Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

Thank you so much for checking on that for me! DD will be very excited!

My fingers are still crossed they'll have a SWW before Memorial Day. I dislike going in kind of blind (first weekend you have info from previous years but not a lot of 'that year' intell ) but I'll do just about anything for a 'lower' crowd level

Maybe they'll do a "Rebels" theme this year and 'save' 2016 for the year of VII...

Rebels theme was this year, they could do it again but I'm thinking they'll want to move forward and make it about Episode VII

Because ToT takes place strictly in and around DHS after the park closes. The meet and greets take place until 3:00 a.m.

Wine and Dine will get re-routed and won't include DHS areas.

Yeah, the ToT 10 miler starts and ends at DHS, it does go out and makes it's way to AK parking lot and ESPN Wide world of sports but it comes back and the course ran thru LMA and backlot tour. I'm also thinking they will reroute the Wine and Dine
The hat removal shouldn't last that long, other than that I expect construction wall all around the backlot tour, Studio Catering QS and HISTK playground. But who knows

 

[rstamm]

It seems most sites think it will be 5 weekends again starting May 15.
I am planning on taking my son June 6-14 and am hoping for both weekends.

It seems so popular that they would want to do it 5 weekends, do most people think it will be 5 weekends?

 

[The Sunrise Student]

It seems most sites think it will be 5 weekends again starting May 15.
I am planning on taking my son June 6-14 and am hoping for both weekends.

It seems so popular that they would want to do it 5 weekends, do most people think it will be 5 weekends?

I already placed my bets with my resort reservations that weekend one is May 15 - 17... HOWEVER last year week 5 was an adhoc, and wasn't even announced until spring time if I remember correctly (Yulilin?) Normally it has been last two weekends in May, first two weekends in June... 5 weeks is a rare animal... you never know, but I wouldn't bet on it.

(edited addition)

Yulilin posted something on page one that had all the dates, so I am stealing this info from there.

Year and how many SW weekends there were:

2000 - 4 weeks
2001 - 4 weeks
2002 - none
2003 - 5 weeks
2004 - 5 weeks
2005 - 6 weeks (I bet this was a BLAST!)
2006 - 4 weeks
2007 - 4 weeks
2008 - 4 weeks
2009 - 4 weeks
2010 - 4 weeks
2011 - 4 weeks
2012 - 4 weeks
2013 - 4 weeks
2014 - 5 weeks

So there was a higher percentage of more than 4 weeks than I thought....

I guess it would have to do with who they could get to show up...scheduling wise... I know week 5 this year was all voice actors... it was James Arnold Taylor's idea... he was telling me about it last year when we chatted.

 

[rstamm]

I already placed my bets with my resort reservations that weekend one is May 15 - 17... HOWEVER last year week 5 was an adhoc, and wasn't even announced until spring time if I remember correctly (Yulilin?) Normally it has been last two weekends in May, first two weekends in June... 5 weeks is a rare animal... you never know, but I wouldn't bet on it.

If it is 4 weekends wouldn't it start May 22 for the last 2 weekends in May and finish June 14 for the first 2 in June?

 

[The Sunrise Student]

If it is 4 weekends wouldn't it start May 22 for the last 2 weekends in May and finish June 14 for the first 2 in June?

You might think so, and there is still a possibility that it does start on May 22 instead, but walk with us on this one.... (we all have been rolling this one over for a while now)

May 22 is Memorial Weekend...which is one of WDW busiest weekends, let alone during SWW... so for opening SW weekend to be Memorial Weekend, it is do able BUT... what a nightmare... at least I and others are guessing it would be.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

To add to the rumor mill...Josh from easywdw.com (generally a reliable source) posted yesterday that SWW would start May 15th. Take it FWIW.

Steve Soares is also reporting that date on his site: wdwent.com

Still nothing officially released from Disney although that is where Steve Soares receives his info.

I have tired to find this glorious information you speak of and I must be blind, I can't find it....

I'd love to see others verify what we are all guessing.

 

[lovethattink]

It's a pain not knowing dates far enough in advance. DH put in his vacation requests for 2015 already. Hopefully, it will be one of the weeks he put in for in June.

 

[Itinkso]

I have tired to find this glorious information you speak of and I must be blind, I can't find it.... I'd love to see others verify what we are all guessing.

http://wdwent.com/
Go to the STUDIOS tab and the info is listed within the first grouping of information regarding upcoming events. Steve Soares is a travel guru with published travel guides and tv shows. He confirms his info and has a very detailed site.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I am sorry it took so long, tired to take with my phone pictures didn't turn out good, had to wait for good camera.

