Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[pookadoo77]

Thanks Sunrise, that would be awesome! I have given up after doing all the suggestions of fixes I could find via google, lol.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Thanks Sunrise, that would be awesome! I have given up after doing all the suggestions of fixes I could find via google, lol.

No Problem, sent you a Private Message

 

[yulilin3]

for anyone interested, my fb friend Kathleen Kelly has a podcast and site called Special Mouse for parents with kids with special needs. Her recent podcast talks about SWW planning with kids on the Autism Spectrum
http://specialmouse.com/star-wars-weekends-planning-autism-059/ it's an hour podcast
just listening to it now, there's a good tip that really hasn't been discussed here:
If you want to meet and get a picture with a celebrity you must be there early, sometimes as early as midnight depending on the celebrity. But if you just want to get the celebs black and white 5 x 7 headshot pre-signed you can go straight to their tent and ask the CM in charge and they have them there, also at the info desk by the old Sounds Dangerous theater
Also remember that because of fireworks fallout they close TSMM and GMR early and don't reopen it. I believe TSMM closed at 7:45pm, GMR probably closer to 8
EDIT: I just finished listening to the whole episode and our thread got a shout out at the end

 

[Itinkso]

DD and her fiancé recently purchased a home and a good friend who is "friends with" Vader inhabits the 3rd bedroom! So, I am preparing to meet him as I will be visiting their home for quite a few days in April. I find this somewhat itimidating, I don't know why... maybe because he is quite tall? Maybe because I'll be sharing a bathroom with a "friend of" the Sith Lord??

If anyone has any questions you would like me to ask of him, PM them to me and I'll reply via PM after my visit in April.

I thought it would be interesting to ask if he knows if Vader ever receives trinkets from guests and if so, what were some favorites, favorite guest interaction, etc.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

DD and her fiancé recently purchased a home and a good friend who is "friends with" Vader inhabits the 3rd bedroom! So, I am preparing to meet him as I will be visiting their home for quite a few days in April. I find this somewhat itimidating, I don't know why... maybe because he is quite tall? Maybe because I'll be sharing a bathroom with a "friend of" the Sith Lord??

If anyone has any questions you would like me to ask of him, PM them to me and I'll reply via PM after my visit in April.

I thought it would be interesting to ask if he knows if Vader ever receives trinkets from guests and if so, what were some favorites, favorite guest interaction, etc.

LOL that's awesome! Have tons of fun!

 

[yulilin3]

DD and her fiancé recently purchased a home and a good friend who is "friends with" Vader inhabits the 3rd bedroom! So, I am preparing to meet him as I will be visiting their home for quite a few days in April. I find this somewhat itimidating, I don't know why... maybe because he is quite tall? Maybe because I'll be sharing a bathroom with a "friend of" the Sith Lord??

If anyone has any questions you would like me to ask of him, PM them to me and I'll reply via PM after my visit in April.

I thought it would be interesting to ask if he knows if Vader ever receives trinkets from guests and if so, what were some favorites, favorite guest interaction, etc.

so cool, I'm sending my questions to you.

 

[yulilin3]

not really related at all to SWW but Disney has officially taken down the Hat off of their site and have replaced it with ToT I would've thought GMR theater or Earful Tower would've been put in the icon spot but I guess ToT is more recognizable
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/hollywood-studios/2015-05-15/#timeofday=allday

 

[Cluelyss]

for anyone interested, my fb friend Kathleen Kelly has a podcast and site called Special Mouse for parents with kids with special needs. Her recent podcast talks about SWW planning with kids on the Autism Spectrum http://specialmouse.com/star-wars-weekends-planning-autism-059/ it's an hour podcast just listening to it now, there's a good tip that really hasn't been discussed here: If you want to meet and get a picture with a celebrity you must be there early, sometimes as early as midnight depending on the celebrity. But if you just want to get the celebs black and white 5 x 7 headshot pre-signed you can go straight to their tent and ask the CM in charge and they have them there, also at the info desk by the old Sounds Dangerous theater Also remember that because of fireworks fallout they close TSMM and GMR early and don't reopen it. I believe TSMM closed at 7:45pm, GMR probably closer to 8 EDIT: I just finished listening to the whole episode and our thread got a shout out at the end

When you say they "closed" the rides, is your posted time the last allowed entrance or official shut down time? We were hoping to do TSMM and GMR between dinner and the fireworks, so this just threw a major monkey wench into my plans....though I'm glad to know it now so I can adjust!! As always, this thread has the best info!

