Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[jennab113]

And the SWW Ebay listings are up and running http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...w=star+wars+weekends+2015&ghostText=&_sacat=0

That's crazy! I actually was thinking about putting the vinylmations on my RSP just so I can sell them later, but that kind of seems like too much work.

 

[disneygrandma]

For those of you that called the VIP SWW ph#..........did you ever have a live person answer, or did you have to leave a msg? If you left a msg, how long did you have to wait for a call back?

We've decided to go with the VIP if available for our day, and left a msg last evening. We were hoping for a call back early this morning, but we're still waiting. What was your experience with this? Should we call again?

Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

For those of you that called the VIP SWW ph#..........did you ever have a live person answer, or did you have to leave a msg? If you left a msg, how long did you have to wait for a call back?

We've decided to go with the VIP if available for our day, and left a msg last evening. We were hoping for a call back early this morning, but we're still waiting. What was your experience with this? Should we call again?

Thanks!

I called a couple of times around 9am and it went to voicemail, than I called around 9:45am and got a live person to answer. They might be going thru all the voicemails right now. I would call again

 

[39CINDERELLA]

Good Morning everyone. I am finally back to the land of the living. All went well with the surgery. I am on the road to healing and getting used to the medicine I have to be on...ugh.
Looks like they are starting to release some of the SWW packages

 

[Itinkso]

Good Morning everyone. I am finally back to the land of the living. All went well with the surgery. I am on the road to healing and getting used to the medicine I have to be on...ugh.
Looks like they are starting to release some of the SWW packages

Glad everything went well for you, Cinderella, and you are on the mend! Even though you aren't able to take part this year, hope you enjoy looking at all the merchandise that's out... make a list for next year!

 

[yulilin3]

I have a feeling we will be hit with lots of information at the end of this month, Feel the Force package and the official announcement of the VIP package are expected by the 22nd, also there are rumors that the celebrity list will be released at the end of the month.
For people who are joining our conversation this year for the first time let me clarify something.
When they announce the celebrity list I post them on the first page and give you my estimated time you should arrive to have a good chance of getting an autograph (if you are interested in that). I want it to be clear that these are estimates based on my prior experiences and I'm not guaranteeing you WILL get an autograph if you arrive by my estimated time. Also I'm not saying that if you arrive after my estimated time you WON'T get an autograph. Last year there was a poster who got "angry" with me because he said you didn't need to be there that early for a celebrity, I don't want that happening again, I give you my most cautious times of arrival, I would hate that you want to get an autograph for, say, Ray Park and you go thru all the trouble of getting to DHS at 5am only to learn that there's no chance for you to meet him. I always tend to go earlier just in case.
So take these times as guidelines and make the best decision that works for you and your family

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

For those of you that called the VIP SWW ph#..........did you ever have a live person answer, or did you have to leave a msg? If you left a msg, how long did you have to wait for a call back?

We've decided to go with the VIP if available for our day, and left a msg last evening. We were hoping for a call back early this morning, but we're still waiting. What was your experience with this? Should we call again?

Thanks!

I called at 11:30am the other day and got right through to a live person. Was done booking in 5min or so.

 

[HCinKC]

Hey, all. Thanks for all the great info on this thread. I think I posted way back when in this, but I lurk everyday.

Anyway, question I thought someone may know the answer to: for the Her Universe shirts, will any of them fit a toddler without being crazy huge? I have a 2.5 year old daughter and we'll be going to SWW and I can't find many Star Wars shirts for girls. I saw a cute one on Her Universe, but the smallest size is "youth small". Anyone know if that would have any chance of working for her? She is very average-sized, generally wears 2T or 3T, maybe 35 inches tall and 28 pounds. Thanks!

ETA: I just saw a different shirt on there with Youth Extra Small, so maybe that's an option?

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I made all of us matching shirts for a local event. I just bought white shirts at Joann and used iron-on transfer. It was cheap and easy. I let ODS pick who was what, so of course he was Jedi Master, DH was Knight, I was Padawan, and the baby was Youngling. I plan on bringing them to SWW, and have thought about making some new ones, too. Between Joann's coupons and sales, it is pretty cheap to do.

