Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

I want to make sure I am understanding this correctly. At the Rebel Hanger, Sci Fi Breakfast and Hollywood & Vine characters are not signing anything only giving out presigned cards? If that is the case that is really annoying, since the reason I booked all of those was so that we could get the signatures on a photo frame. If someone could confirm I would appreciate it. Thanks. 2 more days

@delvalle13 could you post 10 times so I can private message you? you have to have 10 posts to receive and send pm

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Jawas weren't given an allotment of sabers to trade. They received them in trade from guests.

CMs are not allowed to take any items that are deemed for guests... that would result in immediate termination.

Complaints regarding lack of lightsabers should focus on poor planning and management rather than blaming the food service and entertainment staff.

I've heard people say they were asking for extras and getting them. If they're making that up then I apologize. If people are getting extras I do think they shouldn't have. I also blame the poor planning, I didn't mean to leave whoever orders things out of my complaint.

 

[yulilin3]

I've heard people say they were asking for extras and getting them. If they're making that up then I apologize. If people are getting extras I do think they shouldn't have. I also blame the poor planning, I didn't mean to leave whoever orders things out of my complaint.

I think Itinkso was just saying that Jawas didn't get lightsabers from the restaurant it was just guests who decided to trade them. And wait staff didn't keep any, that would have them fired on the spot
I also heard that guests were getting extras and that should never had happen, especially if they had them numbered on ADR on moment of ordering. Definately poor planning and management

 

[hauntedcity]

yes they did

So disappointing! Luckily, I didn't tell my daughters about them. I was hoarding that information so it would be a surprise.

 

[hauntedcity]

here you go...linking it back on the first post

Thank you!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I think Itinkso was just saying that Jawas didn't get lightsabers from the restaurant it was just guests who decided to trade them. And wait staff didn't keep any, that would have them fired on the spot
I also heard that guests were getting extras and that should never had happen, especially if they had them numbered on ADR on moment of ordering. Definately poor planning and management

Ah OK yeah, I never meant to insinuate that cms kept them, I don't believe that. I just think people asked for extras for their families or whoever and the they were given them, probably the wait staff had no idea they were so poorly ordered. I'm still amnoyed at it

 

[jennab113]

Okay, I need a little scheduling/decision making help. I will be at SWW one last weekend this week (GAH, I can't believe it's almost over). I'll be there Friday and Saturday definitely and can be there Sunday, though I kind of want to go to Animal Kingdom Sunday morning. But that's negotiable. Sunday I need to leave for the airport by 5pm.

Priorities wise, I have a few characters left I'd like to meet (Vader, Padme, and Rex - Ventress and Mace Windu would be cool too but not as high priority). I'd like to get autographs from Warwick Davis and Steve Blum. I want to go to the author signing with Tricia Barr once (it's from 11-1 all three days). I want to see all the shows at least once. I want to eat at the Rebel Lounge one last time. Nice to have would be a couple rounds of Animation Academy.

I am doing the FTF DPP on Saturday too. I'd prefer to keep Friday as an early night because I am going to get up very early for the WD FP.

So here's my plans/thoughts. Suggestions needed!
Friday
Get to DHS around 4am for WD auto FP. Try to go back to sleep in line. Signing will either be around 1 or 2:15.
When the stormtroopers drop the "teeny tiny rope," go straight to Vader.
Padme before or after Star Tours
FP for Star Tours 8:10-9:10
Animation Academy if the line isn't long or Darth's Mall for At At shirt
Tricia Barr (signing starts at 11 - last week the line wasn't long but the author was late, so I expect this to take 15-30 minutes)
Darth Maul if he meets during the parade and his line isn't long
Mace Windu's first set is scheduled for 12:20, so get in line at noon by 11:30 or skip Maul and go straight to Mace's line
Rex's first set is scheduled for 1:10. Get in line after Mace if skipping Rebels Show
FP for Rebels Show 1:20 (skip if WD signing conflicts)
FP for Stars of the Saga 2:50 (skip if WD signing conflicts)
5:15 Ewok's Tale (how early should I get there for Standby? If I do SotS, I'd probably stay in this area anyway, likely chilling out in the ToT exit) be there by 4:45 at least
6:10 Rebel Hanger
Back to hotel after dinner or stay for fireworks if I am not too tired