 

[yulilin3]

When you say they "closed" the rides, is your posted time the last allowed entrance or official shut down time? We were hoping to do TSMM and GMR between dinner and the fireworks, so this just threw a major monkey wench into my plans....though I'm glad to know it now so I can adjust!! As always, this thread has the best info!

I believe (not 100% sure let me see if I find the exact times) that TSMM closed (last guest admited in the queue) around 7:45pm. And GMR around 8pm.
EDIT
found it, they both closed at 8:30pm. This is a great write up with tons of photos
http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/star...egy-characters-hoopla-crowds-merchandise-etc/

 

[jennab113]

Congrats, Sunrise! That's awesome!

A question about the early morning autograph fastpass - if I were to get in line really early (or stay out there all night) and brought a folding chair, is there time between when the wristbands are distributed and when the actual FPs are distributed to run the chair back to the car? Are the bands numbered?

 

[Cluelyss]

I believe (not 100% sure let me see if I find the exact times) that TSMM closed (last guest admited in the queue) around 7:45pm. And GMR around 8pm. EDIT found it, they both closed at 8:30pm. This is a great write up with tons of photos http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/star-wars-weekends-2014-strategy-characters-hoopla-crowds-merchandise-etc/

Thank you SO much! This is great info!

 

[yulilin3]

Congrats, Sunrise! That's awesome!

A question about the early morning autograph fastpass - if I were to get in line really early (or stay out there all night) and brought a folding chair, is there time between when the wristbands are distributed and when the actual FPs are distributed to run the chair back to the car? Are the bands numbered?

Yes, you have about 20 to 30 minutes between when they put the wristbands and when they give out the fp.
If you are alone let the person behind you know that you are taking your chair back to the car an it shouldn't be a problem (after all you just spent the night together )
The wristbands have only the date on them, no order number

 

[yulilin3]

Thank you SO much! This is great info!

It is a complete report. Just keep in mind that character meet and greets (especially the ones around the old entrance to Backlot Tour) and Darth's Mall might change this year

 

[Monykalyn]

Sunrise-congratulations! You look amazing in all your photos you've posted!

 

[msmama]

Look who made the FB cover photo for her 501st detachment I am also on member rotation (every time you go to the site a random member picture pops up) for the official 501st page as well... I can't tell you how giddy this makes me.

Awesome!!

 

[wdhinn89]

I really hope we can get at least 1 FP for our late arrival on the 16th. It seems like we will be out of luck for the 2 shows I really would have liked to see, Behind the Force and Stars for the Saga since based on last years schedule they were early shows only and we will not arrive until about 4pm. I think just the whole atmosphere will be really cool though even if we do not get to see any shows.

 

[yulilin3]

I really hope we can get at least 1 FP for our late arrival on the 16th. It seems like we will be out of luck for the 2 shows I really would have liked to see, Behind the Force and Stars for the Saga since based on last years schedule they were early shows only and we will not arrive until about 4pm. I think just the whole atmosphere will be really cool though even if we do not get to see any shows.

There's nothing like walking from the parking lot at DHS and hearing the SW music, I've been going to this event for the past 13 years and I still get goosebumps everytime. If you're a fan you'll love the atmosphere

 

[jennab113]

Yes, you have about 20 to 30 minutes between when they put the wristbands and when they give out the fp.
If you are alone let the person behind you know that you are taking your chair back to the car an it shouldn't be a problem (after all you just spent the night together )
The wristbands have only the date on them, no order number

Awesome, thanks. I just don't want to get kicked to the end of the line, but hopefully I'll be near nice people that will save my place in line. I'm still working on convincing a friend to come with me at least one of the weekends, but I don't really know anyone that likes Star Wars as much as I do. But I'm working the "free place to stay and you don't have to do SW stuff the whole time" angle.

 

[yulilin3]

Awesome, thanks. I just don't want to get kicked to the end of the line, but hopefully I'll be near nice people that will save my place in line. I'm still working on convincing a friend to come with me at least one of the weekends, but I don't really know anyone that likes Star Wars as much as I do. But I'm working the "free place to stay and you don't have to do SW stuff the whole time" angle.

that always helps...tell them that you'll buy them a Darth Vader cupcake, they are legendary
Cast Members also come out about 15 minutes before starting to give out the wristbands and they usually inform you that you have 15 minutes to go take your stuff to the car.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

not really related at all to SWW but Disney has officially taken down the Hat off of their site and have replaced it with ToT I would've thought GMR theater or Earful Tower would've been put in the icon spot but I guess ToT is more recognizable
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/hollywood-studios/2015-05-15/#timeofday=allday

Oh WOAH! That was kinda surprising.