Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

So if we do a dash to Darth at rope drop (maybe Amidala) then a quick Star Tours, then in line for Anakin by 8:45....doable?

Plan on meeting Cody/Ahsoka/Rex/Mace in the 12:30-2:30 block, as much as we can tolerate in the heat of the day? We have these times available both days so its doable to get those 4 over two afternoons?

I think very doable on both plans.

For the Blister Pack (Cody, Ahsoka, Rex) remember Assaj Ventress will also be in the rotation so try to time your line entry well. Josh and John were the 2 CMs in red shirts that we saw there most often - they were both helpful - especially Josh in terms of helping to estimate when to enter the line. In our experience you should be in line about 30 minutes before the character you want is scheduled to come out. Sometimes you will get to meet 2 characters at once but don't count on it. Rule in that line is you meet whichever character is there when you get to the front of the line - they are not happy with people who let people in front of them to 'stall' .....we did it successfully multiple times but when we were further back in the line not when we were near the front.

For Mace's line Patrick is great and seemed to be the main CM. Again ask him if it's a good time to get into line. That line seemed to move slower so you may want to get in line 30 /40 minutes before Mace is scheduled to come out. Also remember Mace's line is covered and has fans so it is a much nicer line to wait in.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Sounds good. We can get a FP for Ashley being there around 7 am?
I think DS will want a Vader autograph which I read we don't get at breakfast...or doesn't he sign at all?

and Vader does sign out in the meet/ greet area (not at Breakfast) last year I offered him a black sharpie and a pink one and he picked the pink one! We got a lot of mileage out of that one - very funny! This year I offered him black or purple and he picked purple!!

 

[yulilin3]

I'm going to be dropping a Rebel Hangar for Sunday May 31st for 2 people. Already have spent way more money than budgeted on weekends I and II so need to save a bit for weekend IV and V.
Let me know if you're interested.
EDIT TO ADD: for 4:05pm

 

[luvallprincesses]

Thank you times 100 for the planning help. I think I mostly hoped to hear I wasn't expecting to do too much in that time frame. Checking with the CM's on timing the character rotations is great advice as that is our biggest variable in the plan. Glad to hear about Mace's line. I'm thinking the Rebels show recap and sketching with an animator will be our "take a cool break" plans for the afternoons while trying to catch the right characters. I'm also at 180 days on Wednesday for our Thanksgiving trip so I'm going a little planning crazy right now.

 

[Arich01]

Went to see Tommorrowland yesterday and after The Force Awakens trailer, my DS7 spontaneously starts applauding like crazy!
I'm sure others in the theater thought that was strange, but I know my people here could appreciate how that made me smile!

We liked it. Not sure how old your son is, but the details of some of the story can be a little convoluted to follow to younger ones, like my DS7 and his friend.
But they got the gist of it, and there was plenty of action and excitement to keep them entertained.
It's got a great message, in my opinion.

It was everything I could do NOT to do the same as your DS!!!!


My two cents: meh. I thought the beginning dragged and should have been cut, the "message" was delivered in a heavy-handed way - felt almost preachy to me. Our whole group: myself, DH, DS10, DD8 said it was "ok", but we wouldn't watch it again. I feel like it was a better IDEA than it was a movie.

Thanks for the reviews We ended up not going to the movie today- may give it a go after school is out/ back from SWW IV on a rainy day

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Thank you times 100 for the planning help. I think I mostly hoped to hear I wasn't expecting to do too much in that time frame. Checking with the CM's on timing the character rotations is great advice as that is our biggest variable in the plan. Glad to hear about Mace's line. I'm thinking the Rebels show recap and sketching with an animator will be our "take a cool break" plans for the afternoons while trying to catch the right characters. I'm also at 180 days on Wednesday for our Thanksgiving trip so I'm going a little planning crazy right now.

just to be clear the character rotation times are already posted - the CMs can help you decide whether to hop in line "now" or wait a little while so you hit the 'right' character. If you have 2 adults you can do what we did a few times and have one adult hop in line with kid(s) and have the other adult get in line about 10 families back so you are hedging your bets - and you have a better shot at getting the 'right' character. If it looks like adult #1 will get 'the' character you can move up and join him/ her if the 2nd adult is In the right spot in line nobody minds you abandoning an earlier place and moving back.

 

[lovingeire]

Don't know if this has already been posted yet, but they ran out of lightsaber at the sci-fi galactic breakfast. We asked and they said they ran out and probably won't be getting any back in. They said they were "surprises" and they weren't to be expected....

This is super disappointing and a huge fail in my opinion. This is a breakfast that is pre-booked months in advance. Even with walk ups how hard is it to order enough for the event. I'm about to send some unhappy mail to Mickey between this and the lack of signing by the headlining characters many of us are paying good money to see. Sorry this is nothing but frustrating to me.

 

[jthornton94]

This is super disappoint and a huge fail in my opinion. This is a breakfast that is pre-booked months in advance. Even with walk ups how hard is it to order enough for the event. I'm about to send some unhappy mail to Mickey between this and the lack of signing by the headlining characters many of us are paying good money to see. Sorry this is nothing but frustrating to me.

I'm hoping maybe there was miscommunication like there has been with the Fett mugs. Several were told they were completely sold out, which they weren't.

