Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[Dugette]

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.

Not sure if it will work the same, but last August at the Frozen fireworks party they were asking everyone to park strollers upon arrival. However, as the night went on, we noticed that people were being allowed to bring their strollers to their tables as their little ones got sleepy. (Ours were wide awake and dancing ). I got the impression that they didn't want the area cluttered with strollers, but were reasonable when they were needed.

 

[kpd6901]

Do we know how far in advance we can find an official map for SWW, Darth's Maul and Character meet adn greet stations? Are they only available on the first weekend, and we are at the mercy of somebody posting it somewhere or will Disney release it somewhere ahead of time?

 

[Itinkso]

And if you're scoring new ADRs and canceling others, please post the updates on the Roll Call Thread. I'll update them when I have some time.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/sww-2015-roll-call.3358654/

In Florida now, and, ughhh, it is extremely humid and now pouring rain! I had to forego my 5K training walk - maybe tomorrow if I can get out by 7:30 before the humidity becomes unbearable for me, a Cali girl!

 

[yulilin3]

Do we know how far in advance we can find an official map for SWW, Darth's Maul and Character meet adn greet stations? Are they only available on the first weekend, and we are at the mercy of somebody posting it somewhere or will Disney release it somewhere ahead of time?

last year disney released the maps week by week about a week in advance. It was a clickable link on the SWW page of the Disney site.
Darth's Mall will be at the old AFI gift shop at the exit to the old Backlot Tour (recently used as Oaken's Trading Post)
They will not pinpoint where each character will be but give you a general location, like this:
http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/star...r-wars-weekends-may-17-19-guide-map/18658.htm

 

[yulilin3]

And if you're scoring new ADRs and canceling others, please post the updates on the Roll Call Thread. I'll update them when I have some time.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/sww-2015-roll-call.3358654/

In Florida now, and, ughhh, it is extremely humid and now pouring rain! I had to forego my 5K training walk - maybe tomorrow if I can get out by 7:30 before the humidity becomes unbearable for me, a Cali girl!

The weather's going to suck this week sorry
Can't wait to see you Sunday

 

[lovingeire]

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.

I highly recommend it too. I chose to keep receiving notifications as well as I have a friend looking for one too. I haven't received any additional notifications since I booked Thurs or Fri night, but they explained to my friend that they can only check so many requests at a time so one person might get notification when the other doesn't. That's why I kept notifications so I could book for her if necessary. But it's the reasoning have an 8:15 reservation!

 

[Cluelyss]

So glad that others are having success finding new/better ADRs, gives me hope! I have received only 2 notifications for my date since I signed up, and both were later than my current ADR. (though I know I should not be complaining since I actually HAVE a reservation!).

So DH and I were working on our "backup plan" this weekend in case we never find a better time. Our ADR is currently at 9:10. We are heading directly to Chewie at RD, but have nothing planned then until breakfast. How early do you think I could show up and reasonably hope to be seated?

 

[yulilin3]

So glad that others are having success finding new/better ADRs, gives me hope! I have received only 2 notifications for my date since I signed up, and both were later than my current ADR. (though I know I should not be complaining since I actually HAVE a reservation!).

So DH and I were working on our "backup plan" this weekend in case we never find a better time. Our ADR is currently at 9:10. We are heading directly to Chewie at RD, but have nothing planned then until breakfast. How early do you think I could show up and reasonably hope to be seated?

I would just try right after Chewie, the CM at the podium could give you an idea if it would be sooner than your ADR

 

[jimim]

and then it will ch

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.

and then it will change when u go for ur week for some reason. lol

 

[MooksterL1]

I highly recommend it too. I chose to keep receiving notifications as well as I have a friend looking for one too. I haven't received any additional notifications since I booked Thurs or Fri night, but they explained to my friend that they can only check so many requests at a time so one person might get notification when the other doesn't. That's why I kept notifications so I could book for her if necessary. But it's the reasoning have an 8:15 reservation!

I am still watching too in case earlier times become available, but I am thrilled to at least have something!! Best $8 I've spent!

I just signed up on Dining Buddy for the Jedi Mickey dinner with Fantasmic too. Fingers crossed.

 

[keishashadow]

the booking friend just helped me out, i cancelled

Galactic Breakfast for 3 pp

May 19

9:35 am

Before I made my FP+ awhile ago, did dummy bookings to try & determine what time the shows were scheduled for Sunday, May 17th

I made a cheat sheet, which I managed to lose

does anybody have them figured out?

