Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[lovethattink]

when I click on "going" I can see everyone there.

Maybe because you started the event?

 

[Tltorrez]

They have finally added the motorcade,the Padawan Mind Challenge times (12:15pm, 2:30pm, 4:15pm and 6pm) and the Galactic Dance Party (7pm) to the schedule, here's the link
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/hollywood-studios/2015-05-15/#timeofday=allday
Updating the first post to add the times for PMC, the first 2 are sign ups only, sign ups are at ABC Sound Studio event information table and the last 2 are Family edition, families get picked around the Event Stage

Now maybe Touring Plans will update. I've been going round and round with them about the parade time and SotS duration.

 

[yulilin3]

Maybe because you started the event?

that could be it.

 

[AngiTN]

Their communication strategy is mind boggling. Are they hoping that information slowly leaks out before things are officially announced, so the contact center isn't hit with a surge of calls all at once and the systems get overwhelmed? The thing that happened on Monday with Rebel Hangar with some agents booking and some not and others yet seemly confused should never happen if your communication is strong.

See, my opinion is we jumped the gun and sort of "forced" the CM to book before it was ready. That's why it was hard to get them to find times, they had to use different methods to check and some couldn't figure it out at all. Now, Disney should have it totally off until it's announced, rather than have a back door in, so to speak. But had we waited till the announcement was made it would have probably been a breeze to book. And none of the slots would have been taken before the announcement.

Awesome, thank you! I am just nervous with little kids, what I picture in my head is probably much worse than it will actually be.

Do know, CMs pretty sternly remind guests NO RUNNING ALLOWED. Super fast walking yes but they get a bit testy when you run.

 

[Tltorrez]

I have a question for y'all about parking during SWW. We are staying off-site this time around but want to be at DHS around 7:30ishAM and also park hop later in the day. Where's the best place to park throughout the day? What time would the buses start running from the T&TC to DHS?

Thanks!

What parks are you planning to hop to? I would probably just park at DHS.

 

[msmama]

Are the during the week Jedi Training's busier than normal between SWW's? It's back to just Vader during the week?

(My son is maybe, possibly interested now, and since we have the VIP I can sign him up, just want to be able to prepare him for whatever may happen).

Isn't someone (itinkso?) a Mom of a friend of a Jedi? Any tips for a kid who WANTS to do it, but is afraid he'll chicken out? We've watched the regular one (non SWW) on youtube and that's what convinced him that he'd like to try.

 

[yulilin3]

See, my opinion is we jumped the gun and sort of "forced" the CM to book before it was ready. That's why it was hard to get them to find times, they had to use different methods to check and some couldn't figure it out at all. Now, Disney should have it totally off until it's announced, rather than have a back door in, so to speak. But had we waited till the announcement was made it would have probably been a breeze to book. And none of the slots would have been taken before the announcement.


Do know, CMs pretty sternly remind guests NO RUNNING ALLOWED. Super fast walking yes but they get a bit testy when you run.

it's a communications issue:
We knew about the character meals, and were able to book, months before they announced on DPB. They didn't even show up on the SWW event page on WDW until March
Premium Packages same thing. I got word from someone on fb that they were open to book days before the DPB announced
Rebel Hangar information was sent to Travel Agents a month ago and a DISer's TA told her and she posted the info here, that's how we knew
It has been like this for years now

 

[soniam]

These two comments on the DPB make me sad. Disney should announce things first then have them open for booking so this doesn't continue to happen


This is very disappointing. The first Friday and Saturday already are booked, and the gal on the phone said they’ve been taking reservations since at least last week. How can we find out about these things in time to take advantage of them? If they’re not being announced here first, where are they being announced?
Crazy that this is booked already! And that we are just hearing about it!! I have been keeping track of all Star Wars related news since we are coming specifically for this event, first time I saw anything about this. Even had talked to a CM about dining for our trip and she didn’t bring it up.

It is a shame. However, is anyone willing to comment and tell them that the Disboards knew? I'm not. It's not fair, but I like having our personal in.

 

[Monykalyn]

5 days! Must be time for the trip dreams to start.

I had a dream last night I tried a new Yoda cupcake and it had peas and carrots inside. And I kept arguing with the guy handing them out that no one would want them and he would have to keep refunding people's money if he sold them without telling people.

I just snorted coffee out my nose

 

[yulilin3]

Are the during the week Jedi Training's busier than normal between SWW's? It's back to just Vader during the week?

(My son is maybe, possibly interested now, and since we have the VIP I can sign him up, just want to be able to prepare him for whatever may happen).

Isn't someone (itinkso?) a Mom of a friend of a Jedi? Any tips for a kid who WANTS to do it, but is afraid he'll chicken out? We've watched the regular one (non SWW) on youtube and that's what convinced him that he'd like to try.

Itinkso I think is gone for the rest of the week, she's going to Disneyland to run the 5K Tink. But, the weekday JTA are less busy than SWW JTA. It is only Vader unless they expect a higher number of people, then it's Vader and Maul.
If he's afraid of Maul and he is an option during your session, talk to the CM and they will move him to Vader.

