Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[39CINDERELLA]

DPB?

 

[Itinkso]

Didn't someone here post about the star wars Tervis? Are the tervis better then a normal tumbler? I have a thing for travel mugs LOL

Yes, I posted. We live in CA's Central Valley where it's over 100 degrees every summer and Tervis tumblers don't sweat. Amazing! Tervis has a lifetime guarantee and the best part is they are made in America (FL).

I give them as gifts and everyone loves them. We use them for water, tea, and coffee.

The free shipping code is: freeship15. It worked a few days ago when I bought the large Vader Tervis.

 

[OZMom]

Yes, I posted. We live in CA's Central Valley where it's over 100 degrees every summer and Tervis tumblers don't sweat. Amazing! Tervis has a lifetime guarantee and the best part is they are made in America (FL).

I give them as gifts and everyone loves them. We use them for water, tea, and coffee.

The free shipping code is: freeship15. It worked a few days ago when I bought the large Vader Tervis.

Awesome! How are they with leaking? Thank You!!

 

[yulilin3]

So, if HS "unofficially" opens at 7:30 am, does this mean the ropes are dropped then and people are going to be headed to Jedi Academy sign ups at 7:30?
If so, a 8am breakfast time at H&V would not help and would need a earlier time?
ALL kids wanting to participate in Jedi Academy must be present at sign up, correct?
Also, how much earlier than your breakfast reservation time can you enter the park?
Thanks!! Sorry for all the rapid fire Q's , trying to nail down plans...

They allow people thru the touch points around 7:30am. Then they hold everyone at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine for the stormtrooper welcome show. They do their show and around 7:45am they drop the rope and everyone is on their way. During SWW you won't gain early access (before 7:30am) All breakfast are scheduled for 8am and on. Yes your kids wanting to do JTA have to be present. On the first post there's a video taken by a fellow Disser that shows what questions are asked to the kids to see if they want to participate in JTA

DPB?

Disney Parks Blog

 

[yulilin3]

I'm going to add that depending on how far/close you are to the JTA sign up it can take anywhere from 10 min to an hour. The process is slow.
If you want to sin up for JTA stay on the left side of the street, you'll see CM with JTA signs and they will point you in the right direction. Strollers are not allowed in the sign up line so make sure to ditch those early to gain some time

 

[yulilin3]

@pookadoo77 I shot this video last year. This is about 7:30am when they let us in, I'm at the rope waiting for the stormtroopers looking back at everyone coming in. See how the parents stay on the left side of Hollywood Blvd (right side of this video) and then they open the ropes and the fast walking begins

 

[pookadoo77]

They allow people thru the touch points around 7:30am. Then they hold everyone at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine for the stormtrooper welcome show. They do their show and around 7:45am they drop the rope and everyone is on their way. During SWW you won't gain early access (before 7:30am) All breakfast are scheduled for 8am and on. Yes your kids wanting to do JTA have to be present. On the first post there's a video taken by a fellow Disser that shows what questions are asked to the kids to see if they want to participate in JTA

got it, thanks! Yes, saw the video, guess that was a dumb q, lol

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'm going to add that depending on how far/close you are to the JTA sign up it can take anywhere from 10 min to an hour. The process is slow.
If you want to sin up for JTA stay on the left side of the street, you'll see CM with JTA signs and they will point you in the right direction. Strollers are not allowed in the sign up line so make sure to ditch those early to gain some time

I can't stress this enough. If you want a JTA slot during SWW, you have to pick your way through the crowd during the opening show with the Stormtroopers and be lined up on the left, heading toward Indiana Jones, as close to the rope on that side as possible. And even then, you have to be prepared to stand your ground, because people will try to push you and cut the line.

We are big fans of the H&V 8:00 breakfast to make JTA signup easy (we were literally the first people to sign up on our last trip in December), but that strategy simply doesn't work during SWW due to the early opening.

 

[lovingeire]

Instead of stalking the DPB I think I'm going to start my countdown to announcing our trip to our boys on Easter morning! I am so excited to let the cat out of the bag! It'll help hold me over till any announcements hopefully!

 

[yulilin3]

I can't stress this enough. If you want a JTA slot during SWW, you have to pick your way through the crowd during the opening show with the Stormtroopers and be lined up on the left, heading toward Indiana Jones, as close to the rope on that side as possible. And even then, you have to be prepared to stand your ground, because people will try to push you and cut the line.

We are big fans of the H&V 8:00 breakfast to make JTA signup easy (we were literally the first people to sign up on our last trip in December), but that strategy simply doesn't work during SWW due to the early opening.

And that's why everyone recommends doing JTA on a non SWW day if possible. It'll be less crazy (still have to be there early but it's not as bad) and they kids get more time on the JTA stage because there are less shows during a non SWW day

 

[MomBird]

I've been monitoring all my Disney blogs in Feedly so I can see if something leaks. I was briefly excited then amused when TP updated their SWW Touring Plans. You know, without an actual schedule.

Ooh, I didn't even see the updated non-scheduled SWW Touring Plan yet. I am going to check that out!

 

[MomBird]

This is not the news we were looking for

"This is not the news we were looking for..."

I now picture us all saying that, waving a hand in front of the computer, while refreshing repeatedly.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

Yulilin, Omgosh I knew it was something I knew...lol

 

[cherice95403]

I think I may have a scheduling problem....we are only going to be in the park for one SWW day (6/13) and have a Galactic Bfast ADR for 9:40am. I'd LOVE to get this time earlier (and check about 20 times a day), but that's what it is right now. Assuming an hour for breakfast (if anyone has done it and can comment on the time -great!), are we out of luck finding a decent spot for the parade?

Is FP+ offered for the parade or fireworks? Thanks!

 

[Itinkso]

Awesome! How are they with leaking? Thank You!!

We use the travel lids and they don't leak at all. DH uses the water bottle to take tea to work and no problems there either. We use the long straws for our large Tervis.

 

[Felipe4]

Based on the opening of 7:30 - is it a better idea then to have a later Galactic Breakfast to get more accomplished in the morning? We have a 9:40, but I'm wondering if the closer to "brunch" ones would be better to keep an eye out for. Granted, then those mean you're inside during the motorcade...just when I think my schedule is awesome, I feel the need to rearrange everything.

 

[yulilin3]

I think I may have a scheduling problem....we are only going to be in the park for one SWW day (6/13) and have a Galactic Bfast ADR for 9:40am. I'd LOVE to get this time earlier (and check about 20 times a day), but that's what it is right now. Assuming an hour for breakfast (if anyone has done it and can comment on the time -great!), are we out of luck finding a decent spot for the parade?

Is FP+ offered for the parade or fireworks? Thanks!

I'm going to be blunt. But having the breakfast at 9:40am you will not have a chance to get a decent or even semi decent spot for the parade. If you can't find an earlier time for breakfast try to check in really early and maybe you'll be able to get out earlier

 

[OZMom]

We use the travel lids and they don't leak at all. DH uses the water bottle to take tea to work and no problems there either. We use the long straws for our large Tervis.

Perfect, thanks! I'm off to order some for our trip

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Is FP+ offered for the parade or fireworks? Thanks!

no, just the shows.

 

[yulilin3]

Based on the opening of 7:30 - is it a better idea then to have a later Galactic Breakfast to get more accomplished in the morning? We have a 9:40, but I'm wondering if the closer to "brunch" ones would be better to keep an eye out for. Granted, then those mean you're inside during the motorcade...just when I think my schedule is awesome, I feel the need to rearrange everything.

If you don't mind skipping the parade then a later breakfast is good. You can meet some characters and get some rides done in the early morning, depending on your priorities