Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[jenij]

Sorry if this has already been posted. I noticed that merchandise is already for sale for SWW merchandise on ebay. One person said he had the pins and it wasn't a pre-sale.
That leaves me with two questions:
How did he get the merchandise?
If merchandise is for sale now without having to go to SWW, will there be enough merchandise left when I arrive for the third weekend? I really don't know what I want, but I don't want to get there and have it sold out because people bought it before SWW even started.

Sorry, I know I sound like my 7 year old whining.

 

[sam_gordon]

Sorry if this has already been posted. I noticed that merchandise is already for sale for SWW merchandise on ebay. One person said he had the pins and it wasn't a pre-sale.
That leaves me with two questions:
How did he get the merchandise?
If merchandise is for sale now without having to go to SWW, will there be enough merchandise left when I arrive for the third weekend? I really don't know what I want, but I don't want to get there and have it sold out because people bought it before SWW even started.

Sorry, I know I sound like my 7 year old whining.

There will be PLENTY of merchandise available. Maybe not the Limited Edition stuff, but you don't need to worry about empty shelves.

 

[lovethattink]

I'll be there 5/27 Was considering renting a car - is there usually a fair amount of parking for people who arrive at park opening? I was concerned that with the resort crowd level being a 10 (and HS being a 9.8) I wouldn't be able to find a spot to park at HS. Thanks!

P.S. I'm staying onsite at WL and will also have AAA parking pass

At opening you will have no problem finding a parking space somewhere. It is possible that they will use the AAA spaces for handicap parking and medical overflow, making it fill up faster.

We arrived several times last year when the entire DHS parking lot had reached capacity and we were denied parking at DHS.

If I was staying at WL, I would use their transportation, particularly if arriving later.

Quick question for you veterans, please.

We are driving to HS from our hotel. If we want to leave the park for an early dinner and be back in time for Hoopla, is there somewhere close that we can walk to? When I say close, I mean spend less than an hour and a half for dinner. The reviews for HS eateries don't sound very appetizing, but if we have to stay and eat there, we could definitely deal with it.

Just wondering if there are other options for dinner than in HS without having to take the car somewhere. We'd be looking at dinner around 6:00pm and want to get back by 7:15 the latest.

Thanks for your input!!
ec

You can walk to the boardwalk area. Yesterday it was 90 degrees here in Central FL. That walk is not shaded. So it's going to be hot.

Boats run every 20 minutes to the Swan/Dolphin, Yacht/Beach Club and Boardwalk from DHS. All these resorts use the same boat, so you need to add time of stopping at each dock.

I wouldn't recommend taking your car for dinner. As I mentioned above, there were several times last year where we arrived in the afternoon or later when the parking lot had reached capacity.

First, we are fans of Sci-Fi Dine In. I know that many knock it and I'm not saying it is our absolute favorite place to eat, but we still go there every trip. If you find it crunches your schedule too much to make it somewhere else, I'd seriously consider it.

However, if you are set on leaving DHS for a bit, you can either take the Friendship boat to EPCOT and have something in WS (Canada, UK, and France I believe are all relatively near the International Gateway) or you can walk to Boardwalk and have something there. I suppose you could also take the boat to EPCOT and IG then back-track walk to Boardwalk if you want.

We have not taken the boat to EPCOT - I would figure on about 15 minutes each way for travel, give or take. We have made the walk from DHS to Boardwalk - not a bad walk, but a little longer than we anticipated (Robo has repeatedly posted great maps). I would say it probably takes about the same amount of time (maybe a few minutes longer) to walk it. We enjoy ESPN Club at Boardwalk - but they don't take reservations so it can be an unknown on how long it takes to get a table and frankly the food isn't necessarily all that special - we just like the TV's in the bathroom . There is also Big River Grille, which we have never tried.

Hope that helps a little!

We love the Sci-Fi. The food is mediocre, but the atmosphere is awesome and it's always nice and cool in there!! I have ADRs made for every day of SWW. I tried to do Sci-Fi each day, but there were some days no ADRs were available for the time I wanted so got them for 50's PTC.

