Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[seigyoku]

Well, let's get the grumpy stuff out of the way:

Plane was delayed, delayed, DELAYED, towbar BROKE, delayed, got in over 90 minutes late. Rental car place was in the middle of nowhere. Found out about Characterpalooza changes, lovely RIGHT before I go. And I just had to remote into work computer, so it is 1 AM and I am still awake with my Galactic Breakfast reservations at 9:20! Eeps.

But I am at WDW (All-Star Sports is... interesting?) and I got the bread service at the Sanaa lounge. Tomorrow, SW meals and all non-SW stuff at DHS CAN I DO THIS?

(Yes?)

 

[NebrMom]

Does anyone know how long the kids Padewan Mind Challenge takes, assuming we get signed up in time in the morning? Also, since it looks like there is only two sessions of it, does it fill up faster than the Jedi training Academy?

 

[Phelpsie70]

Does anyone know how long the kids Padewan Mind Challenge takes, assuming we get signed up in time in the morning? Also, since it looks like there is only two sessions of it, does it fill up faster than the Jedi training Academy?

We have done the Padawan Challenge twice and there has never been a line to sign up for it. People seem way more interested in JTA. My son had a ball the first time, not so much the second (a lot more younger kids the second time - he was 11). I don't believe it took more than 20-25 minutes for the challenge itself but you do have to get there early for them to get the kids organized and then walk them over to the stage so altogether I'd plan at least an hour.

 

[yulilin3]

Touring Plans says crowd level of 4 on Friday at HS. Really? 1st day of SWW? I'm doubting that number!

I wish

I'm sure I just missed it somewhere, but how do you sign up for the Padawan mind challenge? Is it only on the weekends or during the week as we'll?

ABC Sound Studio in the morning only during SWW

We're leaving in the morning, so just wanted to say a quick thank you to all of you that contribute to this thread. Thanks especially to @yulilin3 for making this a great source of information and excitement. Thanks to this thread, we have an amazing trip planned with all the character meals, RH, FtF, etc. I'm bummed that characterpalooza isn't happening now, as I was excited to try that, but this thread was even where I found that out. So, thanks all and hope to see some of you at the Chewie Run on Friday! Yay for the Guinea Pig DISers Strike Back garrison (weekends 1 & 2)!

You are very welcome, I'm happy I was helpful and can't wait to meet you in person

From the map, it looks like it could just be the one entrance to Darth's Mall, perhaps with multiple checkouts.

I understand the idea of having multiple entrances because of some people wanting LE items. But if you want to visit the 2 non-LE sections, it wouldn't make sense to have to wait in line 2 separate times.

One of the two non LE merchandise locations is the prop shop. This is the open gift shop right across from Studio Catering Co. Of there is a line there it will be just to pay since it's an open area store. I'll see if I find pictures of it

Well, let's get the grumpy stuff out of the way:

Plane was delayed, delayed, DELAYED, towbar BROKE, delayed, got in over 90 minutes late. Rental car place was in the middle of nowhere. Found out about Characterpalooza changes, lovely RIGHT before I go. And I just had to remote into work computer, so it is 1 AM and I am still awake with my Galactic Breakfast reservations at 9:20! Eeps.

But I am at WDW (All-Star Sports is... interesting?) and I got the bread service at the Sanaa lounge. Tomorrow, SW meals and all non-SW stuff at DHS CAN I DO THIS?

(Yes?)

I could go to Sanaa just for their bread service. I'm happy you made it, Here's where the fun begins!!

 

[ArielRae]

Once someone knows please post the best path to take to Darth's Mall in the morning since it looks like it's entrance is closer to the Streets of America then Pixar Place.

 

[yulilin3]

Once someone knows please post the best path to take to Darth's Mall in the morning since it looks like it's entrance is closer to the Streets of America then Pixar Place.

used a pedometer map and going from the entrance thru PicXar Place to the entrance to Darth's Mall is 0.32 miles
from the entrance to Commissary Lane to Darth's Mall 0.29 miles
It looks like Commissary lane will be better and maybe less traffic cause of TSMM

 

[tlh0726]

Can you sign up kids to march in the parade?

