Star Wars Weekend Tips ~ 2011 Update

[DisneyGerry]

yes, i got the event pin, passholder, and a DVC one--and I think i like the DVC one the best

 

[cocogrovemom]

I got lots of great tips from here. Thanks! With this boards help our plan worked great for us (kids - 4 and 6)
We had bkfst at Hwd and Vine at 8.

Went to jedi training (dad) - NOTE!! later in the day they made this a fastpass like ticket!!! go here first if important. the first 240 get tix (8 shows 30 kids each)

Mom went and got toy story fast passes - watch the time however. when I got to the front the time was 11:15 to 12:15 which conflicts with the parade. I just hovered at the back for a few minutes until the 11:40's came up.

Went to ride star tours.
Saw a few characters, mingled with the wondering ones. saw an a/c show - yeah for A/C

Staked our position for the parade at 11. We took advice from here and got the front curve of the steps of AEI. Perfect location as it is shaded. the rest of aei was reserved for vips. All of the characters stopped and posed here. Great photos and some kid interaction. The parade was about 11:45 and lasted 20 mins or so. I got us frozen lemonade to cool while we were waiting. Reapplied sunscreen. (coppertone 80 worked for all of us - no burns!) Kids did the SW sticker books I brought while we waited.

Toy story (all fp's were gone by then) so no second one on the way out.

A few other rides then 1:30 fantasia lunch at the brown derby.

We saw Jedi mickey and mini afterwards. They were both great with tons of interaction. A note - just after us mickey left. If the character is important ask before standing in line how long they will be. People in the black shirts also have the sheets showing the times who will be where roughly.

We then did another ride and show and about 5:30 dad went to the boba bounty to buy his birthday gifts for himself while the kids and I went the the Shrunk the kids playground. This took him about 40 mins including shopping and checkout. they still had the passholder pin and the blue stitch at that time. Note: you dont have to wait in the longer line if you dont want the collectibles and there wasnt any separation once inside so several people "changed their minds" once inside. DH was annoyed but others will try it I am sure. YMMV.

We went to the hoopla around 6:30. This was disappointing as it was impossible to see if you were not on the first 2 rows and the folks from the jedi training take up most of those. We were able to get down the side just enough for the kids to see while we held them up but my back hates me for it. The video on the web will suffice next time.

We had dinner at the prime time 50s which was slow and poor tasting. I had ordered a cake with a darth vader on the top which was spectacular! It was a darth key chain that talks. DH loved it.

After dinner we went to 9pm Fantasia. When we arrived at 8:30 it was already standing room only and our passes got us seats in the upper reserved area but they acted like it was a big deal we werent there 45 mins in advance. Note for others attending.

We picked up the packages from the package pick up at the exit (so we didnt haul them around all day) exhausted but delighted.

A few notes:
1. it is super hot. duck inside a/c when possible and drink lots of H2O.
2. our kids dressed but there were few others in costume
3. some character lines were fast moving and others slow. judge the pace before you stand.
4. DH got so excited about the limited eds he forgot to get dh and dd tshirts. oops!
5. The stated wait times for the rides were each way overestimated. Star tours said 40 mins and we walked straight through.

Have a great trip!

 

[DisGal520]

First Friday this year way more crowded than same last year. Way more! Fewer kids (or adults) dressed in costumes. I think because it seemed hotter this year.

Lines outside the gate for celeb autograph fastpasses were long. It was confusing to people coming from parking lot area as a lot of them got in lines to get in park they thought and after talking with line folks found out differently. Gotta say the CMs holding the rather smallish autograph signs on poles were hard to spot at times. They were supposed to be at the end of the line, but occasionally strayed.

Stormtrooper skit atop the gates started about 8:20 AM. There were a couple American idol CMs trying to coax folks in line to sign up for audution. I only saw 2 people leave their place in line to sign up.

The 'event merchandise only' line got in early from what I could tell, only to end up in another line inside the gates again. CMs telling them to stay in that line and they could not leave it to go get ride FPs.


