Star Wars Weekend Tips ~ 2011 Update

[DancinMama]

We are going to be there right between two weekends on a Wednesday. Is there still anything special going on between the weekends? Is Star Wars Weekends merchandise available during the whole month of weekends, or only on those specific days. For example the SWW T-shirts with Luke Mickey and Boba Fett.

Thanks-
Shelby

 

[spender]

My DS favorite SWW item is his SWW poster. We had both of the stars sign the poster and he has it hung in his room.

 

[DisneyPoohBear]

I am so excited about this. My son is 5 and loves Star Wars. I look forward to hearing about everyone's experiences.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Hey guys! The 2010 celebrities have been announced!!

Jeremy Bulloch and Ashley Eckstein will be the hosts for all 4 weekends.

May 21-23: Temuera Morrison, Daniel Logan, Dee Bradley
May 28-30: Matthew Wood, Lorne Peterson, Tom Kane
June 4-6: Billy Dee Williams, Ray Park, Dave Filoni
June 11-13: Ray Park, Peter Mayhew, James Arnold Taylor

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Can't wait to see the tips for this year. We will be down there the weekend of May 22nd we plan to go on Sunday the 23rd to check out SWW, this is a surprise trip for our boys who are huge Star Wars fans. Can't wait!

We are going then TOO!

 

[WizardLarz]

We are going for our first SWW this year, we'll be there for the first weekend May 21-23. My 4yr old is determined that she is going to propose to Darth Vader when she sees him, so this should be a fun event! LOL She's the youngest SW fanatic I've ever seen, and I love it

Question: We were planning on attending Friday and Sunday, but I'm not sure we need to plan two days. If we're not interested in merchandise or celebrity autographs, is this doable in one day? For really big fans (dd4 and my brother) is it worth it to do two days?

No Celeb autographs and no major merchandise will make it easy to do SWW on just one day! If you want to make sure that you get all possible Character autographs you might need 2 days.

We also have a surprise trip planned for SW weekends but we will only go to DHS on one day. I was thinking Friday (May 21) would be the best day but now I am questioning that. It is the very first day for SWW this year - is it just too crazy that day? My husband and son are interested in the celebrities, character autographs, and maybe buying a few items (pins, t-shirts, etc..).

It should not be overly crowded the first weekend. I was there last year on the first friday and the crowds were a managable 8 I would have guessed. For Celebrity Autographs please read the following info.

***This is from last years Star Wars Map!***
***This Covers Celebrity Actor Autographs Only!***

Autograph Sessions using Disney's FASTPASS

Disney's FASTPASS Service will be utilized for all Autograph Sessions

* YourTheme Park admission ticket allows you to receive a FASTPASS ticket. Limited number avaible.
* Just pick up your FASTPASS ticket with a designated autograph return time. Now you are free to experience other Star Wars Weekends activities.
* At your designated time, return to the autograph location, where you will have little or no wait for your autograph.
* FASTPASS tickets are based on limited availability and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
* Each guest must be present to receive a FASTPASS ticket. You may not get tickets for other members of your party.

You must have a FASTPASS ticket to receive an autograph.

* Once the FASTPASS tickets for an Actor are distributed, we will distribute a limited number of "stand-by" tickets with a return time. Based on availability, you will have the opportunity to get one FASTPASS or one stand-by ticket per Actor. Due to the limited availablity of tickets, once you have received a FASTPASS for an Actor, you will not be eligible to get a stand-by ticket far that actor.
* "Stand-by" tickets do not guarantee you an autograph.

FASTPASS for autograps will be distributed outside the Disney's Hollywood Studios Main Entrance to the right of the turnstiles. Distribution may begin prior to park opening based on demand.

******Last year I was able to get passes for all 3 Actors, the last one was a "stand-by". The stand-by ticket lets you get a "last in line" shot at any of the autograph sessions. I went to the first session with my "stand-by" ticket and got my Autograph!

Also for each autograph session the FASTPASS tickets are broken up in sections, so you can arrive about 5 mintues before the time on your ticket and you will get in with your time group.

