Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

Does the SotS pre-show take it to 45min tot? If so, what does that mean for the posted time of 3:15? Does the pre-show start at 3:00? Confused...

Right. The preshow starts at 3:15pm The actual SotS starts at 3:30pm exiting at 4pm

ITA with one exception -- Star Tours is busier, isn't it?

ST is busier than usual, you are correct. I think the entire park is busier than usual.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Right. The preshow starts at 3:15pm The actual SotS starts at 3:30pm exiting at 4pm


ST is busier than usual, you are correct. I think the entire park is busier than usual.

Thanks!!!!

 

[R2D2]

Has anyone heard any rumblings about whether there will be a DJ Lobot (or equivalent) dance party this year?

 

[dinosaurgertie]

Has anyone been gotten Fastpasses for the weekend of June 12 yet? I'm an AP and have a resort reservation. For some reason, I'm able to book fastpasses for regular attractions, like Toy Story Mania, through June 13 (as a side note, I thought this was odd, since it's more than 60 days out). Anyways, none of the SWW shows are even visible when booking fastpasses that weekend. I, too, apologize if this question has already been answered. Thanks!

 

[lovethattink]

Has anyone been gotten Fastpasses for the weekend of June 12 yet? I'm an AP and have a resort reservation. For some reason, I'm able to book fastpasses for regular attractions, like Toy Story Mania, through June 13 (as a side note, I thought this was odd, since it's more than 60 days out). Anyways, none of the SWW shows are even visible when booking fastpasses that weekend. I, too, apologize if this question has already been answered. Thanks!

I have room booked, but our AP expires June 7th. Can't look til we renew.

 

[missthatgator]

Has anyone been gotten Fastpasses for the weekend of June 12 yet? I'm an AP and have a resort reservation. For some reason, I'm able to book fastpasses for regular attractions, like Toy Story Mania, through June 13 (as a side note, I thought this was odd, since it's more than 60 days out). Anyways, none of the SWW shows are even visible when booking fastpasses that weekend. I, too, apologize if this question has already been answered. Thanks!

Are you using the MDE app to check? I had the same problem when using the app but was able to see all the shows when I tried using a web browser instead. Hopefully that helps!

edited to add: You may also have trouble if you having a conflicting fastpass already booked for the same time

 

[yulilin3]

Has anyone heard any rumblings about whether there will be a DJ Lobot (or equivalent) dance party this year?

DJ Lobot (AKA DJ Elliot) will be at Celebration and he's also said that he'll be at SWW

Has anyone been gotten Fastpasses for the weekend of June 12 yet? I'm an AP and have a resort reservation. For some reason, I'm able to book fastpasses for regular attractions, like Toy Story Mania, through June 13 (as a side note, I thought this was odd, since it's more than 60 days out). Anyways, none of the SWW shows are even visible when booking fastpasses that weekend. I, too, apologize if this question has already been answered. Thanks!

SWW schedule for the last weekend is not out yet. It's the only weekend we don't have a schedule.

 

[dinosaurgertie]

DJ Lobot (AKA DJ Elliot) will be at Celebration and he's also said that he'll be at SWW


SWW schedule for the last weekend is not out yet. It's the only weekend we don't have a schedule.

Aha! Thanks, yulilin3! And thanks, lovethattink, for your offer to help!

 

[chwtom]

For annual pass holders who might not get fast passes for SWW: couldn't you book a dummy reservation at a resort, book your fast passes, then cancel once you are inside 30 days?

 

[Itinkso]

For annual pass holders who might not get fast passes for SWW: couldn't you book a dummy reservation at a resort, book your fast passes, then cancel once you are inside 30 days?

Yes, the Throwaway Room thread addresses this aspect of the benefits of onsite reservations that may, or may not, get canceled. A one-night room deposit is required.

 

[hydrotony]

There was a set schedule. It was in the SWW times guide.

I just meant that Ashley seemed to be there at times in addition to her official times. This year, she may be more restricted in the extra signing times. Last year the Padawan Mind Challenge was at 1:00, 2:15, 4:15 & 6:30pm and that takes up a lot of the day. If you can't find her the first 3 weekends, the 4th weekend is her "celebrity" weekend probably with FP signings.

