Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

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!

I agree with the review that the parade viewing is not the best but it beats being in the sun or having to wait 2 hours for a shady spot. As to the fireworks the spot will be better since the Hat won't be in the way, the dessert party I think is what made this package worth it, the party atmosphere with the Dj, not being cramped in an area, shoulder to shoulder, but able to enjoy desserts and unlimited drinks and chat with fellow SW fans.
If it were to come out today I would probably book it...

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

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

WOW! So only $6,000 for our group to do this!! OMG...

And I say this as someone who jumped on the Sinister Soiree and some other things. Yikes!

Let me guess - it sold out? LOL!! Like my tag line says "if you ticket it, they will come..."

 

[yulilin3]

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

We are starting to work on Steph's cosplay this weekend, I'll probably reveal which character it is after we do some tests

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

WOW! So only $6,000 for our group to do this!! OMG... And I say this as someone who jumped on the Sinister Soiree and some other things. Yikes! Let me guess - it sold out? LOL!! Like my tag line says "if you ticket it, they will come..."

Hmmm... Maybe I'll tell part of our group that they're on their own... Then only $3,000 for immediate family...!

I'm trying to hear "You don't need the VIP package. This is not the package you're looking for..."

Not sure that's working... Lol!

 

[yulilin3]

Hmmm... Maybe I'll tell part of our group that they're on their own... Then only $3,000 for immediate family...!

I'm trying to hear "You don't need the VIP package. This is not the package you're looking for..."

Not sure that's working... Lol!

Hey if you have the money I always say go for it. There's no shame in it. But no, you really don't need it.
It does make for a more relaxed touring but all of this can be done with a good plan

 

[Itinkso]

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
I think I will join you all down at Gertie!

Candleshoe, if you think you may want to do FTF, book it as soon as it becomes available. You can always cancel but you can't always pick it up later.

Last year, I waited a day or two to book FtF because I didn't want to take spots always from someone who really needed to book. I booked for 4 because I wasn't sure if the CMs would be able to join us. When one confirmed, then I added 1 more. With less than two weeks to go, the 2nd CM confirmed and then we were 1 short. If I knew the Dessert Party would be held outside, it wouldn't have been a problem, but because it wasn't guaranteed to be outside, I had to cancel the 5 we had. In retrospect, I should have booked 6 and then canceled, if necessary. And, the Dessert Party was held in Disney Jr. that evening.

 

[lovethattink]

We are starting to work on Steph's cosplay this weekend, I'll probably reveal which character it is after we do some tests

Looking forward to the big reveal. Are you "summerizing" her cosplay so she doesn't melt?

So far we have Vader cosplay done, stormtrooper half done, and Han Solo needs touch up from last year (the duck tape-red and yellow) needs fixed on both pairs of shorts. We are looking into Boba Fett and Chewbacca, and possibly Jengo for him.

 

[yulilin3]

Looking forward to the big reveal. Are you "summerizing" her cosplay so she doesn't melt?

So far we have Vader cosplay done, stormtrooper half done, and Han Solo needs touch up from last year (the duck tape-red and yellow) needs fixed on both pairs of shorts. We are looking into Boba Fett and Chewbacca, and possibly Jengo for him.

we are not summerizing...and she knows it, she's the one that decided to go all out. I feel that at some point of the day some items might come off, or we will go from indoor place to indoor place

 

[Candleshoe]

Candleshoe, if you think you may want to do FTF, book it as soon as it becomes available. You can always cancel but you can't always pick it up later.

Last year, I waited a day or two to book FtF because I didn't want to take spots always from someone who really needed to book. I booked for 4 because I wasn't sure if the CMs would be able to join us. When one confirmed, then I added 1 more. With less than two weeks to go, the 2nd CM confirmed and then we were 1 short. If I knew the Dessert Party would be held outside, it wouldn't have been a problem, but because it wasn't guaranteed to be outside, I had to cancel the 5 we had. In retrospect, I should have booked 6 and then canceled, if necessary. And, the Dessert Party was held in Disney Jr. that evening.

Ok, this is a good idea! Thing is I already have the H+V booked. We'll probably only do one day of SWW; that first Sunday of our trip. *maybe* the last saturday. usually on a 10 day trip i plan the first 8 days and leave the last two for group voting what they want to do the last two.

 

[Candleshoe]

we are not summerizing...and she knows it, she's the one that decided to go all out. I feel that at some point of the day some items might come off, or we will go from indoor place to indoor place

So I've been inactive a number of years, but, when I would do camping events (SCA) in the summer i would freeze water in film canisters and then keep one in my bra. Having the cold in my cleavage would seriously help in 104* summers under layers of cotton and linen.

