Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[d-r]

I think the original poster was stating that celebrities charge Disney for their autographs, so both of you are right. Celebs charge disney per autograph but getting an autograph from a celeb is free

yes sorry - Disney pays the celebrities per signature/autograph. This is why the CM's are so particular and vocal about only bringing 1 item per person for an autograph.

 

[RedM94]

I don't know if it was mentioned yet, but last year your child had to be with you to sign up for JTA and the PMC.

Every day last year, you would see parents split up at the turnstiles. One would stay with the kids and the other would be off and running. When you reached a certain pint the CM would say this way for JTA sign ups. You child must be with you! The would put on the breaks and then start running back frantically looking for their spouse and children.

Not sure if it will be the same this year.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

when do they start handing out the fast passes for the autographs? can i just go take a nap after i get mine lol?

 

[yulilin3]

I don't know if it was mentioned yet, but last year your child had to be with you to sign up for JTA and the PMC.

Every day last year, you would see parents split up at the turnstiles. One would stay with the kids and the other would be off and running. When you reached a certain pint the CM would say this way for JTA sign ups. You child must be with you! The would put on the breaks and then start running back frantically looking for their spouse and children.

Not sure if it will be the same this year.

Yes this year is the same, your kids must be with you to sign up for both events

when do they start handing out the fast passes for the autographs? can i just go take a nap after i get mine lol?

last year they started handing them out about 45min. before park opening...and if you get a later time, yes you can go take a nap and come back

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Rank the celebs from chattiest to least chattiest on Weekend 1. TIA.

 

[MelissathePooh]

Kids did not have to be present to sign up for PMC last year. I thought it was odd, but they didn't.

You had to have your child with you for JTA like always, but not for PMC for whatever reason. Our kids did it twice - once with some friends who joined us later in the day and we signed their boys up (who weren't with us at the time) when we signed up our kids that morning. The other time the did PMC they weren't with DR when he signed them up either - we were over at TSM.

That was last year though - who knows about this year. The age requirement was also different or PMC than for JTA. Mary Hadley couldn't do JTA, but she was old enough for PMC at 3 yrs old. I noticed it was different in the guide and asked to confirm (it seemed strange) because she couldn't do JTA, but was old enough for PMC. That was the case though. She was allowed to participate in PMC at 3 yrs old.

 

[Karpkg]

Updated List: 3 more days till our 1st wave of DISboarders head off to SWW!

1st Wknd May 18-20
Aerorea 5/18, 5/20
CentralFloridian99 5/20
Daisy'sMama 5/20
disneydreamgirl 5/18, 5/20
disneyforus 5/18
Donald Duck888 5/18
d-r 5/20
GadgetRick
Hanover
heyitsmejosh 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
JenGC 5/18
jthornton94 5/20
KaterBell 5/20
kennythepirate 5/18, 5/19
kswm30b 5/18, 5/20
lcarlton99 5/18
lovethattink 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
Marc A. 5/18
maybs607 5/18
momtotwins 5/20
momto2sweeties 5/19
MSUmom
tiggerpenny 5/18, 5/19
Tinker Bell Fan 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
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, 5/26
Desiree 5/25
d-r 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
evcollins 5/26
GadgetRick
goofyredraider 5/27
jthornton94 5/26
justwinnie 5/25, 5/26
Karpkg 5/25
kdzbear 5/25, 5/27
kmcdougan 5/26
lovethattink 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
moethorne 5/25
MrsPook
redshoepaul 5/26
wendypooh
yulilin3 5/26, 5/27

3rd Wknd June 1-3
ajh88 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
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
KathleensKid 6/2, 6/3
la la 6/3
lovethattink 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
MarkinMA 6/1, 6/2
megan511 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
mesaboy 6/3
MrsPook
ocalla 6/1
RedM94 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
thej 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
Toystoryfan32 6/3
vleeth 6/2
vwaller72 6/2
yulilin3 6/2, 6/3

4th Wknd June 8-10
ADisneyQueen 6/8
Atchley 6/8, 6/10
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
liriel 6/10
lovethattink 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Music City Mama 6/8
TrixieLouMagoo 6/8
undertheseas 6/8
vwaller72 6/8
wdwfanatic80 6/9, 6/10
wdwnut61 6/8
yulilin3 6/9, 6/10
39CINDERELLA 6/8, 6/9, 6/10

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Yes this year is the same, your kids must be with you to sign up for both events



last year they started handing them out about 45min. before park opening...and if you get a later time, yes you can go take a nap and come back

haha nice thats my goal!! haha wake up early wait for a fastpass and get a later time, then go take a nap

 

[yulilin3]

Kids did not have to be present to sign up for PMC last year. I thought it was odd, but they didn't.

