Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[The Sunrise Student]

Oh that's good to hear. At Ohana, servers didn't stop long enough to help or be asked for help, so my friend and I took pictures of each other with characters until the PP guy showed up and we got one together with Stitch.

I'll definitely add my ADRs to the Roll Call when I figure out which ones I'm going to keep.

I know at Chef Mickey's we have to take pictures of each other too when we go... BUT at H&V Star Wars meal the servers helped with pics and we got to see some of the characters twice!

 

[lovethattink]

That is awesome about your son being a member of the Glactic Accademy. We have alot of Galactic Academy Kids that troop with us, they are great... most of them are children of 501st people but still fun stuff!

Have your husband contact me, message me. I have the feeling he bought something similar to the base kits we have to use then we alter them to fit us. I can help point him in the right direction if that is the case.

In addition I am about to start posting pictures of my progress with all my costumes now that the holidays are over and I am going to start working on them again.

Keep check out this page (it's public so no need to even have a FB account, and if he does or you do all you need to do is follow and you'll get updates automatically, there is no friending necessary!) https://www.facebook.com/EnyoCosplay

MARCHING at SWW 2015: We would love to say the stormtroopers will be ready to march but without even having the body armor pieces yet I can't say. We are also working on Imperial Officers in junction, so bare minimum we will march in those. Darth Revan was also allowed to march last year, so my BF might march in that costume as well, depending. Unfortunately Mara Jade is not allowed to march because of her relationship with Luke Skywalker later in the books, when she turns from bad to good. Disney doesn't want any one misconstruing that she is going to turn up in the new movies. Darth Revan is far enough removed from the characters in the movies that they allow him, as least did last year, we will not get a final list of who can and can't until less than 2 months from SWW.

We will definitely keep an eye on your progress. Thanks for the link.

 

[lovingeire]

Photopass is there for the posed photos before you are seated. At SciFi it's with Vader and Boba Fett. At H&V, Ewok Chip and Dale are there for the photo op.

Inside the restaurant, you'll take your own photos as the characters come to your table. SciFi is very dark so you may want to use a flashlight as a lightsource. Because camera flashes were too bright, many guests kept taking multiple pictures to get some that weren't washed out. That also slowed the character rotations.

Thanks for this info. It's nice to know who we'll see and have the photo ops with.

How would you use a flashlight as your light source? I guess I'm wondering how you would angle it?

 

[Itinkso]

I think the people were illuminated but not directly at their faces. With smartphones without flash, the photos were extremely dark as in there was no need to even attempt a photo. Cameras with flash whitened everyone's faces along with red-eye.

Also, the flashlight is needed to read the menu and to see the items on your plate. The Jawas walked around with flashlights but it was mainly to see what guests were trading and to search in their bags for their tradeable items.

 

[Koh1977]

Are there Photopass photographers at the meals? I've only ever done one character meal and there was a photographer, but only when Stitch was around (at Ohana).

They started doing the Photopass photographer at Ohana with Stitch since they weren't doing the typical family photo pre-meal in front of the tiki hut background (due to construction). Not sure what will happen once everything is done.

We watched YouTube videos tonight and 1) I think there's a photographer to get your picture pre-meal at the breakfast with Vader and Boba. The rest roam, without a photographer. 2) Thinking there may be one pre-meal at H&V as well? With Chip and Dale ewoks? 3) DS wants to do the breakfast and DD really likes Vader and wants to see him. Go figure. She's SO going to be trouble when she gets older. LOL. 4) DS also wants to see the parade and some of the shows, meet as many characters as possible, etc. Ay yi yi...Part of me is thrilled that he's so into it, but we only have one day for it right now. Unless we go on Saturday after checking into the resort (late afternoon/evening most likely).

How worth it is the Feel the Force package? Is it similar to the Frozen package they had? Where is the viewing area for the parade usually for that? Near the stage (like the Frozen parade)?

When do updated park hours usually come out for June?

For some reason I'm having such issues planning this trip...As to what parks when and ADRs, etc.

 

[Koh1977]

Photopass is there for the posed photos before you are seated. At SciFi it's with Vader and Boba Fett. At H&V, Ewok Chip and Dale are there for the photo op.

Inside the restaurant, you'll take your own photos as the characters come to your table. SciFi is very dark so you may want to use a flashlight as a lightsource. Because camera flashes were too bright, many guests kept taking multiple pictures to get some that weren't washed out. That also slowed the character rotations.

oops! I didn't read the rest of the thread responses before I responded.

