Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[CheshireCrazy]

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

I agree! I learned my lesson one year. I went on the first Friday back in 2013 to Darth Mall. We lined up first thing (8am) and it was a 3 hour wait and another hour wait to pay.

My friend was able to fly from Chicago to Orlando, get on the ME to his resort and then to Hollywood Studios in a shorter time frame.

That Sunday night, he walked right in with no wait.

Oh well it made for a good story we still talk about to this day...

 

[slaveone]

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?

It means that the viewing area for the package will be early on the route. You can then walk behind the parade so that you can have prime view of the stage. It is also just cool.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Appointments are needed for d-tech me. They may be Hard to come by for the weekends you want. By all accounts carbonite me is most accurate and storm troopers are fairly generic. Children under certain ages can only get storm troopers or little princess. I believe. The time is short like 30 minutes and FtF has no impact on it.

The D Tech link is on the first post. It only takes 10 minutes to do. I've never done it so can't give you a review but there are videos on YouTube of people that have done it and they show the finished product

I don't know how other people's experience was in the past but last year we had a Saturday appt around 3. DS was anxious to shop so we were in the shop around 1:00 looking around & there was nobody around DTech. They started trying to sell us on it & we told them we already had a 3:00 appt & they said they could do it right then if we would like so we did. Appointments will guarantee you get in I suppose but there was plenty of opportunity for a walkup that day & it was Mark Hammil weekend so large crowds.
We got the stormtrooper & it doesn't look like him at all. We are going to try carbonate this year since that's the one the majority had the best result with.
The actual experience is a lot of fun though. They had DS do duck face & other silly expressions. That's the main reason he wants to do it again.

Thanks everyone!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Hard not to be jumping out of my seat... ONE WEEK from this very moment I am on a plane headed west my friends... to sunny California, Disney Land and Star Wars Celebration

As to not clog up SWW tips and trick thread here with info from the SWC convention I have started up at trip report and plan to post how things are going as well as what they reveal at SWC... about the new movie, the new season of Rebels and anything SW/Disney has to tell us... Hoping for some cool news *crossing fingers*

Any how, if your interested in hearing the scoop check out my trip report http://www.disboards.com/threads/su...-disney-star-wars-celebration-report.3393055/

edit notes: spelling errors, it's me

 

[Delilah1310]

Good morning all! So last night I discussed priorities with my family, studied a map, and reworked our SWW day with the DP FtF package options we were lucky to get.
We will not make one show (the Visit to the Maul) but it was either skip that or drop our Jedi Mickey dinner at H&V - the family voted to eat!

can you see if there are things I am not taking into consideration, or things that just might not happen because I have not provided enough time, etc.

For example ... do you think we can make it to H&V by 5 pm after the LMA show? Should we leave LMA early? Should we skip it altogether?
It feels a little tight in that time frame to even make it LMA on time, but I'm not sure we will watch the whole SoTS ... DS7 may or may not be interested / can't gauge his interest level for the shows

This is Weekend 4 - Sunday, June 7.
Thanking in advance for any advice you can offer.

arrive by 7:15 am
Stormtropper Opening Show 7:45 am
Rope Drop priority = Pics and Autographs with Star Wars: Rebels Characters
Rock N Roller Coaster standby
(Star Tours standby? or a second RNRC standby, perhaps)
Toy Story Midway Mania FP+ 9:35 to 10:35
GET FtF CREDENTIALS 10 to 12 pm
Star Wars parade / welcome show 11 to 11:30
lunch CS anywhere
Show: Behind the Force: Rebels 1:45 to 2:15
Tower of Terror FP+ 2:10 to 3:10
Show: Stormtropper Pre-show 3:15 to 3:30
Show: Stars of the Saga 3:30 to 4 pm
Lights Motor Action 4:20 pm
Jedi Mickey Dinner 5 pm
Star Tours FP+ 6:20 to 7:20 pm
shopping at Darth's Mall (DH and DS may do StarTours again, standby)
Dessert Party 8:30 to 9:30
Star Wars Fireworks 9:30

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

Just wanted to let people know , that I just called this morning @ 8am, and was able to book the Deluxe Premium on Friday May 22, and Premium on May 24th. I was also able to book Deluxe Premium on saturday June 13th. I know that everyone who frequents this thread has already called in, but for any occassional viewers (or those like myself that didnt see the updates til 11 last night ) there IS still availability to be had - so dont give up!

