Star Wars Newbie Help

[Ambehnke]

I have seen the original three Star Wars a long long time ago but I am admittedly not a super fan. My husband has never seen any Star Wars films. Our 5 year old son has recently become fascinated with anything and everything Star Wars. He can point the merch out and asked for it for his birthday. We had originally said we were going to skip DHS until Toy Story and Star Wars were done after our last visit there for the last round of Osborne Lights in Nov '15. But now that our 5 year old loves Star Wars we planned a day there this trip. So #1 How do we get into Star Wars? What are the best movies, order to watch them, and preferably ones appropriate for our 5 year old. And #2 What (besides Star tours, the fireworks, and Jedi training) should I be planning for my son to do? My daughter gets plenty of princess time so I'm glad he'll have this but I am a little out of the loop since I am a princesses and pirates type of gal!

 

[mesaboy2]

There are whole nerd-debates about best order to watch the saga films, being old school I prefer 4561237 (the order of their release). I think the only part questionable for someone so young is the immolation scene near the end of Episode 3. The Empire Strikes Back (Episode 5) is widely regarded as the best in the series, but the good guys get their butts kicked for most of the film.

DHS is the Star Wars park right now and will be even more so in a few years. In addition to the things you mention, there's also the Star Wars Launch Bay that currently includes meets with Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, and BB-8.

 

[yulilin3]

I have seen the original three Star Wars a long long time ago but I am admittedly not a super fan. My husband has never seen any Star Wars films. Our 5 year old son has recently become fascinated with anything and everything Star Wars. He can point the merch out and asked for it for his birthday. We had originally said we were going to skip DHS until Toy Story and Star Wars were done after our last visit there for the last round of Osborne Lights in Nov '15. But now that our 5 year old loves Star Wars we planned a day there this trip. So #1 How do we get into Star Wars? What are the best movies, order to watch them, and preferably ones appropriate for our 5 year old. And #2 What (besides Star tours, the fireworks, and Jedi training) should I be planning for my son to do? My daughter gets plenty of princess time so I'm glad he'll have this but I am a little out of the loop since I am a princesses and pirates type of gal!

The link on my signature is the official sw thread. Page one has all the info so you can find it right away
As to order to watch for kids I would do 4 5 6 1 skip 2 and 3 if he's ok with sad endings.
7 is a great film and I think it could be watched on its own and still be understandable
At dhs you will find characters in shows from all movies

 

[glassslippergirl]

As a SW fan by marriage, I would watch all of the movies in order of release. Just make sure your son understands that 4, 5, and 6 are the story of Luke Skywalker, and for episodes 1, 2, and 3 you see the story of Anakin Skywalker from several decades earlier. Most of the scenes are family-friendly, and a 5 yo will let you know if. something is becoming too much for him to handle. Don't forget about Rogue 1 which takes place right before the events of episode 4.

 

[CanadianKrista]

I agree with the others. Our 6 year old has done 456, 12, 7 and rogue one. We also have done the cartoons - Rebels and we're currently binge watching clone wars. We will do 3 when we are done with that. Although we covered DS 9's eyes a couple of years ago during the immolation scene in 3, and will probably do with same with DD6.

 

[stenmarks]

I think DD watched them in release order, but at that age she was most into The Clone Wars on Disney channel. She was even Ahsoka Tano that year for Halloween!

We were fortunate enough to be at Star Wars Weekends in 2014...that was huge for DD. I would say Jedi training at DHS would be fun for your son, but make sure he won't be freaked out by Darth Maul and Vader...DD loves Star Wars but absolutely refused to do Jedi Traning. She still won't have her picture made with Vader or Kylo Ren...

 

[SteveMP]

The movies are great, but don't leave out the Clone Wars cartoon series. Especially for a 5 yo.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I'm mostly just second-ing everyone, but yeah the order to watch Star Wars would be in order of release 4 5 6 1 2 3 7 then Rogue One (which essentially is a prequel to the events of the first Star Wars so it fits somewhere between 3 and 4, closer to the beginning of 3). They are pretty family-friendly (I think all of them have a PG rating). The immolation scene is a bit grotesque, but you'll be able to catch when you should cover a child's eyes and it's a rather short scene. Also, explaining Leia and Luke's relationship might be a bit difficult around Episodes 5 and 6.

