Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[Candleshoe]

Ok I know this is off topic, but you guys are so helpful. And if I ask here I may get an answer, and not get 10 responses saying "this is why you should never book through orbitz!" so here goes

We had 3 girls for a May trip beginning the 14th, just booked this a month ago. We booked via orbitz because we saved something like $150, and the AP rate only had king bed rooms at CBR available so that wouldn't work. Since we have 3 adults we paid what, $10 or $15 more a night? Well she decided only after the spring discounts expired, that she cannot go. I thought about doing the orbitz online chat and asking them to remove her, but I am afraid that they will somehow mess up the ressie and 1) delete all my FP; 2) delete it trying to rebook and then the discount is gone totally; and 3) mess up my FtF since she asked for my resort information and I don't understand how they are tied together.

Any opinions on if it is worth it to try the chat and see if orbitz will remove it? Or should I just wait and ask at check in if they can give me a credit? It is room only of course, so no package change fees apply.

Edit - trip is 5 nights, May 14-19.

If it were ME, I would ADD one person (re: SDFP)

Glad I could help!! You can always count on me when it comes to maximum Excel geekiness!!

Nice spreadsheet <g> Looks like the one I made earlier today!

 

[lovethattink]

Trying to make some decisions for FP+ for weekend 5 since we will not be purchasing the plans released today. My 60 days will be this Sunday and it's kind of difficult without show times for that weekend.

Are you thinking the "regular" shows will be the same times as the other weekends and a Conversation with Frank Oz will be sometime in between?

Can you tell me about the Padawan Challenge trivia with Ashley...does it require sign ups in the morning like JTA? I'm confused by how it is explained in the first post.

For the Family Mind Challenge, a cm picks 1 family to go against the dark side. Last year I was at the photopass store trying to retrieve missing pictures, which they were able to find, and my dh and ds got picked while I was gone. Since I couldn't make it back to them in time another 2 people from another family got picked with them. It was the 4 of them against the dark side. C3P0 and R2-D2 were on the stage two. At the end of the show, they got an action figure.

 

[Monykalyn]

Well I did it-booked Premium Package for June 6 for the 5 of us! Have been in meetings (for upcoming charity event Saturday for past 4 hours) but got in around 5:15. My CM had no idea until I basically walked her through finding it (LOL- LOVE this thread! She was pretty sweet and kept thanking me for leading her through it-so she will know for next caller). Had to go through my onsite resort res before the booking for FtF opened up. I didn't bother asking about details on it (just got standard spiel on check in and over 21 to have alcohol at dessert party). Figured I would wait until "official" announcement before deciding to keep it for sure or not (or upgrade-been saving for >2 years for something "special" - figured 'why not' at this point )

 

[AThrillingChase]

If it were ME, I would ADD one person (re: SDFP)

LOL. I didn't even think of that, like if I have to pay for this girl anyways I may as well get another set for us?? I actually have a set of tickets in there already for my wine and dine half trip in November so I probably could! Though, I bet I'd be paranoid about the FP somehow taking park admission days away from those tickets!

 

[julluvsdisney]

does anyone know what time Darth's Mall opens? Just wondering the best time to get in there with the lowest amount of wait time! Thank you!

 

[lovethattink]

does anyone know what time Darth's Mall opens? Just wondering the best time to get in there with the lowest amount of wait time! Thank you!

It will open at park opening. In the past, a line for merchandise formed outside the park. Those people were let in the park and led by a cm to the mall.

 

[BobaFettFan]

It is nice to see the boards calm once again now that the dppftf fury has died down.

 

[yulilin3]

Weekend II, I would like to try for Vanessa Marshall's autograph, but I am doing the 24HR day Friday, and flying out early Sunday morning because of Memorial Day obligations at home Sunday and Monday. I really want to be in MK at the beginning and end of the 24 hours, which means I would have difficulties lining up early Friday or Saturday mornings. If I left MK at 6 and took a bus (if available) or taxi (or maybe even a rental car) to DHS, do you think it would be too late to get a FP for her?

Also, what times do they usually sign? I would like to go to the hotel and sleep then be back for the Rebels show, so the FP would be moot anyway if it is in the morning.

last year the autograph sessions for all of the Rebels actors/actresses was: 10am, 4:30 and 6pm
If you took a cab from MK you would be at DHS around 6:30am at the earliest, while you get to the TTC or you could walk to the Contemporary and get a cab from there. You might get achance for an autograph session and it will probably be for one of the later ones. So it might work out for you

 

[yulilin3]

Does the parade go any farther than The Great Movie Ride? Does it go past the old AI theater toward SW ride? The old maps make it look like it stops at the old hat.

The parade use to go all the way to the Star Tours Gate but it's been going only till the GMR event stage for about 5 years now. The only ones that march on and are not allowed to stop at the event stage are the members of the 501st and Rebel Legion, they must march and exit the park thru the ST gate, that might be what's confusing you. In the first post I explain the process

 

[yulilin3]

Trying to make some decisions for FP+ for weekend 5 since we will not be purchasing the plans released today. My 60 days will be this Sunday and it's kind of difficult without show times for that weekend.

