Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[lovingeire]

Question in looking at KtP's map from last year of the characters, although I think it might be overly ambitious, but any chance we'd be able to do Darth Vader at RD and then Boba Fett? They're fairly close to each other so if we could knock them out at the same time that would be great, although since they're by the Maul we'll probably be back over there. We need to fit in a visit to the Maul.

And man, that is a haul back to them first thing in the AM. I think we might have oldest DS run ahead to get in line. We can do a practice route on Monday to prepare! He used to be our TSMM FastPass runner!

6-6:30am - FastPass line for Jeremy Bulloch? (Leaving this up to DH & oldest DS since it's towards the end of our trip, but will go with oldest DS if DH doesn't want to.)
7am - Rope Drop
8am - Darth Vader M&G
8:30am - Boba Fett M&G
9am - Star Tours FP+ (then line up for FtF check in?)
10am - FtF Check in and Parade Viewing
11am - Parade (proceed directly to Chewie)
Noon - Chewie & Ewoks
1pm - Lunch at ABC Commissary
1:45 - R2D2
3:30 - Stars of the Saga? (only if oldest DS wants to go then one of us will stay with him while the other takes kids back to nap.)
5:15 - Visit to the Maul
<<<<rides/shows/dinner/shop - no fixed plans >>>>
8:30pm - FtF fireworks viewing (can't remember what time people recommend getting to the dessert party?)

 

[yulilin3]

Question in looking at KtP's map from last year of the characters, although I think it might be overly ambitious, but any chance we'd be able to do Darth Vader at RD and then Boba Fett? They're fairly close to each other so if we could knock them out at the same time that would be great, although since they're by the Maul we'll probably be back over there. We need to fit in a visit to the Maul.

And man, that is a haul back to them first thing in the AM. I think we might have oldest DS run ahead to get in line. We can do a practice route on Monday to prepare! He used to be our TSMM FastPass runner!

6-6:30am - FastPass line for Jeremy Bulloch? (Leaving this up to DH & oldest DS since it's towards the end of our trip, but will go with oldest DS if DH doesn't want to.)
7am - Rope Drop
8am - Darth Vader M&G
8:30am - Boba Fett M&G
9am - Star Tours FP+ (then line up for FtF check in?)
10am - FtF Check in and Parade Viewing
11am - Parade (proceed directly to Chewie)
Noon - Chewie & Ewoks
1pm - Lunch at ABC Commissary
1:45 - R2D2
3:30 - Stars of the Saga? (only if oldest DS wants to go then one of us will stay with him while the other takes kids back to nap.)
5:15 - Visit to the Maul
<<<<rides/shows/dinner/shop - no fixed plans >>>>
8:30pm - FtF fireworks viewing (can't remember what time people recommend getting to the dessert party?)

The Fetts didn't come out until 10 am last year.
Darth Vader will probably move to the old entrance of Backlot Tour (almost 100% confirmed) so all of them will be closer together
You can do Vader then ST
Your plan looks very doable in the afternoon. You could fit the Fetts in there after Visit to the Maul

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

The good thing is that by the last weekend we should have a schedule figured out for the characters so that will help you.
With a good plan you can meet all of them.
First be at the park before it opens, 7:15am at the latest. They will open up around 7:45am go straight to Chewie. Walk down Hollywood Blvd, make a left toward Commisary Lane pass ABC Commisary and the DVC booth and you'll find the end of Chewie's line
After that you should go to DIsney SW characters, they will be by the event stage. As I said they can be tricky because they rotate but at that time it should take you only an hour to meet them both.
Then go to Boba Fett, they are by the old Backlot Tour entrance, he rotates with Jango and last year they came out at 10am
Again the Ewoks have been with Chewie in the afternoon, the lines in the afternoon are long, hot or worse, it rains and they all leave.
Jawas are roaming characters around Street of America, they are easy to meet in the afternoon.
The droids were very tricky last year, especially C3PO. We are hoping they will be inside Darth's Mall this year and that way will have a more set schedule but no way of knowing until the first weekend.

We're planning on Chewie - Disney SW characters then the Ewoks (Chip/ Dale) or Padma then the Jedi Council.

