Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[Karpkg]

My hubby and i were planning to attend SWW when we are down there on May 19th. Now that i have read your posts i am not sure we want to. Is it really as bad as you all make it sound? (extremly long lines, more than 1 hour wait times for panels and parades, serrious possiblity of not meeting guests) I have been a die hard Star Wars fan since i was 11 and i am not sure i would put myself through all that, especially with no guarantees.

Ahh, but then you'll miss moments like this. This is one of my favorite pics, when a photopass photographer followed Zam Wessell around.

DD's got a look of OH MY GOSH on her face as Zam stares her down. This was priceless.

There was no line for her; she roams around. There's so much of Star Wars around you that you can do as much or as little you want and still be involved with Star Wars.

 

[yulilin3]

Karpkg: your son looks so happy with his trade and your daughters face is priceless. I got a pic when my son was younger (he is almost 16 now) with Aurra Sing staring him down. Those are the moments that are worth everything. Great costumes, BTW. Love when kids and adults dress up.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm adding trading with Jawas to my to-do list. I don't care what they give us, it looks fun.

I assume they're not too hard to find and do this with, since they roam?

 

[shannon006]

I'm adding trading with Jawas to my to-do list. I don't care what they give us, it looks fun.

I assume they're not too hard to find and do this with, since they roam?

What is the trading with Jawas?

We will be there for SWW. Have never been before and I have been reading and trying to figure out a game plan for our family.

2 DS, who love SW! Not as much interested in autographs, but pictures yes. Do we get FP for the autographs and get get pictures then

 

[Billabongi]

This is the only announcement of merchandise that I know of:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...s-weekends-2012-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

Thanks!

 

[Karpkg]

What is the trading with Jawas?

We will be there for SWW. Have never been before and I have been reading and trying to figure out a game plan for our family.

2 DS, who love SW! Not as much interested in autographs, but pictures yes. Do we get FP for the autographs and get get pictures then

We meet the Jawas in the very first Star Wars movie that came out; they're desert traders. So see if you can interact with one and have something to trade with, people dig around in their pockets and trade....a bottle cap, or something. I was just a bit more prepared and this little guy actually jumped for joy, which made DS jump as well. But characters will stay in character, so it helps if you have seen the movie and know that Darth Vader is not a huggable guy, and that Bobba Fett won't high five you, etc.

Don't have to have autographs. Most people just have cameras in hand. Don't need fast passes. Only if you're interested in getting a pic with a celebrity. Not with characters.

You walk around, see a character, then make a decision if you want to take a pic with that character or not. Some will stay in place, hence they generate lines, some will walk around and you'll have to try and capture their attention long enough for them to let you snag a pic with them.

Mesaboy2, notice to the right of Wessell is the stage of Darth Vader. The backdrop tends to move around but this is generally where you'll find Vader.

Karpkg: your son looks so happy with his trade and your daughters face is priceless. I got a pic when my son was younger (he is almost 16 now) with Aurra Sing staring him down. Those are the moments that are worth everything. Great costumes, BTW. Love when kids and adults dress up.

Thanks!

It got so hot that soon after DD (who was dressed as Padme) took off her white cape. DS though liked his Anakin Skywalker costume and wore it the whole day.

I'm adding trading with Jawas to my to-do list. I don't care what they give us, it looks fun.

I assume they're not too hard to find and do this with, since they roam?

When the pic was taken 2 years ago they happened to be near Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen. Last year we spied them near the LMA entrance. So I'd ask a CM and see when they're out and where they'll be next.

 

[sam_gordon]

2 DS, who love SW! Not as much interested in autographs, but pictures yes. Do we get FP for the autographs and get get pictures then

There are FP available just before the park opens for the celebrities (actors/actresses from the movies).

There are photosites with various characters throughout the park (there will be a map with locations, but they won't say which particular character, just "light" or "dark" side). You just get in lines for these, no FP. Most of these have PP photographers on hand and you can use your own camera. You can also do autographs here and they sign the character name.

There are also "roaming" characters: Jawas, Clone/Storm Troopers, Sandmen, some Bounty Hunters all come to mind. You basically just stop them and get pictures/autographs.

 

[Karpkg]

Don't mind me, I'm just in the mood to post pics.

Ray Park's show, Trip To The Maul. THE KIDS LOVED HIM.

At the end of the show the kids were told to keep practicing using their light sabers. Which were now theirs. That was a huge surprise, and the kids were ecstatic.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Mesaboy2, notice to the right of Wessell is the stage of Darth Vader. The backdrop tends to move around but this is generally where you'll find Vader.

Actually, that is where Darth Maul is. Vader is still farther up the road, past the backlot tour.

 

[Karpkg]

okay, last of my pics.

You can't help but call this THE STARE.

 

[KathleensKid]

Don't mind me, I'm just in the mood to post pics.

Ray Park's show, Trip To The Maul. THE KIDS LOVED HIM.

At the end of the show the kids were told to keep practicing using their light sabers. Which were now theirs. That was a huge surprise, and the kids were ecstatic.

OMG!!!! That is awesome. Was that a one time thing. I haven't heard t mentioned before.

 

[Music City Mama]

Love all the photos, Karpkg - thanks for sharing!

There are also "roaming" characters: Jawas, Clone/Storm Troopers, Sandmen, some Bounty Hunters all come to mind. You basically just stop them and get pictures/autographs.

Eek! I will freak out if a Tusken Raider comes near me. I don't know what it is about them, but they scare me! LOL

 

[CentralFloridian99]

If Ray will be doing his show again, how do the kids get picked? I'm a huge fan of SW and don't have a Star Wars Shirt, which seems to effect the kids getting chosen

 

[Karpkg]

Actually, that is where Darth Maul is. Vader is still farther up the road, past the backlot tour.

