Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[lovethattink]

I'm thinking that they will line people up using the walkway that goes into Fantasmic!, that way it keeps Sunset Blvd clear of lines, so I'm not sure if they will still be using the same parameters as to stroller parking. Maybe they will allow the stroller to be in line and then just park it right before entering the theater

I guess we'll find out that first day.

 

[ConnieB]

Dh and I talked about this too. Our concentration is going to be autographs and characters instead of shows.

I can keep ds cool with his vest for about 20 minutes. The ice stays frozen in direct sun for about 10 minutes and we'll have a spare set of ice packs. Shade buys him more time. But if the FP+ line is 30 min and the show is 30 min, it's going to be tough.

That was the good thing about the premiere because we used the time in the cold air conditioning to "recharge" his ice packs.

I wonder if this would be something that could be helped by the new DAS (formerly GAC)......not clear on all the nuances of it, but I believe that you go to Guest Services and explain the situation to "qualify" for the card. Then you would show up and get a return time, which is supposed to be akin to the wait time for standby.....you are then free to go somewhere else until then (i.e. you head for an a/c location).....then at the appointed time you go back through the FP line. NOT SURE if this works for shows, or special events like SWW shows, but it might be worth going to the disABILITIES board here and asking them for more details. Your son seems like a worthy candidate for it to me.....his medical devices won't last long enough for both the line and the show, but if he could skip the line waiting he'd be able enjoy the show and then hightail it to an a/c right after. Again, I do not know all the nuances of this card, nor do I know whether it works for regular shows or SWW shows, but I hope it does for your son's sake!

 

[Barbara C]

I was just able to snag an ADR for the Star Wars Galactic Breakfast at Sci-Fi for Saturday, May 30. If you haven't found what you're looking for - keep on trying!

 

[lovingeire]

AAAAAAHHHHH…you guys, my son's school just notified me his pre-K graduation is May 31st…the day we are supposed to check in and our first SWW day! (We were going to check in early am then head to the park.) I am freaking out! I don't think we can skip the graduation, even though it's just pre-K. We'll go to Disney again, but he'll never have this cute little ceremony again. So on the phone with Disney to shift our trip a day and now scrambling for some ADRs!

 

[yulilin3]

AAAAAAHHHHH…you guys, my son's school just notified me his pre-K graduation is May 31st…the day we are supposed to check in and our first SWW day! (We were going to check in early am then head to the park.) I am freaking out! I don't think we can skip the graduation, even though it's just pre-K. We'll go to Disney again, but he'll never have this cute little ceremony again. So on the phone with Disney to shift our trip a day and now scrambling for some ADRs!

those pre-k pictures are priceless...hope it all works out

 

[HCinKC]

AAAAAAHHHHH…you guys, my son's school just notified me his pre-K graduation is May 31st…the day we are supposed to check in and our first SWW day! (We were going to check in early am then head to the park.) I am freaking out! I don't think we can skip the graduation, even though it's just pre-K. We'll go to Disney again, but he'll never have this cute little ceremony again. So on the phone with Disney to shift our trip a day and now scrambling for some ADRs!

those pre-k pictures are priceless...hope it all works out

See our son's pre-k was rather lackluster. I wouldn't have cared if he missed it. So...make sure you know what the ceremony entails and that it is worth it before changing your plans.

 

[OZMom]

AAAAAAHHHHH…you guys, my son's school just notified me his pre-K graduation is May 31st…the day we are supposed to check in and our first SWW day! (We were going to check in early am then head to the park.) I am freaking out! I don't think we can skip the graduation, even though it's just pre-K. We'll go to Disney again, but he'll never have this cute little ceremony again. So on the phone with Disney to shift our trip a day and now scrambling for some ADRs!

Awww, gotta do preschool graduation! Fingers crossed you get your ADRS figured out!

 

[AuntieK]

AAAAAAHHHHH…you guys, my son's school just notified me his pre-K graduation is May 31st…the day we are supposed to check in and our first SWW day! (We were going to check in early am then head to the park.) I am freaking out! I don't think we can skip the graduation, even though it's just pre-K. We'll go to Disney again, but he'll never have this cute little ceremony again. So on the phone with Disney to shift our trip a day and now scrambling for some ADRs!