We caught both droids and lucked out with Luke, Leia and the 2 droids all in one shot - we had met Leia then circled around in line to try to meet Luke. We had to let people in front of us (2 or 3 groups) so we wouldn't meet Leia again. When Luke and C-3PO came out they all posed together for the group in front of us (we had let them go first because we didn't think Luke would be out that soon) and then with DD.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I don't meet the characters but I don't recall Boba being out that early. He rotates with his dad, Jango, so if it's Boba you really want you may have to get back in line if he switches out with Dad before you get there.

 

[DisneyMama21]

The good thing is that by the last weekend we should have a schedule figured out for the characters so that will help you.
With a good plan you can meet all of them.
First be at the park before it opens, 7:15am at the latest. They will open up around 7:45am go straight to Chewie. Walk down Hollywood Blvd, make a left toward Commisary Lane pass ABC Commisary and the DVC booth and you'll find the end of Chewie's line
After that you should go to DIsney SW characters, they will be by the event stage. As I said they can be tricky because they rotate but at that time it should take you only an hour to meet them both.
Then go to Boba Fett, they are by the old Backlot Tour entrance, he rotates with Jango and last year they came out at 10am
Again the Ewoks have been with Chewie in the afternoon, the lines in the afternoon are long, hot or worse, it rains and they all leave.
Jawas are roaming characters around Street of America, they are easy to meet in the afternoon.
The droids were very tricky last year, especially C3PO. We are hoping they will be inside Darth's Mall this year and that way will have a more set schedule but no way of knowing until the first weekend.

Thanks!!! That gives me a good start on our plan. I'll keep an eye out after the first weekend for more details!

 

[wdwalice]

Quick question - when you go to DPP FtF credential check-in, would you recommend going right to the parade section afterwards?

 

[lovingeire]

The Fetts didn't come out until 10 am last year.
Darth Vader will probably move to the old entrance of Backlot Tour (almost 100% confirmed) so all of them will be closer together
You can do Vader then ST
Your plan looks very doable in the afternoon. You could fit the Fetts in there after Visit to the Maul

I don't meet the characters but I don't recall Boba being out that early. He rotates with his dad, Jango, so if it's Boba you really want you may have to get back in line if he switches out with Dad before you get there.

Thank you both! We will plan to meet Boba Fett in the evening then after Visit to the Maul and see about combining that with Darth's Maul. Maybe I"ll have time to sneak in getting a Butterfinger cupcake from Starring Rolls for breakfast then?

 

[yulilin3]

Quick question - when you go to DPP FtF credential check-in, would you recommend going right to the parade section afterwards?

If you want a front row seat to the parade, yes. The parade will start for people with the DPP at 11am since the area is located near the entrance.You can pick up your credentials at 10am

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Wait...where do we think Darth's Mall is going to be this year? By RNRC (like in 2013), or someplace else?

 

[wdwalice]

If you want a front row seat to the parade, yes. The parade will start for people with the DPP at 11am since the area is located near the entrance.You can pick up your credentials at 10am

Perfect!

 

[yulilin3]

Wait...where do we think Darth's Mall is going to be this year? By RNRC (like in 2013), or someplace else?

Darth's Mall will be located across from studio catering company. In the old AFI, Backlot Tour. gift shop

 

[kmcdougan]

Now that all the plans are coming together I'm just going to remind everyone of the tips:

