Symphony of the Stars on the same night? Or are they at the same time?

 

[yulilin3]

Does anyone know if it is possible to see Illuminations and Symphony of the Stars on the same night? Or are they at the same time?

Which weekend are you coming?
first weekend SitS preshow and then fireworks start at 9:45pm the rest of the weekends starts at 9:30pm. Illuminations is at 9pm, technically if all you want to do is see the fireworks with no preshow you could make it if you are a fast walker.
Watch Illuminations from the France bridge and then exit by International gateway, you'll have about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the weekend you're coming to catch the fireworks portion of SitS.
You can also have an amazing view from the walkway from Epcot, after you pass Boardwalk and you go under the overpass but you'll miss the music

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Checking in with my morning coffee, no updates yet on FtF or a variant there of? My gawds it's 50 days away people get with it Disney!

EDIT: I was looking at the first page, and I was confused, have they announced celebrities, shows and FP+ for them, or did the bold flow over accidentally?! (or do I need to drink more coffee?! LOL)

 

[db99]

I am wondering if anyone knows when the will call windows open at DHS. My issue is that we are flying in on the evening of 5/14, too late to go to a park, and want to hit the ground running on 5/15 and get lined up for Darth's Mall at opening, but need to pick up our annual passes for this year. It is a bummer that they can't do the passes for you at the reports, but it is what it is.

 

[yulilin3]

I am wondering if anyone knows when the will call windows open at DHS. My issue is that we are flying in on the evening of 5/14, too late to go to a park, and want to hit the ground running on 5/15 and get lined up for Darth's Mall at opening, but need to pick up our annual passes for this year. It is a bummer that they can't do the passes for you at the reports, but it is what it is.

Remember you can also go to DTD for tickets
Ticket windows open around 7am sometimes a bit earlier, you should be able to get them before the park opens

 

[Meech Loves Mickey]

Hi, I apologize if this is old news, but I saw on my Pinterest Feed today Star Wars Dooney and Bourke bags. Does anyone have one and/or has anyone see one?
From what I could gather online, it was available for the Disneyland SW Half Marathon earlier this year and some other places are reporting they will be released on 05/14/15 for SWW Galactic Gathering.

Does anyone have any news on this? I did a search for a post/thread and couldn't find anything. I would really love one of these bags, but won't be going to SWW until the last weekend. I'm sure they will be sold out by then

I wonder if they will be online? I'm not above stalking Disneystore.com at 2 am to get one!

Thanks!

 

[rdw]

Which weekend are you coming?
first weekend SitS preshow and then fireworks start at 9:45pm the rest of the weekends starts at 9:30pm. Illuminations is at 9pm, technically if all you want to do is see the fireworks with no preshow you could make it if you are a fast walker.
Watch Illuminations from the France bridge and then exit by International gateway, you'll have about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the weekend you're coming to catch the fireworks portion of SitS.
You can also have an amazing view from the walkway from Epcot, after you pass Boardwalk and you go under the overpass but you'll miss the music

Thanks for the help! We are there Memorial Day weekend which I think is the second weekend? We are staying in the Epcot resort area - maybe our best bet is to see SitS with the music and catch Illuminations another night ...