So we are back from our super quick, Memorial Day weekend trip. This was our first SWW and there was definitely some highs and lows. Overall, I think we accomplished all the big items on our agenda. I purposely took it slow and didn't overbook us since we were traveling with a young child, spreading our activities over two days. Things were also a little bit more challenging with DS, who has some special needs, but I think overall we had a good time.
I am planning to do a detailed trip report, but here are the SWW highlights.
Saturday:
- Chewie dash after rope drop - I tried to follow Yulilin3's directions but turned off too soon (!) when trying to find his line, so we weren't one of the first families. Still DH was done his M&G by 8:20am. We couldn't meet as a family because DS was a bit cranky. So DS and I walked around, checking out the RH decor and shopping in Tatooine Traders. Somehow we ended up with this new friend (actually a coin bank) that we then needed to carry with us everywhere (including on TSMM) ! So we just made him our SWW mascot.
- Star Tours - couldn't get DS to get on with us, but DH and I both enjoyed a ride separately before 9am with no wait.
- Sci-fi breakfast - we loved the character interaction, food, and SW clips. Our service wasn't great but this was still a highlight for us. We did get light sabers (sorry for those who didn't!)
- DS and I took a mid-day break and ran into Yulilin3 and her daughter near the exit. I felt a bit silly flagging Yulilin3 down.
- H&V Jedi Mickey Dinner - I thought the food was decent. DS had an issue with the noise level, which I wasn't expecting. This made the dinner hard. Goes back to one of the tips "know your child," I guess...
Sunday:
- We had the Deluxe package. This was probably a waste for my family. I knew going in that we wouldn't necessarily get the value out of it but thought we would at least enjoy the parade and dessert party. I also wanted express access to Darth Mall.
- Parade viewing was awesome. We got to the parade area right at 10am and it was almost empty. We were near the start of the parade. During the parade, DS dropped his toy storm trooper near the parade route. Before I could lean down to get it, Zam Wesell picked it up and set it next to my son, staring at him and trying to get a reaction. I wasn't fast enough to get the picture! Donald also came right up to DS during the parade. He loved it.
- Was a bit disappointed in Darth Mall. Not sure what I was expecting (maybe more props/scenes inside store?). We didn't make it into the Prop shop but visited the other two stores. The express access was handy. There was a line when we came Sunday afternoon and there was no way I could wait in it with kiddo.
- Dessert party reaction was mixed in my family. DH really disliked it. He didn't like the music or the desserts. I told him if he had brought his light saber and had more drinks, he would have had a better time. DS loved dancing to the music but was a bit out of control. If you were at the deluxe premium dessert party last Sunday and a dancing wild child bumped into you....I'm sorry. He was having a blast though and a couple of the CM came up and started dancing with him. I really enjoyed watching the Symphony of the Stars preshow. We ended up having to leave the fireworks early though because DS couldn't handle and wouldn't wear his ear protection (again....back to tip on knowing your child but in my defense, this was a new behavior, we have done fireworks before).
Heat was brutal and Sunday the park felt so crowded. We have always done Disney in February, so dealing with the heat and the crowds was rough for us. But overall a good trip. Appreciate all the tips from this thread.