1.- Keep Cool: drink plenty of water and gatorade/powerade. We usually bring washcloths and dump them in cold water and put them around our necks. Cooling towels found at sports stores and Amazon work great. Don't wait to hydrate. I've seen plenty of people just collapse because of dehydration. Heat in Florida is no joke. Bring an umbrella and use it while waiting for characters, parade, anything outdoors. Remember that all quick service restaurants will give you, for free, a cup of ice water. You can also refill these cups or any other containers with ice water at Backlot Express for free. Great places to cool down and you don't have to make a line are One Man's Dream and the Animation Bldg.
2.- Make a plan: prioritize, what do you want most of all out of your SWW day. And work from there. It's impossible to do it all in one day so don't let that ruin your SWW experience.
3.- Be patient: there will be thousands of people going to SWW that want to do the same things you do. Be patient. Be polite. I know the heat and the waiting can get to you sometimes but take a deep breath and just listen to that Star Wars music in the background and chill.
4.- Be flexible: So you made an awesome plan and you're ready to take in the day. And, of course, it rains just as the parade is about to start. Don't let that ruin your experience, just go improvise, have a plan B...and C and D,...
5.- Know your kids: There's nothing better than a picture with your toddler and Chewbacca, but some kids get a little afraid of the big Wookie. Don't force them to meet a character or go to a show (JTA Vader, Ventress and Maul can be intimidating) The characters WON'T break character, don't expect a hug from Vader, or Aurra Sing to smile...Villains stay Villains even if your child starts crying. What I usually tell parents is to show the kids the character before waiting in line (sometimes very long lines) and ask them right then and there if they want to meet them. Or show them videos of JTA and ask them before the trip if they want to battle the Dark Side.
On the same note, know your children boiling points and don't wait for them to get to them. Again, it's really hot during SWW, and meltdowns happen even to locals. Know when your kids need a break, go inside somewhere (Animation building and One Man's Dream are perfect for a break) eat and hydrate, and you'll have more energy to tackle the rest of the day.
6.- Have Fun!! In the wise words of Master Yoda: Do or do not, there is no try....

That sounds so familiar.....


Ash

 

[wdhinn89]

Ok. The top priorities, character with longest waits are Chewbacca and Darth Vader followed closely by the Disney characters in SW costumes
Their lines can go all the way up to 2 hours. That's why you see so many people going to one of them straight at rope drop.
Not sure where Luke, Leia and the Droids will be this year but they also rotate so you can be in line for one character and they leave and then you have to wait in line to wait for them to come back out.
You can read this extensive review to see how the character lines worked last year http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/star...egy-characters-hoopla-crowds-merchandise-etc/
Also the first post of this thread has all of the information that has been released by Disney, it's up to date on schedules for shows and everything else

Are there pictures of all the characters somewhere? I would love to see them

 

[yulilin3]

That sounds so familiar.....


Ash

We've been preaching the same tips for years

 

[yulilin3]

Are there pictures of all the characters somewhere? I would love to see them

Check out the review
http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/star...egy-characters-hoopla-crowds-merchandise-etc/

 

[jimim]

We have the dining plan for this family trip, but I'm trying to convince DH to invest in TiW for our Wine & Dine trip. He likes appetizers and drinks and I just think it would suite our eating style better. Plus, we can buy gift cards in advance to cover the cost of dining. We'll see. He is so tied to it. I keep mentioning we get a discount on alcohol to try to convince him! (But it did take him like 3 trips to understand the dining plan so he's not good with change!)

It deff depends on eating style. We only really eat at sign places outside park so we make a killing on it. Also helps with drinks. It is pretty useless for breakfast and lunch unless you know what places to use it at but we never remember it. Only place I every remember is flame tree cause I like it

 

[Itinkso]

SWW 2015 Roll Call

The SWW Garrisons have been named!

SWW I: Guinea Pig DISers
SWW II: DISers Strike Back
SWW III: Revenge of the DISers
SWW IV: Phantom DISers
SWW V: DISers Take Oz

Please stop by the "I'm Celebrating" Button Cart located at the front of the park(s) and pick up your FREE button. The CM located there will have a Sharpie for you to proudly add in your DISer Garrison!

 

[delmar411]

Darth's Mall will be located across from studio catering company. In the old AFI, Backlot Tour. gift shop

Whoa...what?! They had it there before in what '09? and I was just saying to DH the other week that I was trying to figure out where they would try to stick it if they refused the tent again and we both said please not the AFI store again.

 

[yulilin3]

Whoa...what?! They had it there before in what '09? and I was just saying to DH the other week that I was trying to figure out where they would try to stick it if they refused the tent again and we both said please not the AFI store again.

They are actually using more This year. By what I hear. And this are rumors until confirmed. They are using the old prop shop area, plus AFI...i agree, not sure why they can't put the tent behind RnRC again

 

[delmar411]

They are actually using more This year. By what I hear. And this are rumors until confirmed. They are using the old prop shop area, plus AFI...i agree, not sure why they can't put the tent behind RnRC again

The changes are stressing me out. They had a good thing when Lucas had control but now if feels very disneyfied. (All money grab and less substance)