Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[missastrocat]

I'd like some opinions on cameras. I normally use a Canon T1i for all photos, but I pretty much do everything on Auto. I recently purchased a Galaxy S6 phone and the camera on this thing is amazing. Does anyone think I could get by with nothing but the S6 and the Photopass package and still come home with hundreds of good photos to look through or should I bring the Canon and a good strap for it? Thanks!

We used Galaxy S6 edges and thought our pictures turned out pretty well. We took a digital camera with us, but we never ended up using it. I just leave it on the auto setting. My husband likes to play around with all the settings and loves his pictures. Probably depends on what you plan to do with the pictures. We did leave our phones on the power saving setting so the phones lasted all day. Good luck!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

just a few heads up on your schedule:
Pizza planet at 12:30 will be a mess. Super crowded. Allow yourself at least an hour to order and eat your food.
If you are interested in Visit to the Maul show the standby line will be long, allow yourselves an hour for that.

Ditto.

How about moving that TSM FP+ earlier and then leaving DHS for lunch after the parade? Pizza Planet is so not worth a wait. You could take a bus to any resort and eat at the CS/food court there or walk and/or boat to the Boardwalk and/or YC/BC for lunch there.

 

[yulilin3]

In your opinion, what do you think is best...Chewie and JTA friday rope drop and vTTM sign up Sunday rope drop or switch them?

I think that's a good plan. Are you splitting up, one adult goes to line up for Chewie while the other goes with kids to JTA sign ups?

I'm sure in the 851 pages this has been answered, but I know to get in there is a special line, is there a special check out line or do we have to stand with the regular folk

with the commoners for check out

 

[yulilin3]

@Gianfootography awesome pic!! Please let us know what time you arrived for Warwick's autograph and what session you got? Have fun and stay hydrated

 

[coluk003]

Pocahontas, Rafiki, Pluto, Jasmine & Tiana were there.
The CM's inside were very nice. We didn't feel rushed at all. After the first group of us went in (15-20 kids/ adults), they closed one gate. From the outside you really couldn't see that characters were in there, so there was no rush of people coming in. Very pleasant. Thank you @kennythepirate

Were these the only characters there? And I'd this done on weekends or just weekdays? As far as you

 

[db99]

Just wanted to weigh in on our experience at RH last night. Got a last minute reservation around 7:00, which was the only time I could get. It was definitely not busy and they were taking walk ups. We had GREAT character interaction with characters coming to our table multiple times and having fun with us. Service was much faster as well versus our experience opening night. I will definitely do a full review of our trip when we get back, but wanted to make two points with this post: 1) If you can go to RH on a non SWW night, do it. 2) If you can't get a reservation, don't assume you won't get in.

 

[Teamanderson]

I think that's a good plan. Are you splitting up, one adult goes to line up for Chewie while the other goes with kids to JTA sign ups?


with the commoners for check out

Yes, friday my husband and 5 year old will go stand in line for JTA and I'll take my 2 year old for Chewie line. I wish he could do JTA. He is Vader obsessed. His time will come. Sunday we will do VTTM sign up.

 

[Teamanderson]

Just wanted to weigh in on our experience at RH last night. Got a last minute reservation around 7:00, which was the only time I could get. It was definitely not busy and they were taking walk ups. We had GREAT character interaction with characters coming to our table multiple times and having fun with us. Service was much faster as well versus our experience opening night. I will definitely do a full review of our trip when we get back, but wanted to make two points with this post: 1) If you can go to RH on a non SWW night, do it. 2) If you can't get a reservation, don't assume you won't get in.

Awesome. I may walk up Friday night were there and ask if they are doing walk ups! Won't hurt to ask.

 

[Teamanderson]

I've been reading up on taking photos in galactic and hear it's a hit or miss with the lighting. Any suggestions for good pictures with iPhone?

