Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[The Sunrise Student]

Watch the video.... did anyone mention or show this


Looks like the Darth Mall will be associated to Vader and not Darth Maul like in the past...

And it looks like the new snack bar will be called Watto's Grotto instead of Acbars Snack bar......

Not sure about the x-wing collection but looks cool!

I will be sure to report what I can from Galactic Gatherings event and any time we go into the "Darth Mall"

 

[jpwest]

Star Tours line stays consistently long all day during SWW, by parade time the wait is probably going to be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. <snip> You cannot see the 9pm F! and be able to watch the fireworks. You can catch the second F! without a problem after the fireworks

Well, crap. Touringplans.com is kind of disappointing me this year. I have a ST FP+, so no problem there, but their forecasts do not show any extra impact from SWW. Thanks, great info.

 

[yulilin3]

OK, I know this is a ridiculous question, because duh it's Florida it's hot, but I know that Yulilin and ITinkso live in the area. We are coming from CT and it has be barely grazing the 60's on a warm day here lately. I checked the forecast for Orlando and it said 90s already? Is this what I should expect in 2 weeks? When we were there in November, I packed shorts for everyone and then it was 40s. This time, I'm packing "spring" attire, but I'm thinking of swapping out for some tank tops? Thoughts?

It's actually myself and @lovethattink that are locals. I wish @Itinkso was local, she needs to move here
We have had temps in the 90s with heat index at 98, not kidding. It's already hot and muggy.

I was also wondering what exactly the 'Summon the Force' show prior to the fireworks entails? I have purchased the FtF package and I'm just wondering if I'm going to keep it. I'm debating between this or the Fantastmic show. Any suggestions?

The Summoning of the Force is James Arnold Taylor coming on the stage he shows everyone all the pictures that people have shared on instagram and twitter in a little montage and then he calls on all the different characters from the dark side and the Force, all the characters come up on stage in groups and then he says "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" and the fireworks start.
You can always watch the second F! it's easy to get to and it never fills up.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

OK, I know this is a ridiculous question, because duh it's Florida it's hot, but I know that Yulilin and ITinkso live in the area. We are coming from CT and it has be barely grazing the 60's on a warm day here lately. I checked the forecast for Orlando and it said 90s already? Is this what I should expect in 2 weeks? When we were there in November, I packed shorts for everyone and then it was 40s. This time, I'm packing "spring" attire, but I'm thinking of swapping out for some tank tops? Thoughts?

(Itinkso lives in CA...lovethattink lives in FL)

I don't live in FL, but you will be too hot in CT spring attire in Florida in May. It will be full-on summer, with a lot of humidity. The locals will probably say May isn't that bad...THEY'RE CRAZY! It's bad! LOL.

Our first SWW was in 2013 (first weekend in June). We were having a cool spring here in MN and wore jeans on the plane. We arrived at 10:30 p.m. and I swear I had never been that hot before in my life. I wanted to die. And it was night!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We have had temps in the 90s with heat index at 98, not kidding. It's already hot and muggy.

I weep. I'm praying for a cold front moving through FL in June.

 

[yulilin3]

Well, crap. Touringplans.com is kind of disappointing me this year. I have a ST FP+, so no problem there, but their forecasts do not show any extra impact from SWW. Thanks, great info.

Some people say that the rest of the park doesn't really see an impact but I can tell you, after doing this for the past 11 years, it does affect it. And I always give Muppetvision 3D as an example. It never has a line and during SWW you can see lines for it of 30 to 45 minutes.

 

[yulilin3]

@The Sunrise Student I think this goes with the whole "Darth's Mall Complex" that they have been hinting toward. It'll be several rooms, maybe each one will have a different group of merchandise? I think Ackbar Snackbar will be back (I mean, it's just awesome name and the have the animatronic for it)

 

[yulilin3]

the Dis unplugged livestream is making fun of BB8...I'm slightly upset

 

[AngiTN]

What's your first stop AFTER JTA signups? I'd just tell your husband that you'll meet him there. My husband is too nice to assert himself in crowds (luckily, I don't suffer from the same affliction!), so I always send him to do something else when I'm heading into the fray. LOL!

If you're going for Chewie, he could go hold a spot in line there. JTA, TSM, and Vader seem to pull so many people at RD that the Chewie line doesn't suffer from as much craziness.

You know I have no idea what we'll do after sign ups. I hadn't thought that far ahead. I probably need to work on that.
We have breakfast ADR at SciFI at 9:20. Guess it will depend on just how long the sign up takes. Chewie is probably the only character not at the meals that I'd want to meet. But I really dislike standing in long lines for them. Which is why we booked the meals. We eat at H&V at 4:15
Our FP for the day are
Star Tours 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration 5:35 PM - 5:50 PM (may or may not use this, we've seen it)
Toy Story Midway Mania! 6:55 PM - 7:55 PM
somewhere in there I will work in (using the FTF DP entry)
JTA - whatever time we can get. We'll go with the earliest we can get to considering meals and parade
Darth Mall
Just not sure on the shows. Will decide once I review the plans with DH. He actually has no clue we are even going. It's a surprise for both he and DGD so I haven't been able to get any input on plans from them

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

OK, I know this is a ridiculous question, because duh it's Florida it's hot, but I know that Yulilin and ITinkso live in the area. We are coming from CT and it has be barely grazing the 60's on a warm day here lately. I checked the forecast for Orlando and it said 90s already? Is this what I should expect in 2 weeks? When we were there in November, I packed shorts for everyone and then it was 40s. This time, I'm packing "spring" attire, but I'm thinking of swapping out for some tank tops? Thoughts?

