Star Wars help!

[megster1123]

So, my 4 year old son literally just became slightly obsessed with all things SW.

Our arrival day is October 3 - four weeks from today. I already have all of our plans pretty much set, and didn't really include any SW because up until about 2 days ago neither kid cared.

I was able to switch out a FP on our HS day, so now have a Star Tours at least. With the SW fireworks schedule the way it is, no way I can make that happen. So that's out.

Here's where I need some suggestions. I'll have about an 60-90 minutes at HS I can push to SW stuff. What's the best use of time?
I can also move around some of our EP plans - we have the Disney visa, is there still a SW meet there?

How can I maximize the little bit of free time at these two parks - without totally demolishing our plans - we have so my son can get a little SW fix?

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

The Star Wars fireworks are spectacular, not sure what you're doing instead of that but it is really worth it.

There is a Disney Visa meet and great with Kylo at the Launch Bay, there is a ton of Star Wars stuff to look at there. Just be forewarned - Kylo is not a normal meet and greet, he stays in character and is quite intimidating. Chewie is also there for meet and greet but no special Visa line. Chewie is much more laid back : ) So you can maximize your time at the Launch Bay.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Go to Launch Bay. Take a couple of little trinkets or glow sticks to trade with a Jawa.

You can meet Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. There is the Visa greet to meet Kylo if you are in Launch Bay after 11:00a... it's a shorter line than the regular Kylo meet.

 

[PSULion]

There is no Star Wars at Epcot. The visa meet and greet with Kylo Ren is at HS.

Star Tours exits into a store called Tattooine Traders, with Star Wars merch galore. My boys could spend hours in there. With the extra time you have, you should visit Launch Bay. There is a lot of Star Wars Memorabilia to look at, and that's where you can meet Chewie and Kylo Ren.

It's too bad you can't make the fireworks work... Even if you're not into Star Wars at all, they are hands down the best fireworks I've ever seen.

 

[megster1123]

ugggggggh those fireworks!

I really want to make it happen - but the only day that they're scheduled that I have any wiggle room is Friday the 7th. Monday is a family thing that's pretty important to us and Wednesday we have the wishes dessert party.

We planned on starting that Friday at Epcot and then head over to AK from 3-close. The kids really want to see the tree awakening though - so if we cut AK we lose that.

It's going to come down to one or the other. Maybe I'll just let the kids make the call.

 

[megster1123]

The Star Wars fireworks are spectacular, not sure what you're doing instead of that but it is really worth it.

There is a Disney Visa meet and great with Kylo at the Launch Bay, there is a ton of Star Wars stuff to look at there. Just be forewarned - Kylo is not a normal meet and greet, he stays in character and is quite intimidating. Chewie is also there for meet and greet but no special Visa line. Chewie is much more laid back : ) So you can maximize your time at the Launch Bay.

I've heard this about him - maybe a bit much for a 4 year old? Chewie though would be a hit with both kiddos.

Go to Launch Bay. Take a couple of little trinkets or glow sticks to trade with a Jawa.

You can meet Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. There is the Visa greet to meet Kylo if you are in Launch Bay after 11:00a... it's a shorter line than the regular Kylo meet.

Thank you, the trinket tip is perfect!

There is no Star Wars at Epcot. The visa meet and greet with Kylo Ren is at HS.

Star Tours exits into a store called Tattooine Traders, with Star Wars merch galore. My boys could spend hours in there. With the extra time you have, you should visit Launch Bay. There is a lot of Star Wars Memorabilia to look at, and that's where you can meet Chewie and Kylo Ren.

It's too bad you can't make the fireworks work... Even if you're not into Star Wars at all, they are hands down the best fireworks I've ever seen.

So that's why I couldn't find the Epcot info lol.

This schedule is so frustrating! I've been working on it for what seems like forever and had almost all of the pieces in place and then the SW fireworks come along and laugh in the face of my plans.

 

[lovethattink]

If you haven't already, is suggest checking out the first page of the Star Wars thread
http://www.disboards.com/threads/of...ireworks-dessert-party-launch-bay-jt.3439569/

My son could spend all day in Launch Bay. He loves trading with the Jawas. The Cantina area is set up with photo-ops. (Usually no photopass photographers.) He never wants to leave the game area, Disney Infinity and Angry Birds.

 

[vratiana]

Have you thought about Jedi Training? My 4 year old is most excited about training to be (in his words) "an actual Jedi!"
Plus, the pictures are absolutely adorable. My niece & nephew did it and LOVED it.