The counter service restaurants can be a mad house during peak eating times.

When DHS is listed as a 9 or 10 boat service can take longer as often not everyone will fit on the first boat to come, and it takes about 20 minutes for the next boat.

We decided to eat at Beaches and Cream for dinner at the Beach Club. We didn't fit on the first boat to arrive. It took about 15 minutes for the next boat. I can't remember, but it stopped at either the Boardwalk or Swan Dolphin first. We got off there and beat the Friendship boat to the Yacht/Beach Club.

Closer to 25 minutes, boat or walk.

Agree. And it's going to be a hot walk.

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks, I missed it in that long post.
So that means if it rains the only day I can go, like a washout day, it's all for nothing bc the two main things I wanna do (meet the VIPs and see the parade) won't happen. Wow that sucks!!! There is nowhere for them to move the characters? They should consider the animation building or something.

A complete rain day during SWW hasn't happened in the many years I've been attending, not saying that it can't. Here in Orlando it tends to rain during the afternoon so you'll have plenty of time to get pictures with the Fab 4.

Hello everyone,
This is the best information I have found. Me my DS and his best friend will be there on the 18th and will be there bright and early. My question is I have a AAA parking pass. Should I park in that parking area or try to park in the regular one. I want to be as close as possible to the gate. any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks so much

Like others have said, depending on how early you get there may not even be any parking attendants working. You should be able to park very close to the entrance, the good thing about DHS is that the parking lot is small and you can walk to the entrance even if you're all the way in the back, in about 5min.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

we will be there June 8 and 10

me too

 

[Hanover]

We will be there for the first and last SWW!

 

[bizeemom4]

me too

Me three.

 

[evcollins]

Thanks for the info! We have lunch reservations at Sci-Fi that day and we'll be eating on Big River Grille on our first day of arrival. Great minds think alike!!

Appreciate it. I wasn't sure if the boat was close by to take anywhere. Definitely need to re-think this one. Our options for in-park were ABC and Pizza Planet. Not really what I want, but if we have to, it wouldn't kill us.

ec

 

[buckeev]

Sorry if this has been asked, but where can DS see Jedi Mickey?...we are gonna try to sneak in on the 10th of June, and I know this would be a big thrill for him, being the character junkie he is!
Never been during Star Wars Event...so total Noob there!
TIA!!!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Sorry if this has been asked, but where can DS see Jedi Mickey?...we are gonna try to sneak in on the 10th of June, and I know this would be a big thrill for him, being the character junkie he is!

TIA!!!

Near the exit of The Great Movie Ride. Be aware he rotates about every 20 minutes.

 

[thej]

We'll be there the 3rd weekend for all 3 days... Put us on the list if you want. But won't be spending all of each day in DHS. We will do a few events each day and park hop or head back to the resort for a swim or something. There's just not enough other stuff to do, and it's too darn hot!

I started this list after I asked my question. Anybody else want to be added to the list, or has some changes? I only listed what info I saw. I myself don't know yet if I want to sacrifice other park days to SWW, so mine is still flexible.


3rd Wknd June 1-3
cerberus 6/2
delmar411 6/1, 6/2
d-r 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
goofyredraider 6/2, 6/3
ireland nicole
Karpkg 6/1
megan511 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
mesaboy 6/3
RedM94 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
vleeth 6/2
yulilin3 6/2, 6/3

 

[Karpkg]

Wow, you guys are coming out of the woodwork. It seems everyone is evenly spaced throughout the weekends. I don't think one weekend will dominate another.

