Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[jane2073]

My daughter's basket had R2D2 "eggs" we found at target. They had a little money inside instead of candy because she is saving up to buy art work and such at MegaCon next weekend and SWWs.

 

[lovethattink]

 

[yulilin3]

I find myself liking Rebels a little more with each watching. I may go see the show just because of that.
I also was useless in my hunt for Stormtrooper bunnies.

Rebels started a bit meh for us but it has picked up nicely. Plus it has Sabine and I think she's the coolest character (We love her so much my DD14 is cosplaying as her during SWW, costume almost done)

I just want to say thanks to all of you for all of the great tips as usual We will be there for 1 day the first weekend and maybe 1 day for the second I have read every page and most of my questions have been asked even before I knew I had them I do have a question maybe I just missed it but can anyone tell me how long I should plan on the parade lasting? Not sure when I should plan our next fp+

The parade and welcome show at the stage that follows is about 30 minutes long. So any fp+ after 11:30 is good

I need some feedback regarding my timing and I am sure the wonderful people here can help. I have a 12:30pm d-tech reservation for my boyfriend. Do you think we will have any problems getting to the reservation from the motorcade? Will we have to wait in line to get in to Darth's Mall (that is where it is at, right?) if it is crowded? I'm hopeful we will be able to do the Feel the Force package if they have it this year. Do you think we'll make the 12:30 reservation or should I try to move it back? If I should move it, what time would you recommend? We have FPs for Stars of the Saga that day but nothing between the motorcade and the show other than d-tech.

Also, my boyfriend is the only one doing the d-tech experience but will I be able to watch?

Help is much appreciated!

The oarade is only 30 minutes so you'll have time and if there's a line you can go up to the CM and bypass it becasue you have a DTech reservation

Ashley is at Darth's Mall ALOT signing Her Universe items. Never knew of a set schedule of when she is there.

Last year Ashley signed only when you bought items from Her Universe line inside Darth's Mall from 5pm to 6pm

Ok, now that the announcement excitement has died down a bit. I know normal weekend crowds are still at HS during SWW To work around, but, if we were to skip the parade, what would be the best thing to do during that time? Also during shows if we are not watching? Do character lines decrease during shows? Would it be beneficial to just wait in a character line during the parade? How long after the parade to the characters resume their meet and greets?

The only character that has stayed meeting during the parade was Darth Vader. This year on the first Friday I'm actually going to meet him during this time period and see how long the wait is. All other characters stop meeting and resume about 30 minutes after the parade is done, so this year around 12 noon.
Character lines don't really die down because of the shows. But, historically, in the late afternoon there's less of a wait for Darth Maul, Boba and Jango Fett and the Jedi COuncil.
Any characters on or around Streets of America get a boost of crowds each time Lights, Motor Action comes out so keep that in mind.
Just remember that afternoons usually bring rain and all the characters that are outside have to leave so if there's a group of characters you really must meet try and get them in the morning

 

[slaveone]

All the baskets are super awesome. Hope all who celebrate it have a wonderful Easter.
I am contemplating being productive today then I remembered it's a holiday. I make my fp+ tonight at 1am for the weekend I am staying for weekend 4. I only wish I could make my weekend 2 and 3 fp too. Stupid discrimation against APs.

 

[yulilin3]

All the baskets are super awesome. Hope all who celebrate it have a wonderful Easter.
I am contemplating being productive today then I remembered it's a holiday. I make my fp+ tonight at 1am for the weekend I am staying for weekend 4. I only wish I could make my weekend 2 and 3 fp too. Stupid discrimation against APs.

I wrote an email to Disney Guest Relations and haven't heard back. I'll keep you posted. I seriously considered staying one night on weekend 1 at *** (the Fl resident rate is just $97) but I seriously don't have the money because we are in saving mode for my DD trip to NYC for her birthday in October.

 

[mmafan]

I need some feedback regarding my timing and I am sure the wonderful people here can help. I have a 12:30pm d-tech reservation for my boyfriend. Do you think we will have any problems getting to the reservation from the motorcade? Will we have to wait in line to get in to Darth's Mall (that is where it is at, right?) if it is crowded? I'm hopeful we will be able to do the Feel the Force package if they have it this year. Do you think we'll make the 12:30 reservation or should I try to move it back? If I should move it, what time would you recommend? We have FPs for Stars of the Saga that day but nothing between the motorcade and the show other than d-tech.

Also, my boyfriend is the only one doing the d-tech experience but will I be able to watch?