Are you thinking the "regular" shows will be the same times as the other weekends and a Conversation with Frank Oz will be sometime in between?

Can you tell me about the Padawan Challenge trivia with Ashley...does it require sign ups in the morning like JTA? I'm confused by how it is explained in the first post.

Last year when they had Mark Hamill for weekend 4 and Ray Park was also here doing his Visit to the Maul the show schedule looked like this and I believe it'll be the same times for this year weekend 5
Behind the For (Now Rebels show) 1:30pm
A Conversation with Mark Hamill (this year Frank Oz) 3pm
Stars of the Saga 4:30pm
Visit to the Maul 6:15pm
Obi Wan and Beyond 7:45pm

For the PMC there are 2 types of show the ones you sing your kid up at the ABC Sound Studio in the morning are for them alone and these shows were last year at 1pm and 2:15pm
The other one you didn't have to sign up, a family was picked at random to do DMC family edition and these2 are hosted by Ashley Eckstein, last year they were at 4:15pm and 6:30pm
This year schedule for PMC has not been released but I expect it to be the same times

 

[yulilin3]

It will open at park opening. In the past, a line for merchandise formed outside the park. Those people were let in the park and led by a cm to the mall.

the line outside the park for merchandise only happened first Friday, after that there was no line outside for merchandise people just went there at park opening @julluvsdisney if you are going weekend I don't go to the Mall in the morning it'll be packed with people trying to get limited edition merchandise (unless you want any LE items) wait for the evening times

 

[lovethattink]

the line outside the park for merchandise only happened first Friday, after that there was no line outside for merchandise people just went there at park opening @julluvsdisney if you are going weekend I don't go to the Mall in the morning it'll be packed with people trying to get limited edition merchandise (unless you want any LE items) wait for the evening times

Oh ok. I misunderstood my friend. She collects the vinylmations and was there to get them each week. She made it sound like there was a separate line outside the park each day. And I had wondered how she was in an autograph line and merchandise line both.

 

[JennStars9]

OK guys, I need your help. We have a dine-in Galactic breakfast scheduled for 8:00 and D-Tech me for 9:30. Now my son tells me that he wants to do Jedi Training Academy. What is the best plan of attack. Should my daughter and I go check in for breakfast and send my husband and my son to sign up for JTA? What is the best route for us to take. I think that this has been covered before, but I couldn't seem to find it.

 

[yulilin3]

OK guys, I need your help. We have a dine-in Galactic breakfast scheduled for 8:00 and D-Tech me for 9:30. Now my son tells me that he wants to do Jedi Training Academy. What is the best plan of attack. Should my daughter and I go check in for breakfast and send my husband and my son to sign up for JTA? What is the best route for us to take. I think that this has been covered before, but I couldn't seem to find it.

That would be the best thing. Have your husband and son go to JTA while you guys go check in for breakfast
For JTA be at the park no later than 7:15am once inside stay on the left side of Hollywood Blvd and you'll see CM with JTA signs. Once the stormtroopers open the park walk as fast as possible to the sign up area (at Indiana Jones Theater) so you can be one of the first and then after that just go toward Star Tours, make a right at the speeder bike and you'll see the Sci Fi Diner for breakfast

 

[Cluelyss]

the line outside the park for merchandise only happened first Friday, after that there was no line outside for merchandise people just went there at park opening @julluvsdisney if you are going weekend I don't go to the Mall in the morning it'll be packed with people trying to get limited edition merchandise (unless you want any LE items) wait for the evening times

How late does the mall stay open? I know some stores remain open after official park closing, wondering if this is one of them? Thx!

 

[yulilin3]

How late does the mall stay open? I know some stores remain open after official park closing, wondering if this is one of them? Thx!

I'm not sure yet. Last year when Darth's Mall was at soundstage 1 they closed before the fireworks. Now that it's where the old Backlot Tour store used to be I'm thinking they'll close early again because Backlot Tour had to close early for fireworks fallout. SO maybe they'll close around 8:30pm?

 

[slaveone]

If anyone needs epic traveling movies a certain movie series we are all obsessed with is getting a digital release on April 10. I already preordered on iTunes.

 

[Phelpsie70]

Not sure if anyone local is able to get to Hollywood Studios today but James Arnold Taylor just tweeted that he is going to be roaming the park today asking people about Star Wars in preparation for SWW 2015. Very cool!

 

[sairell]

I apologize for my noob-ness, but when CMs say you can follow behind the motorcade with the Deluxe package, what exactly does that mean?

 

[yulilin3]

I apologize for my noob-ness, but when CMs say you can follow behind the motorcade with the Deluxe package, what exactly does that mean?

What we are thinking is going to happen is that the motorcade goes by, they are going to allow the people with DP Packages to walk behind the motorcade, then they'll have a rope and allow everyone else to follow. The motorcade ends at the Event Stage in front of GMR and they do a welcome ceremony where you can see all of the celebrities visiting that weekend and all of the characters so you will be able to get really good pictures/videos since you'll be front row with that package