Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

Thank you yulilin 3 for all your great info!!

you did it!!!

 

[yulilin3]

Ok, I have 10 posts now. williamscm3, are you able to pm me now? I hope I can figure out how that works. I really appreciate your help.

Maybe you need one more post? can't see that you can receive pm
EDIT: nevermind...you can get pm now

 

[jtowntoflorida]

As a parent of young kids, I really want to reinforce what yuilin is saying about managing expectations with young kids. Sorry to state the obvious, but SWW is hot and crowded. Summer in Florida is hotter than you can imagine, and DHS will be more crowded than you've ever seen it. While you can have some success with shorter lines if you make some smart choices, generally, SWW is all about waiting in lines. None of the characters have FP+ and everybody pretty much wants to meet all of them. I went to SWW for the first time with my daughter when she was just shy of 7. It was our third Disney trip, so she was a bit of a vet and knew what to expect from Disney in general. She still wound up exhausted and we ended up having to tap out early our first day because the kids (we were there with a friend and her son, who was 8) were exhausted. Disney is total sensory overload on a normal day, but once you combine that with Star Wars fans (who are our own brand of crazy--LOL) and the summer heat and the SWW crowds at DHS...it's a lot. Your kids have to be prepared to be patient and stand in lines in the sun and heat. We're going back this year finally because our son is now 5 1/2 and is better able to tolerate those kinds of lines. I wouldn't let him go earlier because of some of the epic meltdowns that I witnessed from younger kids when we went in 2013. I still am building in A LOT of pool time (more than I would normally want) because he's a real Minnesotan and gets cranky in the heat and once he's cranky...whoa boy. LOL.

Also, my best advice is to bring a parasol/small umbrella so you can create your own shade in the lines...it will be a lifesaver. I think it's rude to use one while walking out and about, but some of those SWW lines are brutal, and as long as you're respectful of people around you, no one will care if you use something to block the sun. More people had them than I expected, so I didn't feel like a dork with an umbrella. Heh.

 

[wdhinn89]

Do you find that the weather in mid May (1st weekend) was more heat bearable and less rain than June or would you say it was the same?

 

[Delilah1310]

As a parent of young kids, I really want to reinforce what yuilin is saying about managing expectations with young kids. Sorry to state the obvious, but SWW is hot and crowded. Summer in Florida is hotter than you can imagine, and DHS will be more crowded than you've ever seen it. While you can have some success with shorter lines if you make some smart choices, generally, SWW is all about waiting in lines. None of the characters have FP+ and everybody pretty much wants to meet all of them. I went to SWW for the first time with my daughter when she was just shy of 7. It was our third Disney trip, so she was a bit of a vet and knew what to expect from Disney in general. She still wound up exhausted and we ended up having to tap out early our first day because the kids (we were there with a friend and her son, who was 8) were exhausted. Disney is total sensory overload on a normal day, but once you combine that with Star Wars fans (who are our own brand of crazy--LOL) and the summer heat and the SWW crowds at DHS...it's a lot. Your kids have to be prepared to be patient and stand in lines in the sun and heat. We're going back this year finally because our son is now 5 1/2 and is better able to tolerate those kinds of lines. I wouldn't let him go earlier because of some of the epic meltdowns that I witnessed from younger kids when we went in 2013. I still am building in A LOT of pool time (more than I would normally want) because he's a real Minnesotan and gets cranky in the heat and once he's cranky...whoa boy. LOL.

Also, my best advice is to bring a parasol/small umbrella so you can create your own shade in the lines...it will be a lifesaver. I think it's rude to use one while walking out and about, but some of those SWW lines are brutal, and as long as you're respectful of people around you, no one will care if you use something to block the sun. More people had them than I expected, so I didn't feel like a dork with an umbrella. Heh.

I would also add that you can get these snazzy little personal fans at places like Target, Wal-Mart, Academy, etc. They are small, handheld, battery-powered fans. They fit in a purse or backpack no problem and can be very powerful. Might be worth a look if you are worry about being in the heat and sun.

 

[yulilin3]

Do you find that the weather in mid May (1st weekend) was more heat bearable and less rain than June or would you say it was the same?

Earlier weekends are better than the later ones. The first weekend last year was the most enjoyable SWW we had in years.
Seriously preparedness is key
Get these, or something like it
http://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Togg-Ch...TF8&qid=1427037188&sr=8-1&keywords=cool+towel
put it around your neck. Whenever you can dunk your hands in cold/ice water. Grab ice and place it directly on your wrists, this will cool you off the fastest.
Umbrellas are great, they are lifesavers. I've noticed there are more and more people using them at the parks
drink tons of water, not soda or alcohol, if you're thirsty you are already dehydrated

 

[db99]

And honestly, planning on more than one day at SWW is optimal. Taking a break in the middle of the day to rest and recharge is clutch!