Help is much appreciated!

you can watch and youll have time the motorcade is pretty quick mabey 30 min

 

[slaveone]

I wrote an email to Disney Guest Relations and haven't heard back. I'll keep you posted. I seriously considered staying one night on weekend 1 at *** (the Fl resident rate is just $97) but I seriously don't have the money because we are in saving mode for my DD trip to NYC for her birthday in October.

I was contemplating a campsite for weekend 2 so I don't miss Warwick Davis' show again.

 

[HCinKC]

First, thanks for all of the off topic answers about F&G. We'll just have to try and make time before Monday!

5.- Not huge demand for PMC. Kids that are very much into SW love the trivia game.

ODS will love this, and we hope to sign him up. I am slightly confused based on comments here and videos on YouTube. Is it for kids or families? Or are there two versions?

For those of you with a Publix nearby, they're selling Jell-O Jigglers mold kits (contains 2 mold trays and 4 boxes of Jell-O - 2 blue/2 red) for just $3.00! The molds have Yoda, Chewie, R2-D2, C-3P0, Stormtrooper and Darth Vader. I couldn't find the exact product online, but below is an example of an image I found of 4 of the 6 molds:

I should have my MIL go. At least she would be getting something that is 1) SW related and 2) usable versus the random knick knack stuff she usually mails ODS.

Check it out its a good show. You won't find anyone streaming it like Netflix, but got to the disney xd channel and if your cable had it you should be able to view them. I really liked it. I can't get through season one of the clone wars, but I really liked this . It's a mix of old story telling like episode 4.

Not all cable companies that have XD have the online access. Sadly, mine is one of them. Most of the large ones do (ie Time Warner, Cox, Verizon, Comcast, etc), but if you have a smaller one, you may be out of luck with the online/app viewing. However, XD is one of those channels that replays a lot, so you can probably set your DVR to all episodes and catch the whole season.

 

[yulilin3]

First, thanks for all of the off topic answers about F&G. We'll just have to try and make time before Monday!



ODS will love this, and we hope to sign him up. I am slightly confused based on comments here and videos on YouTube. Is it for kids or families? Or are there two versions?



I should have my MIL go. At least she would be getting something that is 1) SW related and 2) usable versus the random knick knack stuff she usually mails ODS.



Not all cable companies that have XD have the online access. Sadly, mine is one of them. Most of the large ones do (ie Time Warner, Cox, Verizon, Comcast, etc), but if you have a smaller one, you may be out of luck with the online/app viewing. However, XD is one of those channels that replays a lot, so you can probably set your DVR to all episodes and catch the whole season.

There are 2 versions. The one that you sign up for at ABC Sound Studio (the old Sounds Dangerous) hosted by 2 "wacky intergalactic hosts" is the kids PMC. The PMC Family Version is hosted by Ashley Eckstein and the family is picked at random shortly before the show.

 

[yulilin3]

I was at DHS last night and went to the 2nd showing of F!. These pictures were taken 5 minutes before the show started. 2nd show is always better


Steamboat Willie and all the characters are waiting for you guys

 

[Fire14]

I know a few years ago I got in line for Fab 2 of whoever while parade was going on since 1. I couldn't get near parade and I wanted Darth Goofy since I'd missed him the last time I was there. 2. I figured the guys could find me. I had about 30 min wait but line diff grew after parade let out.

 

[slaveone]

The getting in line during the parade is how I got Chewie with ewoks last year.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Whew! Y'all have been busy! I had a dismally long week at work, so I had 40+ pages (plus multiple Silk crashes on my Kindle Fire) to wade through, having to restrain myself from answering questions I knew the answer to since it was likely others had answered somewhere in those 40-some pages!

Congrats to all who scored wanted rezzies, tours, and FP+! As a lowly AP holder, I'm also bummed we can't make FP+ selections in advance. Guessing most/all of the shows will be gone before I'm able to. But I'm looking forward to going this year, as always, regardless of whatever plans we may or may not have.

And congrats to @The Sunrise Student for marching, how cool! Enjoy every minute, and I will be sending you cooling thoughts while you're in costume.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

As a lowly AP holder, I'm also bummed we can't make FP+ selections in advance. Guessing most/all of the shows will be gone before I'm able to.

This really all depends on whether they release ALL FP+ slots for the shows now or hold some for the 30-day mark...

And I actually think that A LOT of people will pass up a Tier 1 FP+ for a show to hit TSMM or something else. Not everyone going during this time is a SW nut like the rest of us here. And even some of us SW nuts may not be that into the shows -- depending on interests, age of kids, etc.

They clearly want to make staying onsite a perk in this respect, which I think is a legitimate business position. Like ANYTHING a company does, not everyone will like it. JMHO.