Oh, I can relate to this too. Sounds like me when we had the snow day that killed my plans for SWW on a Friday. My dad now needs eye surgery and the earliest date he can get is during our trip. Now my mom might have to back out. Trying not to panic over that yet because I'm hoping (for the sake of his health) that he can get in earlier.

 

[lovingeire]

those pre-k pictures are priceless...hope it all works out

They took spring pictures in their cap and gowns and they came out so cute! They just came in today and I went to make sure they looked cute before we bought them.

See our son's pre-k was rather lackluster. I wouldn't have cared if he missed it. So...make sure you know what the ceremony entails and that it is worth it before changing your plans.

I know they asked us for four pictures of our child from birth to present for a special video so I'm thinking it will be really cute! (Or at least I hope so!) I did extend a day, but haven't dropped the check-in day just in case!

Awww, gotta do preschool graduation! Fingers crossed you get your ADRS figured out!

My husband is adamant about being there for his graduation! He missed our oldest's since he was deployed for pretty much 12-13 years of his life, as well a the 4 year olds first year and then some, so it's really important to him to experience as many milestones as possible with the kids.

Oh, I can relate to this too. Sounds like me when we had the snow day that killed my plans for SWW on a Friday. My dad now needs eye surgery and the earliest date he can get is during our trip. Now my mom might have to back out. Trying not to panic over that yet because I'm hoping (for the sake of his health) that he can get in earlier.

Praying your dad can get in earlier for his surgery so that he is healthy and you can enjoy your vacation together as a family!

 

[coluk003]

I wonder if this would be something that could be helped by the new DAS (formerly GAC)......not clear on all the nuances of it, but I believe that you go to Guest Services and explain the situation to "qualify" for the card. Then you would show up and get a return time, which is supposed to be akin to the wait time for standby.....you are then free to go somewhere else until then (i.e. you head for an a/c location).....then at the appointed time you go back through the FP line. NOT SURE if this works for shows, or special events like SWW shows, but it might be worth going to the disABILITIES board here and asking them for more details. Your son seems like a worthy candidate for it to me.....his medical devices won't last long enough for both the line and the show, but if he could skip the line waiting he'd be able enjoy the show and then hightail it to an a/c right after. Again, I do not know all the nuances of this card, nor do I know whether it works for regular shows or SWW shows, but I hope it does for your son's sake!

The card doesnt work for shows i remember even the GAC never worked for shows.

 

[lovethattink]

I wonder if this would be something that could be helped by the new DAS (formerly GAC)......not clear on all the nuances of it, but I believe that you go to Guest Services and explain the situation to "qualify" for the card. Then you would show up and get a return time, which is supposed to be akin to the wait time for standby.....you are then free to go somewhere else until then (i.e. you head for an a/c location).....then at the appointed time you go back through the FP line. NOT SURE if this works for shows, or special events like SWW shows, but it might be worth going to the disABILITIES board here and asking them for more details. Your son seems like a worthy candidate for it to me.....his medical devices won't last long enough for both the line and the show, but if he could skip the line waiting he'd be able enjoy the show and then hightail it to an a/c right after. Again, I do not know all the nuances of this card, nor do I know whether it works for regular shows or SWW shows, but I hope it does for your son's sake!

He has a DAS. The old GAC helped much more in the summer. For example, at the GMR they'd take us in a side door near the pre-show screen (of course, this was prior to FP). For SWW, the DAS can't be used for any of the shows. GAC couldn't be used for any of the celebrity shows either. (Maybe that changed with FP+ for the shows last year?) DAS can't be used for character M&G, but with the stamp he had prior for SWW, it did help with character meets.

We'll just play it by ear and see what he can handle show-wise. I have noticed that we do better in the standby line for B&B coming in later than the FP+ line. It takes much longer to scan all the FP+ and much easier to just walk in and sit using standby. Not sure how Star Wars celebs will change that dynamic.

The left side of the theater is set up for FP+ and the right side for standby. First and last rows of the theater for wheel chairs. And the bleachers in the way back for overflow standby.