 

[coluk003]

Yeah you as aph can do a room only to cover the dates. Then you can book all star sports for 29 days actually then get the fps . I did this but only a day in advance so it wasnt advantageous really. I can see people being upset about this because you are "cheating the system" so to speak. But ill be honest , the way I look at it I'm not the only one who has thought about it and done it.

Just remember if you do a room only make sure you cancel it outside of 5 days.

 

[DisneyLove2015]

Do they have Photopass photographers taking pics kids in JTA on SWW days?

 

[Itinkso]

Do they have Photopass photographers taking pics kids in JTA on SWW days?

Yes, there are Photopass photogs there on a daily basis. During SWW, there is a photog for the stage level kids and a 2nd photog for the ground level kids. Just make sure you pick up the correct Photopass card directly from the photog who is assigned to your kid's group.

 

[slaveone]

On the question about the umbrella folding up it does not collapse to backpack size but it is still very small because of being a child's umbrella. I'm going to just strap it to my bag with a couple of velcro straps.

 

[soniam]

Are people getting the days they wanted for the VIP Tours? I am curious how in demand they are. It would be disappointing to plan that you will do one and not get it. Thanks

 

[coluk003]

Are people getting the days they wanted for the VIP Tours? I am curious how in demand they are. It would be disappointing to plan that you will do one and not get it. Thanks

Remember it's only 40 people per tour of 45 can't remember which. Best is just to call if you know when you want to call, call as soon as the line opens, probably 7am.

 

[HCinKC]

Well they have been taking plenty of extra special things they used to have for AP. Years ago they had special events and perks only for AP. I got to meet Steve Davison (Imagineer behind the parades and Wishes). Met Dave Goezl (puppeteer and creator of Gonzo) we got behind the scenes tours at facilities in AK. Special viewing of movies before they came out...all of this has been non existent in the last 3 years.
I go to the parks every weekend and spend a lot of money there but they have been clearly taking away perks for us to give more perks to the people staying on site. I'm not saying that t his is bad but they should also think of us loyal AP who have been renewing for decades.
Anyways I'll wait and see what the answer is from Disney. I'm really interested in SotS for weekend 1 and A Conversation with Frank Oz for weekend 5

That's a bummer. I can see both sides of the coin. I am sure Disney has crunched the numbers and knows where the big bucks come in, but it sure is good CS to keep your loyals happy.

is it the R2D2 one? at which Toys'RUs?

I got the R2 one at the Disney Store on clearance for $7 a couple of weeks ago. Could have just been a local clearance though.

For some reason I can't quote . For the person that said their cable company doesn't stream the rebels show, what I meant was this. Go to the disneyxd site and look for SWR, look for the episodes and click on it. It will ask you what the name if your cable company is from a HUGE list. Select that and log in. Maybe that's what you meant but I wanted to make sure I made myself clear.

That was me. Yes, they do that same sign in thing on the website and the app. It is a sizable list, but our cable is not on it. I have contacted them, and they are "hoping" to be added. Shrug. They have not had HBO GO, etc either. Just not big enough I guess.

 

[soniam]

Remember it's only 40 people per tour of 45 can't remember which. Best is just to call if you know when you want to call, call as soon as the line opens, probably 7am.

Thanks. Previous posts said 40, but that may just be per group/tour guide. They may have multiple tours per day of 40 people max each.

I'm not going this year We just went to Disney last month. I am starting the thought processes for next year or 2017. I was curious if people were getting choices that worked. It would be a bummer to book air, hotel, and ADRs 180+ days out, and then find out that the weekend you are there isn't available. It would require a lot of rejiggering of plans. I guess you just have to plan for it both ways: doing or not doing the tour.

 

[Cluelyss]

Thanks. Previous posts said 40, but that may just be per group/tour guide. They may have multiple tours per day of 40 people max each.

I'm not going this year We just went to Disney last month. I am starting the thought processes for next year or 2017. I was curious if people were getting choices that worked. It would be a bummer to book air, hotel, and ADRs 180+ days out, and then find out that the weekend you are there isn't available. It would require a lot of rejiggering of plans. I guess you just have to plan for it both ways: doing or not doing the tour.

This is my first SWW trip and I am an uber-planner, but I am slowly learning that this is one event you can't really "plan" for. One great thing, though, is thanks to this thread I feel like I'm staying on top of the announcements and am one step ahead of the "general public." Yes, it would have been nice to know the celebrities before we picked our weekend, but it's going to be awesome regardless, and everyone here has been awesome in the planning process!