Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[db99]

Mos Eisley Cantina is my top pick for a new SW restaurant I even told Disney that when they interviewed 2013 SWW guests... the whole thing was fun, I mean the questionnaire part, first they tired to gauge your SW knowledge... oh please I slammed dunked that one. Then they asked what we would like to see if they built a SW area... what type of themeing. The last questions was the most wanted thing, and I said the Mos Eisley Cantina

Good news. Jim Hill said on a recent podcast that a "Tatooine dining experience" would be one of the first things that is up in running in "Star Wars Land". My guess is that means the cantina.

 

[yulilin3]

9am let the refreshing begin!! #FtFWatch2015

 

[cvjpirate]

9am let the refreshing begin!! #FtFWatch2015

Here I go pressing F5 again.

 

[DisneyLove2015]

Here I go pressing F5 again.

I keep checking on my phone at work!!

 

[lovingeire]

We had this made at the contemporary last November for my sons birthday

So cute! Now I want to order a cake!

 

[jdmccon7]

If you are going to DHS another day can you leave some non SWW for that day?
The Chewie ST before breakfast is possible if you are one of the first families in line for him. You can not fit anything else between breakfast and parade.
TSMM even with fp and if you are there at 12 will take you at least 20 min. to line up ride and get off. Depending on the timing and lines for the animation class you woule be getting out of there around 1:15pm at the earliest

Thanks for the reality check. I'll tone it down a bit

 

[mom2febgirls]

Here is my plan for Friday, May 15. We are staying at BWI and have every intention of being at DHS by 7:15

Meet Chewbacca (8)
FP+ and Ride Star Tours (8-9)
Sci Fi Breakfast (9:15)
Visit Darth's Mall
Indiana Jones (11:15)
Animation Academy
Meet Luke, Leia, C3P0 and R2D2 (1)
FP+ ToT (2-3)
Stars of the Saga
FP+ RnRC (3-4)

This is our first SWW so I'm unfamiliar with the crowd levels...does this seem reasonable?

 

[HCinKC]

Jedi Knight and TIE fighter Pilot to premiere at D-Tech Me!

$119.95 now instead of $99.95

I L.O.V.E. that Jedi. ODS would adore it. Can kids do any of them or are there specific kids ones? I feel like I saw somewhere that only some were kids. I thought I had DH sold on these, but he is not very excited about the price, especially an increase. I am working hard to sell that carbonite though! I am thinking of making an appt anyway, so I can cancel without a charge as long as it is 48+ hours prior?

not me...my dressing up will consist of a SW shirt of some kind. my DD14 will be Sabine on some days but just a SW Her Universe shirt/dress for the rest.
If you or kids are dressing up please keep the weather in mind, for kids it's better to bring a change of clothes. Nothing like seeing a full out Darth Maul in full make up and all having a break down (I've seen it and it's not pretty)

ODS is insisting on his full jedi costume (boots and robe), but he will probably sweat it out lol. I will still bring shoes and make sure the rest of his costume can be stripped down. DH, the baby and I will be in t-shirts. One day I am sure we will all wear our matching shirts. They are really simple, just say Jedi Master, Jedi Knight, etc. I made them with iron-on transfer last summer.

Speaking of Magic Bands, here's the Sabine one I did in January. The black and white part ended up more diamond shaped than square and then the black started rubbing off so I only wore it for a couple hours. I guess I should try to redo it before SWW.

I love it! I am still going through that other thread, but I didn't see a whole lot of SW themed bands. Does anyone else have any they can share? I love seeing the creativity!

 

[yulilin3]

Here is my plan for Friday, May 15. We are staying at BWI and have every intention of being at DHS by 7:15

Meet Chewbacca (8)
FP+ and Ride Star Tours (8-9)
Sci Fi Breakfast (9:15)
Visit Darth's Mall
Indiana Jones (11:15)
Animation Academy
Meet Luke, Leia, C3P0 and R2D2 (1)
FP+ ToT (2-3)
Stars of the Saga
FP+ RnRC (3-4)

This is our first SWW so I'm unfamiliar with the crowd levels...does this seem reasonable?

Your plan looks good until Darth's Mall...in the morning on the first Friday the lines to get in will be insanely long. If they keep the character as they were last year, Luke, Leia and the Droids will rotate so you will need at least 1 hour and a half to meet all of them (you have to make the line multiple times) SotS, if it stays the same as last year will be at 3:30pm with the stormtrooper pre show at 3:15, if you don't fp the show you need to get in standby line by 2:15 at the latest. The show ends at 4pm

 

[yulilin3]

I L.O.V.E. that Jedi. ODS would adore it. Can kids do any of them or are there specific kids ones? I feel like I saw somewhere that only some were kids. I thought I had DH sold on these, but he is not very excited about the price, especially an increase. I am working hard to sell that carbonite though! I am thinking of making an appt anyway, so I can cancel without a charge as long as it is 48+ hours prior?