Saturday
Get to DHS around 5am for SB auto FP. Signing will either be around 3 or 5. Hoping for 3ish, but then I'd have to skip SotS. Hopefully I didn't miss it on Friday. Or ask for last FP of day for 6ish return time
Star Tours 8:35-9:35
FTF check in at 10
after parade, quick lunch/AC break
Rex line by 12:40ish if didn't do it Friday
skip Rebels if doing Rex, or Rebels show 1:45
3:15 SotS
Toy Story 3:50-4:50
5:05 Rebel Hanger
7:00 Obi-Wan and Beyond
8:30 Dessert Party

Sunday
No real plans. As I mentioned, may do AK EMH.
FPs for Star Tours, TSMM, and Rebels show late morning/early afternoon.
Can do SotS standby if I missed it Friday and Saturday

Does this make sense? Any suggestions? As I typed it out, it started to make more sense than it did in my head.

Also, I now have a RH Friday at 4:05 for 2 if anyone is interested.

 

[Cluelyss]

We did not get a card at breakfast or RH. We did get one at dinner. At breakfast, I think DH said the ones roaming inside were signing. IIRC, someone also reported that they had a special item that a CM took to the back and had signed... @Artax maybe? I don't know if they would do the same at dinner, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. I will say, they don't sign "Jedi Mickey" or "Darth Goofy" anyway. The card was just their regular names. We didn't ask at RH since it was post-weekend, and we had everyone already. I didn't see anyone signing, but I don't know if they would.

Yes, it was @Artax I believe. Are you willing to share any tips on how you sweet-talked your way into actual autographs? I will need some advice for our breakfast....not paying that much for a meal and having to wait in line for DV and BF's autograph in the blistering sun in the park with 2 cranky kids!!! (Though I plan on wording my request much nicer than that! LOL!)

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Okay, I need a little scheduling/decision making help. I will be at SWW one last weekend this week (GAH, I can't believe it's almost over). I'll be there Friday and Saturday definitely and can be there Sunday, though I kind of want to go to Animal Kingdom Sunday morning. But that's negotiable. Sunday I need to leave for the airport by 5pm.

Priorities wise, I have a few characters left I'd like to meet (Vader, Padme, and Rex - Ventress and Mace Windu would be cool too but not as high priority). I'd like to get autographs from Warwick Davis and Steve Blum. I want to go to the author signing with Tricia Barr once (it's from 11-1 all three days). I want to see all the shows at least once. I want to eat at the Rebel Lounge one last time. Nice to have would be a couple rounds of Animation Academy.

I am doing the FTF DPP on Saturday too. I'd prefer to keep Friday as an early night because I am going to get up very early for the WD FP.

So here's my plans/thoughts. Suggestions needed!
Friday
Get to DHS around 4am for WD auto FP. Try to go back to sleep in line. Signing will either be around 1 or 2:15.
When the stormtroopers drop the "itty bitty rope," go straight to Vader.
FP for Star Tours 8:10-9:10
Animation Academy if the line isn't long or Darth's Mall for At At shirt
Padme when her line starts to dwindle pre-parade
Tricia Barr after Padme (signing starts at 11 - last week the line wasn't long but the author was late, so I expect this to take 15-30 minutes)
Darth Maul if he meets during the parade and his line isn't long
Mace Windu's first set is scheduled for 12:20, so get in line at noon or skip Maul and go straight to Mace's line
Rex's first set is scheduled for 1:10. Get in line after Mace if skipping Rebels Show
FP for Rebels Show 1:20 (skip if WD signing conflicts)
FP for Stars of the Saga 2:50 (skip if WD signing conflicts)
5:15 Ewok's Tale (how early should I get there for Standby? If I do SotS, I'd probably stay in this area anyway, likely chilling out in the ToT exit)
6:10 Rebel Hanger
Back to hotel after dinner or stay for fireworks if I am not too tired