Once we were allowed by the storm troopers to get in, lines formed everywhere just line non-SWW days only. We went over to have a coffee at Starring Rolls and sit until those folks were allowed to attack the park. Those inside lines were huge of course. We did not try to get FP for Toy Story - LOL!

Gotta say it was still exciting this year. Got loads of photos to upload later.

Enjoy the force!

 

[safetymom]

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/g1098-star-wars-weekends-2010.html

 

[Berlioz70]

Character Overivew - most is the same from last year, couple changes:

CLONE WARS:
Blister Pack
In the morning Captain Rex and Commander Cody switch out with each other.
In the afternoon Ashoka and Asajj switch out while Rex and Cody show up randomly.

REBEL ALLIANCE:
Jedi Council
The four Jedi Masters (Anakin, Ti, Windu, Fisto) overlap all day.

Premiere Theater Area
The Clone Troopers and Jawas wander around in this area, no lines or official location. For the Clone Troopers be quick and you can get a picture and autograph. For the Jawas give them something to trade, they are more likely to stop for you to do a trade.

Star Tours Queue
Luke, Leia, and R2D2 overlap all day.

Star Tours Area
The Cantina Band wander around this area.

Speeder Bike
Chewy and Wicket alternate in the morning.
Chewy and either Wicket or another Ewok meet together in the afternoon.

Sounds Dangerous
Amidala is available most of the day.

GMR Exit
Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald overlap all day.
R2-MK appears with Mickey.

EMPERIAL FORCE:
Darth Maul is available most of the day near Backlot tour.

Darth Vader is available most of the day near Backlot tour.

Backlot tour area
Sing, Wessell, Gamorrean, Raiders, and the Storm Troopers wander around this area, no lines or official location.

Bounty Hunters
Boba and Jango rotate at this location.


I think that's everyone - for pictures of everyone click this link.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Great reports everyone!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

I got lots of great tips from here. Thanks! With this boards help our plan worked great for us (kids - 4 and 6)
We had bkfst at Hwd and Vine at 8.

Went to jedi training (dad) - NOTE!! later in the day they made this a fastpass like ticket!!! go here first if important. the first 240 get tix (8 shows 30 kids each)

Can you explian this a little more? If our kids want to be in the Jedi Training, how do we get a ticket for that? And can DH or I go pick them up, or do the kids have to be with us? TIA

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

I got lots of great tips from here. Thanks! With this boards help our plan worked great for us (kids - 4 and 6)
We had bkfst at Hwd and Vine at 8.

We saw Jedi mickey and mini afterwards. They were both great with tons of interaction. A note - just after us mickey left. If the character is important ask before standing in line how long they will be. People in the black shirts also have the sheets showing the times who will be where roughly.

Your report is so helpful. Our kids are the same ages. I was wondering about how long you waited in line to see Jedi Mickey and Minnie. TIA

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

I got lots of great tips from here. Thanks! With this boards help our plan worked great for us (kids - 4 and 6)

Staked our position for the parade at 11. We took advice from here and got the front curve of the steps of AEI. Perfect location as it is shaded. the rest of aei was reserved for vips. All of the characters stopped and posed here. Great photos and some kid interaction. The parade was about 11:45 and lasted 20 mins or so. I got us frozen lemonade to cool while we were waiting. Reapplied sunscreen. (coppertone 80 worked for all of us - no burns!) Kids did the SW sticker books I brought while we waited.

Have a great trip!

One more question, LOL! What/where is AEI?

 

[maroo]

One more question, LOL! What/where is AEI?

I wonder if they meant AIE? American Idol Experience?

It is near the center of the park. It does have steps...so maybe that is it?

 

[SignMeUp]

Mom went and got toy story fast passes - watch the time however. when I got to the front the time was 11:15 to 12:15 which conflicts with the parade. I just hovered at the back for a few minutes until the 11:40's came up.

