Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

First SWW! Well, we're actually going for our nieces college grad trip, and luckily it's the first weekend, May 14-17th. DH & I are lifelong SW fans, DDs have also joined in.

Sorry if this is a newbie question, but will there be a FP+ for parade viewing? My girls have done Jedi Training at DL, so we're good on that experience. DD9 was the Rebel Spy on one Star Tour, so check that off the list too (we'll keep trying for DD7)! I know they would love to see the parade and meet a few Rebels.

We've got APs plus staying on-site @AKV, so I'll have the 60 day booking window. FtF sounds amazing, but we've already got one big ticket item planned (a Wishes cruise with the college grad and her family).

Any tips are appreciated! Thanks for all the info. here so far! I love reading all the TRs.

There wasn't a fp+ area for parade this year (2014) the parade route is too short to have that plus the FtF package roped off. Now if there isn't a FtF package they might take that area and use it for fp+ for the parade. If you don't have the FtF package you must grab a spot at least an hour and a half before the parade to have a nice, shady spot (if looking down to GMR that would be the left side) if you don't grab one early you might be stuck on the sunny side, and believe me, even if it's just an hour, the sunny side is brutal.
As to further tips, read the first post on this thread, there's a lot of tips there, plus I update it every time we get new information.
If you have any other specific questions let us know and welcome aboard.

 

[Music City Mama]

I think we've managed to work our schedules where we'll get to be at SWW for the whole last weekend instead of just the last day! Itinkso, I'll update on your roll call thread once I know for sure.

Here's my dilemma...We always stay in the BW area so we can walk, but because of other expenses during this trip, we'll probably stay at a moderate (unless Swan/Dolphin becomes bookable for the dates I need and the rates I'm willing to pay). If we stay at a moderate, would we be better off driving to the park or taking the bus?

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I think we've managed to work our schedules where we'll get to be at SWW for the whole last weekend instead of just the last day! Itinkso, I'll update on your roll call thread once I know for sure.

Here's my dilemma...We always stay in the BW area so we can walk, but because of other expenses during this trip, we'll probably stay at a moderate (unless Swan/Dolphin becomes bookable for the dates I need and the rates I'm willing to pay). If we stay at a moderate, would we be better off driving to the park or taking the bus?

Depends on what you are wanting to do.... if you want to be there at rope drop, or early to get celebrity FP for autographs you are going to have to drive over (or take a taxi, I have heard of lost of people doing that), the buses don't get you there early enough. If you are just wanting to get there at an ok time and do the rest of the events, you can do the bus route.

We are staying at AKL, and will be driving over.

 

[Itinkso]

I think we've managed to work our schedules where we'll get to be at SWW for the whole last weekend instead of just the last day! Itinkso, I'll update on your roll call thread once I know for sure.

Here's my dilemma...We always stay in the BW area so we can walk, but because of other expenses during this trip, we'll probably stay at a moderate (unless Swan/Dolphin becomes bookable for the dates I need and the rates I'm willing to pay). If we stay at a moderate, would we be better off driving to the park or taking the bus?

We always rent a car and the only time we use the Bus is for MK. The Moderates are massive compared to the BW resorts and if you don't get to the 1st bus pick-up point, you can be waiting forever while fully loaded buses pass by your bus stop.

By driving and arriving well before rope drop, you can get good parking. The CMs aren't allowed to park at DHS during SWW so their "up close" spots are filled by early arriving guests. I would definitely use your car.

 

[Music City Mama]

Depends on what you are wanting to do.... if you want to be there at rope drop, or early to get celebrity FP for autographs you are going to have to drive over (or take a taxi, I have heard of lost of people doing that), the buses don't get you there early enough. If you are just wanting to get there at an ok time and do the rest of the events, you can do the bus route.

We are staying at AKL, and will be driving over.

We always rent a car and the only time we use the Bus is for MK. The Moderates are massive compared to the BW resorts and if you don't get to the 1st bus pick-up point, you can be waiting forever while fully loaded buses pass by your bus stop.

By driving and arriving well before rope drop, you can get good parking. The CMs aren't allowed to park at DHS during SWW so their "up close" spots are filled by early arriving guests. I would definitely use your car.

Thank you, both. One year we stayed at the BC, but it was our younger son's first year without a stroller so I was concerned about wearing out his feet first thing the morning, so we did drive over there. So looking back, parking was a non-issue. I just had this vision of tons of cars trying to get into the park, but I don't think we had that experience if memory serves me correctly. Driving it is, then -- thanks!

 

[MaxsDad]

I am so excited. I have been bugging my wife for a while about going to a SWW and she keeps telling me it is too hot that time of year. The other day we decided to add a weekend at the parks onto the back end of our cruise. Turns out that coincides with the first SWW on May 15th!!!

bummed though that I missed the chance to reserve a meal.

 

[Itinkso]

I am so excited. I have been bugging my wife for a while about going to a SWW and she keeps telling me it is too hot that time of year. The other day we decided to add a weekend at the parks onto the back end of our cruise. Turns out that coincides with the first SWW on May 15th!!!

We did the same, last year: post-cruise we made it to the final day of SWW. It was such a fun way to cap off a great vacation.

I do have one tip: scan through the 1st Post and Thread as soon as you get back on land. I didn't have time to do that and missed some important news regarding the SW MagicBands. We didn't realize we should have brought in our MagicBands in order to purchase the SW MagicBands... we used CM ticket media and couldn't buy the MBs. So, just quickly check to see what yulilin has added to the 1st post.