If there is a popular Celebrity the line will form early, as in THE NIGHT BEFORE!
__________________

We are going to be there right between two weekends on a Wednesday. Is there still anything special going on between the weekends? Is Star Wars Weekends merchandise available during the whole month of weekends, or only on those specific days. For example the SWW T-shirts with Luke Mickey and Boba Fett.

Thanks-
Shelby

I'm do not believe any extra activities are added in between the weekends. General Merchanside with the SWW logo should be able to be found at DHS thru that time, especially in the Star Tours gift shop.

More than likely the 3rd weekend will be the busiest with both Billy Dee Williams & Ray Park ( Lando Calrissian & Darth Maul)

If you are looking for more info about the Celebrities, check this site: http://starwars.com/fans/events/disney2010guests/index.html

 

[desert_starr_57]

We are going then TOO!

so that makes 3 of us on that day!!

 

[WizardLarz]

Arrive Early!!

1. If you want Celebrity Autographs arrive early! At least 2hrs, for the big names (Weekend 3 - Billy Dee Williams & Ray Park) the lines will start the day before!

2. The special Storm Trooper Opening Show! Arrive about 1/2hr before park opening.

3. The Celebrity Motorcade / Star Wars Parade. Make sure you check the time and get a seat Early!

4. The Celebriy Talk Show- check times and line up early (the theater seats aprox. 300?) Last year there were 3 different shows. One was special given by Ray Park about the stunt work!

5. The Closing Show --- The Hyperspace Hoopla! Do Not Miss! The show is done on the Jedi training stage. The area gets cramped and crowded, so get there EARLY!

Lastly; Have a Magical Vacation and May the Force be with You!

 

[december]

I'm going on an emh Friday morning. Will the opening show be before the 8am opening, or regular park opening? Also, will the SWW characters be out at 8 or 9am?

Thank you!

 

[Supermom3]

I'm going on an emh Friday morning. Will the opening show be before the 8am opening, or regular park opening? Also, will the SWW characters be out at 8 or 9am?

Thank you!

I believe that all SWW stuff begins at 9:00, and that on AM EMH they do not have the Stormtrooper show. Even though you might miss the Stormtrooper show, you'll have an extra hour to do non-SWW attractions and/or get in line super early for Jedi Training or Character greets.

 

[Supermom3]

Hey guys! The 2010 celebrities have been announced!!

Jeremy Bulloch and Ashley Eckstein will be the hosts for all 4 weekends.

May 21-23: Temuera Morrison, Daniel Logan, Dee Bradley
May 28-30: Matthew Wood, Lorne Peterson, Tom Kane
June 4-6: Billy Dee Williams, Ray Park, Dave Filoni
June 11-13: Ray Park, Peter Mayhew, James Arnold Taylor

Thanks for the update on page 1!

One thing you may also want to update is that they have changed the method of picking kids for the Jedi Training. Now the kids line up, and they take the first 15 (or how ever many they do on SWW). So now it's first come first served. If you don't make that show, you can continue to wait in line for the next show. A lot of people head straight there for RD, so that they have a better shot of being in an early show.

 

[Tiresius]

Oops.

 

[FINFAN]

I am also going to be at SWW on May 21st and 23rd, traveling solo. I plan to do almost exclusively SWW stuff on Friday, but will have a GAD voucher that I plan to use for the FP card on the 23rd. It seems like a waste that I can get up to 6 FP cards with the voucher yet have nobody to give the other 5 cards to. If there is anyone who will have multi-day tickets and plans to be at SWW rope-drop on May 23rd who would like to be an honorary member of my travel group for the day, I am happy to share. Other than standing at the ticket window with me to let them swipe your tickets, you could go on your way the rest of the day with your own FP cards. Just offering to share the magic with people who would most appreciate it. If I don't get a DIS family, I will probably offer to a family I meet at the bus stop that morning.

That is SOOOO nice of you! Wish we could be your "family" but we won't get there until the following weekend...but I am sure you will get responses form a lot of grateful DISers. Volunteering and then sharing... Enjoy SWW!

 

[JennyMP03]

That's so sweet, Tiresius.


