Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

Okay. You're right...no complaining. Earlier discussions about holding line places can be asked here too...especially with ADHD and Autism with our kids. If we need to take one to at least just walk around to ease the wait and then come back to the rest of the family, would that be acceptable?
Do you know if these FtF reserved access sections are in the sun or shade? I know that some of the other tip sites had noted that one side of the parade route is in the shade and the other is in the sun...for at least part of the parade route.

If it's in the same spot as last year (I'm pretty sure it is) it'll be in the shade, one person can take the kids to walk around while the other holds spots. I couldn't go to DHS this past weekend but I'm def. going on Saturday and will take pictures and maybe video of the spots I believe will be used for both packages and VIP. I'll take these around 10:30am to show how shady/sunny the areas are.

 

[yulilin3]

Just logged on to do our FP for weekend V and none of the Star Wars shows are coming up. Has anyone been able to book FP's for 12-14th?

not open yet, there's a fb page open for people coming to weekend V to join. Just join and don't post anything. As soon as anyone gets information about the fp being open people will start commenting and you can get your notifications, obviously it will also be posted here.
My hope is that they will wait for the 30 day mark to allow AP to book for Frank Oz weekend

 

[kpd6901]

If it's in the same spot as last year (I'm pretty sure it is) it'll be in the shade, one person can take the kids to walk around while the other holds spots. I couldn't go to DHS this past weekend but I'm def. going on Saturday and will take pictures and maybe video of the spots I believe will be used for both packages and VIP. I'll take these around 10:30am to show how shady/sunny the areas are.

That's wonderful!! Disney planning is so stressful as it is, it is great to know that we can at least remove some of the stresses of kiddo needs. So often entertainment venues and their guests expect a "snooze you lose" attitude. Maybe that's just my experience growing up in the hustle/bustle of New York/Jersey. We've been to Disney before, but never with our kids - WHOLE new slate of considerations.

 

[yulilin3]

That's wonderful!! Disney planning is so stressful as it is, it is great to know that we can at least remove some of the stresses of kiddo needs. So often entertainment venues and their guests expect a "snooze you lose" attitude. Maybe that's just my experience growing up in the hustle/bustle of New York/Jersey. We've been to Disney before, but never with our kids - WHOLE new slate of considerations.

This event takes some extra planning, specially because of the heat and humidity. Like someone said before: this event is more of "we're all in this together" than "every man for himself" You will encounter people that are rude or unsympathetic but for the most part everyone understands that kids need a break and will hold spots for you in lines or even offer to get you something.
The most important thing is to know your kids, know when they are about to get grumpy or completely lose it, plan ahead and don't let that happen, take mini breaks, 5 minutes inside somewhere works wonders

 

[kpd6901]

For the FtF dessert party, I know there are separate check-in locations depending on teh package, but all that I see is that check-in for premium is at 10 am at Min & Bill's....but that doesn't seem to make sense. That would seem to be only for the parade....or do we also get our special dessert party access wristband/card/stamp/whatever at that point too? If we do, do we just show back up again before it starts at 9pm, again at Min & Bill's? 15/30 mins early or longer for a decent fireworks view or are teh fireworks easily visible throughout the area? Everything I see says Standing Room, and that's fine - but I thought I saw somewhere that there is a very limited number of seats available - is that true? Thanks!

 

[pookadoo77]

Just logged on to do our FP for weekend V and none of the Star Wars shows are coming up. Has anyone been able to book FP's for 12-14th?

the link to the facebook page is in the bottom of my signature. No chat or questions on the page please, just on here. As soon as any of us hear fastpasses are open for weekend V please post on the page, lots of chatter then to alert us all to run, run, run, lol.... All we should have to do is keep an eye out for group notifications

 

[yulilin3]

For the FtF dessert party, I know there are separate check-in locations depending on teh package, but all that I see is that check-in for premium is at 10 am at Min & Bill's....but that doesn't seem to make sense. That would seem to be only for the parade....or do we also get our special dessert party access wristband/card/stamp/whatever at that point too? If we do, do we just show back up again before it starts at 9pm, again at Min & Bill's? 15/30 mins early or longer for a decent fireworks view or are teh fireworks easily visible throughout the area? Everything I see says Standing Room, and that's fine - but I thought I saw somewhere that there is a very limited number of seats available - is that true? Thanks!