You had to have your child with you for JTA like always, but not for PMC for whatever reason. Our kids did it twice - once with some friends who joined us later in the day and we signed their boys up (who weren't with us at the time) when we signed up our kids that morning. The other time the did PMC they weren't with DR when he signed them up either - we were over at TSM.

That was last year though - who knows about this year. The age requirement was also different or PMC than for JTA. Mary Hadley couldn't do JTA, but she was old enough for PMC at 3 yrs old. I noticed it was different in the guide and asked to confirm (it seemed strange) because she couldn't do JTA, but was old enough for PMC. That was the case though. She was allowed to participate in PMC at 3 yrs old.

You are right...in the map it doesn't say kids have to be present for PMC sign ups only for JTA.
PMC: (11 and under)
JTA: 4 to 12 years old

 

[BryBry3]

Sorry im not a Star wars fan....so my question is will the other rides and attractions be overly busy because of this weekend being so popular??? or will it not be bad because of everyone there will be in line for all the star war attractions?

we will only be in orlando for 2 days before we head out to go on a cruise out of miami....we will be at animal kingdom on thursday the 24th and hollywood studios on friday the 25th...we just decided to add on hollywood studios last night.....im wondering if that wasn't a good idea--we have never been to either theme park. we are trying to do as much as we can in those 2 days---i know we are crazy---dont yell at me please

thanks for any advice...and to all of you star war fans--congrats and have a blast...i know my daughter will love all the costumes when she see's them out and about

 

[yulilin3]

Rank the celebs from chattiest to least chattiest on Weekend 1. TIA.

this is just my personal experience and opinion:
Chattiest to least
Ashley Eckstein
Ray Park
James Arnold Taylor (you could tell he would love to stay and talk but he has alot on his plate during SWW)
Dee Bradley Baker
Jerome Blake....no idea, will find out Saturday

 

[wallawallakids]

Do you think that Friday and Saturday will be the same crowd level this weekend? I am only planning on going one day and we don't want merchandise or autographs. It looks like a lot of people go on Friday of merchandise, but a lot go on Saturday because they are off work. We can only spend one day there and I really can't decide which day would be best. Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

 

[yulilin3]

Do you think that Friday and Saturday will be the same crowd level this weekend? I am only planning on going one day and we don't want merchandise or autographs. It looks like a lot of people go on Friday of merchandise, but a lot go on Saturday because they are off work. We can only spend one day there and I really can't decide which day would be best. Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

I always go on Saturday and Sunday, but as people have said here, the amount of crowds is usually the same...the other thing with it being the first day of SWW is that things tend to be more ....chaotic and disorganized by Disney. They tend to plan new things to see how it goes (park opening, how they give out the fastpasses, etc) and that first day is the trial and error day...I'm not saying that it's going to be a mess, if they stick with last years formula everything should run smoothly.
I know this doesn't really help you but that's just my opinion.

 

[wallawallakids]

I always go on Saturday and Sunday, but as people have said here, the amount of crowds is usually the same...the other thing with it being the first day of SWW is that things tend to be more ....chaotic and disorganized by Disney. They tend to plan new things to see how it goes (park opening, how they give out the fastpasses, etc) and that first day is the trial and error day...I'm not saying that it's going to be a mess, if they stick with last years formula everything should run smoothly.
I know this doesn't really help you but that's just my opinion.

Ok. Thanks. Good to know crowd levels are pretty similar on Saturday and Sunday. It gives me something to think about. Thanks so much.

 

[jar]

Do you think restaurants will take people with ADRs early if we show up before our scheduled time? I booked an ADR at Sci-Fi for 5:30pm a long time ago and now see that Ray Park is doing his demo at 6pm -- my recollection is that it was earlier last year so I figured we'd eat afterwards. If his show is the same time on the 2nd weekend, I'd like to try to show up at Sci-Fi at around 4:45 in the hope that we can be done by 6pm since that will probably be DS's favorite. I can't imagine we can re-book Sci-Fi altogether at this late date. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[kmcdougan]

Woah! They CHARGE for autographs? I've never head of that!