ODS is insisting on his full jedi costume (boots and robe), but he will probably sweat it out lol. I will still bring shoes and make sure the rest of his costume can be stripped down. DH, the baby and I will be in t-shirts. One day I am sure we will all wear our matching shirts. They are really simple, just say Jedi Master, Jedi Knight, etc. I made them with iron-on transfer last summer.



I love it! I am still going through that other thread, but I didn't see a whole lot of SW themed bands. Does anyone else have any they can share? I love seeing the creativity!

on the DPB it says: For children, the Carbon-Freeze Me and Alderaan Princess figurines will be available in more youthful appearances.

 

[mom2febgirls]

Your plan looks good until Darth's Mall...in the morning on the first Friday the lines to get in will be insanely long. If they keep the character as they were last year, Luke, Leia and the Droids will rotate so you will need at least 1 hour and a half to meet all of them (you have to make the line multiple times) SotS, if it stays the same as last year will be at 3:30pm with the stormtrooper pre show at 3:15, if you don't fp the show you need to get in standby line by 2:15 at the latest. The show ends at 4pm

Thanks! Is it better to visit Darth's Mall in the late afternoon? I could push the RnRC FP to 4-5 and then go to the Mall.

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks! Is it better to visit Darth's Mall in the late afternoon? I could push the RnRC FP to 4-5 and then go to the Mall.

On the first Friday, yes, it's better to go late afternoon. Darth's Mall should stay open until around 8pm (if they close it because of fireworks, I'm not sure yet) Also remember that the breakfast experience will take at least an hour, so make sure to leave anough time

 

[HCinKC]

on the DPB it says: For children, the Carbon-Freeze Me and Alderaan Princess figurines will be available in more youthful appearances.

Ok. I take that to mean he can do the others, it just won't look "youthful". Shrug. Thanks!

 

[Cluelyss]

Would love some expert opinions on our SWW plan (since I need something else to do while I wait for the FtF announcement!!)

Arrive at HS by 7:30 to see Stormtrooper Welcome Show.

Walk briskly to Chewie M&G

Star Tours FP

9:10 Galactic Breakfast ADR (hoping to find something a little earlier, if not will just show up early and hope for the best....because I want to squeeze in Queen Amidala before the parade, if possible??)

View parade, hopefully w/FtF package, otherwise watch from AIE steps if we are running behind due to breakfast or Queen Amidala M&G

Animation Academy to meet Mickey, Hiro & Baymax

Lunch and pool break at hotel (+ nap!)

Return to HS for 5:15 H&V ADR

Darth Maul M&G

Darth's Mall

TSMM FP

GMR (if time)

Fireworks (hopefully with FtF package)

Fantasmic if we're not too tired

I am traveling with 2 little ones, so no SW shows planned, and not trying to over-plan too much, but want to get the most out of our day (which is Sunday, May 31). Would love thoughts/opinions from those that have been there before! Thank you!!

 

[Delilah1310]

Here's our revised plan, based on convos with DS7 and accounting for his priorities (while they may not be in line with the masses).
We will be there Sunday, June 7.
Does this seem doable?

RD = Star Wars Characters - Rebels (if they are there, these are the MUST-MEET characters for him ... not Chewie or Darth)
Rock N Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror
Star Tours
11 AM = Star Wars parade (FtF seating - fingers crossed)
grab and go lunch
FP+ = Behind the Force show - 1:45
FP+ = Star Tours OR Tower of Terror - 2:30 to 3:30
Animation Station
Muppet Vision 3D
Lights Motor Action - 4:20
5 PM = Jedi Mickey Dinner Reservation
FP+ = Star Tours OR Tower of Terror - 6:30 to 7:30
shopping at Darth's Mall
8:30 PM = Star Wars Fireworks (FtF dessert party - fingers crossed)


I'm just not sure of the standby times in the morning before the parade ... while they may be a while, I suspect they still may be shorter then than in the afternoon or evening?
I'm a little worried that DS7 will change his mind day of and want to meet characters that he says he doesn't care about ... or - more problematic - that he will want to do JTA even though he says he has done that enough on other trips.

We are also doing another evening at DHS to maybe do RnR (if he likes it) again and early Fantasmic and a few other things that we can pick up with "4th and Beyond" day-of FPs.

Please help me ID the potential flaws in this plan.
thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

Would love some expert opinions on our SWW plan (since I need something else to do while I wait for the FtF announcement!!)

Arrive at HS by 7:30 to see Stormtrooper Welcome Show.

Walk briskly to Chewie M&G

Star Tours FP

9:10 Galactic Breakfast ADR (hoping to find something a little earlier, if not will just show up early and hope for the best....because I want to squeeze in Queen Amidala before the parade, if possible??)