 

[yulilin3]

Good morning all! So last night I discussed priorities with my family, studied a map, and reworked our SWW day with the DP FtF package options we were lucky to get.
We will not make one show (the Visit to the Maul) but it was either skip that or drop our Jedi Mickey dinner at H&V - the family voted to eat!

can you see if there are things I am not taking into consideration, or things that just might not happen because I have not provided enough time, etc.

For example ... do you think we can make it to H&V by 5 pm after the LMA show? Should we leave LMA early? Should we skip it altogether?
It feels a little tight in that time frame to even make it LMA on time, but I'm not sure we will watch the whole SoTS ... DS7 may or may not be interested / can't gauge his interest level for the shows

This is Weekend 4 - Sunday, June 7.
Thanking in advance for any advice you can offer.

arrive by 7:15 am
Stormtropper Opening Show 7:45 am
Rope Drop priority = Pics and Autographs with Star Wars: Rebels Characters
Rock N Roller Coaster standby
(Star Tours standby? or a second RNRC standby, perhaps)
Toy Story Midway Mania FP+ 9:35 to 10:35
GET FtF CREDENTIALS 10 to 12 pm
Star Wars parade / welcome show 11 to 11:30
lunch CS anywhere
Show: Behind the Force: Rebels 1:45 to 2:15
Tower of Terror FP+ 2:10 to 3:10
Show: Stormtropper Pre-show 3:15 to 3:30
Show: Stars of the Saga 3:30 to 4 pm
Lights Motor Action 4:20 pm
Jedi Mickey Dinner 5 pm
Star Tours FP+ 6:20 to 7:20 pm
shopping at Darth's Mall (DH and DS may do StarTours again, standby)
Dessert Party 8:30 to 9:30
Star Wars Fireworks 9:30

FWIW Star Wars Rebels characters haven't been announced at all. Not sure if they will be available for meet and greet but I sure hope they are.
You'll have time to make it from LMA to H&V
If you want a second ride on ST I would do it in the morning unless you really want to go on RnRC
Everything else looks good

 

[Delilah1310]

Thanks @yulilin3!
Good to know about LMA to H&V ... all I can remember from that show a couple years ago was walking, walking, walking up steps to sit and then walking, walking, walking down steps to get out!
Seemed to take a while, but my memory is probably enhancing it.

Yes, I know the Rebels characters have not been announced, but we have our fingers crossed.
Our DS7 has gotten bitten by the SW Rebels bug BAD!
He has always been a SW fan (obviously from our influence) but Rebels is the first thing that he just REALLY can't get enough of.

We'll be watching the reports from the first weeks ... and we are all using our Jedi powers at our house to influence the decision-makers into putting Ezra and Sabine into the mix this year!

 

[disneygrandma]

Last night I was thinking that we could do 2 of the deluxe prem FtF pkgs for less than half of what the VIP would cost. So, I've now booked a 2nd day (May 30th for the DP FtF). This way we can see part of the shows one day, and the rest on the 2nd day. 2 parades & stage shows. Last yr during FtF, I totally missed some of the Celebrities going by in the parade, so now we'll get a 2nd chance to see what we might have missed. 2 dessert parties! And if we don't like the fireworks view from our reserved area on the 1st night, we'll simply change spots before the fireworks start.

The CM that I had this time said that the only seats we'll have, is when we're doing the celebrity shows. Standing only for parade & dessert party. I didn't ask any other ?'s because I was on hold for over 10 mins just while she searched about seating for the dessert party. Hopefully, once the DPB announces FtF, we'll be able to get consistent answers about what all is included in all 3 of the pkgs. I still don't understand how the DP FtF can include all celebrity shows, where as the VIP is reserved seating for the 1st 2 shows, and then a FP for only a 3rd one. We don't even know for sure if it's the 3rd or the 4th show of the day.

For right now, I'm not cancelling anything until I know all the details of the different SWW pkgs.

 

[Bugdozer]

Hi,

Thanks for all the great info!! Called just now and booked the Deluxe Premium Package for 2 adults and 1 child for May 22nd! So happy I didn't miss this.

 

[Music City Mama]

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?