 

[pld5]

These tips for summer at WDW and at SWW are great. I have been known to have some crowd phobic tendencies, but love being at Disney as long as I can plan accordingly. Information is key!

For our first summer trip, I am planning a ridiculous amount of downtime, naps and pools - almost like a real vacation I even chose our resort (BWI) to minimize effort to do so when leaving DHS. The Frogg Toggs seem like a good idea and the umbrellas are brilliant! Something that never would have occurred to me on a February trip.

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

Thank you williamscm3 for the Galactic Breakfast!! You rock!!! I also love those personal fans that spritz water. It is the only way this Northerner can survive the heat in June. They do wonders. Although all our pictures are hilarious. We went crazy spraying water and we look like we were sweating profusely!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

We started out this trip for SWW saying that we weren't going again this time of year. Now we are.

We also said we didn't need to do any SWW meals. Then we said ok, maybe one. Now we have 2 booked.

We also said no costumes, now I am really thinking of Star Wars bounding Sabine or Ahsoka.

Next thing we'll have the dessert package and who knows what else added.

 

[Cluelyss]

We started out this trip for SWW saying that we weren't going again this time of year. Now we are.

We also said we didn't need to do any SWW meals. Then we said ok, maybe one. Now we have 2 booked.

We also said no costumes, now I am really thinking of Star Wars bounding Sabine or Ahsoka.

Next thing we'll have the dessert package and who knows what else added.

Sounds a lot like our trip "planning" this time around!! We weren't even supposed to be going back until December....

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Sounds a lot like our trip "planning" this time around!! We weren't even supposed to be going back until December....

Well, maybe I'll see you in line for merchandise that neither one of us has any plans of purchasing hahahaha.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Oh, and while we are all just generally discoursing because no new news has come out, can I just say how pleased I am with Rebels and the Clone Wars cartoons for finally giving us some sweet female characters?

Before I get into this, yes, Princess Leia is awesome. And yes, she is the best shot and knows how to handle herself. But she was all us girls had in the originals.

Don't even get me started on the prequels. I think I just automatically assumed that there would be girl jedis featured. Imagine my disappointment when we get Padme. Who just 'decides?!' to die during childbirth of a broken heart and leave her two newborn kids behind. Whatever. Sorry if you like her. I kind of wanted to write George Lucas a letter and inform him that Star Wars movies are allowed to have more than one female in the featured cast (and alien).

So thank you, Rebels and Clone Wars creators for giving us Ahsoka and Sabine/Hera. Little girls don't just want to be princesses, we want to be jedis and pilots and awesome fighters.

Ok, down from my soap box.

PS: new SW movies, please give us lots of awesome girl characters (and more than one alien sidekick is also allowed).

 

[Itinkso]

Please Join the SWW Roll Call...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3358654

If you collect the SW Rebels Heroes and Villains action figures or need items for a SW-themed Easter basket, the 6-piece set is on sale for $19.99 (50% off) @ Target this week. And, I do admit, the only figure I recognize is Vader!

 

[HCinKC]

Also, my best advice is to bring a parasol/small umbrella so you can create your own shade in the lines...it will be a lifesaver. I think it's rude to use one while walking out and about, but some of those SWW lines are brutal, and as long as you're respectful of people around you, no one will care if you use something to block the sun. More people had them than I expected, so I didn't feel like a dork with an umbrella. Heh.

I'm glad you mentioned this. I was thinking about it, but I wasn't sure if it would be rude. I might have to bop over to the mall today and see if the Disney store has any R2 umbrellas left for ODS.

Oh, and while we are all just generally discoursing because no new news has come out, can I just say how pleased I am with Rebels and the Clone Wars cartoons for finally giving us some sweet female characters?

Before I get into this, yes, Princess Leia is awesome. And yes, she is the best shot and knows how to handle herself. But she was all us girls had in the originals.

Don't even get me started on the prequels. I think I just automatically assumed that there would be girl jedis featured. Imagine my disappointment when we get Padme. Who just 'decides?!' to die during childbirth of a broken heart and leave her two newborn kids behind. Whatever. Sorry if you like her. I kind of wanted to write George Lucas a letter and inform him that Star Wars movies are allowed to have more than one female in the featured cast (and alien).

So thank you, Rebels and Clone Wars creators for giving us Ahsoka and Sabine/Hera. Little girls don't just want to be princesses, we want to be jedis and pilots and awesome fighters.

