Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[loribird]

We ran into the photographer next to the spot for boba fett. There is a red gate just to the right if you are looking at boba's spot. The indication you have the right photographer is he has a lightsaber. He did two shots, 1) you hold up a lightsaber and the image is of you fighting Vader. 2) you hold you hands out in a push and the image is of two trooper being "forced" away. We have MM if that made any difference I don't know.

Also we ran into Jawas outside the Back Lot Express, they might have been going to Darth's Mall.

Thanks so much for this! I did the shot with Vader last year. But this year I am dressing up and would love the stormtrooper shot!

 

[loribird]

I hope they don't run out - they're really cute. We have two kids, so we're stopping our collection at two of each (Death Star, milenium falcon, x-wing from RH) for them to save.

I really hope they don't run out! I'm going weekend IV. It might be a "vacation ruined" moment for me. Especially wanting one of the X wings!

 

[williamscm3]

Does Darth Maul sign autographs?

 

[stasijane]

I already expect afternoon showers, but is this how the weather channel shows that or should I pack my rain boots also? lol.

 

[yulilin3]

Are the chocolate chip cookies gluten free? Is there ice cream? The cookies will be enough to make DS happy. Thanks for posting special diet items. I like to prepare my 7 year old in advance when possible about which food is ok for him.
(I'm referring to the dessert party food pics)

chocolate chips are gluten and dairy free. And yes there's also ice cream, same from the packages

So it's really not worth lining up much ahead of time for the VIP dessert party, then? We can really expect that much space and free tables? What time would you suggest, @yulilin3?

Really not needed, they let us in at 8:30pm and the majority of the people didn't start showing up until about 8:50 and still then I feel that everyone had a table. This is on the DPP/VIP side

There is a load of chatter about the morning "Chewie Run" (seriously, there needs to be shirts made for it) and how to successfully put yourself into the best position to meet him in the most expedient manner. As a big Star Wars fan this next statement may sound like blasphemy, but, I don't have Chewie at the top of our 'must see' list, instead, it is Vader, Asokha, and Boba Fett. From what I understand, Vader's line can become nearly as long as Chewie's. What time does Vader show up? What is the best strategy to see him?

I mean, if Chewie happens, then awesome (especially of the Ewoks are with him), but our local AAA baseball team had a Star Wars night last week. The players wore Carbonite Solo inspired jerseys and members of the 501st wandered the park. Chewie was also in attendance and we were able to beat everybody to get to him. The dude was legit! I still can't believe how good he looked...seriously, I look at the picture and think, "wow, I can't believe how good he looks." He even had a mouth that moved and emitted Chewbacca growls and scowls and laughs. The only drawback is 1. It's not actually in Disney 2. The nice scenic Endor forest isn't behind us 3. No Ewoks

Anyway. This post was meant to be about seeing Vader. Sorry if I digressed....

There are 2 priority characters during SWW, if you have 2 days you can do Vader one day and Chewie the next. Best strategy for Vader go straight down Hollywood Blvd and head towards TSMM, past TSMM you'll find his line. IVader comes out at 8am. The reason I chose to do Chewie first is that he takes a 2 hour break to prep for parade and Vander meets continuosly even during the parade

Sorry if I have question after question. I'm working a midnight shift...alone...so planning and reading this forum has been helpful.

Family and I will be going for Weekend V....

I want the Han popcorn bucket and a glowing drink thingy like the Falcon. Since I am going weekend V, odds I'll have to purchase these of Ebay are.......

I read that the cube things were gone last year. At the same point, last year, were the popcorn bucket and stein gone also?

Last year they had Vader buckets all thru out, the stormtrooper stein sold out weekend 1 and they had them back by weekend 3. Glow cubes sold out weekend 3 I believe

Does Darth Maul sign autographs?