 

[yulilin3]

They started doing the Photopass photographer at Ohana with Stitch since they weren't doing the typical family photo pre-meal in front of the tiki hut background (due to construction). Not sure what will happen once everything is done.

We watched YouTube videos tonight and 1) I think there's a photographer to get your picture pre-meal at the breakfast with Vader and Boba. The rest roam, without a photographer. 2) Thinking there may be one pre-meal at H&V as well? With Chip and Dale ewoks? 3) DS wants to do the breakfast and DD really likes Vader and wants to see him. Go figure. She's SO going to be trouble when she gets older. LOL. 4) DS also wants to see the parade and some of the shows, meet as many characters as possible, etc. Ay yi yi...Part of me is thrilled that he's so into it, but we only have one day for it right now. Unless we go on Saturday after checking into the resort (late afternoon/evening most likely).

How worth it is the Feel the Force package? Is it similar to the Frozen package they had? Where is the viewing area for the parade usually for that? Near the stage (like the Frozen parade)?

When do updated park hours usually come out for June?

For some reason I'm having such issues planning this trip...As to what parks when and ADRs, etc.

Feel the Force: yes it's like the FSF package. I'm assuming that with the Hat gone the stage might be put where the Hat sits now so there might be a bit more space for the reserved area for the package. I liked the parade viewing but my daughter and I were there at the entrance to the package area 1 hour before so we were the second party in and she sat on the floor by the rope and I stood behind her, I know many many people couldn't see because they got there 30 min. before the package (like Disney recommends) But I loved the dessert party, so many different options of desserts plus drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholics) and now with the Hat gone the fireworks view should be better.
They change the times for the park around March.
As to your list of character priorities I would do Chewbacca first thing, be at the park no later than 7:20am and go straight to his line. Even after the parade, the line might be short but the heat will be in full swing. If you have the Sci Fi breakfast Vader and Stormtrooper are covered. Ewoks are the hardest to get, last year they came out in the afternoon and sometimes in the morning with Chewy. Luke is another tricky one to get since he rotates with Leia and R2D2 but he's out all day so you have more time for him

 

[yulilin3]

Here's my photobucket album from SWW 2014 first Saturday Feel the Force package, my daughter was the one taking the pics during the parade, she was sitting on the floor
http://s283.photobucket.com/user/yulilin/library/Star Wars Weekends 2014?sort=2&page=1

 

[poison ivy]

I think the people were illuminated but not directly at their faces. With smartphones without flash, the photos were extremely dark as in there was no need to even attempt a photo. Cameras with flash whitened everyone's faces along with red-eye.

Also, the flashlight is needed to read the menu and to see the items on your plate. The Jawas walked around with flashlights but it was mainly to see what guests were trading and to search in their bags for their tradeable items.

I agree it was dark in there. We used a flash for all photos with our camera but thankfully no red eyes.

We watched YouTube videos tonight and 1) I think there's a photographer to get your picture pre-meal at the breakfast with Vader and Boba. The rest roam, without a photographer. 2) Thinking there may be one pre-meal at H&V as well? With Chip and Dale ewoks? 3) DS wants to do the breakfast and DD really likes Vader and wants to see him. Go figure. She's SO going to be trouble when she gets older. LOL. 4) DS also wants to see the parade and some of the shows, meet as many characters as possible, etc. Ay yi yi...Part of me is thrilled that he's so into it, but we only have one day for it right now. Unless we go on Saturday after checking into the resort (late afternoon/evening most likely).

How worth it is the Feel the Force package? Is it similar to the Frozen package they had? Where is the viewing area for the parade usually for that? Near the stage (like the Frozen parade)?

When do updated park hours usually come out for June?

For some reason I'm having such issues planning this trip...As to what parks when and ADRs, etc.

You can do it all in 1 day but it will be a long one. I highly recommend the parade! It is a must do for us.

Here's my write-up w/photos on the breakfast. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52723707&postcount=237
yes, Darth Vader and Boba Fett only pose for a photo op at the entrance. They do not roam the restaurant.

We didn't have time for the H&V dinner, but we did purchase the FtF package w/parade and fireworks that day which I've almost finished my report on.

stay tuned.

 

[poison ivy]

Thanks for this info. It's nice to know who we'll see and have the photo ops with.

How would you use a flashlight as your light source? I guess I'm wondering how you would angle it?

We didn't use a flashlight. We were seated in the front row and adjusted to the lighting fine. But I can see where it would help if necessary.

 

[yulilin3]

I agree it was dark in there. We used a flash for all photos with our camera but thankfully no red eyes.