Saturday
Get to DHS around 5am for SB auto FP. Signing will either be around 3 or 5. Hoping for 3ish, but then I'd have to skip SotS. Hopefully I didn't miss it on Friday.
Star Tours 8:35-9:35
FTF check in at 10
after parade, quick lunch/AC break
Rex line by 12:45ish if didn't do it Friday
skip Rebels if doing Rex, or Rebels show 1:45
3:15 SotS
Toy Story 3:50-4:50
5:05 Rebel Hanger
7:00 Obi-Wan and Beyond
8:30 Dessert Party

Sunday
No real plans. As I mentioned, may do AK EMH.
FPs for Star Tours, TSMM, and Rebels show late morning.
Can do SotS standby if I missed it Friday and Saturday

Does this make sense? Any suggestions? As I typed it out, it started to make more sense than it did in my head.

Also, I now have a RH Friday at 4:05 for 2 if anyone is interested.

Friday after Vader before Star Tours you might be able to get Padme quickly.

If you do Mace (starts meeting at 12:20) and then Rex you won't get Rex (comes out at 1:10) - unless you are really early in Mace's line. In our experience you need to be in line about 30 minutes before the character comes out.

 

[yulilin3]

Okay, I need a little scheduling/decision making help. I will be at SWW one last weekend this week (GAH, I can't believe it's almost over). I'll be there Friday and Saturday definitely and can be there Sunday, though I kind of want to go to Animal Kingdom Sunday morning. But that's negotiable. Sunday I need to leave for the airport by 5pm.

Priorities wise, I have a few characters left I'd like to meet (Vader, Padme, and Rex - Ventress and Mace Windu would be cool too but not as high priority). I'd like to get autographs from Warwick Davis and Steve Blum. I want to go to the author signing with Tricia Barr once (it's from 11-1 all three days). I want to see all the shows at least once. I want to eat at the Rebel Lounge one last time. Nice to have would be a couple rounds of Animation Academy.

I am doing the FTF DPP on Saturday too. I'd prefer to keep Friday as an early night because I am going to get up very early for the WD FP.

So here's my plans/thoughts. Suggestions needed!
Friday
Get to DHS around 4am for WD auto FP. Try to go back to sleep in line. Signing will either be around 1 or 2:15.
When the stormtroopers drop the "itty bitty rope," go straight to Vader.
FP for Star Tours 8:10-9:10
Animation Academy if the line isn't long or Darth's Mall for At At shirt
Padme when her line starts to dwindle pre-parade
Tricia Barr after Padme (signing starts at 11 - last week the line wasn't long but the author was late, so I expect this to take 15-30 minutes)
Darth Maul if he meets during the parade and his line isn't long
Mace Windu's first set is scheduled for 12:20, so get in line at noon or skip Maul and go straight to Mace's line
Rex's first set is scheduled for 1:10. Get in line after Mace if skipping Rebels Show
FP for Rebels Show 1:20 (skip if WD signing conflicts)
FP for Stars of the Saga 2:50 (skip if WD signing conflicts)
5:15 Ewok's Tale (how early should I get there for Standby? If I do SotS, I'd probably stay in this area anyway, likely chilling out in the ToT exit)
6:10 Rebel Hanger
Back to hotel after dinner or stay for fireworks if I am not too tired

Saturday
Get to DHS around 5am for SB auto FP. Signing will either be around 3 or 5. Hoping for 3ish, but then I'd have to skip SotS. Hopefully I didn't miss it on Friday.
Star Tours 8:35-9:35
FTF check in at 10
after parade, quick lunch/AC break
Rex line by 12:45ish if didn't do it Friday
skip Rebels if doing Rex, or Rebels show 1:45
3:15 SotS
Toy Story 3:50-4:50
5:05 Rebel Hanger
7:00 Obi-Wan and Beyond
8:30 Dessert Party

Sunday
No real plans. As I mentioned, may do AK EMH.
FPs for Star Tours, TSMM, and Rebels show late morning.
Can do SotS standby if I missed it Friday and Saturday

Does this make sense? Any suggestions? As I typed it out, it started to make more sense than it did in my head.

Also, I now have a RH Friday at 4:05 for 2 if anyone is interested.

