Star Wars Weekend Tips ~ 2011 Update

[reelmom]

We are going to our first SWW on Saturday, June 5. I am nervous about the crowds but excited to be going. We are only planning on doing the meet and greets with characters (no actors) and the parade. Thanks to everybody who have given great tips and posted pictures.

 

[turtlebean]

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)

Last year we also went to morning EMH during SWW and the Storm Troopers were not on the roof when we got there at 8:15/8:30. I don't know if they had come out later or not, b/c we had went to get in line for Darth Vadar. This was our second day at SWW and my DS really, really wanted his autograph. We waited in line for over an hour for it. Chewie and Darth Vadar have the longest lines. When we went last year they did swap out Chewie with the Ewoks. My advice is if you really want a character to just wait in the line, even if they leave. Chances are you might get them when they come back. Or if you are really lucky, you can get both characters at once. This almost happened to us when we were waiting for Anakin. He was switching out w/Kit Fisto and the few people in front of us got a picture w/both. We were next and Anakin left. But we still got Kit Fisto.

 

[DisGal520]

Last year we went on a non-EMH day and an EMH day. On the non-EMH day we got to see the stormtroopers skit on top of the gates. On the EMH date - no stormtrooper skit. So that you can plan your fun...............

This year for May here is the EMH dates.



May 2010
Morning Extra Magic Hours
Magic Kingdom Park - May 6, 13, 20, 27
Epcot - May 4, 11, 18, 25, 30
Disney's Hollywood Studios - May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 31
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park - May 3, 10, 17, 24


June 2010
Morning Extra Magic Hours
Magic Kingdom Park - June 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29
Epcot - June 6, 13, 20, 27
Disney's Hollywood Studios - June 4, 9, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park - June 2, 5, 7, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park - June 3, 10, 17, 24




from this site:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...gicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage&bhcp=1


And of course you all know the EMH are for guests stying in Disney resorts only.
this should help ya'all

 

[Melinda_Oz]

Can I clarify something? Are the special Star Wars activities on the Friday of the May weekend?

The dates listed say the May weekend is 21st-23rd.

I would rather go on the Friday when hopefully it is a little insane because locals are still at work/school. And I want to steer clear of Saturday because of the EMH.

(sorry if this is a stupid question = obvious answer)

 

[Melinda_Oz]

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.

What a lovely offer, Tiresius! Is the invitation still open? If so, fancy adding a few mad Aussies to your GAD FP family?

Melinda from Downunder

 

[DisGal520]

Can I clarify something? Are the special Star Wars activities on the Friday of the May weekend?

The dates listed say the May weekend is 21st-23rd.

I would rather go on the Friday when hopefully it is a little insane because locals are still at work/school. And I want to steer clear of Saturday because of the EMH.

(sorry if this is a stupid question = obvious answer)

Well I find that the first Friday is quite well atended. The real fans take their little ones out of school and take their vacations around this event.

Saturday will not be better attendance wise. If Disney plans it, they will come.

 

[Tiresius]

What a lovely offer, Tiresius! Is the invitation still open? If so, fancy adding a few mad Aussies to your GAD FP family?

Melinda from Downunder

I have heard from one family of 3 at this point, bringing my new "family" total to 4. Official policy says 6 people per voucher, but I have seen plenty of people say that they were able to get up to 9 people, so I don't know how strict that policy is. So, I am happy to have you join, but it may depend on the size of your family if Disney will cooperate...

 

[Coach81]

Get to Vader early before the line gets too long.. and Ahsoka is very HOTT!!!!

 

[Melinda_Oz]

Well I find that the first Friday is quite well atended. The real fans take their little ones out of school and take their vacations around this event.

Saturday will not be better attendance wise. If Disney plans it, they will come.

Thanks for letting me know :}

 

[Melinda_Oz]

I have heard from one family of 3 at this point, bringing my new "family" total to 4. Official policy says 6 people per voucher, but I have seen plenty of people say that they were able to get up to 9 people, so I don't know how strict that policy is. So, I am happy to have you join, but it may depend on the size of your family if Disney will cooperate...

There are three of us. We could perhaps meet you at the gate and smile nicely at the CM handling your voucher... *big cheesy Aussie smiles*

 

[waughzee]

Is there a SWW photo thread anywhere?

 

[Tiresius]

There are three of us. We could perhaps meet you at the gate and smile nicely at the CM handling your voucher... *big cheesy Aussie smiles*

Yep, I suspect it won't be a problem. 7 people is reasonable.

 

[Victoria3]

Is there a SWW photo thread anywhere?

Here's some photos I took last year. http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoria314/sets/72157618990594495/

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Here's some photos I took last year. http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoria314/sets/72157618990594495/

Wow, awesome photos, especially of Ray Park! Thanks for the link!!

 

[Tiresius]

Anyone know how long the hyperspace hoopla lasts? Is it a five minute quick thing or a 20 minute type show?

If I have to be at AK for the Expedition Everest Challenge (scheduled to begin at 8:30 but I am sure you have to arrive early), would it be possible to see the hoopla or is that cutting it all way too close to even consider?

 

[SignMeUp]

I've heard/read that the Hoopla is 20-25 minutes.

 

[dreamer423]

Wow-how nice! we will be there and i would love that generosity if you haven't found anyone. We;re 2.

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.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Anyone know how long the hyperspace hoopla lasts? Is it a five minute quick thing or a 20 minute type show?

If I have to be at AK for the Expedition Everest Challenge (scheduled to begin at 8:30 but I am sure you have to arrive early), would it be possible to see the hoopla or is that cutting it all way too close to even consider?

Hyperspace hoopla lasts for around 25 minutes. I think you would be able to at least watch part of the show, since it starts at 7. Are you driving to DHS and then to AK, or are you relying on disney transportation?

 

[Tiresius]

Hyperspace hoopla lasts for around 25 minutes. I think you would be able to at least watch part of the show, since it starts at 7. Are you driving to DHS and then to AK, or are you relying on disney transportation?

No driving, buses it is. I know that it may take a while for a bus to show, and park-to-park buses probably wouldn't drop off at the race site, so it may be impractical for that reason alone. I think I have figured out a way around this and will just to SWW in the morning the day of the race, and then return for the afternoon and evening activities the next day. Its an extra step, but it may save me a lot of stress. I want to be able to see the whole thing.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

No driving, buses it is. I know that it may take a while for a bus to show, and park-to-park buses probably wouldn't drop off at the race site, so it may be impractical for that reason alone. I think I have figured out a way around this and will just to SWW in the morning the day of the race, and then return for the afternoon and evening activities the next day. Its an extra step, but it may save me a lot of stress. I want to be able to see the whole thing.

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea! That way you won't miss anything.