1st Wknd May 18-20
CentralFloridian99 5/20
Daisy'sMama 5/20
disneydreamgirl 5/18, 5/20
disneyforus 5/18
Donald Duck888 5/18
d-r 5/20
Hanover
jthornton94 5/20
lcarlton99 5/18
lovethattink 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
maybs607 5/18
momtotwins 5/20
momto2sweeties 5/19
MSUmom
tiggerpenny 5/18, 5/19
vettegirl 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
wallawallakids 5/18
wendypooh 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
yulilin3 5/19, 5/20
2goofykiddos 5/18, 5/19

2nd Wknd May 25-27
aiminator 5/27
csmommy 5/25
delmar411 5/25
d-r 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
evcollins 5/26
goofyredraider 5/27
jthornton94 5/26
justwinnie 5/25, 5/26
Karpkg 5/25
lovethattink 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
moethorne 5/25
wendypooh
yulilin3 5/26, 5/27

3rd Wknd June 1-3
audrey2580 6/1
cerberus 6/2
delmar411 6/1, 6/2
d-r 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
goofyredraider 6/2, 6/3
ireland nicole
Karpkg 6/1
lovethattink 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
megan511 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
mesaboy 6/3
RedM94 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
thej 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
vleeth 6/2
yulilin3 6/2, 6/3

4th Wknd June 8-10
bizeemom4 6/8, 6/10
buckeev 6/10
cerberus 6/8, 6/10
Cinderumbrella 6/8, 6/9
d-r 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Hanover
ireland nicole 6/8
jacksonsmom 6/8, 6/10
ladyjubilee 6/10
lovethattink 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Music City Mama 6/8
TrixieLouMagoo 6/8
wdwnut61 6/8
yulilin3 6/9, 6/10
39CINDERELLA 6/8, 6/9, 6/10

 

[audrey2580]

3rd weekend for me! 6/1 for sure and may have to go back for more

 

[Karpkg]

Thanks for the info! We have lunch reservations at Sci-Fi that day and we'll be eating on Big River Grille on our first day of arrival. Great minds think alike!!

Appreciate it. I wasn't sure if the boat was close by to take anywhere. Definitely need to re-think this one. Our options for in-park were ABC and Pizza Planet. Not really what I want, but if we have to, it wouldn't kill us.

ec

Pizza Planet- Be warned, that place is a ZOO during heavy crowds. We spent an hour in line to get pizza. Then had to wait for it to be made! No place to sit inside and upstairs, we ate standing up outside. It's the same pizza at the outdoor eating area across from Beauty and the Beast and the lines moved faster. I highly advise eating elsewhere. Or if you go to Pizza Planet and the line reaches the door; guaranteed at least an hour in line.

 

[yulilin3]

Pizza Planet- Be warned, that place is a ZOO during heavy crowds. We spent an hour in line to get pizza. Then had to wait for it to be made! No place to sit inside and upstairs, we ate standing up outside. It's the same pizza at the outdoor eating area across from Beauty and the Beast and the lines moved faster. I highly advise eating elsewhere. Or if you go to Pizza Planet and the line reaches the door; guaranteed at least an hour in line.

Plus the pizza sucks (IMHO)...how about backlot Express, it has free refills...For Table service we love 50s Prime Time

 

[lovethattink]

Another thumbs down for Pizza Planet.

The gormet hotdogs at DHS looked great on someone's TR. I might have to try one of them or share one as a snack. Located at Fairfax Fare

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/08/26/new-specialty-hot-dogs-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

 

[ireland_nicole]

Backlot has a decent Greek salad too. I'm not sure about He commissary, it might just kill ya

 

[evcollins]

Thank for the info! Will turn away immediately if line is out the door to Pizza Planet. What are thoughts for Backlot Express? That's an outdoor restaurant, right? Reason we chose PP or ABC is because of air condition after being there all day without a midday break; hoping we can survive till Hoopla, but will just have to go with the flow at that point.

Anyone else go before RD and stay through till Hoopla without a break?? I think I've got my TP down pretty good, but it's a whole nother ballgame when we're actually there.

ec

 

[momtotwins]

I made an ADR for 50's primetime for that exact reason. I am scared we will fade before hoopla. so lunch is taken care of but now i am worried about dinner.

and you have your touring plan set.....I cant figure outwhat order to do stuff. its killing me

 

[tiggerpenny]

We will be there the 1st weekend, 18th and 19th!!!