Friday: Vader will be at the most 15 minute wait. you could go first to the Mall then to ST for your fp. After ST you could check on the Queen's line. Her line is never more than 20 minutes. Standby line for My short Story: get in line at least 30 minutes before the show
Saturday: you could alway request the very last fp for SB. It should be at 6pm so it'll give you about an hour inside the Hangar

 

[cinder-ellah]

Just to add. Remember that Rebel Hangar was never intended to be a character meal, it was never worded that way. And again I say that any concerns please email Disney, it does make difference.

I enjoyed the RH not being a "Character Meal". The cost of another character meal would not make it affordable for our bunch. Ordering off the menu and the Character interaction was fun and affordable.
The Blue Milk was interesting. Our group ordered 1 glass. LOL ! That was all we needed, just to say we tried it. Food and drink selection was great !
A fun time for our group !

 

[jennab113]

Also, a note on characters signing at Sci-fi: The stormtrooper wouldn't sign my lightsaber. He motioned that he'd sign the paper with Vader/Fett paper, but wouldn't sign the lightsaber. Greedo did, but I forgot to ask the Jawas.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

In line for baymax at 945, second group to see him. Asked the character attendant, he said 90% chance they're gone when inside out comes out.

 

[Felipe4]

Holy Batman - 30+ pages since Friday! I just caught up.

Sad things: lightsabers at breakfast. Was looking forward to it. I REALLY hope there are still Fett steins and glow cubes for weekend V unless someone is willing to save some for me?

Guys, I need your opinion. When do I give BF his Boba Fett hat and shirt? I was thinking the night before we went as a surprise, but over the weekend while we were each on our separate CA vacations (he went to SF, I went to SD), he somehow acquired another 2 Star Wars shirts. And bought another 2 shirts beforehand. He told me he now has enough Star Wars shirts to wear 2 a day for our trip. Apparently he took my attempt at being sneaky when I asked him if he had a Boba Fett shirt to mean he should get one himself. I believe my shirts should be delivered today (and I'm picking him up at the airport later this evening). What to doooooo?

Should I space them out? Give him the shirt first, then wait until the night before for the hat?

 

[yulilin3]

I enjoyed the RH not being a "Character Meal". The cost of another character meal would not make it affordable for our bunch. Ordering off the menu and the Character interaction was fun and affordable.
The Blue Milk was interesting. Our group ordered 1 glass. LOL ! That was all we needed, just to say we tried it. Food and drink selection was great !
A fun time for our group !

I would love for the Rebel Hangar to stay as is. Just because it gives people that can't afford a character meal a good alternative. The food was great, the portions were huge for appetizers, and you can't beat the prices for what you get. Something about the characters should be fixed, not sure how. It would have to be an all or nothing.
Have the character visit all the tables but move quickly thru them or have the character not come at all to the tables and maybe just walk around the place and not stop...this is the tricky part

 

[JenMags]

I am slightly upset about the character meals also. I made a Shutterfly autograph book based on last years reviews and only included autographs for roaming and characters at the ADRs and now the book will still be empty, because my three kids can't stand in that many lines. I am rethinking the ADRs.

 

[HCinKC]

I enjoyed the RH not being a "Character Meal". The cost of another character meal would not make it affordable for our bunch. Ordering off the menu and the Character interaction was fun and affordable.
The Blue Milk was interesting. Our group ordered 1 glass. LOL ! That was all we needed, just to say we tried it. Food and drink selection was great !
A fun time for our group !

I would love for the Rebel Hangar to stay as is. Just because it gives people that can't afford a character meal a good alternative. The food was great, the portions were huge for appetizers, and you can't beat the prices for what you get. Something about the characters should be fixed, not sure how. It would have to be an all or nothing.
Have the character visit all the tables but move quickly thru them or have the character not come at all to the tables and maybe just walk around the place and not stop...this is the tricky part