In terms of what to do at the parks, you have to go to Launch Bay. Just walking around and even seeing the film memorabilia would be pretty cool and exciting for a 5 year old fan. I wouldn't necessarily recommend visiting Kylo Ren because he's VERY intimidating and may not be that fun for a five year old, but definitely go see BB-8 and Chewbacca. Also, I'm surprised nobody mentioned this, but the Jawas and the Stormtroopers. They don't meet-and-greet but they are in the Launch Bay all the time (they will allow for pictures to be taken). The Stormtroopers again are intimidating, but have a better sense of humor than Kylo Ren and could be fun for a dark side fan, especially if they end up stopping dad to check if he's with the dark side or not. They generally are everywhere in the Bay except the Cantina and they also walk around the Animation Courtyard. The Jawas would be really fun tho because they are very tiny, love to trade (you can use any throw away little trinket for this) and interact with guests, especially of the smaller variety (since the rest of us have to walk on our knees to be at their level). They are always in the Cantina and you can generally catch them in there with nobody around. In my opinion, they are the best part about Launch Bay (other than getting a Chewie hug ).

Other than Launch Bay, I'd add going to see the Imperial March, which is a rather short "parade" of sorts that features Captain Phasma from Episode 7. I tended to stumble upon it all the time so you might not have to worry about planning to see it, but it's in the times guide. It's a quick diversion so it definitely would maintain the attention of a 5 year old. The Star Wars stage show is also cool and features more characters from the franchise in person than other offerings, but it might be going away/already have gone away and the Jedi training covers those characters a bit better.

 

[ucfknight]

They are pretty family-friendly (I think all of them have a PG rating).

Revenge of the Sith, Force Awakens, and Rogue One are all PG-13. Mostly for people getting killed or sliced in half and stuff.

 

[CrimsonCurls]

I'm a huge Star Wars fan and most of my friends are too. I'm going to be the different one here and suggest a really random-looking watch order: 4, 5, THEN 1,2, 3, then go back to 6 and 7. This is because you don't ruin the major reveal of episode 5 and the immediately get to go back and see the story behind the reveal, and then get to wrap up the rest of it. We haven't decided where to put Rogue One on that watch order, and the Clone Wars series can be started anytime after Episode 2.

Other than Launch Bay, I'd add going to see the Imperial March, which is a rather short "parade" of sorts that features Captain Phasma from Episode 7. I tended to stumble upon it all the time so you might not have to worry about planning to see it, but it's in the times guide. It's a quick diversion so it definitely would maintain the attention of a 5 year old. The Star Wars stage show is also cool and features more characters from the franchise in person than other offerings, but it might be going away/already have gone away and the Jedi training covers those characters a bit better.

For the best part of the March of the First Order, either get right to the front of the route, or stand right near the "corner" of Hollywood Boulevard, where the cameras for the March are set up. If you stand in the right spot, you'll get up close with Capt. Phasma and the Stormtroopers.

 

[Ambehnke]

Revenge of the Sith, Force Awakens, and Rogue One are all PG-13. Mostly for people getting killed or sliced in half and stuff.

Oh fantastic! Ha!

 

[yulilin3]

Revenge of the Sith, Force Awakens, and Rogue One are all PG-13. Mostly for people getting killed or sliced in half and stuff.

spoiler alert
Also just cause you're sliced in half in the SW Universe doesn't mean you die

 

[CanadianKrista]

Yes, I should add Rogue One is a bit intense for younger viewers, although DD6 wasn't as traumatized as I thought she might be. It fits perfectly before Episode 4, however I still say watch 4 first. Then once you are done them all, go back and watch Rogue One and A New hope back to back - we did that recently, it was very cool (And yes, I'm saying you need to watch the movies more than once, hopefully by the time you've watched them all you'll be as hooked as the rest of us).

 

[Ambehnke]

Yes, I should add Rogue One is a bit intense for younger viewers, although DD6 wasn't as traumatized as I thought she might be. It fits perfectly before Episode 4, however I still say watch 4 first. Then once you are done them all, go back and watch Rogue One and A New hope back to back - we did that recently, it was very cool (And yes, I'm saying you need to watch the movies more than once, hopefully by the time you've watched them all you'll be as hooked as the rest of us).

I hope we can get into it. My husband and I tried to start 4 one night while the kids were gone and we were playing Monopoly but it ended up being like Avatar (which we also started there same night) where we weren't paying attention and then just had to shut it off. I think we just need to sit down with a bowl of popcorn!

 

[maltdizzy]

I wouldn't try and cram them all in before a trip, spread them out. If there are planets he sees in Star Tours before he sees some of the movies, it may help him identify with the movie more.

I would start with 4, 5, and 6. Then go from there. I wouldn't get methodical on viewing order with a 5yo.

4 (and 5 and 6 somewhat) is definitely very old Hollywood paced and edited, to many today, it may feel stodgy.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Hello, my name is FlightlessDuck, and I am a Star Wars junky. I will neither confirm nor deny that I am a contributor to Wookiepedia.