Just wanted to do a double-check & make sure I didn't have anything over-lapping

 

[Cluelyss]

I am still watching too in case earlier times become available, but I am thrilled to at least have something!! Best $8 I've spent!

I just signed up on Dining Buddy for the Jedi Mickey dinner with Fantasmic too. Fingers crossed.

If you are planning to watch the SW fireworks, you may want to switch your watch to the non-F! H&V option. You will likely not have time to get from F! to a spot for the SW fireworks.

 

[aggiejnny]

I am still watching too in case earlier times become available, but I am thrilled to at least have something!! Best $8 I've spent!

I just signed up on Dining Buddy for the Jedi Mickey dinner with Fantasmic too. Fingers crossed.

I wish they would include the option for the Feel the Force Deluxe package, but since it is a compute program I can see why that is not an option.
*Sigh* I will just have to keep calling.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

So glad that others are having success finding new/better ADRs, gives me hope! I have received only 2 notifications for my date since I signed up, and both were later than my current ADR. (though I know I should not be complaining since I actually HAVE a reservation!).

So DH and I were working on our "backup plan" this weekend in case we never find a better time. Our ADR is currently at 9:10. We are heading directly to Chewie at RD, but have nothing planned then until breakfast. How early do you think I could show up and reasonably hope to be seated?

I had to play with my times on my request since they kept giving me times that were too late. The one thing I don't like about Dining Buddy is their 2 hour +/- window on your ideal time. Four hours is a LOT of time. On the competing service that cannot be mentioned on the Disboards (and doesn't have the SWW meals anyway, so it's a moot point for purposes of this thread) you can put in your exact window and it only sends you notifications for that specific window. For our December trip, I only gave them a 1 hour window for BOG. It took a month of waiting, but one finally popped up.

As for your morning...if you do the Chewie run, you can then get a quick ride (or two) on Star Tours before breakfast at 9:10. We'll ride Star Tours as many times as possible, though.

 

[yulilin3]

the booking friend just helped me out, i cancelled

Galactic Breakfast for 3 pp

May 19

9:35 am

Before I made my FP+ awhile ago, did dummy bookings to try & determine what time the shows were scheduled for Sunday, May 17th

I made a cheat sheet, which I managed to lose

does anybody have them figured out?

Just wanted to do a double-check & make sure I didn't have anything over-lapping

The schedule for weekend I thru IV is on the first page

 

[Cluelyss]

We do have a FP for Star Tours scheduled before breakfast, but having booked the FtF package for that day, I don't want to be rushing through breakfast to get to check in. We don't care about the show FP, but I have 2 kids and am vertically challenged myself, so want a good parade spot

I had to play with my times on my request since they kept giving me times that were too late. The one thing I don't like about Dining Buddy is their 2 hour +/- window on your ideal time. Four hours is a LOT of time. On the competing service that cannot be mentioned on the Disboards (and doesn't have the SWW meals anyway, so it's a moot point for purposes of this thread) you can put in your exact window and it only sends you notifications for that specific window. For our December trip, I only gave them a 1 hour window for BOG. It took a month of waiting, but one finally popped up.

As for your morning...if you do the Chewie run, you can then get a quick ride (or two) on Star Tours before breakfast at 9:10. We'll ride Star Tours as many times as possible, though.

 

[southernfriedmom]

For those of you that have had success with Dining Buddy- have any of you had larger parties? I am hesistant to pay the $8 because I am worried there is little chance when looking for a party of 8.

 

[Skywise]

For those of you that have had success with Dining Buddy- have any of you had larger parties? I am hesistant to pay the $8 because I am worried there is little chance when looking for a party of 8.

I'm using a different service and have had it setup now for about 3 months and have had reservations at Ohana for 7 appear twice so far in the past few weeks (trying to get a better time).

OTOH I made a watch for Beaches and Cream at the same time for the same number and have had no hits at all.

It's going to depend on restaurant popularity and size I think and I'm hoping RSVPs start appearing faster as the date approaches.

 

[Felipe4]

Wait - the other service can't do the Galactic Breakfast? I had set up a watch for that one and was wondering why I hadn't received any notifications when others have.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Has anyone ordered from this company before? Thoughts on it? DH wants this Jedi Tunic and I want to surprise him for his bday
http://cosplaysky.com/star-wars-kenobi-jedi-tunic-costume-custom-made.html