 

[msmama]

These two comments on the DPB make me sad. Disney should announce things first then have them open for booking so this doesn't continue to happen


This is very disappointing. The first Friday and Saturday already are booked, and the gal on the phone said they’ve been taking reservations since at least last week. How can we find out about these things in time to take advantage of them? If they’re not being announced here first, where are they being announced?
Crazy that this is booked already! And that we are just hearing about it!! I have been keeping track of all Star Wars related news since we are coming specifically for this event, first time I saw anything about this. Even had talked to a CM about dining for our trip and she didn’t bring it up.

I have to wonder if the first weekend is actually all booked. Are reservations working correctly now? We all know what we had to do to get ressies - we basically had to walk them through the process - so how many people are taking the CM's at their word, when in reality the CM's just don't know what they're doing? Obviously there are REALLY good CM's, but...yulilin also got hung up on once, so...

 

[AngiTN]

Thought y'all get a kick out of this. Got this message from DGD last night. Granted, she was just in her room and could have walked to my room to ask me but she loves to use FB Messanger
So I think we know what I'll be doing Friday night.

 

[AngiTN]

it's a communications issue:
We knew about the character meals, and were able to book, months before they announced on DPB. They didn't even show up on the SWW event page on WDW until March
Premium Packages same thing. I got word from someone on fb that they were open to book days before the DPB announced
Rebel Hangar information was sent to Travel Agents a month ago and a DISer's TA told her and she posted the info here, that's how we knew
It has been like this for years now

Oh, I understand how it happens. Same general idea happens on other fan type boards I belong to. Word leaks out to the fans before it's out to the general public so those fans are ahead of the curve on things, so to speak.

But in all those instances, it's knowledge from leaked information and not the way Disney intended the announcement to go out. Not saying it is wrong to take advantage of leaked information, I'm not. I do myself. But it doesn't change the fact that it was through a leak that the info came out.

 

[Brandiwlf]

Do we think there will be non alcoholic Specialty drinks available at rh? DH was pretty excited about alderaan ale and the cocktails look good to me but we have 2 kids and grandparents who don't drink coming with us!

 

[Itinkso]

I just want to thank @Itinkso again for her awesome job with the roll call. It can't be easy adding names and experiences, changing them and deleting some.
Good luck on your Tink 5k, have fun at Disneyland

You're welcome! I enjoy volunteering my time and there's no better place than the "Nicest Thread" on DISboards!!

My DL packing list includes: blinged-out tutus, foam roller, and umbrella (my recently purchased one from WDW)!!

Here's a photo of what I'll be wearing and the tutu that BFF will be wearing:

 

[yulilin3]

You're welcome! I enjoy volunteering my time and there's no better place than the "Nicest Thread" on DISboards!!

My DL packing list includes: blinged-out tutus, foam roller, and umbrella (my recently purchased one from WDW)!!

Here's a photo of what I'll be wearing and the tutu that BFF will be wearing:

love it. Have fun...and then it's time to train for the Princess, right? Hope to see you again soon

 

[yulilin3]

Do we think there will be non alcoholic Specialty drinks available at rh? DH was pretty excited about alderaan ale and the cocktails look good to me but we have 2 kids and grandparents who don't drink coming with us!

they would be dumb not to have specialty non alcoholic drinks, they have them for the dessert party.

 

[AndiB83]

I have a Jedi Mickey for June 7th at 7:55PM for 6 I'm going to cancel.

Bummer, I have 7 I want for that time, but that probably won't work.

 

[soniam]

Oh, I understand how it happens. Same general idea happens on other fan type boards I belong to. Word leaks out to the fans before it's out to the general public so those fans are ahead of the curve on things, so to speak.

But in all those instances, it's knowledge from leaked information and not the way Disney intended the announcement to go out. Not saying it is wrong to take advantage of leaked information, I'm not. I do myself. But it doesn't change the fact that it was through a leak that the info came out.

We had been told about the Rebel Hangar previously and that it might open up on Monday. However, finding it on dining was just a fluke. I wasn't looking for it specifically. I was just searching for all dining at DHS on an SWW day. Disney is the one that made the page visible. Plus, DPB posted the info early too and then pulled it down. I think Disney is partly to blame for this one, due to sloppy work and ineptitude, as opposed to just leaked insider info.

Also, not to blame anyone, but I am a bit surprised that this thread wouldn't pop up in a search for SWW, but I haven't actually tried searching for it. It's not like this is some well guarded secret thread, especially with over half a million views.

I still feel bad for people who wanted to go but can't. However, there are people on this thread who can't get a particular ADR that they want either.

 

[pclvnmcky88]

@Tltorrez We're hopping to Epcot later that day after DHS and then possibly to MK. I know that both parks stay open later than DHS that evening so I wasn't sure what parking situation would be easier.