On another note, we have decided not to do the VIP package. I think it is a much better value this year, with added things and price drop, but...with only one character m&g (who we will be meeting at breakfast anyway), shows that I don't think ODS would be ready for, and the baby in tow, we just decided it doesn't make sense this time. Whoever mentioned the long day, that hit the nail on the head for us.

We will look into FtF when it comes out, but I'm not sure about it either. DH was planning to take one for the team, and go back to the room with the baby, missing the fireworks. If ODS and I do FtF, we won't be able to sit with him at the parade. We'll see what the details are though...

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Just booked my VIP package!!

@yulilin3 I asked about the parade location and the woman on the phone said that she didn't know yet, but what she'd heard was that it would be NEXT to the FtF package people (so end of Hollywood boulevard towards the left?). It kind of makes a bit of sense since they're going to have snacks and water for everyone that they'd be close.

Also, children are guaranteed a spot at Jedi training though it'd have to be late - after 3, after the tour ended.

Otherwise I didn't get any other info that anyone else didn't have, though she did give me approxamate times for everything.

7am - meet the group at guest relations, enter park, pre-order Mama Melrose lunch
8am - shopping and meet Vader (probably also said possibly more depending on what is going on that day)
8:45am - breakfast
9ish (don't know why breakfast is so short) - rides with the guide
11:30 - parade
after parade - lunch
after lunch - 2 shows checked in by VIP guide and given FP for the last.
Tour officially ends at about 3.
(If you're doing jedi training it'd be now)
9 - dessert party and fireworks

I should have asked what happened if there were a 4th show added, but didn't.

(Also, crazy disney magic - I left my cell number when I called and left a message yesterday but they called back on my home phone. I wasn't going to answer except I recognized the 407 area code. A little creepy).

WAIT, only two shows?! I though there were 3 shows at least?

 

[delmar411]

Yay! I'm doing the VIP tour the same day!

Speaking of the VIP tour, if they are allowing up to 40 people to join per day, do they split the group up or does everyone move in a giant pack? I did the Ultimate Day of Thrills with 12 people and it was hard enough keeping everyone together. Forty seems too large.

For those that have signed up for the Galactic Gathering, I am confused about the links that were sent in the confirmation e-mail. The first one is to order things in the RSP. Okay, cool. The second one says "To purchase iPhone cases, specialty gift cards and name tags please visit <link>". But everything on the second page is also on the RSP page. So if I use the second link to order an extra lightsaber band or a GG nametag, do I not put it on the RSP? I'm confused.

Can you look on the RSP and let me know what the GC with the case purchasing limit is? As well as the phone cases? Not sure if we can order more than 1 or not.

Thanks!

I havent decided if I want to do this again this year as they still havent included any beverages and that sucked last year.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

WAIT, only two shows?! I though there were 3 shows at least?

I was told 3 shows when I booked VIP.

 

[yulilin3]

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I made all of us matching shirts for a local event. I just bought white shirts at Joann and used iron-on transfer. It was cheap and easy. I let ODS pick who was what, so of course he was Jedi Master, DH was Knight, I was Padawan, and the baby was Youngling. I plan on bringing them to SWW, and have thought about making some new ones, too. Between Joann's coupons and sales, it is pretty cheap to do.

On another note, we have decided not to do the VIP package. I think it is a much better value this year, with added things and price drop, but...with only one character m&g (who we will be meeting at breakfast anyway), shows that I don't think ODS would be ready for, and the baby in tow, we just decided it doesn't make sense this time. Whoever mentioned the long day, that hit the nail on the head for us.

We will look into FtF when it comes out, but I'm not sure about it either. DH was planning to take one for the team, and go back to the room with the baby, missing the fireworks. If ODS and I do FtF, we won't be able to sit with him at the parade. We'll see what the details are though...

you will still have a great time, if you want to watch the parade on the shady side that will be the only thing that will take a bit extra time without the FtF package, other than that you can enjoy everything without having to pay extra.