I completely agree. I loved having an affordable option that the whole family could enjoy. It's not to say that we couldn't have done the expensive meals for everyone, but I just didn't want to. I see the meals as a treat for ODS, and he needs an adult with him. DH and I had fun, but we don't care enough to spend another $50+ just to have us all there. RH was very affordable, great atmosphere, and good food. It also felt less chaotic, less crowded, and more laid back than the dinner. ( I can't compare breakfast as that was DH's meal.) It seems like weekdays are maybe pretty consistent with character rotation, but the weekends need some help. If they can't have a set group rotate through due to m&gs and the stage show, then they should maybe just take those characters out of the rotation. I think the hangar would be an excellent place to meet "common" characters like random pilots, troopers, and jawas, as well as some of the folks they don't currently have like Lando, Han, Hera, Boskk, Dengar...most of these costumes wouldn't be complicated though I realize it means either hiring for more positions or taking current CMs out of other rolls. I think they have a great opportunity here - offer an affordable albeit less interactive (ie autographs) experience with unique (and therefore appealing) characters.

 

[yulilin3]

Holy Batman - 30+ pages since Friday! I just caught up.

Sad things: lightsabers at breakfast. Was looking forward to it. I REALLY hope there are still Fett steins and glow cubes for weekend V unless someone is willing to save some for me?

Guys, I need your opinion. When do I give BF his Boba Fett hat and shirt? I was thinking the night before we went as a surprise, but over the weekend while we were each on our separate CA vacations (he went to SF, I went to SD), he somehow acquired another 2 Star Wars shirts. And bought another 2 shirts beforehand. He told me he now has enough Star Wars shirts to wear 2 a day for our trip. Apparently he took my attempt at being sneaky when I asked him if he had a Boba Fett shirt to mean he should get one himself. I believe my shirts should be delivered today (and I'm picking him up at the airport later this evening). What to doooooo?

Should I space them out? Give him the shirt first, then wait until the night before for the hat?

I'm not sure. I can't hold anything in so I would just give it to him when it comes I'm sure he'll love both things even if he already has a whole bunch of SW shirts, there are never too many

 

[jennab113]

Friday after Vader before Star Tours you might be able to get Padme quickly.

If you do Mace (starts meeting at 12:20) and then Rex you won't get Rex (comes out at 1:10) - unless you are really early in Mace's line. In our experience you need to be in line about 30 minutes before the character comes out.

Friday: Vader will be at the most 15 minute wait. you could go first to the Mall then to ST for your fp. After ST you could check on the Queen's line. Her line is never more than 20 minutes. Standby line for My short Story: get in line at least 30 minutes before the show
Saturday: you could alway request the very last fp for SB. It should be at 6pm so it'll give you about an hour inside the Hangar

If I get in line for Mace by 11:50-12, I should be one of the first to meet him, right? That's 20-30 minutes prior. If I meet Mace by 12:40, I could go straight to Rex and be in line 20-30 minutes before the start of his set. If I skip Maul and do Padme in the morning, I could probably be done with the author signing by 11:30 and get in line for Mace then. If I end up missing Rex, I could always try for him on Saturday or Sunday.

Thanks for the suggestions, ladies!

 

[yulilin3]

I completely agree. I loved having an affordable option that the whole family could enjoy. It's not to say that we couldn't have done the expensive meals for everyone, but I just didn't want to. I see the meals as a treat for ODS, and he needs an adult with him. DH and I had fun, but we don't care enough to spend another $50+ just to have us all there. RH was very affordable, great atmosphere, and good food. It also felt less chaotic, less crowded, and more laid back than the dinner. ( I can't compare breakfast as that was DH's meal.) It seems like weekdays are maybe pretty consistent with character rotation, but the weekends need some help. If they can't have a set group rotate through due to m&gs and the stage show, then they should maybe just take those characters out of the rotation. I think the hangar would be an excellent place to meet "common" characters like random pilots, troopers, and jawas, as well as some of the folks they don't currently have like Lando, Han, Hera, Boskk, Dengar...most of these costumes wouldn't be complicated though I realize it means either hiring for more positions or taking current CMs out of other rolls. I think they have a great opportunity here - offer an affordable albeit less interactive (ie autographs) experience with unique (and therefore appealing) characters.

Yes, great point. What the heck is Han Solo doing all day? he only appears in the pre show for fireworks. See when they announced it I thought it would just be some obscure characters, like the pilot in the blue suit that someone posted. He comes out carrying a flag during the parade and that's it (that I know of, he might have some other job) they gave him a backstory, and he comes out and talks to guest.