So #1 How do we get into Star Wars? What are the best movies, order to watch them, and preferably ones appropriate for our 5 year old

It is my opinion the movies are best watched in this order (basically release order):
Rogue One (PG-13) - or you can do this one last
A New Hope
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
(The Phantom Menace
Attack of the Clones
Revenge of the Sith (PG-13))*
The Force Awakens (PG-13)
*Optional for a casual viewer. But if you are "getting in to Star Wars", they are a must watch

Great for your young children:
The Clone Wars Best watched in chronological order. 6 seasons and a movie, available on Netflix.
Star Wars Rebels. Season 4 starts this fall. Unfortunately seasons 1 - 3 are not on Netflix, but season 3 is on watchdisneyxd and seasons 1 and 2 can be bought online.
Here are a list of Star Wars "Golden Books" you can read to your children.
Young reader novels related to the Rebels tv show
Other young-reader novels

Extra-curricular:
There are also several ongoing Star Wars comic books and many limited series.
And Novels (Adult or YA)
Also, there are Reference books

And #2 What (besides Star tours, the fireworks, and Jedi training) should I be planning for my son to do? My daughter gets plenty of princess time so I'm glad he'll have this but I am a little out of the loop since I am a princesses and pirates type of gal!

The Legends of Hollywood building down Sunset Strip has some Star Wars merchandise (the stuff that used to be in Watto's Grotto).
Spend some time in the Launch Bay.
Go to the meet-and-greets.
March of the First Order (parade)
A Galaxy Far, Far Away (stage show)

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/hollywood-studios/star-wars/

https://touringplans.com/hollywood-studios/showtimes/


Also... don't rule out introducing your daughter to Star Wars. There are many strong female heroes she can grow attached to. My favorite is Hera.

 

[BrianL]

I think for a first viewing, the release order is important. Otherwise, certain things get spoiled. So, 4,5,6 then 1,2,3 then 7 and R1. At this point in my life as a fan though I prefer watching the saga in order, so 1,2,3,R1,4,5,6,7. Definitely check out Rebels and Clone Wars, both of which are extremely good. All of Clone Wars is on Netflix.

 

[Ambehnke]

Hello, my name is FlightlessDuck, and I am a Star Wars junky. I will neither confirm nor deny that I am a contributor to Wookiepedia.


It is my opinion the movies are best watched in this order (basically release order):
Rogue One (PG-13) - or you can do this one last
A New Hope
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
(The Phantom Menace
Attack of the Clones
Revenge of the Sith (PG-13))*
The Force Awakens (PG-13)
*Optional for a casual viewer. But if you are "getting in to Star Wars", they are a must watch

Great for your young children:
The Clone Wars Best watched in chronological order. 6 seasons and a movie, available on Netflix.
Star Wars Rebels. Season 4 starts this fall. Unfortunately seasons 1 - 3 are not on Netflix, but season 3 is on watchdisneyxd and seasons 1 and 2 can be bought online.
Here are a list of Star Wars "Golden Books" you can read to your children.
Young reader novels related to the Rebels tv show
Other young-reader novels

Extra-curricular:
There are also several ongoing Star Wars comic books and many limited series.
And Novels (Adult or YA)
Also, there are Reference books



The Legends of Hollywood building down Sunset Strip has some Star Wars merchandise (the stuff that used to be in Watto's Grotto).
Spend some time in the Launch Bay.
Go to the meet-and-greets.
March of the First Order (parade)
A Galaxy Far, Far Away (stage show)

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/hollywood-studios/star-wars/

https://touringplans.com/hollywood-studios/showtimes/


Also... don't rule out introducing your daughter to Star Wars. There are many strong female heroes she can grow attached to. My favorite is Hera.

This is great!! Thanks!!! My 3.5 year old daughter just got her first Star Wars tank top on Saturday and is pretty excited. She likes to be just like her big brother, so I haven't ruled out introducing her too In fact I mentioned maybe watching Star Wars before bed last night to my son and when it got too late she was yelling "but I want to watch Star Wars!"

 

[Ambehnke]

We are starting clone wars now! Will do the movies when DH is home.

 

[CanadianKrista]

Lol! I think my DD6 started on Star Wars at 4 or 5 - and she is just as big a fan as DS9. HS is going to be one of the highlights of our trip, we going all out - assuming the Star Wars Guided tour is offered in December, I think we'll be doing that. DD was Sabine from Rebels for Halloween last year. And honestly, Leia was one of the best role models a girl could have in the 70s and 80s - strong princess that doesn't take any crap. The latest films all all strong female characters as well.