I'm in the same boat. My FP+ window opens Saturday and I'd like the Weekend V schedule to be nailed down so I can immediately make my Frank Oz FP+. As Yuli stated below, that's what the schedule was during SWW last year when Mark Hamill had an extra/special show and Ray Park also happened to be there, so I think she's spot on for what it will look like during Weekend V this year. I just need them to release the info so I can reserve FP+ ASAP.

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

 

[Felipe4]

Ugh, the Deluxe Premium was sold out for June 13th, but I got the regular Premium! I pretty much just want to do Frank Oz and SotS, but I was worried for getting Frank Oz since my Galactic Breakfast is at 9:40am and reserved seating starts going at 10 from the kiosk!

I don't know if it's been talked about yet, but I was told by my cast member that the Deluxe Premium was for ALL the shows, so if there are 4+ you get reserved seating to each one, not 3/4.

 

[Cad0587]

Where do you think the Feel the Force package will be announced first, the Disney Parks Blog?

 

[KisstheGirl33]

Booked the Premium Package for 5/17! So excited for my first SWW! Thanks so much to everyone on this board for helping tremendously with my planning.

 

[Cluelyss]

Ugh, the Deluxe Premium was sold out for June 13th, but I got the regular Premium! I pretty much just want to do Frank Oz and SotS, but I was worried for getting Frank Oz since my Galactic Breakfast is at 9:40am and reserved seating starts going at 10 from the kiosk!

I don't know if it's been talked about yet, but I was told by my cast member that the Deluxe Premium was for ALL the shows, so if there are 4+ you get reserved seating to each one, not 3/4.

We have a later breakfast too, and I am considering sending DH out early to pick up out credentials while the kids and I finish eating. May be another option for you?

 

[HCinKC]

Possibly, although one of the appeals was not having to pay for snacks for the family of 5, but I know drinks will be much appreciated in the heat. But, should circumstances be dire, I'm sure I can dig up a Mickey bar somewhere….

I totally agree that it is silly they aren't included in the price...plus, didn't they raise the price? I realize they added a show FP, but that doesn't seem like a replacement for snacks (in addition to a rate hike).

Appointments are needed for d-tech me. They may be Hard to come by for the weekends you want. By all accounts carbonite me is most accurate and storm troopers are fairly generic. Children under certain ages can only get storm troopers or little princess. I believe. The time is short like 30 minutes and FtF has no impact on it.

I have a D-Tech at 9:20 followed by DH and ODS at 9:35. ODS is 6. She asked if we each know what we want. She said he could do the Jedi, so I'm not sure if a) she was wrong or b) he meets whatever age limit or c) perhaps they removed the age limit? At any rate, Dh and I may or may not get it done. If I do change my mind, I'll ask about the age thing again when I cancel ours. I'm not sure it'd be as fun for him if his only "choice" is a Storm Trooper (that is notorious for not being accurate).

 

[Laura C]

Just called and was able to book the deluxe for Sunday 14th june in hope to have a smooth day for Frank Oz shows for DH! I was trying to ask the CM if they will change to VIP package to include all shows rather than be given a fp but she didn't quite understand what I was getting at (maybe the English accent?!) so I thought I better not ask any more questions at least being weekends 4 & 5 I can check out reviews from first couple of SWW to see if they're worth it!! Keep trying if you're told its sold out guys xx

 

[yulilin3]

Where do you think the Feel the Force package will be announced first, the Disney Parks Blog?

It's usually announced on the DPB. By the time they do there won't be many spots left

 

[kmcdougan]

I can not WAIT.... this is a dream come true for me too! I hope I don't cry, Hard Core Imperial Officers ranking over Stormtroopers aren't allowed

And the worst part about it is that if you do start, you are stuck, can't wipe your face until it is over. Just got to choke it back. But, I tell you, those are tears of pride and accomplishment. I realized just about a month or so ago that doing this is my childhood dream form when I was 6. Not many kids can say they grew up to live their dream, especially when it involves fantasy and make-believe.

Ash

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I went to Obi Wan and Beyond last year and was late to the dessert party. That's because it was Mark Hamill weekend and the show had been pushed back. I won't have to worry about that this year, but those present for Frank Oz weekend might want to know it.

I was thinking about changing 5/16 to the deluxe package when I realized Obi Wan would be earlier for me this time around.