All characters sign autograph with the exception of R2D2 and C3PO (If they ever show up this year) All the roaming characters sign autographs as well

 

[SalmonPink]

This is precisely the information I was looking for. Thank you. My strategy is to be drawn to the dark side and not let the allure of Chewie pull me in as I pass by the turn off for his line (if i'm looking at the map correctly). My daughter is getting tossed onto my shoulders at RD so we can hustle on over. I'm looking at a pretty incredible map Kenny the Pirate put up on his site...very helpful.

Thanks again.

Did the Vader run yesterday, and Good Morning Dewdrop ended up being first in line. At the turnstiles, stay closer to the right. Then follow the crowd up the street, where you're held for the stormtrooper preshow, staying right. I didn't get on to the pavement at the right, was on the street, just as far over as I could get.

When the rope drops, follow the crowd to the right, there'll be ropes guiding you, you won't be able to cut straight down by the stage, you'll need to go where directed. There will be a big crowd, but a good chunk of them are heading for TSMM. Let them branch off, keep going, Vader will be ahead of you at the old entrance to the backlit tour.

It's a deceptively long walk, and with a little one on your shoulders you obviously won't be able to go too fast, but if you start close to the preshow rope and walk at a steady pace you could easily cut an hour off the potential afternoon wait time. Good luck!

 

[MooksterL1]

I have read that the popcorn buckets and steins were still available. I think they are even reusing some of the steins from last year. However, I think this year's are more popular. Plus, they seem to be having supply issues with the Fett steins. You might be able to get a friendly DISser to get one for you. I won't be going until next year, or I would offer.

The Boba stein is already on eBay for a ridiculous amount!

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

Here's an odd question for you all - since when does Darth Goofy wear trousers? Just watching the parade from yesterday (I'm not attending until weekend 3) and, no red boxers. His legs are encased in shiny trousers. What happened?
'

I heard that too! Makes me sad! haha!

 

[yulilin3]

Now I know how you guys feel coming back and having thread thru 20 pages...sheesh.
Ok, day 2 impressions
Arrived at DHS around 9:30am, no bag check line or tapstile line, that was nice.
Went straight to the DPP podium to check in. Got our badges with no wait around 9:35am.
Saw the whole area was in the sun but there a little roped of square on the Sid's side that was in shade, after talking to some friends who were also doing that package we wrangled a manager and explained that we were not going to wait in the sun for over an hour and he just let us inside the shaded square. Now I know this square is used for wheelchair viewing but I guess management just came to realize that the spot selected for the DPP was in the sun all the time (smh) anyways in the square were my friends and 3 other DISers and their family so it was really fun to just chat and made the hour go very quickly, I kept looking across the street and our fellow DPP people were in the sun, baking. You could see managers come out of backstage and just try and figure out what to do for the next couple of weekends. We did ask a CM why they don't just put umbrellas and she said, one was for safety and two because it would block the view of people standing behind.
The parade spot was perfect, we got to see everyone coming out of the gates, yelled and cheered for @The Sunrise Student and Mr.Sunshine that was pretty cool, she kept it together the whole time but I saw a twinkle in her eye
got to follow behind and CM did an awesome job of keeping the DPP separate from the rest of the guests, got front spots for the welcome show.
Had a lovely meet with DISers at ABC Commissary. Seriously if you plan on eating after the parade pick a qs and head there as fast as possible, the lines go all the way out the door by 11:45am
Off to the shows with our handy dandy DPP badge. fp line for shows are mostly in the shade, packages and VIP are mostly in the shade but the standby line is brutal, almost all of it in the sun. If there's a show you must see plan on getting there at the very least an hour early.
Rebels was fun, love the new things they added, it was Tiya's birthday yesterday so we all got to sing HB to her
The CM control the lines very well, the VIP, and package area are roped off so no worries , the fp line can pretty much chose anywhere to the left of the stage and above the sound booth. Standy take the right of the stage and stands in the back
Out of the show we headed inside ToT ride exit to cool off and relax a bit. SotS lines, again with the DPP badge was awesome, we waited only about 5 minutes before we went inside. This time we chose not to sit in the package area but in the row right behind the sound booth and it is our favorite spot now. Centered and since no one is in front of you (the sound booth people are down in a pit) no blocking. The pre show was super funny, won't spoil it for you. Amy Allen seemed like she didn't want to be there, really a boring guest but Mr. Ian McD was hilarious, so awesome.
After that we decided to head to the Mall, again awesome badge got us thru with no wait, very dissappointed with the general merchandise area, like others have said a lot of toys and plush (saw the baseball bat andball, really cute) but not a lot of things that I would be interested in. Asked Dan Madsen about the HU AtAt shirt and he said they should have them next weekend, saw the proposal in front of Ashley when she was signing her merchandise, everyone was crying
After that we just hung out at Studio Catering, met with @The Sunrise Student and MrSunshine and she told us about her marching experience, very cool. She also got us really cool shirts (I'm wearing it today) thank you so much
Then it was time for the dessert party. Now I talked to Sunshine about the PP, she did it Friday and she thought it wasn't more crowded they just added more tables so maybe that's why it seems more crowded.
The DPP was not crowded at all, no line for drinks or desserts. The chef came out and I explained my daughters allergies and he came back with cookies, a couple of desserts and a brownie, the brownie was the only thing she didn't eat because it did have milk. But she said the rest was all good.
Great spot for the pre show and a good spot for fireworks. A little to close and the stage blocked a bit of them, but all in all a good spot (especially when you look at the non reserved area and people are shoulder to shoulder)
Today heading over to make the meet time at ABC COmmissary and then just wandering for a bit, we'll be back home around 7pm. I'll post pictures tonight of the DPP parade viewing and dessert party