Here's one in Red

However you can change their color by pressing the button, just like the other glowing cubes you can get normally from WDW.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

http://wdwent.com/
Go to the STUDIOS tab and the info is listed within the first grouping of information regarding upcoming events. Steve Soares is a travel guru with published travel guides and tv shows. He confirms his info and has a very detailed site.

Found it...

BUT he also lists a schedule of the events during the day, and I can't imagine they know that schedule yet?! or could they?!

Wishful thinking... still gonna nail bite until we hear it from Disney...

But then again heresy on this board is what got us reservations on those new dining packages or the desert/parade seats and goodies...

*Sunshine looks back and forth... then tries to take a deep breathe before going into a planning coma*

This is NUT! I know I am complaining but I can't even imagine being a DVC person and trying to roll the dice for this stuff, cause I know those folks book out 7 to 11 months in advance!

 

[jillmc40]

Found it...

BUT he also lists a schedule of the events during the day, and I can't imagine they know that schedule yet?! or could they?!

Wishful thinking... still gonna nail bite until we hear it from Disney...

But then again heresy on this board is what got us reservations on those new dining packages or the desert/parade seats and goodies...

*Sunshine looks back and forth... then tries to take a deep breathe before going into a planning coma*

This is NUT! I know I am complaining but I can't even imagine being a DVC person and trying to roll the dice for this stuff, cause I know those folks book out 7 to 11 months in advance!

Yes, my dice have been rolling for a while now . I am almost at my 7 month window. I am happy to hear that rumors are at least in our favor!!

I wonder if the 4 or 5 weeks has any connection to how early or late Memorial Day is...

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I have tired to find this glorious information you speak of and I must be blind, I can't find it....

I'd love to see others verify what we are all guessing.

Josh first mentioned it when he posted yesterday that May hours have been released:
http://www.easywdw.com/news/may-2015-disney-world-operating-schedule-available/

and again tonight in his May crowd calendar post:
http://www.easywdw.com/site-news/may-2015-disney-world-preliminary-crowd-calendar/

It looks like his main tipoff is the movement of morning EMH at DHS from Saturday to Wednesday starting the weekend of the 15th:

Star Wars Weekends look to return May 15th based on the schedule of the last few years and the switch in the Extra Magic Hours schedule. Saturday’s usual morning Extra Magic Hour on Saturdays moves to Wednesday as to not attract resort guests over what are already very busy days with the Star Wars festivities.

 

[Reizo]

Josh first mentioned it when he posted yesterday that May hours have been released:
http://www.easywdw.com/news/may-2015-disney-world-operating-schedule-available/

and again tonight in his May crowd calendar post:
http://www.easywdw.com/site-news/may-2015-disney-world-preliminary-crowd-calendar/

It looks like his main tipoff is the movement of morning EMH at DHS from Saturday to Wednesday starting the weekend of the 15th:

Star Wars Weekends look to return May 15th based on the schedule of the last few years and the switch in the Extra Magic Hours schedule. Saturday’s usual morning Extra Magic Hour on Saturdays moves to Wednesday as to not attract resort guests over what are already very busy days with the Star Wars festivities.

Well that's certainly good news. Here's hoping it remains this way

 

[inkedupmomma]

Hi guys, new to the whole SWW event, but not to Disney. Subbing in hopes of learning the ropes, tricks and tips before we go. We will have 3 kiddies ages 14/9/1, and I really have no clue how to plan around the SWW's. After the last baby, my head forgot how to plan trips... Any must do's, please let me know. DH and DS 9 are SW nuts! If the breakfast and dinner are offered again, we plan on doing that as well

If any of you have gone with a baby, I'd love some tips on that too!~

 

[yulilin3]

Josh first mentioned it when he posted yesterday that May hours have been released:
http://www.easywdw.com/news/may-2015-disney-world-operating-schedule-available/

and again tonight in his May crowd calendar post:
http://www.easywdw.com/site-news/may-2015-disney-world-preliminary-crowd-calendar/

It looks like his main tipoff is the movement of morning EMH at DHS from Saturday to Wednesday starting the weekend of the 15th:

Movement of EMH from Saturday IS the best tipoff. So it's looking like it will start May 15th

 

[yulilin3]