 

[jennab113]

For those that have signed up for the Galactic Gathering, I am confused about the links that were sent in the confirmation e-mail. The first one is to order things in the RSP. Okay, cool. The second one says "To purchase iPhone cases, specialty gift cards and name tags please visit <link>". But everything on the second page is also on the RSP page. So if I use the second link to order an extra lightsaber band or a GG nametag, do I not put it on the RSP? I'm confused.

I just called Disney Events and asked about this, so in case anyone else is wondering, if you use the second link and purchase items, you don't have to put them on the RSP. She said there shouldn't be overlap between the two and she'll look into why there is.

Can you look on the RSP and let me know what the GC with the case purchasing limit is? As well as the phone cases? Not sure if we can order more than 1 or not.

Thanks!

I also asked her this and she said there isn't a limit on either of those. Both of those things are on the purchase link, so they don't have to go through the RSP.

 

[Barbara C]

How do you book the VIP package? Thanks.

ETA - and how much is it???

Thanks!!

 

[msmama]

VIP has 3 shows, 2 you get special VIP seating (don't know what that means) and you just get a FP for the third.

Also, I called after the phone lines closed on Sunday and left a message and someone called me back at about 10:45 the next day. They said they were busy but she also said that they expected to still have open spots on the 22nd so I don't think its filling up that fast. It also sounded like if you called and left a message they would temporarily hold a spot for you until they could call you back so I wouldn't worry too much but would call if you don't hear back today.

 

[yulilin3]

I was told 3 shows when I booked VIP.

You get escorted to the reserved seats by the VIP CM for the SotS and BtF shows and then receive a fp for Obi Wan and Beyond

 

[HCinKC]

you will still have a great time, if you want to watch the parade on the shady side that will be the only thing that will take a bit extra time without the FtF package, other than that you can enjoy everything without having to pay extra.

Since DH is missing the fireworks, I was going to sacrifice a couple of hours to stake out a shady spot while he and ODS go do some m&gs. I am sure I will be content to people watch!

 

[ConnieB]

I have a feeling we will be hit with lots of information at the end of this month, Feel the Force package and the official announcement of the VIP package are expected by the 22nd, also there are rumors that the celebrity list will be released at the end of the month.
For people who are joining our conversation this year for the first time let me clarify something.
When they announce the celebrity list I post them on the first page and give you my estimated time you should arrive to have a good chance of getting an autograph (if you are interested in that). I want it to be clear that these are estimates based on my prior experiences and I'm not guaranteeing you WILL get an autograph if you arrive by my estimated time. Also I'm not saying that if you arrive after my estimated time you WON'T get an autograph. Last year there was a poster who got "angry" with me because he said you didn't need to be there that early for a celebrity, I don't want that happening again, I give you my most cautious times of arrival, I would hate that you want to get an autograph for, say, Ray Park and you go thru all the trouble of getting to DHS at 5am only to learn that there's no chance for you to meet him. I always tend to go earlier just in case.
So take these times as guidelines and make the best decision that works for you and your family

I remember that....so uncool of them. I suggest that you put your "disclaimer" on page 1 by your estimates so that people are clear that you are trying to help, but it's no different from the websites that estimate the crowds....it's about experience and knowledge. Your estimates were absolutely INVALUABLE to my girls last year....it was our first SWW and we knew they had to be there early, but no clue what "early" really meant. They went by the estimates from last year's thread, added a little pad for our own peace of mind....and were able to get passes for all of them. Yes, some mornings they could have arrived later and still gotten them, but at least twice they were within 20-40 people of the last ones to get passes.....so the estimates were quite valuable.

 

[yulilin3]

How do you book the VIP package? Thanks.

ETA - and how much is it???

Thanks!!

@Barbara C the phone number and information is on the first post of this thread

 

[delmar411]

I just called Disney Events and asked about this, so in case anyone else is wondering, if you use the second link and purchase items, you don't have to put them on the RSP. She said there shouldn't be overlap between the two and she'll look into why there is.

I also asked her this and she said there isn't a limit on either of those. Both of those things are on the purchase link, so they don't have to go through the RSP.

Thanks so much!!