Star Wars event (s) planned???

[baileybrad]

Does anyone know of any upcoming Star Wars' type events scheduled for this May or June? That seems to be the time period that SW type of celebrations have occurred in the past at the Studios. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[QuickGold]

No info is available yet, but you can see past events as well as keep up with news of any new events at http://www.mgmstudios.org/sww.html

 

[LisaR]

Can anyone tell me what MGM is like during the Star Wars weekends? Is it a zoo? Are these scheduled every year around the same time? My ds would just flip out if we took him to this!

Lisa

 

[Baloo]

LisaR...well it is sort of a zoo but if you get there first thing in the morning you can get alot done before it gets really bad in the afternoon.Yes this is scheduled ever year at MGM... 3 weekends in May and 2 weekends in June.The early ones I think will be less crowded as many schools don't let out until after Memorial Day.

In the past we have been there before the gates to MGM open.When 9a.m. came the plaza swelled with the music we all know and love...dadada...dada da...Star Wars!!! <img src=http://www.tnfj.com/Images/Smilies/vader1.gif> Up on the roofs of the ticket booths appeared Storm Troopers and Boba Fett!! My boys,Erich and Jonathan,and even my big boy, Joe, were flipping out!! It was pretty cool!

If your DS is a real Star Wars fan I HIGHLY recommend this event!

May the force be with you!

 

[ktglads]

We went to the first weekend last year and yeah, it was a wait to get the autographs from Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, but once Disney got its act together and actually handed out the wristbands, we were fine. There were 2 sessions for autographs and they gave out 60 or so bands for each person for each session. I believe they took about 10 standby people for Anthony and about 15 for Billy Dee total on the first day. The trivia signup went fast (limited to about 30 people). The worst wait was in Tatooine Traders. Waited 1.5 hours to check out. Did not even try for pins or coins that first day. Went during EE on Saturday and got the pins, coins, etc. with absolutely no wait. The busiest thing was the WWTBAM since there were most of the star wars guests and then regular people who did not realize that there were star wars only editions. Those filled up pretty quick but were awesome (I actually got on the board for that one, which is really good since I don't do the books or expanded universe).

I would say that in a day and a half, you can do everything if you are devoting your time to the star wars events and ignoring everything else. The last event ocurrs around 6:00 at night, so you do get some park time as well.

Once the list of celebrities gets released, I would check with your son to see if he really wants those autographs. I would say that our Billy Dee wait was a waste of time - he really is not a personable man. Anthony Daniels, on the other hand was awesome! He took the time to chat with everyone. However, this took a good chunk of our day (45 minute wait until they gave out the wristbands, 20 minute wait at the first session, 30 minute wait at the second session (we purposely came late since we had the last bands).

Sorry this is so long, but can you tell that I am a fan and really enjoyed the weekend?

 

[GONETODISNEY]

Star Wars Weekends is our favorite time to go to MGM. The experience is beyond memorable. My son(8) got to do the Trivia and the Jedi training. We skipped the autographs from the actors but they loved the autos of the characters. By far our all time favorite trip. Guess what? We're going again this year. LOOOOVE IT!

 

[LisaR]

Thanks everyone. You convinced me of 2 things. First of all, my dh and ds should attend this event and they will have the time of their lives. Secondly, you convinced me that dd and myself should stay VERY far away from this event! lol We hate Star Wars. Maybe we will do a girls weekend in Chicago.

I am pretty certain ds would only want the character autographs. Is the Jedi Training something everyone can do? He would be so thrilled. He has recently started taking fencing lessons because it "makes me feel like a real Jedi." Thanks for all the info. We are probably going to surprise ds with this trip at the last minute.

Lisa

 

[QuickGold]

Here's a Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Jedi Training: http://www.mgmstudios.org/obi.html

 

[LisaR]

Thanks for the site, Matt. My 6 year old son will love this whole Star Wars thing!

I am looking at making reservations for June 4th - 6th for DH and DS. Am I nuts to do this if the dates haven't been announced yet? This would be their sole reason for going. When do they usually announce the dates. Is it every single year, for sure? Thanks for any further info.

Lisa

 

[hightown]

Am lovin' this thread!

My DD 10 and I want to go and I'm waiting for the dates to be announced to get everything booked. It sounds like it first weekend would be on weekend of 5/15. Thats when I want to go - earlier in May the better- but leary of getting air booked without a firm anouncement. It would just crush the kid to miss it for guessing.

Have said for years, though all our trips that DD is more the Jr. Jedi than a 'princess'. We're really excited...

Sharon

 

[zulaya]

I would not make ressies just yet.

In 2003, it was scheduled 3 weekends in May and 2 in June
In 2002, it was one weekend - due to the big convention in Indianapolis
In 2001, it was all 4 weekends in May

There really is no pattern. If they do the 2001 schedule, your June plans will be in vain.

If I remember right, they announced the schedule in February so if you can hang tight for a couple weeks, then you'll know the schedule.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks so much for the info. I will wait until the make the announcement.

Lisa

 

[QuickGold]

We should start to get an idea of what the dates will be in the next two months. I would only book things that can be changed, or go with an airline that has a cheap way to change dates(Jetblue charges only $25 to change itineraries).