Hi guys, new to the whole SWW event, but not to Disney. Subbing in hopes of learning the ropes, tricks and tips before we go. We will have 3 kiddies ages 14/9/1, and I really have no clue how to plan around the SWW's. After the last baby, my head forgot how to plan trips... Any must do's, please let me know. DH and DS 9 are SW nuts! If the breakfast and dinner are offered again, we plan on doing that as well

If any of you have gone with a baby, I'd love some tips on that too!~

First thing you can do is keep an eye on the first post of this thread. I keep it up to date with any information and that way you don't have to read thru pages and pages.
Must do: JTA is very, very popular, often booking up in the first hour of park opening. You can always do JTA during non SWW days and it'll be less crowded.
If they are getting into SW Rebels then maybe the Behind the Force show will be fun. Voice actors from the cartoon come and talk about the process of voice over and how they got involved with SW.
The parade is awesome but hard to plan for, With a short route sometimes you have to wait 2 hours for a decent, shady spot.
Character meets are fun. Prioritize your favorite characters and plan to do the most popular ones first. As almost all of them are in the sun and outdoors.
The character meals are a great way to save time to meet them and I'm sure the meals will come back next year.
As for the baby, that's a tough one, try and plan a lot of time indoors, maybe inside One Man's Dream, The animation bldg, anywhere with some A/C. Remember that the park also has a baby care center with comfy chairs and they also play cartoons on tv for the bigger kids.
Any specific questions let us know

 

[ValarDisneyus]

Heavens help me, I'm joining up. I've got a lot of reading to do already! I'm Amanda (Hi!) and me and my family *think* we'll be there opening weekend, if nothing big changes. My daughter is scared of Vader, so we're a little limited on doable attractions, but she does want to dress up as Hera Syndulla, so our trip may involve cosplay.

So...anybody know if the first weekend is lighter, heavier, or the same as the rest? I assume it's lighter than Memorial Day weekend, but much like Jon Snow, I know nothing.

 

[yulilin3]

Heavens help me, I'm joining up. I've got a lot of reading to do already! I'm Amanda (Hi!) and me and my family *think* we'll be there opening weekend, if nothing big changes. My daughter is scared of Vader, so we're a little limited on doable attractions, but she does want to dress up as Hera Syndulla, so our trip may involve cosplay.

So...anybody know if the first weekend is lighter, heavier, or the same as the rest? I assume it's lighter than Memorial Day weekend, but much like Jon Snow, I know nothing.

Welcome!!
Opening weekend is busier only for merchandise. People line up the night before to buy the limited edition items, so if you can avoid the merchandise location in the morning you'll be fine.
There are ways to avoid Vader,he's at the end of the parade, obviously during JTA, his meet and greet and the Sci Fi character breakfast
I'm sure characters from Rebels will be very popular cosplay next year. Our very own Sunrise Student has a page of her journey transforming herself into Mara Jade:
https://www.facebook.com/EnyoCosplay?fref=photo

Again, any question big or small don't hesitate to ask

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Yes, my dice have been rolling for a while now . I am almost at my 7 month window. I am happy to hear that rumors are at least in our favor!!

I wonder if the 4 or 5 weeks has any connection to how early or late Memorial Day is...

And you there is a distinct possibility with the weird way Memorial Day falls this year that we will get 5 glorious weekends of Star Wars. I hope to be enjoying at least two of them with the dates I have choosen. We are scheduled to check in to AKL May 14 and check out May 25th (memorial day).

Josh first mentioned it when he posted yesterday that May hours have been released:
http://www.easywdw.com/news/may-2015-disney-world-operating-schedule-available/

and again tonight in his May crowd calendar post:
http://www.easywdw.com/site-news/may-2015-disney-world-preliminary-crowd-calendar/

It looks like his main tipoff is the movement of morning EMH at DHS from Saturday to Wednesday starting the weekend of the 15th:

The shift in EMH at DHS does prove to be insightful... but me... despite my nickname "Sunshine" is a pessimist

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Hi guys, new to the whole SWW event, but not to Disney. Subbing in hopes of learning the ropes, tricks and tips before we go. We will have 3 kiddies ages 14/9/1, and I really have no clue how to plan around the SWW's. After the last baby, my head forgot how to plan trips... Any must do's, please let me know. DH and DS 9 are SW nuts! If the breakfast and dinner are offered again, we plan on doing that as well

If any of you have gone with a baby, I'd love some tips on that too!~

You have come to the right place, when I first started SWW habit I too knew tons about WDW but SWW is a whole different animal and Yulilin and the rest of the folks on this board have all the good info...