Thanks for all the great info! Just a tip for your future FP use... no need to wait until the FP window is later as you can use FP anytime after your window opens so you would have been able to use an 11:15 to 12:15 FP any time after 11:15, even after 12:15 until park closing . You just can't use it before your window opens, but you can use it ANY time after your window opens.

We'll be there a week from tomorrow!!! We plan to head straight to Jedi Training at rope drop and hope to get our boys in the first show.

 

[Batistuta]

I tried looking through the thread but 27 pages is a bit large, so I apologize if this question has been answered.

A friend is headed to WDW next weekend and I was going to ask him to pick me up a SWW t-shirt. I'm not interested in any LE stuff just the basic T-shirt. Are these available all over DHS or just in certain locations? Are they only available Fri - Sun? I won't bother asking if he's going to have to wait in line for hours.

 

[Cheryl726]

Is there a long line wait to just buy the DVC pin for SWW?

 

[SrisonS]

I tried looking through the thread but 27 pages is a bit large, so I apologize if this question has been answered.

A friend is headed to WDW next weekend and I was going to ask him to pick me up a SWW t-shirt. I'm not interested in any LE stuff just the basic T-shirt. Are these available all over DHS or just in certain locations? Are they only available Fri - Sun? I won't bother asking if he's going to have to wait in line for hours.

You can get the normal T-shirt pretty much anywhere.

 

[SrisonS]

Is there a long line wait to just buy the DVC pin for SWW?

When I was there on Friday, I think the only Weekends pins were available in the special shop they have setup.... and that line was INSANE!!!!!!! Could've just been because it was the first day though.

I didn't actually go in the shop; but I look all around the park for the special event pins. Couldn't find a single one.... not even under the BAH.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Character Overivew - most is the same from last year, couple changes:

CLONE WARS:
Blister Pack
In the morning Captain Rex and Commander Cody switch out with each other.
In the afternoon Ashoka and Asajj switch out while Rex and Cody show up randomly.

REBEL ALLIANCE:
Jedi Council
The four Jedi Masters (Anakin, Ti, Windu, Fisto) overlap all day.

Premiere Theater Area
The Clone Troopers and Jawas wander around in this area, no lines or official location. For the Clone Troopers be quick and you can get a picture and autograph. For the Jawas give them something to trade, they are more likely to stop for you to do a trade.

Star Tours Queue
Luke, Leia, and R2D2 overlap all day.

Star Tours Area
The Cantina Band wander around this area.

Speeder Bike
Chewy and Wicket alternate in the morning.
Chewy and either Wicket or another Ewok meet together in the afternoon.

Sounds Dangerous
Amidala is available most of the day.

GMR Exit
Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald overlap all day.
R2-MK appears with Mickey.

EMPERIAL FORCE:
Darth Maul is available most of the day near Backlot tour.

Darth Vader is available most of the day near Backlot tour.

Backlot tour area
Sing, Wessell, Gamorrean, Raiders, and the Storm Troopers wander around this area, no lines or official location.

Bounty Hunters
Boba and Jango rotate at this location.


I think that's everyone - for pictures of everyone click this link.

Thanks for this wonderful list!! I'm going to post this on the front of the thread.

Excellent reviews everyone! I'm glad you all had such a great time!

 

[yulilin3]