 

[dkfajr1]

This is super disappoint and a huge fail in my opinion. This is a breakfast that is pre-booked months in advance. Even with walk ups how hard is it to order enough for the event. I'm about to send some unhappy mail to Mickey between this and the lack of signing by the headlining characters many of us are paying good money to see. Sorry this is nothing but frustrating to me.

Yes. We were told there weren't any this morning at our breakfast. I remember seeing them Saturday. I'm about to send a strongly worded email myself. I don't mind Vader and Fett not signing myself, but the light sabers? Really?

 

[delmar411]

Hi, all. If I go alone to get an autograph fast pass at Crazy O'Clock in the morn, can the whole family go up to meet the celebrity? Or does everyone in the family have to have a FastPass, even though we only need one autograph as a group?

Thanks,
Doug

No they cannot. Every person must have a band and FP. Even if a child has a FP, the must go in alone and the CM will take pics for them.

 

[Skywise]

Yes. We were told there weren't any this morning at our breakfast. I remember seeing them Saturday. I'm about to send a strongly worded email myself. I don't mind Vader and Fett not signing myself, but the light sabers? Really?

It's not like they don't know EXACTLY how many people they'll serve at the breakfasts.

 

[pollyanna30]

after the welcome show characters split up and take 3 paths.
The ones on the pictures exit on the left hand side of backstage and go down the ramp heading towards TSMM (so if you are facing GMR this would be to your right)
The others exit on the right hand side of backstage and head toward a backstage door by GMR (door next to the little fountain in the GMR courtyard, if you're facing GMR that would be your left)
Chewie and Ewoks exit right hand side of backstage and head to the rooms in the old AIE building, they walk down Commissary lane to get to that place
We stand here to get pictures of the celebrities when they come down from the stage and go back on their cars. If you are in this spot you will NOT see the parade at all. It is very hard to get to this spot if you are watching the parade in the general area because of the amount of people blocking everywhere. We stand here around 11:15am and just wait for the show to be over.

Thanks for this answer. Since we are only there for one day, I guess we'll just watch the actual parade instead. After a couple of weekends, do you have any new insight for parade placement for those without a reserved spot? Thanks again for all you do maintaining this thread and your patience with all of us newbies!

 

[delmar411]

It's not like they don't know EXACTLY how many people they'll serve at the breakfasts.

Well it makes me wonder if they ordered just the number they had ADRs for, not taking into account extra people and all those walkins

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks for this answer. Since we are only there for one day, I guess we'll just watch the actual parade instead. After a couple of weekends, do you have any new insight for parade placement for those without a reserved spot? Thanks again for all you do maintaining this thread and your patience with all of us newbies!

Best place to see the parade. Left hand side of Hollywood Blvd for shade. You must grab a spot around 9:30 or else you will be stuck on the sunny side

 

[yulilin3]

Well it makes me wonder if they ordered just the number they had ADRs for, not taking into account extra people and all those walkins

It was my understanding that they had enough for all the ADR....it's a puzzling thing. It really was never advertised as something you would get, I knew and reported cause I have a friend on the "inside" . But still,the secret would've been out once people started going and reporting on their experiences.

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

I need to cancel a Galactic Breakfast on June 7 at 8:00 and a Jedi Mickey's on June 7 at 5:55. Both are for a party of 8. I know someone was looking for the breakfast, but I don't remember who or know if they may have found a ressie already. PM me if interested.

I tried to PM you...not sure if it worked, but I am interested in your Jedi Mickey June 7 at 5:55 for a party of 6. Thank you!

 

[delmar411]

It was my understanding that they had enough for all the ADR....it's a puzzling thing. It really was never advertised as something you would get, I knew and reported cause I have a friend on the "inside" . But still,the secret would've been out once people started going and reporting on their experiences.

Right all the ADRs at that moment in time. Then people shuffled and really filled in all empty spots and they took walk ins constantly and were giving out extras...remember when I was there the jawas had them in the pouches to trade and we traded for 2 extra....plus I'm sure the CMs have wandered off with some and guests asked for extras and got them, etc etc.

 

[RedM94]

Right all the ADRs at that moment in time. Then people shuffled and really filled in all empty spots and they took walk ins constantly and were giving out extras...remember when I was there the jawas had them in the pouches to trade and we traded for 2 extra....plus I'm sure the CMs have wandered off with some and guests asked for extras and got them, etc etc.

Working in retail all my life and knowing these are made in a foreign country, the order had to be placed 8 or more months ago. Long befor ADRs started.

Yes it is disappointing for me as well as for everyone else. My guess is that it has to do more with the west coast dock workers strike than anything else.

Just my opinion.

 

[wdwalice]

Hi everyone! I have two sets of autographed (copies) card pictures of Amy Allen, Ashley Eckstein and Tiya Sircar given out as part of the Premium Packages swag during the parade. Happy to send to anyone who wants them.

 

[lovingeire]

Well it makes me wonder if they ordered just the number they had ADRs for, not taking into account extra people and all those walkins

And that's just an example of poor planning. Because you know if there will be room for walk ups and account for that and order extra. It's easy to figure out. I don't understand why this concept is so difficult for Disney. And it may not have been advertised, however word spreads like wildfire with Disney so it's highly unlikely that the majority of those who have the reservation wouldn't know about this "surprise" and expect it as well.