 

[yulilin3]

If any of you have asked questions that have not been answered and you are coming weekend II-V please post them again tomorrow so I can get to it. I'm just scanning right now and don't want to leave without an answer if I have it.
So the general consensus is that if I see a Boba Fett stein I should buy it?
I don't want one but would hate for people to come and not get it. How many of you are interested in one and are coming weekends II-V?
I'll do my best

 

[Tltorrez]

So, is the general consensus that the parades are going to be insane this year and that if you aren't in a spot by 9:30, you can hang up getting a spot? Even on the sunny side?

Do you guys think that will be the trend for Weekends II-V also?

A front row spot, yes. But you can fit several rows deep on the sidewalk.

 

[yulilin3]

@Itinkso thatnks again for managing the poster trade situation
The ap posters are handed out until around noon everyday, so if you want one go there in the morning, they are sturdy so the don't easily bend We put ours in a bag and the are still in good shape

 

[yulilin3]

Also some merchandise hasn't arrived, no calendars yet. I was very excited about the snow globe but it's tiny and expensive, I'll hold off for the next couple of weeks

 

[The Sunrise Student]

There is barely a wait for Chipmunks Ewok they are in thier regular location.

 

[Tltorrez]

I have two extra posters if anyone (pass holders or not) wants them but today's my last day here. Planning to be at DHS around 10 and Boardwalk for dinner. PM me here or on Twitter (tltorrez).

 

[DarthYouri]

What are the waiting times to get in Darth mall currently?

 

[yulilin3]

Wait times for Darth's Mall are consistently 30 minutes thru out the day, except in the evenings which is less. If you go first thing in the morning it'll also be ok. The line moves quickly though

 

[DarthYouri]

thank u , i'm going next sunday but the day is so full , but darth mall is number one on the to-do list

 

[msmama]

I just met @The Sunrise Student!! But I was nervous and I think I called her sunshine (sorry).

 

[Music City Mama]

@yulilin3, you said that if you do standby for a show, to get there at least an hour early. Do you think I'd have to that for the Rebels show, too?

Also, how do you think the crowds would be for Darth's Mall DURING the parade? Thanks!