 

[yulilin3]

So I've been inactive a number of years, but, when I would do camping events (SCA) in the summer i would freeze water in film canisters and then keep one in my bra. Having the cold in my cleavage would seriously help in 104* summers under layers of cotton and linen.

she wouldn't be able to put anything inside the costume because it's pretty fitted, but we always bring frozen bottles of water, an umbrella and we stay inside as much as possible in between the end of the parade and SoTS.

 

[Itinkso]

Ok, this is a good idea! Thing is I already have the H+V booked. We'll probably only do one day of SWW; that first Sunday of our trip. *maybe* the last saturday. usually on a 10 day trip i plan the first 8 days and leave the last two for group voting what they want to do the last two.

Book for the *maybe* Saturday as you'll have plenty of time to cancel. I'm pretty sure your group will want to go back a 2nd day and the package will give you fun and different experiences than your 1st day.

 

[lovethattink]

WOW! So only $6,000 for our group to do this!! OMG...

And I say this as someone who jumped on the Sinister Soiree and some other things. Yikes!

Let me guess - it sold out? LOL!! Like my tag line says "if you ticket it, they will come..."

Carolyn, If you are asking if it's worth the money, the answer is no. But is it worth the convenience, possibly...

If you are short on time and don't mind spending an arm and a leg this could be for you. It gets you attractions, shopping without the hassle, 3rd through 5th row at Stars of the Saga, parade viewing was with the dessert package people if I remember correctly, and the dessert party/fireworks.

In the beginning they were letting the VIP into the parade viewing with the dessert people. But then for our next package, they had the VIP in one line and the dessert package people in a different one. And the VIP was let in first. Which makes sense because they paid way more for their package.

Since we are going all 15 days, ds can't eat sugar or sugar substitutes at the moment and not sure how things will be by May/June, we aren't even going to consider doing either FTF or a VIP package. Also skipping Rebel Rendezvous if they have that again too. Not because of food, but because that was a try it once and done thing.

 

[yulilin3]

Book for the *maybe* Saturday as you'll have plenty of time to cancel. I'm pretty sure your group will want to go back a 2nd day and the package will give you fun and different experiences than your 1st day.

also a good thing to keep in mind is that for the FtF package last year they charged your card at the moment of booking, you could cancel up to 2 days before and then it would be refunded but just remember that the entire amount will be charged at time of booking

 

[lovethattink]

we are not summerizing...and she knows it, she's the one that decided to go all out. I feel that at some point of the day some items might come off, or we will go from indoor place to indoor place

she wouldn't be able to put anything inside the costume because it's pretty fitted, but we always bring frozen bottles of water, an umbrella and we stay inside as much as possible in between the end of the parade and SoTS.

Maybe she'll need to borrow JJ's cooling vest, lol.

There are those hand held air conditioners we have too. Though I need to get a new one. The one is on the brink of falling apart.

 

[yulilin3]

Maybe she'll need to borrow JJ's cooling vest, lol.

There are those hand held air conditioners we have too. Though I need to get a new one. The one is on the brink of falling apart.

the costume itself is not really hot but it does require high black leather boots and black gloves

 

[Itinkso]

also a good thing to keep in mind is that for the FtF package last year they charged your card at the moment of booking, you could cancel up to 2 days before and then it would be refunded but just remember that the entire amount will be charged at time of booking

Good thing to mention because I believe Candleshoe has 8 in her group.

It does make a nice surprise when canceling. My refund came through before our SWW day so it covered our HBD dessert party and a shopping trip to Nordstrom Rack! Of course, both DDs were looking at me in Nordstrom's because they couldn't believe how much the Dessert Party would have cost!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

yeah I'm waiting for Feel the Force. I did one last year just to get some pics of Mark Hamill in the parade, worked nicely. Dessert party with unlimited booze didn't hurt either.

I need to decide Friday or Sunday.

 

[Candleshoe]

Good thing to mention because I believe Candleshoe has 8 in her group.

It does make a nice surprise when canceling. My refund came through before our SWW day so it covered our HBD dessert party and a shopping trip to Nordstrom Rack! Of course, both DDs were looking at me in Nordstrom's because they couldn't believe how much the Dessert Party would have cost!

I do have 8. Gulp.
The bad part of pre-paid is it hurts upfront. The great part is you're done when you get to Orlando.

I've paid for HDDR and Tomorrowland Terrace Wishes party.

I need to buy our tickets before anything else, so, I'll be hoping FtF doesn't actually come out until March. I'll be using February's slush fund for the ticket media. (7 Tickets, I bought 1 already).

 

[Koh1977]

How much was the FtF package last year?

I am on the fence...we did the Frozen package last year which was nice for the parade viewing and the fireworks pre-show on stage and the desserts (although it was sprinkling and it was outside), but my parents will be there for the fireworks too (most likely not the parade that day)...