Star Wars Weekend Tips ~ 2011 Update

[wendypooh]

wendypooh - do you recommend picking out a parade spot at 10A? I was planning on 11A. My kids are 3 & 6 and 1 1/2 hours of waiting...can't do it. Any good spots still left at 11?

As stated, this was our first SWW - so, any advice I give is based on that, but, when we found our spot at 10 AM - there were already others there waiting - and it did fill up FAST - I personally would NOT wait till 11 - but, again, that's just me. People were lining the parade route BEFORE 10 - around 10:30 it was getting full - meaning spots were getting scarce - I know it's hard for the little one's to wait.............. maybe just one of you could "hold" the spot? I did see a lot of that, in fact I did that while DH and DS went into the store and to get us drinks.

Good Luck - but if you want a spot on that half wall - I'd get there early!

 

[sonnesolsun]

As stated, this was our first SWW - so, any advice I give is based on that, but, when we found our spot at 10 AM - there were already others there waiting - and it did fill up FAST - I personally would NOT wait till 11 - but, again, that's just me. People were lining the parade route BEFORE 10 - around 10:30 it was getting full - meaning spots were getting scarce - I know it's hard for the little one's to wait.............. maybe just one of you could "hold" the spot? I did see a lot of that, in fact I did that while DH and DS went into the store and to get us drinks.

Good Luck - but if you want a spot on that half wall - I'd get there early!

Hi Wendypooh!!!

So glad you got to experience some Disney magic with all that you share on the Creative DISign board!!! Can't wait to wear our new shirts this year for our SURPRISE trip that will also include SWW!!!

 

[PrincessBetsy]

We were there on Fri. 5/21 and 5/22 it was a BLAST - it was our first SWW and we LOVED it!!!!!! It was HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTT and crowded, but so worth it. The parade was awesome - got over 250 pics of it............... LOL Saw LOTS of characters, got lots of "stuff" and overall had a amazing time. We will DEF. go again.

I will post pics soon......... but, for the parade we got to sit on the half wall in front of the "bust" - it was the perfect spot for pics. The parade started at 11:40 - we got to the wall about 10 - and it filled up FAST - Thanks to everyone here for the tips - again, we LOVED it!!!!

I'm glad you had such a wonderful time and enjoyed SWW!! Looking forward to the pictures!

 

[wendypooh]

Hi Wendypooh!!!

So glad you got to experience some Disney magic with all that you share on the Creative DISign board!!! Can't wait to wear our new shirts this year for our SURPRISE trip that will also include SWW!!!

AWWW Thanks!!! Enjoy and Have Fun!

I'm glad you had such a wonderful time and enjoyed SWW!! Looking forward to the pictures!

Thanks - it was SO much FUN!!! I'm working on getting pics uploaded today!!!

 

[bgsnmky]

Wendy love to hear on your thoughts on your spot for the parade vs on the stairs of AI.

 

[Manda]

wendypooh - do you recommend picking out a parade spot at 10A? I was planning on 11A. My kids are 3 & 6 and 1 1/2 hours of waiting...can't do it. Any good spots still left at 11?

We went on Sunday, June 7th last year. We grabbed our spots on the curb along Hollywood Boulevard right near the parade starting point - roughly across the street from the Disney & Co store on the corner there before you turn towards Hollywood & Vine, etc. We got there right at 11am. All the shady spots were already claimed, but there were still plenty of front row seats. I might try to get there slightly earlier this year, but there's no way I'd get there at 10am, Neither me nor my kid could sit there waiting that long.

 

[wendypooh]

Wendy love to hear on your thoughts on your spot for the parade vs on the stairs of AI.

I have no clue about the stairs............. I do know they were packed full though!!!! Where we were was on the half wall, right in front of the bust statues............. near the stairs - we had an amazing spot ( I think ) we had a completely unobstructed view of the parade - no one was in front of us at all.

