Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

James on April 8th, 2015 at 10:51 am
1. location for the parade is different for premium vs deluxe plan? yes or no
2. for deluxe premium plan the seating for us is different than fast pass plus for the shows? yes or no
3. check in for deluxe premium plan for dessert party? location

thanks,
jim

Rachel Brent on April 8th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Hi Jim,
1. Yes – Premium viewing area is near Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner, Deluxe viewing is near the My Magic+ Service Center near the entrance of the park
2. Yes
3. Feel the Force Deluxe Premium Package guests will check-in for the dessert party across from the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant

 

[Candleshoe]

Offered....or available??? Offered sounds like there may be a price attached.....??

Good catch. If they're offered for sale it would be an explanation of why "snacks=no and snacks=yes" seem to co-exist as answers.

 

[Dikran]

I don't know if there are others late to the party like me, but it seems the Deluxe FTF package is sold out for May 17 & 23 which were our 2 SWW days. Serves me right for not doing my daily perusal of the boards

 

[Itinkso]

I have to remind myself to check out the progress of whatever they're doing behind the walls where the Hat was. I know by the DPB that the stage will be placed off centered (at least that's what he said)I just can't seem to visualize it.
It's basically almost a month before the first SWW and I know in the past the SWW stage has been put up about 2 weeks before the first weekend

It hard for me to visualize it too because it seems like it would block a walkway. And, if it's on the right side, the characters have farther to go to get back to their offstage areas.

Isn't there a smoking area on the right side close to HBD? Maybe that's been moved because the cigarette ash/smoke would drift over Jake and Sofia's meets.

 

[yulilin3]

So I think we got all the answers, minus the allergy ones.
So 2 different viewing locations for the parade
2 different check in points for the dessert party but we will be all in the same location for the actual dessert and fireworks viewing
And snacks are included for both packages

 

[yulilin3]

It hard for me to visualize it too because it seems like it would block a walkway. And, if it's on the right side, the characters have farther to go to get back to their offstage areas.

Isn't there a smoking area on the right side close to HBD? Maybe that's been moved because the cigarette ash/smoke would drift over Jake and Sofia's meets.

yeah, there's a smoking section right there by BD. The good thing is that we will know for sure where the stage will be in a couple of weeks

 

[soniam]

i have my fast passes for june 5,6,7 . as an example i have a fp for TSMM for 105 to 205 on june 5th. if we show up at 105 what time should i expect to complete the ride? i have a star tours FP for 240-340. just trying to gage how time is spent waiting in line, doing the ride and then onto the next. thanks for all you help..peter

The wait suggestions are right on. Touring Plans says the duration of Star Tours is 7 min.

 

[lvstitch]

How is parking during SWW?

 

[tinkerpea]

Im

I vote guinea pig shirts / lanyards on the 15th and 16th. At least we would be able to identify the other DISers!!

I'm going to make a badge! That way it won't.the interfere with my lanyard but will be cool and can be seen

 

[yulilin3]

How is parking during SWW?

before 6am there won't be anyone on the toll booth so you can just enter and park anywhere you want. If you are arriving after 6 you would have to pay or show your resort paper. It gets pretty busy but I don't think the parking lot will close since they have the cast members that park at DHS to park at Epcot for the entire time during SWW (please be kind to every and all CM on your SWW days. They have to get up an extra hour early because they have to park at Epcot and then take a bus to DHS)

 

[OZMom]

Im

I'm going to make a badge! That way it won't.the interfere with my lanyard but will be cool and can be seen

By badge, do you mean like a pin / button? Are you just going to put the picture itself or edit it / add text?? I think I'm going to do it too!

 

[yulilin3]

Re reading the whole package thing is it just me or does it sound like they will block the entire Hollywood Blvd portion by the stage for these packages?
Think about it, they have to rope off the dessert/fireworks viewing area right? If they have guests coming in from the Min and Bills side and guests coming in from the Brown Derby side that means that that area is completely roped off...this is going to have to be a wait and see

 

[Monykalyn]

4
Cherice from CA on April 7th, 2015 at 5:53 pm
Can you clarify if snacks will be offered at the parade as they were last year? I have been seeing only water and soda, which is very disappointing. Thanks!

Rachel Brent on April 8th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Yes, snacks will be offered.

Yay!-kids can eat their heart out LOL! And I am sure they will. I have ST scheduled FP+ after parade...hmm may need to rethink timing...no upset tummies allowed!

 

[soniam]

We are thinking of going to SWW next year. For us, I think the VIP/Ultimate Day would be worth it. The DPP is already $100. The meals, which isn't something I would have picked, will be $100. I'm not saying it's worth $100, but that's probably what Disney would charge.

So that leaves a $200 difference. The VIP has the rides too. I'm thinking that $200 would be worth it if someone would ride TOT with DS, instead of me. DH and I won't ride with him, and he doesn't want to ride by himself. I don't do well on rides with big drops. My stomach and lack of perceived gravity do not agree. My riding TOT could be bad So, if you think you might be riding TOT at SWW next year, you might consider contributing to my VIP Package fund. It might prevent an unexpected laundry bill

 

[yulilin3]

For the Deluxe package, will the reserved seating for the shows be the same at FP+? Would we enter thru the regular FP+ line? Or will these reserved seats be in a separate section with a different line?

