Soft Openings?

[DisneyStarWisher]

Trying to decide when to take our family next year. Do you think there is a possibility SWGE could have some soft openings over Thanksgiving Break? Our sons would really like to see it. I just don't want to be there when it first opens though due to the crowds. We are trying to finalize our DVC reservations. So hard to do when we don't know the date.

 

[LittleFishy101]

Probably not. I was just in Hollywood Studios today, and it looked like they still had a lot of work to do. They didn’t do soft openings for Pandora or TSL, so it’s doubtful they would do them for Galaxy’s Edge. I mean I guess it’s always possible, but I don’t think so.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Probably not. I was just in Hollywood Studios today, and it looked like they still had a lot of work to do. They didn’t do soft openings for Pandora or TSL, so it’s doubtful they would do them for Galaxy’s Edge. I mean I guess it’s always possible, but I don’t think so.

Oh, I didn't realize that Pandora and TSL didn't have soft openings. I thought I had read that they did have some for DVC members. I guess I was mistaken.

 

[LittleFishy101]

Oh, I didn't realize that Pandora and TSL didn't have soft openings. I thought I had read that they did have some for DVC members. I guess I was mistaken.

I mean maybe I’m wrong, but I didn’t hear anything about soft openings and we’re DVC members and AP holders.

 

[JETSDAD]

They did have DVC and AP previews for Pandora but not for TSL.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

They did have DVC and AP previews for Pandora but not for TSL.

Wonder what the difference was between Pandora and TSL? Also do you know how many days/weeks in advance the soft openings happened before the actual opening?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

They won't do soft openings during a holiday week. It would be insanity for the CMs.

 

[Matty B13]

Yeah we were hoping for a soft opening for DVC members at TSL in May when we were there the week before the opening, but nothing showed up online. We also tried when we went for the day at Hollywood Studios and spoke to a CM who was at the gate to TSL when we were there and the only people they were letting in were CM's and their families for the soft opening.

 

[JETSDAD]

Wonder what the difference was between Pandora and TSL? Also do you know how many days/weeks in advance the soft openings happened before the actual opening?

Pandora was ready in time. TSL was not. I believe is was about 2 weeks in advance that they started for Pandora but don't quote me on that.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

They won't do soft openings during a holiday week. It would be insanity for the CMs.

That is good to know. So I need to make my decision based on the thought that SWGE won’t be an option.

 

[The Pho]

Pandora and Toy Story both had soft openings and previews. Toy Story's were just very very limited and not openly offered to all annual passes or DVC as New Fantasyland and Pandora were, just a select few prior to the media previews.

We do not yet know when Star Wars will open so it's best to go in without the expectation it will be open for your trip.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That is good to know. So I need to make my decision based on the thought that SWGE won’t be an option.

I'm not saying there won't be a soft opening. We don't know. But they simply won't do something like that in a holiday week. Too many associated issues in doing so.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

Well, I'm hoping SWGE is fully OPEN by Thanksgiving. Need to start walking my BWV studios soon I guess!

I'm booking a cash stay for October for MNSSHP and F&W as a back up plan and doing that instead if it's not going to be open for Thanksgiving. Guess that'll FORCE us back in 2020! lol

Wonder when we'll have an opening date. It'd sure be nice to know!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Well, I'm hoping SWGE is fully OPEN by Thanksgiving. Need to start walking my BWV studios soon I guess!

I'm booking a cash stay for October for MNSSHP and F&W as a back up plan and doing that instead if it's not going to be open for Thanksgiving. Guess that'll FORCE us back in 2020! lol

Wonder when we'll have an opening date. It'd sure be nice to know!

That's a good idea, but there is no way I can pay cash for a stay. Unless I rent out my points and use that cash to pay for it. Now there is an idea. Hmmm......

 

[Cyberc1978]

That's a good idea, but there is no way I can pay cash for a stay. Unless I rent out my points and use that cash to pay for it. Now there is an idea. Hmmm......

One problem with that approach is that you get a huge “discount” using and staying on your dvc points compared to booking direct. When you rent out your points and use the cash towards a direct stay then you loose the entire “discount”

Another way to go around it would be (assuming your have enough points) to book multiple stays now and once we get closer Disney will hopefully reveal an opening date. Then you cancel the dates which you don’t need.