As I read thru the last page I saw some reports and have to agree with them...it is way more packed than in years past. I've never seen so many people for SWW.
Celeb Fp's system is the same, outside the park but they start handing out the Fp's at 8:45am (last year it was 8:15am) We got there at 5:30am and got 2 2nd session Fp's for Temuera Morrison, 2 1st session for Daniel Logan, 1 2nd session for Dee Bradley Baker, 1 standby for Ashley Eckstein. It was myself and 2 kids, this is how we did it. I stood in line for Temuera (it was the obvious longer line) my son stood in line for Daniel with my daughter (shorter line). They got their Fp's first so my dd came around, found me so we got the 2 for temuera. Then my son came around lined up for Dee Bradley and my daughter got the one for Ashley. So with a little planning you can do this. The only thing they don't want you to do is grab a Fp for someone, come around and grab a Fp for the same actor.
The stormtrooper show is done every day of the weekends. Today was EMH and they did their show at 8:45am.
JTA yesterday was a mess, trying to keep everyone in line close to the JTA stage was impossible, so today they made the line in Sounds Dangerous, by 9:05am all the slots were full. I'm not saying this will happen everyday during SWW but if you want your kids to be in JTA, plan to walk-fast (ok,ok run) to that area to get them signed up.
Padawan Mind Challenge was full by 9:30am, for both shows
Someone already posted all the characters, times are varied and almost all start at 9:05, characters rotate for the most part, just ask the CM's. I asked today why they don't give out info on characters times and they said that it's because they change, depending on some factors...
Hoopla was GREAT,. at the end of Dancing With The Star Wars Stars you get to vote for your fave group, Vader usually wins, but try to make another group win and something really funny happens, I won't spoil it for you, I'm sure that youtube videos have been downloaded.
I didn't go over to merchandise, a friend of mine was kind enough to get the LE Stitch for me
Overall great event, the talk shows were awesome, the celebs are as always, Great, but it was really crowded and hot, so bring your good temper and water and please don't take your frustrations out on the CM's that work the event, they are not in charge of timing, or how things are planned out, I saw 3 women gang up on a CM today and I don't know how that CM kept her cool. (It was JTA related).
Any questions please pm me, as I'll probably won't check this thread very often...sorry for the long post I wanted to be as clear as I could, going tomorrow again for round 2 of weekend 1.
MTFBWY

 

[RmrJmrGrl]

I got lots of great tips from here. Thanks! With this boards help our plan worked great for us (kids - 4 and 6)
We had bkfst at Hwd and Vine at 8.

Went to jedi training (dad) - NOTE!! later in the day they made this a fastpass like ticket!!! go here first if important. the first 240 get tix (8 shows 30 kids each)

Mom went and got toy story fast passes - watch the time however. when I got to the front the time was 11:15 to 12:15 which conflicts with the parade. I just hovered at the back for a few minutes until the 11:40's came up.

Went to ride star tours.
Saw a few characters, mingled with the wondering ones. saw an a/c show - yeah for A/C

Staked our position for the parade at 11. We took advice from here and got the front curve of the steps of AEI. Perfect location as it is shaded. the rest of aei was reserved for vips. All of the characters stopped and posed here. Great photos and some kid interaction. The parade was about 11:45 and lasted 20 mins or so. I got us frozen lemonade to cool while we were waiting. Reapplied sunscreen. (coppertone 80 worked for all of us - no burns!) Kids did the SW sticker books I brought while we waited.

Toy story (all fp's were gone by then) so no second one on the way out.

A few other rides then 1:30 fantasia lunch at the brown derby.

We saw Jedi mickey and mini afterwards. They were both great with tons of interaction. A note - just after us mickey left. If the character is important ask before standing in line how long they will be. People in the black shirts also have the sheets showing the times who will be where roughly.

We then did another ride and show and about 5:30 dad went to the boba bounty to buy his birthday gifts for himself while the kids and I went the the Shrunk the kids playground. This took him about 40 mins including shopping and checkout. they still had the passholder pin and the blue stitch at that time. Note: you dont have to wait in the longer line if you dont want the collectibles and there wasnt any separation once inside so several people "changed their minds" once inside. DH was annoyed but others will try it I am sure. YMMV.

We went to the hoopla around 6:30. This was disappointing as it was impossible to see if you were not on the first 2 rows and the folks from the jedi training take up most of those. We were able to get down the side just enough for the kids to see while we held them up but my back hates me for it. The video on the web will suffice next time.

We had dinner at the prime time 50s which was slow and poor tasting. I had ordered a cake with a darth vader on the top which was spectacular! It was a darth key chain that talks. DH loved it.

