Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[Buddyex]

bit of a question regarding Character interactions when it comes to the Star Wars characters during SWW, I'm assuming they strictly never break character but how accommodating are they if you want to get a fun photo taken with them, for example getting Vader to pretend to Force-choke you? (I'm guessing that's probably a little dark for Disney) although I'd settle for a hi-5 from the man in black.Anybody had some previous experience with the interactions?

 

[lovethattink]

bit of a question regarding Character interactions when it comes to the Star Wars characters during SWW, I'm assuming they strictly never break character but how accommodating are they if you want to get a fun photo taken with them, for example getting Vader to pretend to Force-choke you? (I'm guessing that's probably a little dark for Disney) although I'd settle for a hi-5 from the man in black.Anybody had some previous experience with the interactions?

I'd bet a friendly force choke would be easier to get than a high 5. That's a good question for itinkso to find out!

 

[yulilin3]

bit of a question regarding Character interactions when it comes to the Star Wars characters during SWW, I'm assuming they strictly never break character but how accommodating are they if you want to get a fun photo taken with them, for example getting Vader to pretend to Force-choke you? (I'm guessing that's probably a little dark for Disney) although I'd settle for a hi-5 from the man in black.Anybody had some previous experience with the interactions?

He's more likely to force choke you than to give you a hi-5. That will never happen
They do not break character, he will force-choke if you ask. Bobba and Jango will be able to get you kneeling down and taking you prisoner.
Here's my daughter

you can also google for pictures from SWW and see all the poses that they do

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

bit of a question regarding Character interactions when it comes to the Star Wars characters during SWW, I'm assuming they strictly never break character but how accommodating are they if you want to get a fun photo taken with them, for example getting Vader to pretend to Force-choke you? (I'm guessing that's probably a little dark for Disney) although I'd settle for a hi-5 from the man in black.Anybody had some previous experience with the interactions?

I feel certain that I've seen "force choke" pics from SWW... am I right, experts??

When we met Vader a few years back, there was a woman who wanted Vader to pose with her cute, fluffy, pink stuffed animal. He crossed his arms, and shook his head "no"! It was too funny!! Made me think that they'll do "fun shots" if consistent with the character... wonder if that's right?

 

[lovethattink]

Here's a video from 2012 that JAT put on youtube of his makeshift studio at the resort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Vt17wecWY

 

[yulilin3]

bit of a question regarding Character interactions when it comes to the Star Wars characters during SWW, I'm assuming they strictly never break character but how accommodating are they if you want to get a fun photo taken with them, for example getting Vader to pretend to Force-choke you? (I'm guessing that's probably a little dark for Disney) although I'd settle for a hi-5 from the man in black.Anybody had some previous experience with the interactions?

here's a trip report with pictures of Vader
http://familytimegetaways.com/star-wars-weekend-review/
this one has a good Boba Fett one
http://www.jedimouseketeer.com/2013/05/star-wars-weekends-2013-top-5-tips-to.html

 

[avarson]

bit of a question regarding Character interactions when it comes to the Star Wars characters during SWW, I'm assuming they strictly never break character but how accommodating are they if you want to get a fun photo taken with them, for example getting Vader to pretend to Force-choke you? (I'm guessing that's probably a little dark for Disney) although I'd settle for a hi-5 from the man in black.Anybody had some previous experience with the interactions?

Vader gladly force choked me on my last trip to SWW. It was one of the highlights of the trip!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

bit of a question regarding Character interactions when it comes to the Star Wars characters during SWW, I'm assuming they strictly never break character but how accommodating are they if you want to get a fun photo taken with them, for example getting Vader to pretend to Force-choke you? (I'm guessing that's probably a little dark for Disney) although I'd settle for a hi-5 from the man in black.Anybody had some previous experience with the interactions?

As far as I can tell, Vader is not permitted to touch anyone. I have never seen him actually touch anybody. But you could likely get a force choke. High-five is probably too out of character for the Dark Lord. I remember a post where a mother was extremely upset that Vader refused to high-five her small child.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Since JAT will be at the SW Convention in California in April, the fear is that he doesn't want to then do 5 weeks in May/June as well. Though I seem to recall last year reading, I think on his blog, that he brought all his sound system studio stuff with him and was doing his voice work during the week and SWW on the weekends. I hope he's there and they are just teasing us!

Now, if Ashley weren't coming, not bother me at all. Maybe the delay is in getting someone new in place and contracts signed. Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do have my fingers crossed.

JAT was really excited to tell me about the set up of SWC Anaheim, we talked about it last year at SWW 2014. Evidently they came out to finalize details with him weekend 5 of SWW 2014.

He does bring his recording gear with him when he is on the road, he tells people about it in his FB/YouTube Videos, even gave us a tour of his setup last year via a YouTube Vid

I am not sure if Ashley will come or not, last year she had a big push with her new merchandise R2D2 line however this year her merchandising has focused in other areas.

patience young padawan
We are right on schedule, here's last years announcements dates:
Dates for SWW 2014 were announced Dec. 20th 2013
Dates of the addition of weekend V, fireworks show and Host (JAT) were announced 2/21/2014
Rebel Rendezvous merchandise event announced 2/28/2014
Mark Hamill's appearance announced 3/20/2014
Full celebrity line-up announced 4/23/2014
Feel the Force package announced 4/24/2014

WOW was the host really not announced until the end of February? I thought it was January for some reason.

Ok, I'll learn patience and continue planning my SWC Anaheim trip (PS that one is fustrating too because they haven't announced the full schedule for it either )

I also figure I better bring my laptop with me to SWC Anaheim to keep up on the boards while I am out there... heck I'll even do some shout outs to you all on my COSPLAY FB page so I don't go off topic here.