For character meet and greets, either me or dh will stand in line and the other will bring him back right before it's his time.

 

[Candleshoe]

First and last rows of the theater for wheel chairs.

I /thought/ I'd remembered sitting up front in a wheelchair.
Our very first visit, we were camping at Ft. Wilderness, and I took a tumble with my bike at the pool and tore a ligament in my knee. So I was mostly in a manual wheelchair, though we sprung for an ecv one day (we were pretty broke back then!). It was hard b/c DD was still stroller bound and DH couldn't push both of us. On the manual she'd sit in my lap.
Anyway, I remember being up close when 4 for a Dollar came out.

We haven't rewatched the show since.

 

[lovethattink]

AAAAAAHHHHH…you guys, my son's school just notified me his pre-K graduation is May 31st…the day we are supposed to check in and our first SWW day! (We were going to check in early am then head to the park.) I am freaking out! I don't think we can skip the graduation, even though it's just pre-K. We'll go to Disney again, but he'll never have this cute little ceremony again. So on the phone with Disney to shift our trip a day and now scrambling for some ADRs!

It's a major milestone! My son loved his and his kindergarten graduation. The ceremony was nothing spectacular, but every school year since he asks when he can wear his cap and gown.

I do understand your being torn. My son is in a special needs theater group and his show is May 14 and 15. I have Thurs to Mon booked at Disney. Thankfully, we live close enough we can do it all. So Thurs am, we check in. Go to GG. Leave and head back home. Dh to work, ds to the theater. Then back to Disney to sleep, or drive back in the am. Then repeat for Friday. Sat and Sun are definitely SWW days! Check out Monday.

Oh, I can relate to this too. Sounds like me when we had the snow day that killed my plans for SWW on a Friday. My dad now needs eye surgery and the earliest date he can get is during our trip. Now my mom might have to back out. Trying not to panic over that yet because I'm hoping (for the sake of his health) that he can get in earlier.

I hope the timing and your dad's surgery all work in his favor.

 

[lovethattink]

I /thought/ I'd remembered sitting up front in a wheelchair.
Our very first visit, we were camping at Ft. Wilderness, and I took a tumble with my bike at the pool and tore a ligament in my knee. So I was mostly in a manual wheelchair, though we sprung for an ecv one day (we were pretty broke back then!). It was hard b/c DD was still stroller bound and DH couldn't push both of us. On the manual she'd sit in my lap.
Anyway, I remember being up close when 4 for a Dollar came out.

We haven't rewatched the show since.

Sure miss 4 for a dollar. They haven't been there in years.

It was a cool winter. We've gone to B&B a couple times in recent months.

 

[yulilin3]

$ for a dollar was the best...funny thing is that my son now works for and is close friends with one of the guys
Super talented group.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

the DAS isn't accepted for character lines unless they also have fastpass available for that line. What really does is give you the option of waiting somewhere else besides in the line and then you can enter through the Fastpass line. Standing in line and then bringing the child in when you get close is a good way to do it.

 

[pookadoo77]

AAAAAAHHHHH…you guys, my son's school just notified me his pre-K graduation is May 31st…the day we are supposed to check in and our first SWW day! (We were going to check in early am then head to the park.) I am freaking out! I don't think we can skip the graduation, even though it's just pre-K. We'll go to Disney again, but he'll never have this cute little ceremony again. So on the phone with Disney to shift our trip a day and now scrambling for some ADRs!

What are your new dates in case someone has ADRs to cancel?

 

[lovingeire]

June 1-7. We just shifted a day. Thanks for asking!

With a the move I am for sure canceling our galactic breakfast on 5/30 at 9:25am. Our reservation is for 5. If anyone is interested in trying to grab it let me know and we can coordinate!

 

[lovethattink]

the DAS isn't accepted for character lines unless they also have fastpass available for that line. What really does is give you the option of waiting somewhere else besides in the line and then you can enter through the Fastpass line. Standing in line and then bringing the child in when you get close is a good way to do it.

At least in the past, none of the SW characters had FP+ options. I wouldn't expect them this year either.

 

[lovethattink]

New menu at Studio Catering

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...atering-company-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/