Interestingly, that pic was taken 2010 and our pics of Darth Maul have a different background; he was located to the corner right in an alleyway. In 2011 that background was Darth Maul's.

But yeah, Darth's place hadn't change and it was located further up.

 

[Karpkg]

Love all the photos, Karpkg - thanks for sharing!

You're welcome, I'm just in the mood right now.

Eek! I will freak out if a Tusken Raider comes near me. I don't know what it is about them, but they scare me! LOL

Aww, but they're so much fun when they're being mischievious!

Here, one was grunting at the other to come down from there!

If Ray will be doing his show again, how do the kids get picked? I'm a huge fan of SW and don't have a Star Wars Shirt, which seems to effect the kids getting chosen

The kids got his autograph, and he invited us to be part of the show. We've never seen or done his show and didn't know what to expect. It was spontaneous and he caught us off guard. We were like, umm, pull our leg! As for them being given light sabers, I don't know if that was common or not.

 

[yulilin3]

Karpkg: my son when he was younger used to dress up as well. My daughter (now 11) for the past 2 years has used a Padme costume (It's her blue nightgown) and the good thing is that it's nice an airy. She is the last picture on this page: http://www.studioscentral.com/column/studios-update/star-wars-weekends-2010-weekend-one Not sure if it'll still fit her this year
Karpkg makes a great point; characters will stay in character, Aurra Sing has scared kids and some adults to the point of tears. Darth Vader and other "dark" characters won't hug or high five you, so please keep that in mind. I've heard many guests complaining about it.

 

[Karpkg]

Karpkg: my son when he was younger used to dress up as well. My daughter (now 11) for the past 2 years has used a Padme costume (It's her blue nightgown) and the good thing is that it's nice an airy. She is the last picture on this page: http://www.studioscentral.com/column/studios-update/star-wars-weekends-2010-weekend-one Not sure if it'll still fit her this year
Karpkg makes a great point; characters will stay in character, Aurra Sing has scared kids and some adults to the point of tears. Darth Vader and other "dark" characters won't hug or high five you, so please keep that in mind. I've heard many guests complaining about it.

More pics, yay! I'll flip thru yours in a minute.

Here's one of when I was in line for Billy Dee Williams going for a Celebrity Fast Pass. I got there 5-ish. Kids were still in bed with DH. This was 2 yrs ago. Blurry because I didn't have fast film on and didn't want flash.

Notice we're pushed to the right side. The line will curve 90 degrees and stop at the standing signs.

 

[Karpkg]

Another million reasons why I love Ray!

Quick video I took as we were awaiting our turn; Ray decided to bust some moves. 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnvvst81FB4&feature=channel

Ray w/my kids and DH, 2011. Notice he signed DD's light saber.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

SWW newbie here...I need to understand celebrity autograph FP's a little better, so I'm looking forward to all of you experts enlightening me!

Not sure that I've grasped the finest details...

If we arrive at 5 a.m. (or thereabouts) to get a FP for Ray Park, what is the best strategy if DS wants to meet (most to least) in this order: Dee Bradley Baker, Ray Park, James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein?

DH would likely only care about Ray Park and I would like to meet Ashley - not necessarily important that we all get a pic with one of them together. I think there will be plenty of opportunity for that at the non-celebrity ones.

I understand there are bands, but say we each stand in line for a different one...can we then interchange the FP's if one of us changes our mind? (are the FP's linked with the bands?)

Also, timing-wise when do they start handing the FP's out? Just trying to determine when the two-hour wait for a second FP might end.

TIA for your responses (can't promise I won't have follow-up questions, though! )

 

[glassslippergirl]

SWW newbie here...I need to understand celebrity autograph FP's a little better, so I'm looking forward to all of you experts enlightening me!

Not sure that I've grasped the finest details...

If we arrive at 5 a.m. (or thereabouts) to get a FP for Ray Park, what is the best strategy if DS wants to meet (most to least) in this order: Dee Bradley Baker, Ray Park, James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein?

DH would likely only care about Ray Park and I would like to meet Ashley - not necessarily important that we all get a pic with one of them together. I think there will be plenty of opportunity for that at the non-celebrity ones.

I understand there are bands, but say we each stand in line for a different one...can we then interchange the FP's if one of us changes our mind? (are the FP's linked with the bands?)

Also, timing-wise when do they start handing the FP's out? Just trying to determine when the two-hour wait for a second FP might end.

TIA for your responses (can't promise I won't have follow-up questions, though! )

If we arrive at 5 a.m. (or thereabouts) to get a FP for Ray Park, what is the best strategy if DS wants to meet (most to least) in this order: Dee Bradley Baker, Ray Park, James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein? Your son will not be able to get these in one day. He will probably only be able to stand in line for one celebrity per day. If you will be there for each of the three days that weekend, he may be able to meet one per day.

I understand there are bands, but say we each stand in line for a different one...can we then interchange the FP's if one of us changes our mind? (are the FP's linked with the bands?) Last year, there were different colored bands for each celebrity. They put the band right on you while you wait in line, so interchanging was not really an option.

Also, timing-wise when do they start handing the FP's out? Just trying to determine when the two-hour wait for a second FP might end. Last year, the time they started handing out the fast passes varied. The first weekend, it was pretty early-- before 7:00-- but that was also the weekend that the new Star Tours opened, so it was special, and especially crowded. Usually, it was around 7:00. I do not know what you mean by the two-hour wait for the second fast pass. Enjoy SWW. We had a great time at all four last year and plan to get to at least one this year.