Star Wars at Disney?

[sl_underwood]

My 9 yo dd is a major Star Wars fan and she would like for us to go when they have their Star Wars weekends. When is this? Is it busiest during these times? Also, is it worth it? What exactly happens during these weekends that makes them so special?

 

[dixipixi]

The Star Wars Weekends are usually held from mid-May through the first or second weekend in June. We have been once in 2003 and in 2005. We're usually there for the last weekend. In 2003, the crowds weren't that bad. Most people were there for the SW festivities, so the attractions weren't crowded at all.

Last year was a totally different story. The park was VERY crowded. DS and I stood in line for 45 mins just to get into the SW store. We love SW. My DS (12) is a huge fan and the crowds didn't bother him at all.

I definitely think it is worth it if you are a SW fan. My son could care less about the cartoon characters now, but he loves seeing all the SW characters roaming around. Normally he is very impatient and hates lines...but we stood around for about 1 1/2 hrs. one day waiting for Darth Vader!! He never complained.

I would go ready to enjoy myself, but prepared for crowds. ADR's are definitely a must if you plan to eat in the park.

It truly is an enjoyable experience. I definitely recommend it for SW fans!!!

 

[CarolynNC]

I'm planning my trip around Star Wars Weekends and according to mgmstudios.org they have announced the dates. That website has some good info on what to expect. There's another website with good info but I can't put my hands on it right now.

May 19-21
May 26-28
June 2-4
June 9-11

Now if they'd just announce who will be there I can pick my dates.

 

[liveforthemagic]

We were there last year during SW weekend by mistake.

I'm thinking kids of that age that love Star Wars woudl really enjoy it. I can't remember much--except that we did see some long lines for folks waiting to either get into a store or get an autograph or something. Kids and grown ups alike were dressed up in SW gear.

Also--those white robot guys that have some kind of guns I think, they were standing on top of the gates that you cross under when you enter the park first thing in the morning. They all of the sudden started playing SW's music and then there was some kind of sound track with talking and everyone looked up to see them. It was really neat!

I thought it looked really crowded--but it was my first time to MGM. I guy we were standing next to said it was just moderate for that time of year. And really, we didn't wait to ride or see anything more than 10 minutes. that park is really big when you start to navigate it, so it doesn't feel crowded to me.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Went last year with DS11 & DS8. Had a blast!

VERY CROWDED!

If you decide to go you must be of the mindset that you will be waiting in line for autographs/photos for sometimes up to an hour & not always in the shade.
And it becomes even more difficult to walk around in the areas where characters are set up (last year around Star Tours & on Mickey Ave). You move like a herd of cattle.

Yes, we are going back this year.

 

[RangerPooh]

It happened to be SW weekend there in 2003 when we went to the parks. Hubby was happay as he likes the films. The parks weren't too crowded but the lines for some of the characters were pretty long. I know that we waited in line for about 30 minutes for a few characters. But I was happy to oblige DH as it was his trip too.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Just an observation that I believe RangerPooh's experience in 2003 was probably very different than our experience last year. Remember the final film was released - crowds were so tremendous that in the beginning of June Disney decided to extend the evnt for an additional 2 (I think) weekends.

I'm curious myself as to how it will be this year.