 

[ConnieB]

Ok. I was at SWW for an evening last year and will make it for one day this year as well. We fly in on the 24th so our time is limited. Is SotS worth seeing other than the Stormtrooper pre-show? We will literally have to go straight to the park to make it and is sounds like the pre-show is really the best part. *I* am the Star Wars fan in the house so I'm sure it'll be fun for me, but the talk show part may not be that thrilling for my husband?

SotS on the 24th will be with Warwick Davis and Silas Carson....so if you're fans of them, I think it would be worth making the effort to see. It will be James Arnold Taylor talking with these two about their careers, the shows they have done, etc. If you're not fans of them or your husband doesn't know/care who they are, then the pre-show is definitely fun, but I'm not sure I'd come just for it (especially if he's not a fan), but your mileage may differ.

If you are interested and hubby is not, maybe make him a FP or two to do while you are in the show?

Ok since i dont live in Fl or a place that has a publix anyone care to ship

We found them in Walmart....but not all the Walmarts in our area (Phoenix, AZ)

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

They clearly want to make staying onsite a perk in this respect, which I think is a legitimate business position. Like ANYTHING a company does, not everyone will like it. JMHO.

Totally agree, and I understand. We typically do stay on property at some point during SWW, so I'm just not accustomed to not having that perk! I'm spoiled...

 

[wdhinn89]

If I look on the ME app and go into MY Plans, it does not show SotS. If I look at My Reservations, it does show SotS. Is this because it SotS is a show vs a ride? Does everyone's My Plans show like this?

 

[Music City Mama]

Ok since i dont live in Fl or a place that has a publix anyone care to ship

I don't pass by our Publix during the week, but if they're still there when I'm there next weekend, I'll be happy to pick you up a box (assuming they're still in stock).

Re: SW Rebels... It took us a while to warm up to it (we like Clone Wars better). My boys aren't really fans of Ezra (they think he's whiny, LOL), but they do want to go see Taylor Gray for the Rebels/BtF show. It has grown on us and we all thought the season finale was really good. One thing that bugs me is that when the show starts, they never do a "Previously on Star Wars Rebels..." to refresh your memory. That would be nice considering it sometimes didn't come on every week. I love Hera and Sabine.

Yuli, is there someone local that could split that value resort FL rate with you? Unfortunately, I think that's the only way you're going to get in before the 30 day mark. On the bright side, as MickeyMinnieMom stated above, not everyone is going to be jumping on these FPs. Also, doesn't the TotS have a little bit of a bigger capacity than the Premiere Theater?

 

[yulilin3]

Well they have been taking plenty of extra special things they used to have for AP. Years ago they had special events and perks only for AP. I got to meet Steve Davison (Imagineer behind the parades and Wishes). Met Dave Goezl (puppeteer and creator of Gonzo) we got behind the scenes tours at facilities in AK. Special viewing of movies before they came out...all of this has been non existent in the last 3 years.
I go to the parks every weekend and spend a lot of money there but they have been clearly taking away perks for us to give more perks to the people staying on site. I'm not saying that t his is bad but they should also think of us loyal AP who have been renewing for decades.
Anyways I'll wait and see what the answer is from Disney. I'm really interested in SotS for weekend 1 and A Conversation with Frank Oz for weekend 5

 

[yulilin3]

I don't pass by our Publix during the week, but if they're still there when I'm there next weekend, I'll be happy to pick you up a box (assuming they're still in stock).

Re: SW Rebels... It took us a while to warm up to it (we like Clone Wars better). My boys aren't really fans of Ezra (they think he's whiny, LOL), but they do want to go see Taylor Gray for the Rebels/BtF show. It has grown on us and we all thought the season finale was really good. One thing that bugs me is that when the show starts, they never do a "Previously on Star Wars Rebels..." to refresh your memory. That would be nice considering it sometimes didn't come on every week. I love Hera and Sabine.

Yuli, is there someone local that could split that value resort FL rate with you? Unfortunately, I think that's the only way you're going to get in before the 30 day mark. On the bright side, as MickeyMinnieMom stated above, not everyone is going to be jumping on these FPs. Also, doesn't the TotS have a little bit of a bigger capacity than the Premiere Theater?

I think that the majority if SWW fans are locals that go every weekend, and if there are any fp left it's going to be a crazy grab once the 30 day mark comes by. The theater has a bigger capacity because of the bleachers in the back. I don't mind waiting in line for an hour, that's how it was done before last year I just hope they set up the line by the F! theater queue, there are some trees there but if it rains it's going to suck.