 

[yulilin3]

I've been reading up on taking photos in galactic and hear it's a hit or miss with the lighting. Any suggestions for good pictures with iPhone?

the picture taker turns their back to the giant screen and uses the light from the screen to illuminate the subject in the picture

 

[mmafan]

Back home waiting for the week2 pics!!!!!!!

 

[yulilin3]

Were these the only characters there? And I'd this done on weekends or just weekdays? As far as you

it doesn't have a set schedule it's just something that happens randomly. It's a Disney surprise, that's why it's not on the schedule

 

[mmafan]

I've been reading up on taking photos in galactic and hear it's a hit or miss with the lighting. Any suggestions for good pictures with iPhone?

have the people facing the screen so the light is on them and your back to the screen..worked good for me

 

[coluk003]

We were at WDW during the 1st weekend of SWW this year. It was our first time going during SWW and my DH is hooked! We arrived on Thursday, and my dh kept saying we would never go back to WDW in May, June, etc. Way too hot. By Sunday afternoon, he was already talking about planning out next year. And here I thought I wasn't going back to WDW for a few years.

When do you all start planning for the next year? I know I definitely do not want to stay at a value resort again, so I may try to rent from a dvc member as soon as possible. When do they typically announce the dates?

I know nothing of renting dvc points so this will be more about booking. I would highly suggest in July or August to either call or book online your hotel, just in case you can't buy any doc points, this will allow you the most availability at the hotel you want. Since you only have the 200 dollar deposit make the reservation for a 13 night stay this way you are sure to cover one if not two weekends. You can always modify it once the dates come out so they are more to your liking, but at least you'll have that room type still.

Also remember your 180 day dining reservation mark also. For sww this will be around November .

 

[soniam]

Everyone have a good weekend. We are heading to Indianapolis for the 500.

 

[Fire14]

I think I'm doing this for this years SWW pictures. I think it's a neat way to keep all the pictures and maybe even take it next year for characters and celebrities to sign it
http://photo.walgreens.com/walgreens/storepage/storePageId=MemoryBooks?tab=photo_HomepageNewBabies_PhotoBooks

I did Hubs with our "free" codes from Shutterfly lots of cute commets from characters, Got a few xcited ones to see themselves in lights. I have lots of character pics I can share with anyone who wishes to use them.

When I went last year Darth Maul and all the collectibles were in one building (and if they weren't I missed something. ).

It seems they're in different buildings this year (XWing, Darth Maul and Watto's)? I've got a FtF package so I should be able to get into the express lane - So I'm trying to figure out what my strategy is (current thought is about an hour or two after the parade, just before our afternoon break) Is there an express lane for each different shop or does one shop lead into another?

each section has express line

So no Chewie at RH? I know there are no guarantees, but he is the main reason I'm keeping my ADR for this. I'm curious to know how often and at what times he is making appearances.

NO Chewie during our sun Rh. WE saw Catalina band, Jawas, The new Rebels ( no autos as we asked), I think we saw Greedo from distance

 

[yulilin3]

Everyone have a good weekend. We are heading to Indianapolis for the 500.

have fun!!

 

[jacksmommy]

I asked a few pages back but think it got buried. If not going to the parade how would you spend your time most wisely? Do you think Darth Mall will be a good idea at that time? I assume that there are no M & G for SW characters since they are in the parade. Maybe a good time for lunch? My son's priority is meeting SW characters. Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

I asked a few pages back but think it got buried. If not going to the parade how would you spend your time most wisely? Do you think Darth Mall will be a good idea at that time? I assume that there are no M & G for SW characters since they are in the parade. Maybe a good time for lunch? My son's priority is meeting SW characters. Thanks!

I'm sorry I missed your question.
The best time for lunch, no waits whatsoever.
Actually Vader meets continuously all day, even during parade, so you could check how long the line is
Darth's Mall should be manageable at that time as well.
But I would use it for lunch, then while everyone goes to lunch after the parade you are done and ready to keep going

 

[Teamanderson]

In celebration of our countdown to SWW we decided to unpack some of old childhood SW toys and see what the boys think of them.