Also for the Deluxe package, it says that reserved seating is included for ALL shows. On some week-ends there will be 4 shows, and maybe even a possible 5 shows for the last week-end. I just want to confirm that this package does give reserved seating for ALL shows, no matter how many there might be on that particular day. Thanks!

PS. Also interested in what the “snack” consists of. Last year we had Mickey Bars & such.

Rachel Brent on April 8th, 2015 at 10:03 am
Hi Frances, the Feel the Force Premium Package includes reserved seating for your choice of (1) of the shows at Theater of the Stars featuring Celebrity talent (this is a new addition to the package this year), while the Feel the Force Premium Deluxe Package includes reserved seating for all of the Celebrity Talk Shows in Theater of the Stars on the day of the package.

The reserved seating in Theater of the Stars is in a separate section than FastPass+. There will be an entrance that will be designated with signage at the theater for Feel the Force guests. All Feel the Force guests will have the same entrance.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Just posted this to DPB... fingers crossed for an answer... and clarity...

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

I think I now understand the key differences between the two Feel the Force packages — unclear how this compares to VIP?
1. Does VIP have separate or shared seating for shows?
2. Does VIP have separate or shared parade viewing?
3. Does VIP have separate or shared dessert party location?
4. Does VIP have separate or shared fireworks viewing location?

 

[susannebananna]

I have been reading this for days and days, and gained so much information - THANK YOU!
I finally decided to chime in, because I still do have a question:
The 2 FtF packages will share a dessert party, but will the VIP have a separate one? - Guesses?
When I booked our Ultimate Day (5-16!!) I was told that we will be able to specify some details about our itinerary about 10-14 days out. This specifically included whether or not we'd be signing up any children for the JTA, it gets done ahead of time!

 

[lovethattink]

Should have made it more clear, I will be doing the first day so the 15th, which will have a crazy amount of people! Do you think if I went after the parade there will be anyway of the bag still being available

I'd think with the express pass it would be easy to get into the mall. But as @yulilin3 mentioned the check out line could be very long. Especially that first day.

But add in appetizers, desserts, drinks and tip and TS can come out a lot higher. I budgeted for one full TS meal at Trattoria al Forno. I just can't bring myself to give that up for any of the mediocre meals at DHS with or without characters.

We're also doing a few meals that are on the high-end of CS but have the advantages of table-service -- BOG lunch, the substantial appetizers at Crew's Cup Lounge YC (lunch on our SWW day) and appetizers at Spice Road Table (during Illuminations, of course). All of them should give us a much-needed break out of the heat at a reasonable cost.

Good plan.

speaking of merchandise...Her Universe dress. Not sure if she'll bring it and the cardigan to SWW

View attachment 86902

Love it!!

I don't order appetizers, entrees, drinks and desserts at TS meals. It'll be either an entree or a couple appetizers and drinks. No desserts. desserts at TS aren't that good.

My go-to will be the Brown Derby lounge (lounges are not counter or quick service. they pretty much are a table service without the huge menu.)

I'm a big soup person. Had tomato bisque and an Easter cupcake yesterday. That Easter cupcake was incredible. Good thing it's on it's way out or I'd pack on more pounds.

I have to remind myself to check out the progress of whatever they're doing behind the walls where the Hat was. I know by the DPB that the stage will be placed off centered (at least that's what he said)I just can't seem to visualize it.
It's basically almost a month before the first SWW and I know in the past the SWW stage has been put up about 2 weeks before the first weekend

We were there yesterday. No changes were noticeable. The construction walls are still up. A stroller parking "building" was built by GMR which was new.

How is parking during SWW?

Last year, parking was full, but we were always able to find a spot. The year before that wasn't always the case. I think moving cm parking to Epcot made a huge difference for guests.

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks Rachel for your responses. However, I’m still wondering does the “reserved seats” for the shows mean that we’ll be sitting in a special section for the SWW party package people? Or is this the same as a Fast Pass for the show? Would we line up & enter the theater in the Fast Pass line? Or will we have a separate line up area?

In addition, a lot of people are wondering about the “snack” mentioned here in the blog for the parade viewing. Other areas on the Disney website only mention soft drinks & water. This might seem trivial, but kids, and older people alike, loved getting the Mickey bars last year and are asking if those will be available again this year. Would you please let us know?

I would really appreciate an answer for these 2 important questions. Thanks so much.

Rachel Brent on April 8th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Hi Frances, The reserved seating in Theater of the Stars is in a separate section than FastPass+. There will be an entrance that will be designated with signage at the theater for Feel the Force guests. All Feel the Force guests will have the same entrance.

And yes, ice cream novelties will be offered during parade viewing as a snack.

 

[AuntieK]

Re reading the whole package thing is it just me or does it sound like they will block the entire Hollywood Blvd portion by the stage for these packages?
Think about it, they have to rope off the dessert/fireworks viewing area right? If they have guests coming in from the Min and Bills side and guests coming in from the Brown Derby side that means that that area is completely roped off...this is going to have to be a wait and see

I've been wondering the same thing.