For the Premium FtF you check in at Min & Bill's by 10am, they will put a wristband on you to show that you have that package. You can enter the area for the parade or enter later depending on your priorities for seating. I would think that once you pick the show (this part of the package is new this year) they will give you a sticker that says which show you want or another wristband (probably different colors to show which show)
For the fireworks you go to the same entrance as used for the parade and just show your wristband and they will let you in.
There is a limited number of seats per SWW show for the Premium package, I think they mean that there's a possibility that not everyone on the PP will have a chance for a specific show. Like for SotS or a Conversation with Frank Oz. It's done on a first come first served basis, so if you want seating for a particular popular show be there early to be able to get it
The fireworks will be visible from anywhere in the FtF area depending on how high the temporary stage is. I think that it won't obstruct as much as the Hat did last year

 

[kpd6901]

For the Premium FtF you check in at Min & Bill's by 10am, they will put a wristband on you to show that you have that package. You can enter the area for the parade or enter later depending on your priorities for seating. I would think that once you pick the show (this part of the package is new this year) they will give you a sticker that says which show you want or another wristband (probably different colors to show which show)
For the fireworks you go to the same entrance as used for the parade and just show your wristband and they will let you in.
There is a limited number of seats per SWW show for the Premium package, I think they mean that there's a possibility that not everyone on the PP will have a chance for a specific show. Like for SotS or a Conversation with Frank Oz. It's done on a first come first served basis, so if you want seating for a particular popular show be there early to be able to get it
The fireworks will be visible from anywhere in the FtF area depending on how high the temporary stage is. I think that it won't obstruct as much as the Hat did last year

Thanks for spelling that out. I guess I had a brain fart and forgot that "check-in" would get you everything that comes with your package and you just show your credentials without "checking in again" for the selected show and the dessert party - silly me. Regarding the dessert party, how spacious is the fireworks viewing area? or does it get crammed quickly? We'll have our 3 kids, including our double stroller (so the 6-year old to sit in with the 2-year old).

 

[mmafan]

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks for spelling that out. I guess I had a brain fart and forgot that "check-in" would get you everything that comes with your package and you just show your credentials without "checking in again" for the selected show and the dessert party - silly me. Regarding the dessert party, how spacious is the fireworks viewing area? or does it get crammed quickly? We'll have our 3 kids, including our double stroller (so the 6-year old to sit in with the 2-year old).

Last year it wasn't really crowded. There are several long tables holding the desserts, then about 15 to 20 high bar tables to place your drinks and desserts. A double stroller might be harder to navigate between them but once you find a spot you like you can just park it there.
Here are my pictures from last year's FtF, it includes parade viewing (my DD14 took all of these, she was sitting on the floor) and dessert party. The Hat blocked some of the fireworks but this year it should be much better
http://s283.photobucket.com/user/yulilin/library/Star Wars Weekends 2014?sort=2&page=1

 

[yulilin3]

From an entertainment friend: Luke and Leia will be available to meet again for SWW, still don't know the location. Still no word on Rebel characters for meet and greet

 

[JenStemp]

If we choose SotS for our show with FtF and it starts at 3:15 how far before should be we there to be seated?

 

[coluk003]

Last year it wasn't really crowded. There are several long tables holding the desserts, then about 15 to 20 high bar tables to place your drinks and desserts. A double stroller might be harder to navigate between them but once you find a spot you like you can just park it there.
Here are my pictures from last year's FtF, it includes parade viewing (my DD14 took all of these, she was sitting on the floor) and dessert party. The Hat blocked some of the fireworks but this year it should be much better
http://s283.photobucket.com/user/yulilin/library/Star Wars Weekends 2014?sort=2&page=1

They might not let a stroller in if everyone is in one area this year, they might have to park it outside somewhere. But again we won't know till weekend one is suppose.

 

[yulilin3]

If we choose SotS for our show with FtF and it starts at 3:15 how far before should be we there to be seated?

it's a reserved area, separate from fp. They will probably start seating at 3pm, so be there by 3pm

 

[yulilin3]

They might not let a stroller in if everyone is in one area this year, they might have to park it outside somewhere. But again we won't know till weekend one is suppose.

that could be the case. I know last year they allowed strollers in. I'm pretty sure the area will be bigger this year since both packages plus VIP will be in there

 

[MooksterL1]

no helmet for us. too expensive. everything was hand made, minus the pants, shirts and boots. I gave her the option to buy the sprayer gun online (they sell the kit and you just put it together and paint it) but she wanted to do it on her own so she used sculpey, it's not perfect but it's her very own creation.

It is amazing! My 14 year old ds was really impressed too.

 

[JenStemp]

it's a reserved area, separate from fp. They will probably start seating at 3pm, so be there by 3pm

THank you. We are trying to map out our afternoon and was curious about it!

 

[MooksterL1]

I just snagged reservations for the Galactic Breakfast! Thanks again for the Dining Buddy suggestion! This board is the best!

 

[kpd6901]

They might not let a stroller in if everyone is in one area this year, they might have to park it outside somewhere. But again we won't know till weekend one is suppose.

It's okay if we have to park it. It would just be so nice to know that our 2 and 6 year old could just chill and maybe pass out (despite the fireworks) after such a long day.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I just snagged reservations for the Galactic Breakfast! Thanks again for the Dining Buddy suggestion! This board is the best!

If anyone is looking for the SWW ADRs, I highly recommend the Dining Buddy. It is the best $8 I've ever spent. I now have a good ADR time that works well for us, but out of curiosity I decided to keep getting notifications. I received 6 or 7 notifications for ADRs over the weekend. This is the prime time for Weekend IV and Weekend V, since we're nearing the 45 day mark and that's when people start firming plans and cancelling things.