Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[The Sunrise Student]

We are going the 28-2 so excited!!!

I finally am figuring out this blessed new board, and I am a IT Network/Systems Engineer for pity sake

So I am sorry I asked this a few times and missed this response!

We will be there May 14 through May 25th... So we are going to miss you by only a few days

However I will be sure to keep an eye on the boards when I can while I am there as well as after. So don't be afraid to reach out to the gang here if you need help while there.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Sunrise Student, Finally saw the pics, they are awesome! LOVE your photo!!

Thank you... glad you figured out what the cause was...

 

[The Sunrise Student]

@The Sunrise Student - we can tag each other now of course, whether that person gets alerted depends on their preferences.
Oh yea, and we can paste pictures directly into the post-reply box:

View attachment 531

WOW, they really did a major upgrade... I think this is has more features on it than all the other bulletin board systems I am on, and trust me with the 501st I am on alot of them!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

OK, took a bit to get here, due to things not being solid yet. However, here I am. Back for my 5th consecutive SWW trip. I am a 501st Legion member, and will be marching in the parade(s) when I go. I hope to see everyone there.

Ash

Ok Ask, My BF and I will be there for the first two weekends, when will you be there? Hoping we get to march with you

 

[Candleshoe]

WOW, they really did a major upgrade... I think this is has more features on it than all the other bulletin board systems I am on, and trust me with the 501st I am on alot of them!

Blast from the past term. Tell me, do these things mean anything to you: Tradewars? Global war? Legend of the RED DRAGON?! Fidonet?

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Okay guys, we are ready to reveal my daughter's costume for this year. We made this during the weekend using craft foam (super easy to mold and it keeps the shape) I cut all the pieces and she did the rest. I was very impressed at her abilities. She used spray paint and acrylics for the smaller details, she also made Sabine's sprayer gun out of molding clay. Next week we will work on the shirt and attaching the armor to it.
View attachment 156 View attachment 157 View attachment 158 View attachment 159 View attachment 160 View attachment 161

Yulilin, you and your daughter did a top notch job on these. You even included the worn look that alot of Rebel Legion applicants get dinged on as a finding and have to go back and do it again before they are approved! Well done!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Blast from the past term. Tell me, do these things mean anything to you: Tradewars? Global war? Legend of the RED DRAGON?! Fidonet?

Shhhhhhh now if I answer these questions you can tell how old I am, and I already admitted Yoda and I could have grown up together...

But seriously, used the bulletin boards for research back then, but I do know those things you speak of

 

[Candleshoe]

Shhhhhhh now if I answer these questions you can tell how old I am, and I already admitted Yoda and I could have grown up together...

But seriously, used the bulletin boards for research back then, but I do know those things you speak of

DH and I met online. But it was pre-WWW. ;-)

 

[yulilin3]

Yulilin, you and your daughter did a top notch job on these. You even included the worn look that alot of Rebel Legion applicants get dinged on as a finding and have to go back and do it again before they are approved! Well done!

Thanks Sunshine!! During the entire weekend Stephanie kept asking if you had seen the pics on fb, she values your opinion the most.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Thanks Sunshine!! During the entire weekend Stephanie kept asking if you had seen the pics on fb, she values your opinion the most.

Please tell her I am very impressed with the work she has done! I keep meaning to show you a tusken rader costume my 501st sister wears, her mask is completely out of craft foam, and is one of the lightest approved mask for a tusken raider in the 501st, so never sell what you can do with craft foam short. I was telling her about your project and asking her if there were things I should tell you. The only thing she was worried about is if I told you to use a heat gun because you have to be very careful molding with that and craft foam. She has been known to use a really hot hair dryer.

YES seriously that female tusken raider mask is nothing but craft foam and paint.

 

[yulilin3]

that's awesome...nothing beats something that can be lightweight especially during SWW

 

[The Sunrise Student]

that's awesome...nothing beats something that can be lightweight especially during SWW

Or 501st trooping anything you can make lightweight and breathable is worth it if you are going wear it a long time. Most people make that mask out of resin and it is heavy and hot! Heck we are building fans into our Stormtrooper helmets so we can get some air and have the lenses not fog up.

Speaking of Stormtroopers we finally got notification the armor kits are being shipped, little to late for SWW this year... We are still planning on marching in officers however... keep your fingers crossed for me, I am merging alot of patterns together to get that to look right! About to make a uniform out of cheap material to make sure it comes together right before I sew on the expensive stuff. Sewing nightmare! I am sure you'll hear my cursing all the way in Florida. I will be posting pictures of things out on my FB site as I do them.

 

[jimim]

any new word on premium packages for the parade and fireworks yet? i really don't want to have to camp out for seats. i'm so over the 2 hr waits for parades and fireworks at disney. i really would rather just pay at this point.

thanks everyone!
jim

 

[lovethattink]

any new word on premium packages for the parade and fireworks yet? i really don't want to have to camp out for seats. i'm so over the 2 hr waits for parades and fireworks at disney. i really would rather just pay at this point.

thanks everyone!
jim

Not a word, yet.