This is a paranoid question, but do you think they are likely to have SWW again in 2011? I am planning a trip that revolves around SWW for a large group, and if WDW suddenly decided not to have it, disappointment would abound!

I know they've had it for several years in a row, but please assuage my irrational fear that they just won't have it in 2011.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Thanks for the update on page 1!

One thing you may also want to update is that they have changed the method of picking kids for the Jedi Training. Now the kids line up, and they take the first 15 (or how ever many they do on SWW). So now it's first come first served. If you don't make that show, you can continue to wait in line for the next show. A lot of people head straight there for RD, so that they have a better shot of being in an early show.

Your welcome! Right, I forgot they had changed the method for picking the kids. I'll update that as well. Thanks!

 

[PrincessBetsy]

I am also going to be at SWW on May 21st and 23rd, traveling solo. I plan to do almost exclusively SWW stuff on Friday, but will have a GAD voucher that I plan to use for the FP card on the 23rd. It seems like a waste that I can get up to 6 FP cards with the voucher yet have nobody to give the other 5 cards to. If there is anyone who will have multi-day tickets and plans to be at SWW rope-drop on May 23rd who would like to be an honorary member of my travel group for the day, I am happy to share. Other than standing at the ticket window with me to let them swipe your tickets, you could go on your way the rest of the day with your own FP cards. Just offering to share the magic with people who would most appreciate it. If I don't get a DIS family, I will probably offer to a family I meet at the bus stop that morning.

Ahh, that is so nice of you!! Good luck finding a family!!

This is a paranoid question, but do you think they are likely to have SWW again in 2011? I am planning a trip that revolves around SWW for a large group, and if WDW suddenly decided not to have it, disappointment would abound!

I know they've had it for several years in a row, but please assuage my irrational fear that they just won't have it in 2011.

While nothing is set in stone until the official announcement has been made, I'm pretty sure they will continue to have SWW due to the popularity of the event. Good luck with you planning!!



Here is the official logo for SWW 2010!

 

[JennyMP03]

Thanks, PrincessBetsy. That's what I've been telling myself, too.

That's a great logo! I love Mickey as Luke. I'll have to get a little plush Mickey Skywalker as my SWW souvenir. A friend bought me a Darth Goofy from Disneyland, and he needs a rival to sit beside him on my desk.

 

[WizardLarz]

I'm going on an emh Friday morning. Will the opening show be before the 8am opening, or regular park opening? Also, will the SWW characters be out at 8 or 9am?

Thank you!

I'm going to disagree with Supermom3 and say that the Opening Show will be done at an 8am EMH opening! No real reason not to do it! They may wait on the other Characters untill 9am, mainly because how long it takes for some of them to get ready!

Here is proof of the Detailing:

 

[WizardLarz]

That's so sweet, Tiresius.


This is a paranoid question, but do you think they are likely to have SWW again in 2011? I am planning a trip that revolves around SWW for a large group, and if WDW suddenly decided not to have it, disappointment would abound!

I know they've had it for several years in a row, but please assuage my irrational fear that they just won't have it in 2011.

I think SWW will continue for a while longer; 2015 will be the 10th anniversary of Episode III : Revenge of the Sith. I'm hoping that with Disney getting Billy Dee Williams this year, that we will be getting to see more Actors of the Title Characters come to the Weekends! I personally would "Love" to see Carrie Fisher and Natalie Portman!

 

[Supermom3]

I'm going to disagree with Supermom3 and say that the Opening Show will be done at an 8am EMH opening! No real reason not to do it! They may wait on the other Characters untill 9am, mainly because how long it takes for some of them to get ready!

Here is proof of the Detailing:

Okay, thanks. I hope they would do the show. I was just going off an answer I got from another thread where I asked the same question. Here's the link to that thread and a copy of the answer I got.
Love the pictures. Thanks for sharing!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2400523

I did this last year and the troopers were NOT on the roof at 8am during the EMH opening. I used the EMH time to ride TSM and get FPs and then maybe like at 8:45 just randomly saw that a line had formed by star tours and was told it was for chewie, so I got in line. I have read elsewhere that darth vader has long lines so you might want to check that area out (last year, he was by the splash water fountain)