 

[DisMommyTX]

This summer DHS also had two Star Wars stage shows and two movies. I would skip the movie on the way in to Launch Bay, but the Path of the Jedi was kinda cool. I don't remember the name of the theater, but it was by the Olaf Meet N Greet, between the Frozen Sing-a-long and Star Tours. We enjoyed both stage shows as well--March of the First Order and Star Wars a Galaxy Far, Far Away. They each run multiple times per day about a half hour apart in front of the Chinese theater. I'd say if you can make two of these three Star Wars options, then you have done your duty to foster fanaticism in the next generation. I would NOT take a 4 year old in to meet Kylo Ren, he totally freaked out my 16 yo niece, and gave most of the adults the creeps as well. Chewie was far less intimidating, other than the fact that he is about 8 ft. tall . Unless your kid really wants to meet one of these characters, I would skip Launch Bay entirely and just see the center court show and march.

Please don't give up your evening at Animal Kingdom. Lighting of the tree was definitely a highlight of our trip, and I would make a special visit just to see it again!

 

[lovethattink]

This summer DHS also had two Star Wars stage shows and two movies. I would skip the movie on the way in to Launch Bay, but the Path of the Jedi was kinda cool. I don't remember the name of the theater, but it was by the Olaf Meet N Greet, between the Frozen Sing-a-long and Star Tours. We enjoyed both stage shows as well--March of the First Order and Star Wars a Galaxy Far, Far Away. They each run multiple times per day about a half hour apart in front of the Chinese theater. I'd say if you can make two of these three Star Wars options, then you have done your duty to foster fanaticism in the next generation. I would NOT take a 4 year old in to meet Kylo Ren, he totally freaked out my 16 yo niece, and gave most of the adults the creeps as well. Chewie was far less intimidating, other than the fact that he is about 8 ft. tall . Unless your kid really wants to meet one of these characters, I would skip Launch Bay entirely and just see the center court show and march.

Please don't give up your evening at Animal Kingdom. Lighting of the tree was definitely a highlight of our trip, and I would make a special visit just to see it again!

Chewie is actually smaller than he use to be. The height requirements were dropped for launch bay.

 

[megster1123]

Ok here is what I could potentially do - thoughts? These are the days' plans that would be affected.

Right now

• Tuesday - MK EMM / rest / HS with 3 FP, Sci-Fi dinner & Fantasmic.
• Wednesday - MK / rest / BOG dinner & Wishes dessert party
• Friday - EP until 3 / AK & ToL awakening

I could....

• Tuesday - MK EMM / rest / AK
• Wednesday - MK / rest / BOG dinner
• Friday - EP / HS for SW dessert party instead

In the new scenario I lose the Wishes dessert for SW, but I think I'm okay with that. We lose the SciFi dinner as well and potentially all of the FP plans for HS.

Ugh I was SO CLOSE. 27 days out now and I really thought I had this planning thing locked down.

 

[Meeko5]

The SW dessert party gets better food reviews than wishes, but the big drawback is there are no tables with seats so keep that in mind. I'd switch to the SW party, and get there early to snag a spot to sit on a bench somewhere in launch bay.

And definitely look into Jedi training if you can - if he won't be intimidated "battling" Vader or seventh sister it would be awesome for him

 

[GaryDis]

Chewie is actually smaller than he use to be. The height requirements were dropped for launch bay.

Just like in the movies. Peter Mayhew, the original Chewbacca, is 7'3". Joonas Suotamo, his double (because Mayhew's knee replacement surgery limited his ability to stand for long periods) is only 6'10". Suotamo did enough work to be listed in the main credits as "Chewbacca double", instead of being listed with the stunt doubles.

 

[megster1123]

Please don't give up your evening at Animal Kingdom. Lighting of the tree was definitely a highlight of our trip, and I would make a special visit just to see it again!

Oh no, I really don't want to. I had only two requests this trip - the Water pageant and ToL awakening.

The SW dessert party gets better food reviews than wishes, but the big drawback is there are no tables with seats so keep that in mind. I'd switch to the SW party, and get there early to snag a spot to sit on a bench somewhere in launch bay.

And definitely look into Jedi training if you can - if he won't be intimidated "battling" Vader or seventh sister it would be awesome for him

Oh boy I feel this change happening today lol.
FP availability looks great that night, so I'd be able to basically duplicate everything we had Tuesday and not risk losing any.

When we started planning I thought about the Jedi training, and actually had PPO H&V ADR to get us in a good spot. But after a couple of kids events this summer that went a little sideways when my kids had a chance to participate, we decided against. They're much happier being part of the crowd.

 

[PSULion]

When we started planning I thought about the Jedi training, and actually had PPO H&V ADR to get us in a good spot. But after a couple of kids events this summer that went a little sideways when my kids had a chance to participate, we decided against. They're much happier being part of the crowd.

Good for you! My kids participate every year and love it. But almost every time, there's some parents trying to convince a reluctant 4 yr old to participate. This last trip was the worst... It was time to line up and the dad was holding the child, who was literally kicking and screaming as dad tried to put him in the line. Ended with the parents yelling at him and all 3 stomping off. I have certainly tried to gently persuade my kids to try things in the past, but this was crazy.

We LOVED the Star Wars dessert party, although we did attend before the dessert part moved into Launch Bay. Seats or no, I would choose it over the wishes dessert party.