After dinner we went to 9pm Fantasia. When we arrived at 8:30 it was already standing room only and our passes got us seats in the upper reserved area but they acted like it was a big deal we werent there 45 mins in advance. Note for others attending.

We picked up the packages from the package pick up at the exit (so we didnt haul them around all day) exhausted but delighted.

A few notes:
1. it is super hot. duck inside a/c when possible and drink lots of H2O.
2. our kids dressed but there were few others in costume
3. some character lines were fast moving and others slow. judge the pace before you stand.
4. DH got so excited about the limited eds he forgot to get dh and dd tshirts. oops!
5. The stated wait times for the rides were each way overestimated. Star tours said 40 mins and we walked straight through.

Have a great trip!

Great summary...thanks. Did your dressed up kids get any extra attention or coments? My son is thinking of dressing up in either jango fett or a storm trooper and I'm worried about the heat and the costume. Was it worth it for the kids to be dressed up?

 

[december]

I'll be there on Fri (EMH morning) on the 3rd weekend. I'll have GAD passes, which we'll use for TSM and ST. My kids won't do the other "big" rides, so I think we'll be ok there. I still want to see Indiana Jones, LMA, and the animation studio (if possible).

For the SW stuff, does nothing start before 9 on the emh mornings? Can you see the storm troopers from inside the park, or will we need to go back outside to see them at 8:45?

 

[Supermom3]

As I read thru the last page I saw some reports and have to agree with them...it is way more packed than in years past. I've never seen so many people for SWW.
Celeb Fp's system is the same, outside the park but they start handing out the Fp's at 8:45am (last year it was 8:15am) We got there at 5:30am and got 2 2nd session Fp's for Temuera Morrison, 2 1st session for Daniel Logan, 1 2nd session for Dee Bradley Baker, 1 standby for Ashley Eckstein. It was myself and 2 kids, this is how we did it. I stood in line for Temuera (it was the obvious longer line) my son stood in line for Daniel with my daughter (shorter line). They got their Fp's first so my dd came around, found me so we got the 2 for temuera. Then my son came around lined up for Dee Bradley and my daughter got the one for Ashley. So with a little planning you can do this. The only thing they don't want you to do is grab a Fp for someone, come around and grab a Fp for the same actor.
The stormtrooper show is done every day of the weekends. Today was EMH and they did their show at 8:45am.
JTA yesterday was a mess, trying to keep everyone in line close to the JTA stage was impossible, so today they made the line in Sounds Dangerous, by 9:05am all the slots were full. I'm not saying this will happen everyday during SWW but if you want your kids to be in JTA, plan to walk-fast (ok,ok run) to that area to get them signed up.
Padawan Mind Challenge was full by 9:30am, for both shows
Someone already posted all the characters, times are varied and almost all start at 9:05, characters rotate for the most part, just ask the CM's. I asked today why they don't give out info on characters times and they said that it's because they change, depending on some factors...
Hoopla was GREAT,. at the end of Dancing With The Star Wars Stars you get to vote for your fave group, Vader usually wins, but try to make another group win and something really funny happens, I won't spoil it for you, I'm sure that youtube videos have been downloaded.
I didn't go over to merchandise, a friend of mine was kind enough to get the LE Stitch for me
Overall great event, the talk shows were awesome, the celebs are as always, Great, but it was really crowded and hot, so bring your good temper and water and please don't take your frustrations out on the CM's that work the event, they are not in charge of timing, or how things are planned out, I saw 3 women gang up on a CM today and I don't know how that CM kept her cool. (It was JTA related).
Any questions please pm me, as I'll probably won't check this thread very often...sorry for the long post I wanted to be as clear as I could, going tomorrow again for round 2 of weekend 1.
MTFBWY

So for JTA where should we go to sign up? We plan on being there by 8:00, and heading straight there at RD. Should we head to the Star Wars stage or Sounds Dangerous? We'll be there on Friday 5/28 and possibly Sun 5/30. Thanks!!