View parade, hopefully w/FtF package, otherwise watch from AIE steps if we are running behind due to breakfast or Queen Amidala M&G

Animation Academy to meet Mickey, Hiro & Baymax

Lunch and pool break at hotel (+ nap!)

Return to HS for 5:15 H&V ADR

Darth Maul M&G

Darth's Mall

TSMM FP

GMR (if time)

Fireworks (hopefully with FtF package)

Fantasmic if we're not too tired

I am traveling with 2 little ones, so no SW shows planned, and not trying to over-plan too much, but want to get the most out of our day (which is Sunday, May 31). Would love thoughts/opinions from those that have been there before! Thank you!!

It looks do able. Word of caution, Hiro and Baymax are extremely popular and Baymax needs to take a lot of breaks. Lines for them have been consistently 2 hours. Remember that TSMM and GMR will close around 8:30 because of fireworks fallout

 

[Dugette]

Here is my plan for Friday, May 15. We are staying at BWI and have every intention of being at DHS by 7:15

Meet Chewbacca (8)

We might see you that morning - staying at BWV and planning on meeting Chewie first thing.

 

[yulilin3]

Here's our revised plan, based on convos with DS7 and accounting for his priorities (while they may not be in line with the masses).
We will be there Sunday, June 7.
Does this seem doable?

RD = Star Wars Characters - Rebels (if they are there, these are the MUST-MEET characters for him ... not Chewie or Darth)
Rock N Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror
Star Tours
11 AM = Star Wars parade (FtF seating - fingers crossed)
grab and go lunch
FP+ = Behind the Force show - 1:45
FP+ = Star Tours OR Tower of Terror - 2:30 to 3:30
Animation Station
Muppet Vision 3D
Lights Motor Action - 4:20
5 PM = Jedi Mickey Dinner Reservation
FP+ = Star Tours OR Tower of Terror - 6:30 to 7:30
shopping at Darth's Mall
8:30 PM = Star Wars Fireworks (FtF dessert party - fingers crossed)


I'm just not sure of the standby times in the morning before the parade ... while they may be a while, I suspect they still may be shorter then than in the afternoon or evening?
I'm a little worried that DS7 will change his mind day of and want to meet characters that he says he doesn't care about ... or - more problematic - that he will want to do JTA even though he says he has done that enough on other trips.

We are also doing another evening at DHS to maybe do RnR (if he likes it) again and early Fantasmic and a few other things that we can pick up with "4th and Beyond" day-of FPs.

Please help me ID the potential flaws in this plan.
thanks!

Your morning (before the parade) seems very busy. Remember that even if you have the FtF package you need to line up by 10am (for an 11am parade)
When you say Animation Station is it the drawing class or the characters inside the Animation Bldg? Some people confuse them
Your evening looks doable

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Thank you very much for answering the exact question I was going to post today.

I am new to SWW so planning is difficult. I so appreciate this thread and all who contribute. Does this look reasonable?

Our plan:
Chewie
Star Tours
9am Sci Fi breakfast
10 ish - FtF area for parade (assuming we can get it) or can we get another thing in prior to the parade???
12:00 TSMM FP
Animation Academy
1pm ToT FP
Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Break at hotel

Back for fireworks, Darth Mall and ???

I need to fit a picture with Darth Maul in there somewhere. Maybe I could save it for anther day. I don't think we'll last much past 1pm in the heat. TIA

When we visited Disney in mid-December, the line alone for the Animation Academy was over an hour! With Hiro and Baymax back there bringing crowds into the Animation Building, combined with the fact that they now draw Frozen characters, the CMs there said it has exploded with popularity and waits are almost always an hour.

In 2013, we met Darth Maul with about a 15 minute wait. After the first weekend, Kenny the Pirate will publish a really good character schedule. With Maul, we lined up when he wasn't out but was due back from a break. I think there were only 3 parties in front of us. The line forms quickly and becomes long when he's out, but if you can time it so that you get in line during a break, you can have good luck with meeting him with a short(ish) wait.

FWIW, we timed our visit to Darth's Mall during an afternoon rain storm. Since it was raining, all the outdoor characters had gone in and the only ones meeting guests were the ones meeting in the Mall. The Mall itself wasn't crowded at all at that time (even though it was torrentially raining). I waited in line for the characters while the rest of our party shopped.

 

[Cluelyss]

It looks do able. Word of caution, Hiro and Baymax are extremely popular and Baymax needs to take a lot of breaks. Lines for them have been consistently 2 hours. Remember that TSMM and GMR will close around 8:30 because of fireworks fallout

Thank you! Our FP for TSMM is 715-815 and we are hoping to catch one of the last GMR rides of the night (I believe it closed at 830 in prior years?).

Appreciate the heads up on Baymax...may have to skip that if lines are 2 hours!!!! I would NOT be satisfied with my care at that point