 

[Candleshoe]

Do you veterans think that with the removal of the hat, that FtF fireworks will have a better view?
http://www.kennythepirate.com/categ...ekends-feel-the-force-premium-package-review/

 

[Candleshoe]

Do you veterans think that with the removal of the hat, that FtF fireworks will have a better view?
http://www.kennythepirate.com/categ...ekends-feel-the-force-premium-package-review/

 

[yulilin3]

Do you veterans think that with the removal of the hat, that FtF fireworks will have a better view?
http://www.kennythepirate.com/categ...ekends-feel-the-force-premium-package-review/

Kenny did the package the first day it came out, there was some confusion as to no one knew how it would work. He showed up at the time Disney said to go for the parade, as we learned later it was best to be at the check in podium by 10:30 to get a better spot for the parade. Also, I think it was weekend 3 that they started enforcing kids to sit down in the front while parents sat or stood behind them giving the little ones better views.
As for the fireworks without the hat it'l be a better spot but still for the best view you would need to go to at least the tipboard (hollywood blvd and Sunset blvd) or even, my favorite spot, Echo Lake.
The package will still give you a good view just not the best one. What you can do, if you have the package and want a great view of fireworks is enjoy the dessert party and maybe about 5 min. before the fireworks move to Echo Lake, this area never gets super crowded.
But if they are going to have a pre show on the stage like last year you will miss it.
Another option is enjoy the dessert party and move toward the Jumbotron on the old AIE theater, they show what's going on on-stage live and it's a better view of the fireworks (not as good as Echo lake or tipboard)
EDIT Just wanted to add the the FtF package is great because it gives you space to walk around (not shoulder to shoulder), enjoy desserts and drinks, mingle and listen to great music while waiting for fireworks, not necessary the best view of fireworks. I think that the decision to place it there was so that the package people would be able to see the stage show without a problem and see fireworks...anywhere else would've been a problem since you wouldn't be able to see the stage.

 

[lovingeire]

Kenny did the package the first day it came out, there was some confusion as to no one knew how it would work. He showed up at the time Disney said to go for the parade, as we learned later it was best to be at the check in podium by 10:30 to get a better spot for the parade. Also, I think it was weekend 3 that they started enforcing kids to sit down in the front while parents sat or stood behind them giving the little ones better views.
As for the fireworks without the hat it'l be a better spot but still for the best view you would need to go to at least the tipboard (hollywood blvd and Sunset blvd) or even, my favorite spot, Echo Lake.
The package will still give you a good view just not the best one. What you can do, if you have the package and want a great view of fireworks is enjoy the dessert party and maybe about 5 min. before the fireworks move to Echo Lake, this area never gets super crowded.
But if they are going to have a pre show on the stage like last year you will miss it.
Another option is enjoy the dessert party and move toward the Jumbotron on the old AIE theater, they show what's going on on-stage live and it's a better view of the fireworks (not as good as Echo lake or tipboard)
EDIT Just wanted to add the the FtF package is great because it gives you space to walk around (not shoulder to shoulder), enjoy desserts and drinks, mingle and listen to great music while waiting for fireworks, not necessary the best view of fireworks. I think that the decision to place it there was so that the package people would be able to see the stage show without a problem and see fireworks...anywhere else would've been a problem since you wouldn't be able to see the stage.

Thank you for this feedback. I read Kenny's reviews as well and they really put me on the fence, but I did read another review that was much more positive and echoed your sentiments a little more. I now have a friend from out of state whose trip will overlap with ours so I think we are both going to do FtF together with our families on the 5th which should be fun. When I asked my husband he said fi there were drinks he was down...so helpful! I just worry about the kids being able to see the parade and the characters, but I think if we show up early enough we will be ok.

 

[lovethattink]

Do you veterans think that with the removal of the hat, that FtF fireworks will have a better view?
http://www.kennythepirate.com/category/star-wars-weekends/star-wars-weekends-feel-the-force-premium-package-review/

I think the hat removal will help a little. The Chinese theater will still be partially blocking part of the sky.

We have sat at Yulinin's favorite spot around Echo Lake. As soon as the umbrella on the table was lowered, people filled in around us very closely. Same with the tables down by Doc and Min's Dockside Diner. By the end of fireworks you are crowded in. The FTF area is large. You don't have that crowded feeling.

I wonder if they will add tables at night for fireworks like they did for the Holiday Frozen package? That was so nice to sit and eat dessert.

After FTF and FSF, I'm sure Disney has the parade viewing down to a science now. The kid's area was switched for FSF from where it was during FTF. So I'm not sure where it will end up this year. The children were required to sit. Handicap viewing was also switched during FSF from where it was during FTF. Instead of being next to the video cameras, it was located on the complete other end of the package viewing area. The kid's section was located to the right of that. Both of those area were mostly sunny. We ended up grabbing our snacks and taking them to the Backlot Express and eating them inside in the air conditioning.

During FSF the full parade went past the Backlot Express. It will be interesting the first day of SWW to see if this happens or if it's business as usual and only the 501st and Rebel Legion keep marching.

 

[yulilin3]

Thank you for this feedback. I read Kenny's reviews as well and they really put me on the fence, but I did read another review that was much more positive and echoed your sentiments a little more. I now have a friend from out of state whose trip will overlap with ours so I think we are both going to do FtF together with our families on the 5th which should be fun. When I asked my husband he said fi there were drinks he was down...so helpful! I just worry about the kids being able to see the parade and the characters, but I think if we show up early enough we will be ok.

Here are the pictures my DD14 took last year from the pckage area. We were the 2nd family to go into the area and grabbed the spot closest to the stage for pics: http://s283.photobucket.com/user/yulilin/library/Star Wars Weekends 2014?sort=2&page=1