 

[yulilin3]

This is it gang, twas the night (day) before the first SWW of 2015. I'm going to get a little sappy. I would like to thank all of you for contributing to this thread for 9 months and counting. To all of you SWW virgins, the newbies, the lurkers that came out, thank you for all of your questions, it's keeps the event fresh in my eyes, I always love to see and feel the excitement of people going to this for the first time. To all of you pros, the ones who have done SWW and have insight into the event. Thank you for all of your tips and suggestions, for your reports on past experiences, it helps a whole lot. To all of you that have helped this thread for the last couple of years, thank you for your time and expertise. To my unnamed inside sources, thank you for providing that extra bit of info when TWDWC doesn't want to budge, I truly appreciate it. Especially to @Itinkso even though she's not coming to SWW this year she has taken time out of her day to manage the Roll Call thread and done an awesome job of updating everyones plans not once, or twice but many three times or more (pointing at myself )
And to all:THANK YOU for keeping this thread positive in a world where being negative is becoming the norm.
Can't wait to read all of your reports, have a last look at the general tips, they really do help.
I've said it before but I've been thru a lot in my personal life this past year and you guys have been a great therapy for me. Can't wait to meet as many of you as possible...Mat the Force Be With You...Always
So this is the last TBT for SWW 2015, my kids with Vader SWW 2009

 

[yulilin3]

Can you sign up kids to march in the parade?

no, that's done at random, they pick kids in the morning around the entrance of the park and around the Star Tours area.

 

[tlh0726]

no, that's done at random, they pick kids in the morning around the entrance of the park and around the Star Tours area.

So kids should be dressed the part?

 

[yulilin3]

So kids should be dressed the part?

they look for kids that are wearing SW clothing or a costume, that seem enthusiastic about SW. They will give them the Jedi Robes and a lightsaber to wear while marching in the parade. Word of caution, the kids and parents stay in direct sun for about 30 minutes while the parade goes thru and the welcome show is over.

 

[Tltorrez]

I ended up with too many Star wars clothes, and not enough for the rest of my trip!"

I've seen a lot of SW clothes in the other parks this week.

 

[delmar411]

Tbt to probably my fave picture of my older son at SWW.
A huge to @yulilin3 for all the time spent putting this theead/group together each year! Even as an old 'pro' at the weekends, I learn something new here and always get super pumped up just reading about all the plans and excitement!

 

[NebrMom]

We have done the Padawan Challenge twice and there has never been a line to sign up for it. People seem way more interested in JTA. My son had a ball the first time, not so much the second (a lot more younger kids the second time - he was 11). I don't believe it took more than 20-25 minutes for the challenge itself but you do have to get there early for them to get the kids organized and then walk them over to the stage so altogether I'd plan at least an hour.

Thanks, my DD8 knows the original three movies by heart (her dad told them as bedtime stories since she was 2) and this year has really gotten into the Star Wars Rebels. Actually, being able to meet Ezra and Sabine is one of the main reasons I am thinking of adding it to the schedule. (I asked her the other day if Chopper was her favorite and she replied, "Actually, it's Sabine. She is just so cool!" However, I believe she has only watched the prequels maybe once so doesn't know them at all. Did it seem like there were tough questions? Still not sure about it, she can get stage fright. Advice?

 

[ArielRae]

used a pedometer map and going from the entrance thru PicXar Place to the entrance to Darth's Mall is 0.32 miles
from the entrance to Commissary Lane to Darth's Mall 0.29 miles
It looks like Commissary lane will be better and maybe less traffic cause of TSMM

Wow Thanks! Can't believe you mapped it by pedometer.

 

[Tltorrez]

No Oz fast pass. Awesome.

I'm 0 for 2 on Oz for my parents. Did anyone have any luck at 30 days?

@yulilin3 how early will they need to line up standby? I'm thinking people will start lining up as soon as the previous show enters, maybe? Will they clear the theater for the previous show completely? Meaning those guests would be at the end of the line for the next show?

 

[SnowyWhite]

My daughter will be taking A LOT of pictures, really she goes overboard. I'll try and post a couple here and there with my crappy phone camera but the majority will be up by Monday morning. I've already cleared space in my photobucket

Great! Looking forward to seeing your pictures. Have a super trip!

 

[yulilin3]

Wow Thanks! Can't believe you mapped it by pedometer.

I love using this site
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
Is that nerdy?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I must have a Millenium Falcon glow cube. I suppose I can assume they won't sell out on Friday.

 

[yulilin3]

I'm 0 for 2 on Oz for my parents. Did anyone have any luck at 30 days?

@yulilin3 how early will they need to line up standby? I'm thinking people will start lining up as soon as the previous show enters, maybe? Will they clear the theater for the previous show completely? Meaning those guests would be at the end of the line for the next show?

Yes they will not allow anyone to stay inside the theater before the next show, this happens with all the shows, so people that where inside for SotS would have to come out and make the line for Conversation with Oz. As to what time to line up, at least an hour and a half?
This is what happened last year with Conversation with Hamill:
People without fp, right at rope drop, went straight to the theater to line up for his show. CM were there and all the standbys that showed up that early were handed a return standby time. Meaning that if you had this ticket you would be guaranteed to get inside the theater after VIP and fps went in. I'm hoping that's what they do this year and that way people don't have to line up so early.
So what I would do is go straight to TotS at rope drop and see if they are giving out standby tickets.