Ok, down from my soap box.

PS: new SW movies, please give us lots of awesome girl characters (and more than one alien sidekick is also allowed).

Haha, I agree, and I am sure anyone who does cosplay does, too. And, I also agree about Padme. It's not that I have a problem with her in general, but it drove me crazy that she "lost her will to live" while giving birth. I get that there had to be a reason for the kids to have grown up the way they did...ie getting from episode three to four...but it could have been that she died from being force choked lol.

Anyway, I moved our Jedi Mickey dinner, so I have a rezzy to dump. Jedi Mickey for 2 on Monday, May 18 at 7:15. PM if you want to coordinate.

 

[memakwed]

Thursday looks fine
Friday, yeah you need to grab a spot for parade at the latest 10:30am, but if you really want a shaded area then it needs to be earlier, look at the comprehensive review link on the first page and you'll see what I mean
Satuday: you don't need to get a spot for fireworks that early unless you want Hollywood Blvd, cenetred fireworks with the GMR. You can see them from really anywhere around Echo Lake, the Min and Bills area, all the way down to Crossroads (entrance of the park)
Sunday: Darth's mall tends to be less busy in the evening, Vader's line will stay consistently busy all day (1 hour at least) The earlier in the day you meet the characters the better for 2 reasons:
1.- less busy
2.- weather; it'll get super hot or worse, we will have our normal afternoon showers that will force all of the characters that meet outside to go indoors. SWW doesn't have any rain locations for the characters so you'll miss out

Thanks. I've been diligently reading. I was thinking Vader at 730 would be better than during the morning or day since others would be seeking out spots for fireworks. He and Chewbaca are not a must do so we'll be happy with or without doing it.
I see you wrote that fireworks can be seen anywhere around Echo lake ect can you hear the music as well? I thought someone had answered me before that music isn't piped everywhere.

 

[Candleshoe]

When I saw your post about the Galactic Breakfast. My ds loved trading with the jawas last year.

What kind of things did you trade to them?

I've been buying dollar store items and thinking of making burlap bags to put them in so everyone can carry their own 'stash'.

 

[jennab113]

Oh, and while we are all just generally discoursing because no new news has come out, can I just say how pleased I am with Rebels and the Clone Wars cartoons for finally giving us some sweet female characters?

Before I get into this, yes, Princess Leia is awesome. And yes, she is the best shot and knows how to handle herself. But she was all us girls had in the originals.

Don't even get me started on the prequels. I think I just automatically assumed that there would be girl jedis featured. Imagine my disappointment when we get Padme. Who just 'decides?!' to die during childbirth of a broken heart and leave her two newborn kids behind. Whatever. Sorry if you like her. I kind of wanted to write George Lucas a letter and inform him that Star Wars movies are allowed to have more than one female in the featured cast (and alien).

So thank you, Rebels and Clone Wars creators for giving us Ahsoka and Sabine/Hera. Little girls don't just want to be princesses, we want to be jedis and pilots and awesome fighters.

Ok, down from my soap box.

PS: new SW movies, please give us lots of awesome girl characters (and more than one alien sidekick is also allowed).

I agree! I LOVED Princess Leia growing up because she wasn't just a princess. She was feisty and capable. I liked Padmé, but she was horribly misused. She was great fighting at Geonosis in Attack of the Clones, then she was barely in Revenge of the Sith until she dies of a broken heart. I know GL had to explain the twins being split up somehow, but that was just a terrible ending for her.

I haven't watched much of Clone Wars, but everyone seems to love Ahsoka, so I am glad she becomes less annoying than she is in the first season. And I love Rebels, especially Hera and Sabine. I'm looking forward to the Sequel Trilogy and stand alones. We've got Rey (Daisy Ridley) in VII and then hopefully Felicity Jones as a badass pilot in Rogue One.

Speaking of pilots, does Mickey meet dressed as a pilot or is that just on merchandising? I'm happy to meet him as a Jedi, but a pilot would be super cool too.

 

[Itinkso]

Speaking of pilots, does Mickey meet dressed as a pilot or is that just on merchandising? I'm happy to meet him as a Jedi, but a pilot would be super cool too.

He meets as a Jedi ~ here's my favorite Jedi Mickey!:

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks. I've been diligently reading. I was thinking Vader at 730 would be better than during the morning or day since others would be seeking out spots for fireworks. He and Chewbaca are not a must do so we'll be happy with or without doing it.
I see you wrote that fireworks can be seen anywhere around Echo lake ect can you hear the music as well? I thought someone had answered me before that music isn't piped everywhere.

Yes you can hear the music all around echo lake.