Another local here (I live 5 mins from Disney so my "forecasts" are pretty accurate) and I can attest to the fact hat yes indeed it is in the 90's right now and the afternoon showers are already starting to emerge. I would suggest as I usually packing for the summer heat and humidity but also bringing at least 1 pair of jeans and a light long sleeve shirt per person because it can cool down a bit after a long rain storm...no where chilly but cooler

 

[The Sunrise Student]

@The Sunrise Student I think this goes with the whole "Darth's Mall Complex" that they have been hinting toward. It'll be several rooms, maybe each one will have a different group of merchandise? I think Ackbar Snackbar will be back (I mean, it's just awesome name and the have the animatronic for it)

DID ya see this.... it had both Sabine and Hera.... it's the whole cast that is what I have been waiting for!!!

 

[yulilin3]

Yeah we saw it. I just want one of Sabine by herself just so we can have Tiya sign it. None of my nephews or niece are into Rebels...I blame my sisters parenting skills...slacking

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I want the R2 that projects Tie fighters on the wall so I can shoot them with my blaster....

May the force help my wallet cause the dark side it tempting me to spend a ton of Galactic Credits!

 

[yulilin3]

Just a reminder for anyone that likes comic books. This Saturday May 2nd is Free Comic Book day. Go to your local comic book store and receive a free one. I don't know if you can pick from a box or if they are just in a bag pre sorted.
Our comic book store is giving the first 25 people in line special extra goodies so we'll be there early

 

[Tltorrez]

and this is why attractions that never see a line, like Muppetvision 3D see higher wait times. Either people want to take a break from all the SWW stuff or they didn't know or don't want to be a part of SWW so they flock to non SW attractions.

Well, glad I have that Muppet Vision FP the. ;-)

 

[Itinkso]

I wish @Itinkso was local, she needs to move here

I do enjoy visiting - if only it weren't so humid!

I'm packing "spring" attire, but I'm thinking of swapping out for some tank tops? Thoughts?

Because I'm not used to humidity, I brought cotton tank tops and Dri-fit tops to wear in the parks for my recent trip. I especially like the rawthreads.com Disney-inspired shirts made from bamboo - they keep me much cooler than regular 't's. I usually wear capri's but when DD and I were doing "homeowner" chores for her new house, I bought a pair of shorts in WalMart - the best $11 purchase I made and I wore them for our park days.

So, pack what you would wear on the hottest summer day - I'm used to 100 degree summertime temps here in Central CA but it's the humidity that really gets to me in Florida.

 

[Kevin_W]

Some people say that the rest of the park doesn't really see an impact but I can tell you, after doing this for the past 11 years, it does affect it. And I always give Muppetvision 3D as an example. It never has a line and during SWW you can see lines for it of 30 to 45 minutes.

I've only been 1 day last year, rather than 11 years so your data is better than mine - but we were surprised by how low crowds were in the park last year (Friday of Mark Hammil weekend). The non-Star Wars stuff had far lower lines than the previous day. That may have been an anomaly since they were restricting who could get into the park that day.

 

[yulilin3]

I do enjoy visiting - if only it weren't so humid!


Because I'm not used to humidity, I brought cotton tank tops and Dri-fit tops to wear in the parks for my recent trip. I especially like the rawthreads.com Disney-inspired shirts made from bamboo - they keep me much cooler than regular 't's. I usually wear capri's but when DD and I were doing "homeowner" chores for her new house, I bought a pair of shorts in WalMart - the best $11 purchase I made and I wore them for our park days.

So, pack what you would wear on the hottest summer day - I'm used to 100 degree summertime temps here in Central CA but it's the humidity that really gets to me in Florida.

It's pretty rough from May until September. But I think I'm the only person in the park wearing blue jeans and a t shirt. It doesn't bother me as much anymore. But I don drink A LOT of water and try to stay inside or in the shade as much as possible

 

[Tltorrez]

Would be cool there are some nice Minor League gear around and I know the Nats have SW day on schedule this year. So do the Rays but they don't do special uniforms only a Han Longo bobble head which is pretty awesome.

The Durham Bulls have SW night every year. We have a signed SW player jersey from a few years ago.

If you're in the DC area, the indie league, Blue Crabs in Waldorf are having SW night May 23. The local 501st will be there.

 

[yulilin3]

I've only been 1 day last year, rather than 11 years so your data is better than mine - but we were surprised by how low crowds were in the park last year (Friday of Mark Hammil weekend). The non-Star Wars stuff had far lower lines than the previous day. That may have been an anomaly since they were restricting who could get into the park that day.

how were they restricting? I never heard of this happening last year. I always go Saturdays and SUndays