If no opening date is announced until shortly before opening then I would book the second week of December. If you go that route have in mind that EVERYONE what’s to go to SWGE and that might close the park.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

That's a good idea, but there is no way I can pay cash for a stay. Unless I rent out my points and use that cash to pay for it. Now there is an idea. Hmmm......

I likely cannot afford a BW (home resort) stay on cash either (I haven't really looked into it yet). I'm very ok with booking a mod with whatever discount I can get my hands on. I will be in WDW next month, I was thinking about a bounceback offer but I don't think one is available for October 2019. Another thought I had was to seek out a points transfer, double book and then rent out the points or the reservation I don't use. I'd assume I can break even on that...maybe lose paypal fees or something, but...?????

We bought APs specifically for 2 trips 10-11 months apart. I can't push to early Dec 2019 because of the kids school schedules and then my AP would expire mid Dec. So, I've got to make something work! We were going to skip 2020, but my family is super excited about SWGE, so we will make "sacrifices" if we miss it in 2019 lol

I definitely don't have the points to double book. I could maybe book 1 standard studio for Oct and 1 for Nov, and re-book the second studio I'd need as a P/G view after 11 months....but really, if we won't know until just a few months beforehand, even P/G won't likely be available. But I think that's where I'm going to start until I can figure it out. It's hard to think about since I'm still working on the details of my trip that's only 5-6 weeks away!!! I need to stop stalking / changing ADRs and FPs! lol

 

[_auroraborealis_]

October is generally not in any of the BBs. Too popular a month.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

One problem with that approach is that you get a huge “discount” using and staying on your dvc points compared to booking direct. When you rent out your points and use the cash towards a direct stay then you loose the entire “discount”

Another way to go around it would be (assuming your have enough points) to book multiple stays now and once we get closer Disney will hopefully reveal an opening date. Then you cancel the dates which you don’t need.

If no opening date is announced until shortly before opening then I would book the second week of December. If you go that route have in mind that EVERYONE what’s to go to SWGE and that might close the park.

Well, I don't have enough points to book two stays since the whole family is going. After a lot of thought, we have decided to go with three studios instead of a 2-BR for various reasons. The only time we can go is October 9-13 or November 27-December 1 due to the kids' school breaks. The second week of December is out of the question due to my work. I really don't want to be there when SWGE opens. I was just hoping for a soft opening.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I likely cannot afford a BW (home resort) stay on cash either (I haven't really looked into it yet). I'm very ok with booking a mod with whatever discount I can get my hands on. I will be in WDW next month, I was thinking about a bounceback offer but I don't think one is available for October 2019. Another thought I had was to seek out a points transfer, double book and then rent out the points or the reservation I don't use. I'd assume I can break even on that...maybe lose paypal fees or something, but...?????

We bought APs specifically for 2 trips 10-11 months apart. I can't push to early Dec 2019 because of the kids school schedules and then my AP would expire mid Dec. So, I've got to make something work! We were going to skip 2020, but my family is super excited about SWGE, so we will make "sacrifices" if we miss it in 2019 lol

I definitely don't have the points to double book. I could maybe book 1 standard studio for Oct and 1 for Nov, and re-book the second studio I'd need as a P/G view after 11 months....but really, if we won't know until just a few months beforehand, even P/G won't likely be available. But I think that's where I'm going to start until I can figure it out. It's hard to think about since I'm still working on the details of my trip that's only 5-6 weeks away!!! I need to stop stalking / changing ADRs and FPs! lol

I'll be there in 6 weeks, too! That's my problem, I keep getting details about this trip mixed up with details about next year's trip! We are definitely not going in 2020 because my DH and I are using our points to go to Aulani. I retire in June 2020, July 2020 is our 30th anniversary, and both of our kids will be out of college. We want to celebrate!!! If my kids can't see SWGE next year (which it looks like they won't), then they will have to wait a few more years. It's not a big deal to us really. I just thought if we could hit a soft opening, it would be a nice bonus. They will have some new things next year: Pandora, TSL, and HEA. The last time they went was 2016.

 

[Pirate Granny]

We were there the day Toy Story opened...didn’t expect to ride the “two” rides, but were able to walk through that early afternoon. Truly the studios in general weren’t that crowded except that one area... book when you can go..I need to read more info on why you want to book three studios instead of a 2 bedroom.

We are trying to decide our November/December trip, but we are retirees so doesn’t matter to us, when it opens, we’ll be back.