PS paid off my SWW/AKL Package ressies today WOOT WOOT! No turning back now I'm going to Disney World!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

As far as I can tell, Vader is not permitted to touch anyone. I have never seen him actually touch anybody. But you could likely get a force choke. High-five is probably too out of character for the Dark Lord. I remember a post where a mother was extremely upset that Vader refused to high-five her small child.

It's not that the character are not permitted to touch people, it is that Vader wouldn't. I love the story about the fluffy animal no from Vader... I also know when we took a picture with him in 2013 I was wearing my Mara Jade shirt, and he knew who she was, and forcefully pointed that I get the heck out of there once the picture was over, it was hysterical!

Now Stormtrooper Donald will blow kisses at women and offer the crook of his arm for them to take At the H&V SW Character Dinner they all hugged me, and Donald again was very interactive, probably because I was wearing my Stormtrooper shirt at the time and he gushed over it.

So it all really depends on who you see what type of reaction you will get.

 

[nancipants]

I also know when we took a picture with him in 2013 I was wearing my Mara Jade shirt, and he knew who she was, and forcefully pointed that I get the heck out of there once the picture was over, it was hysterical!

HA! The Vader/Mara relationship is one of my favorite things from the Legends universe. They hate each other sooooo much...and then she marries his son.

I would be really bummed if Ashley doesn't come to SWW! I'm pretty sure she will. She's going to have a ton of new merchandise for Celebration, probably, and she'll want to sell that at SWW. People expect her and Her Universe to be there now!

 

[Itinkso]

I'd bet a friendly force choke would be easier to get than a high 5. That's a good question for itinkso to find out!

I'll definitely add that question to my list!

On the JTA stage, the Younglings are not allowed to touch Vader. If a child breaks away to attempt to hold Vader's hand or give him a hug, the Padawan and Jedi Master make a mad dash to keep it from happening. It's all about "show integrity."

JTA, as well as SWW, are Lucasfilms productions and follow those original guidelines.

The Disney Characters in SW attire stay true to themselves no matter what they are wearing. Mickey will always be Mickey whether he is in Safari gear, tux and tails, a Hawaiian shirt, or in Jedi attire. They will always be huggable.

 

[yulilin3]

Just got off the phone with VIP services. Casually asked if they would offer the VIP SWW package again this year (I know some of you did this, maybe it was $200 p/p?) including rides on ST, ToT or RnRC, parade viewing, fireworks viewing/dessert party and special seating for SotS.
Anyways, the lady said that she knows it will be offered again this year because "they had just gotten info on it this morning" but she doesn't know how much or when you can book. I also pressed on the Feel the Force package, she said that she didn't know if it would be offered again this year but she's thinking they will. As to when the info will be released she said it should be "soon maybe first week of February"

 

[OZMom]

This will be our first SWW. We will be there the 14-16th of May. We are going just hubby and I, we will have to take the younglings on the next trip. Any tips for first timers? Also can someone clue me in as to what the feel the force package and the VIP packages are? I'm really enjoying all the great info in this thread Thanks!!

 

[mmafan]

Just got off the phone with VIP services. Casually asked if they would offer the VIP SWW package again this year (I know some of you did this, maybe it was $200 p/p?) including rides on ST, ToT or RnRC, parade viewing, fireworks viewing/dessert party and special seating for SotS.
Anyways, the lady said that she knows it will be offered again this year because "they had just gotten info on it this morning" but she doesn't know how much or when you can book. I also pressed on the Feel the Force package, she said that she didn't know if it would be offered again this year but she's thinking they will. As to when the info will be released she said it should be "soon maybe first week of February"

im going to try to make this a definite this year........

 

[Candleshoe]

Just got off the phone with VIP services. Casually asked if they would offer the VIP SWW package again this year (I know some of you did this, maybe it was $200 p/p?) including rides on ST, ToT or RnRC, parade viewing, fireworks viewing/dessert party and special seating for SotS.
Anyways, the lady said that she knows it will be offered again this year because "they had just gotten info on it this morning" but she doesn't know how much or when you can book. I also pressed on the Feel the Force package, she said that she didn't know if it would be offered again this year but she's thinking they will. As to when the info will be released she said it should be "soon maybe first week of February"

Thanks, Yulilin!
Touring plans says $499 last year! http://touringplans.com/hollywood-studios/star-wars-weekends

 

[yulilin3]

This will be our first SWW. We will be there the 14-16th of May. We are going just hubby and I, we will have to take the younglings on the next trip. Any tips for first timers? Also can someone clue me in as to what the feel the force package and the VIP packages are? I'm really enjoying all the great info in this thread Thanks!!

the first page has all the tips for SWW, if you any any additional question let us know.
As to Feel the Force and the VIP package
FtF: offered a reserved parade viewing, including soda, water and ice cream (from the ice cream cart) kids sit in the front while parents are standing or sitting behind them. It also offered a reserved viewing for the fireworks including a dessert party (picture link in first post)
VIP SWW package: offered same 2 things mentioned above, plus rides on ST, ToT or RnRC, a chance to shop at Darth's Mall one hour before the park opened and reserved seating for Stars of the Saga

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks, Yulilin!
Touring plans says $499 last year! http://touringplans.com/hollywood-studios/star-wars-weekends

 

[Candleshoe]

I know I know, right?! Yikes.

I found a really great review on FtF. I know I'd decided not to, but then I was thinking maybe I should. But I'm back to "not" again
http://www.mousesteps.com/dining-mainmenu-84/dining-reviews-mainmenu-89/park-dining-mainmenu-90/1310-review-feel-the-force-motorcade-dessert-party-event-at-star-wars-weekends-2014

I think I will join you all down at Gertie!

 

[lovethattink]

So excited! Package just arrived. It's one of ds' Disney bounding pieces for his Rebel X-wing fighter.