 

[Cluelyss]

I am so excited. I have been bugging my wife for a while about going to a SWW and she keeps telling me it is too hot that time of year. The other day we decided to add a weekend at the parks onto the back end of our cruise. Turns out that coincides with the first SWW on May 15th!!! bummed though that I missed the chance to reserve a meal.

Regarding the meals, definitely keep checking. I'd bet that a lot of people booked several when they were announced, and will eventually cancel the ones that don't end up fitting their plans.

 

[yulilin3]

I am so excited. I have been bugging my wife for a while about going to a SWW and she keeps telling me it is too hot that time of year. The other day we decided to add a weekend at the parks onto the back end of our cruise. Turns out that coincides with the first SWW on May 15th!!!

bummed though that I missed the chance to reserve a meal.

So awesome!! If you want to beat the hottest temps the first weekend is def the way to go.

Regarding the meals, definitely keep checking. I'd bet that a lot of people booked several when they were announced, and will eventually cancel the ones that don't end up fitting their plans.

I completely agree, check as it gets closer to the date and especially 2 days before since many will cancel around that time in order to not get penalized

 

[lovethattink]

Didn't itinkso start a SW dining cancellation thread last year or was that for FTF? Maybe another one this year would help those seeking?

 

[micheleq]

There wasn't a fp+ area for parade this year (2014) the parade route is too short to have that plus the FtF package roped off. Now if there isn't a FtF package they might take that area and use it for fp+ for the parade. If you don't have the FtF package you must grab a spot at least an hour and a half before the parade to have a nice, shady spot (if looking down to GMR that would be the left side) if you don't grab one early you might be stuck on the sunny side, and believe me, even if it's just an hour, the sunny side is brutal. As to further tips, read the first post on this thread, there's a lot of tips there, plus I update it every time we get new information. If you have any other specific questions let us know and welcome aboard.

Thanks for the scoop! I'm subbing and looking forward to learning more Happy holidays

 

[Itinkso]

Didn't itinkso start a SW dining cancellation thread last year or was that for FTF? Maybe another one this year would help those seeking?

Last year I posted my FTF cancellation here and on the Dining Cancellation Thread under the Dining Reservations forum - I coordinated with a DISer who saw it on the Dining Thread... she was able to pick up all 5 even with me canceling from 2 separate accounts.
Here is the Cancellation Thread for May:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3346769
Here's the Cancellation Thread for June:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3359488

 

[MaxsDad]

Regarding the meals, definitely keep checking. I'd bet that a lot of people booked several when they were announced, and will eventually cancel the ones that don't end up fitting their plans.

Thanks for the tip. That is my plan but my wife called today and was able to get H&V dinner for Sunday the 17th, so at least we have that. We really want to try and get the breakfast so I am going to keep an eye out for that.

 

[lovethattink]

Last year I posted my FTF cancellation here and on the Dining Cancellation Thread under the Dining Reservations forum - I coordinated with a DISer who saw it on the Dining Thread... she was able to pick up all 5 even with me canceling from 2 separate accounts.
Here is the Cancellation Thread for May:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3346769
Here's the Cancellation Thread for June:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3359488

Sorry, for some reason I thought you started them. Glad you were able to help her.

 

[Itinkso]

Sorry, for some reason I thought you started them. Glad you were able to help her.

No problem! I'm not sure where most SWW people will check... here or the Cancellation Thread?

 

[disneygrandma]

While Christmas shopping, I noticed that a lot of stores had some cute SW t-shirts for boys & men, but didn't see anything for us girls. Are there SW shirts made for girls? Or do we have to settle for buying our shirts from the guys section?

 

[lovethattink]

While Christmas shopping, I noticed that a lot of stores had some cute SW t-shirts for boys & men, but didn't see anything for us girls. Are there SW shirts made for girls? Or do we have to settle for buying our shirts from the guys section?

If you do a search for Her Universe, you will see there are some great shirts, skirts, and dresses in girls, misses, and women sizes. They are sold from Her Universe, Hot Topic, and other retail and online outlets.

The products came about when Ashley Eckstein who played Ahsoka Tano in the Clone Wars was unable to find clothes for herself to wear. She began Her Universe.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

While Christmas shopping, I noticed that a lot of stores had some cute SW t-shirts for boys & men, but didn't see anything for us girls. Are there SW shirts made for girls? Or do we have to settle for buying our shirts from the guys section?

I think that there isn't nearly enough cool SW clothing for girls!! I was totally into SW as a kid, as is my daughter now. Selection is pretty disappointing out there. :-/

 

[disneygrandma]

I did not realize that Ashley had her own SW clothing line! I'll be sure to check it out.

I love buying many items online, but when it comes to clothing, that's harder to do. From store to store, brand to brand, the sizing is so different. For clothing, I prefer to be able to hold the items up and see what they look like. However, if most of the SW clothing for girls is online, then that's what I'll need to do.

Thanks!

 

[Itinkso]

redbubble.com has a long list of SW clothes, womens shirts are in the dropdown for each style:
http://www.redbubble.com/shop/star+wars

I ordered some Baymax shirts as gifts and the screen-printing was of good quality. One tip: redbubble sends out their shirts with an essence of grape bubblegum... My DD thought it was a little strange that her shirt smelled like grape... We had to google to find it's a redbubble "thing."