Again, as for "when" you should get your seats............. I guess you can just judge what the crowds are doing............. I started seeing people sitting along the parade route and told DH we needed to go to wall - as I'd read here it was a good spot. When we got there at 10 am - there were people already there waiting ( I even asked if they were waiting and was told yes) - so, we got our spot. Along the half walls - it filled up very fast after we sat down - within 5/10 min. there were NO spots left avail. then along the road people were already sitting and by 10:30 it was getting pretty full (at least as far as I could see in both directions)

I also want to point out that this was the first day of the first weekend - and it was packed! We also went on Sat. but didn't watch the parade - however, the parade route was JAMMED - it seemed like MANY more people than Fri. - which again, was packed!!!

I would say - when you see a spot any time after 10 or so - grab it - I'm not going to tell anyone you MUST be in your spot at 10 am - I'm just saying what our experience was - if we'd waited another 5/10 min. we wouldn't have gotten our spot!!!!

Good Luck - the parade is awesome and beyond worth any wait - esp. if you've never seen it!

I'm in the process of doing my TR and will be posting our SWW pics very soon!

 

[Berlioz70]

C3PO IS OUT!!!!

 

[SignMeUp]

It may be a bit early to ask this... but for anyone who was at SWW any day last weekend and was also there today, how did today's crowd compare? Same, less, more/worse?

We leave in the morning for WDW and will be at DHS on Sunday. I am expecting the worst crowd-wise (predicted to be a 10 ) but hoping for the best. Thanks!

 

[kimgg]

To be picked for JTA, we go to the SWW table first thing at rope drop - is it 30 kids per show, or 30 total? We leave tomorrow and trying to decide whether it is worth trying this or not? Thanks in advance!!

 

[kimgg]

Sorry, another SWW question - for the 11:30 parade, where is the half wall in front of the bust mentioned by someone as a good spot? Is it shaded? If not where is a good and shaded spot?

Thanks again! Getting so excited, we leave in the morning!!

 

[SignMeUp]

To be picked for JTA, we go to the SWW table first thing at rope drop - is it 30 kids per show, or 30 total? We leave tomorrow and trying to decide whether it is worth trying this or not? Thanks in advance!!

If you're there during SWW, then go to Sounds Dangerous to sign up. If you are there on a non-SWW day, then go to the JTA stage next to ST. It's 30 kids per show and there are 8 shows throughout the day. Good luck!

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Sorry, another SWW question - for the 11:30 parade, where is the half wall in front of the bust mentioned by someone as a good spot? Is it shaded? If not where is a good and shaded spot?

Thanks again! Getting so excited, we leave in the morning!!

I don't think the wall is shaded, but the steps in front of AIE are shaded. You will probably want to try and get a seat there at least an hour before. Have a magical trip and may the force be with you!

 

[kimgg]

Thank you Princess Betsy and SignMeUP! I love this board!!!!

 

[ScrappyRN]

Question- Am I getting this right, At SWW you have to go to the Star Wars table near Sounds Dangerous to get your child in the Jedi training? It's not waiting in line by the stage? We will be there on 6/11 for the AM EMH, will the table be out at 8AM or do I have to wait till 9A?

 

[Hanover]

Is the JTA sign up near the Padawan Mind Challenge sign up this year?

 

[wendypooh]

Sorry, another SWW question - for the 11:30 parade, where is the half wall in front of the bust mentioned by someone as a good spot? Is it shaded? If not where is a good and shaded spot?

Thanks again! Getting so excited, we leave in the morning!!

Hi, The parade is at 11:40 - and NO the half wall is NOT shaded, not even a little bit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

It was VERY hot too!!!

 

[Victoria3]

Here's a few photos I've taken during the event.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoria314/sets/72157623985841003/

 

[zjennk]

This is the last SWW day. Will it be insanely busy? Its also a F! night. The crowd calender stated it will be an 8 but I think it will be busier. Has anyone been there the last day of SWW?

 

[4under4]

I just read an older article at Studio Central that mentioned Face Painting. Can we still do this?

http://www.studioscentral.com/column/studios-weekly/getting-kids-involved