You can do it all in 1 day but it will be a long one. I highly recommend the parade! It is a must do for us.

Here's my write-up w/photos on the breakfast. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52723707&postcount=237
yes, Darth Vader and Boba Fett only pose for a photo op at the entrance. They do not roam the restaurant.

We didn't have time for the H&V dinner, but we did purchase the FtF package w/parade and fireworks that day which I've almost finished my report on.

stay tuned.

Do you mind if I put the link to your Sci Fi report on the front page of the thread? I think it would be most helpful, and each and every time I read it I just want to get those yummy pastries again.

 

[poison ivy]

Do you mind if I put the link to your Sci Fi report on the front page of the thread? I think it would be most helpful, and each and every time I read it I just want to get those yummy pastries again.

I don't mind at all. I hope it helps. and I agree, looking at that delicious food really makes me want to go back!

We may not make SWW this year which is why I haven't signed up for the roll call. We've got a Disney Alaskan cruise booked right smack in the middle of everything - 5/25 to 6/1.

Of course I am always hopeful.
Really didn't want to miss Sunrise Student if she's marching!

that 501st parade is the best!

 

[yulilin3]

I know we are all impatiently waiting for more details on SWW 2015. So I gathered all the dates when things were announced last year:
Rebel Rendezvous special merchandise event February 28th
Mark Hamill special appearance March 20th
Full Celebrity Line-up April 23rd
Feel the Force Package April 24th

so we still have a ways to go. Please make sure to check the first post of this thread if you want to know if there's any new information and don't want to read thru several pages to find it.

 

[msmama]

I wonder if they'll adjust the lighting in Sci-Fi this year to help with the photos? It's a lot of $$ to pay to see characters you may not be able to see!

I knew the hat was going, but I guess I never considered that the store UNDER the hat would have to go too. Am I mistaken or was that area a stage back before the hat was put up? My memory that far back gets hazy.

 

[yulilin3]

I wonder if they'll adjust the lighting in Sci-Fi this year to help with the photos? It's a lot of $$ to pay to see characters you may not be able to see!

I knew the hat was going, but I guess I never considered that the store UNDER the hat would have to go too. Am I mistaken or was that area a stage back before the hat was put up? My memory that far back gets hazy.

There was nothing there before the Hat. The pin store is being relocated to Sunset Blvd so no loss there.
There are rumors that there will be a permanent stage built there now. At first I wasn't happy when I heard it, but if it's done in a way where it doesn't completely block the view of the GMR then I'm fine with it. I'm thinking something like the castle stage at MK. Maybe the roof can be something they can take off and on.

 

[yulilin3]

I wonder if they'll adjust the lighting in Sci-Fi this year to help with the photos? It's a lot of $$ to pay to see characters you may not be able to see!

I knew the hat was going, but I guess I never considered that the store UNDER the hat would have to go too. Am I mistaken or was that area a stage back before the hat was put up? My memory that far back gets hazy.

I don't think they need to adjust the lighting inside, plus that would take away from the feel of it. We didn't use flash on these but did put our camera in the "low lighting" setting




using a flashlight will help if you want clearer pictures

 

[MakiraMarlena]

my pictures at Sci Fi turned out fine without the flash. I was using a camera, not a phone. plenty of folks there were using flash too.

 

[Candleshoe]

Because of this young chap forever will my plastic spacemen costume be referred to as a Storm Wooper!

http://youtu.be/pXOwPWFeV4M

I just love his excitement, and his big eyes watch as the Storm Woopers and Vader board the ship!

So sweet that little James!

I sent the link to my hubby. Loved the "Can their guns come in here?!"

When the 1st/4th movie came out, I'd gotten special passes opening day and we were so thrilled to go. A week later we were at the theater to watch another movie (don't remember what any more). We were in line to buy the tickets behind a dad and three young boys aged 4-6ish and they were marching around singing the imperial march and other bits and Jeff turned to me and said "Please?" So yea, we switched movies.

 

[Koh1977]

Here's my photobucket album from SWW 2014 first Saturday Feel the Force package, my daughter was the one taking the pics during the parade, she was sitting on the floor http://s283.photobucket.com/user/yulilin/library/Star%20Wars%20Weekends%202014?sort=2&page=1

Awesome pics! thanks! That definitely helps!

 

[Koh1977]

Question re: Mickey and pals...do they sign their autograph any differently when they're dressed like the Star Wars characters? (Or will it be the normal Mickey Mouse signature)

TIA!