I know it has been said many times before on this thread, but, that is what they charge Disney so that the guests do not have to pay for the autographs. That being said, I have attended many conventions, and have had the opportunity to talk to a few stars outside of the "official" signing spots. This is a source of income for them, much as your regular job. Often, the stars will charge anywhere from $20 to $50 per signature for their autographs. They sometimes will also charge for taking a picture with them. It is just part of the business on the convention circuit. In fact, I was privileged to attend a private party for one Star Wars star who specifically stated that there were to be no autograph requests at all - he would take all the pictures you would like with him at that event. The penalty was that if you violated it, you could get booted from the organization that arranged the get together. Most of the stars are pretty cool about chatting and such, but, ALWAYS ASK before taking a pic or shoving something at them to sign. Their image and their signature are part of how they make their money. Just remember that you would not be thrilled to give your work away for free - neither would they.

 

[kmcdougan]

Do you think restaurants will take people with ADRs early if we show up before our scheduled time? I booked an ADR at Sci-Fi for 5:30pm a long time ago and now see that Ray Park is doing his demo at 6pm -- my recollection is that it was earlier last year so I figured we'd eat afterwards. If his show is the same time on the 2nd weekend, I'd like to try to show up at Sci-Fi at around 4:45 in the hope that we can be done by 6pm since that will probably be DS's favorite. I can't imagine we can re-book Sci-Fi altogether at this late date. Any thoughts? Thanks.

You can always try to rebook the reservation. THere may be changes that have been called in, etc., now that things are shaping up more solidly. In my experience in the past, you can always show up earlier, however, there is no guarantee that they will take you before the appointed time. I am given to understand that the system is based upon capacity, not actual tables (ie - your reservation is based on an approximate dining time turnover based on how many people are in the restaurant at any given time). This is unlike a regular restaurant that would hold your table for you at a certain time, based upon an actual table being assigned to your party. I hope that helps you out a bit.

 

[lovethattink]

Do you think restaurants will take people with ADRs early if we show up before our scheduled time? I booked an ADR at Sci-Fi for 5:30pm a long time ago and now see that Ray Park is doing his demo at 6pm -- my recollection is that it was earlier last year so I figured we'd eat afterwards. If his show is the same time on the 2nd weekend, I'd like to try to show up at Sci-Fi at around 4:45 in the hope that we can be done by 6pm since that will probably be DS's favorite. I can't imagine we can re-book Sci-Fi altogether at this late date. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Probably not. Our experience was waiting about 5 or 10 minutes past our ADR time at Sci Fi and waiting about 30 minutes past our ADR time at 50's PTC. We once had an ADR for when Sci-Fi opens for the day, and they turned away all walk ups as they were booked solid.

I always go on Saturday and Sunday, but as people have said here, the amount of crowds is usually the same...the other thing with it being the first day of SWW is that things tend to be more ....chaotic and disorganized by Disney. They tend to plan new things to see how it goes (park opening, how they give out the fastpasses, etc) and that first day is the trial and error day...I'm not saying that it's going to be a mess, if they stick with last years formula everything should run smoothly.
I know this doesn't really help you but that's just my opinion.

We didn't notice any differences in attendance except for Fridays. The crowds were a bit lighter, except for opening day last year. As you said, there was no difference between Sat and Sun. Both were crowded but doable.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Sorry im not a Star wars fan....so my question is will the other rides and attractions be overly busy because of this weekend being so popular??? or will it not be bad because of everyone there will be in line for all the star war attractions?

we will only be in orlando for 2 days before we head out to go on a cruise out of miami....we will be at animal kingdom on thursday the 24th and hollywood studios on friday the 25th...we just decided to add on hollywood studios last night.....im wondering if that wasn't a good idea--we have never been to either theme park. we are trying to do as much as we can in those 2 days---i know we are crazy---dont yell at me please

thanks for any advice...and to all of you star war fans--congrats and have a blast...i know my daughter will love all the costumes when she see's them out and about

If you can, I would go to DHS on Thurs and AK on Fri to avoid the SWW stuff.

Do you think restaurants will take people with ADRs early if we show up before our scheduled time? I booked an ADR at Sci-Fi for 5:30pm a long time ago and now see that Ray Park is doing his demo at 6pm -- my recollection is that it was earlier last year so I figured we'd eat afterwards. If his show is the same time on the 2nd weekend, I'd like to try to show up at Sci-Fi at around 4:45 in the hope that we can be done by 6pm since that will probably be DS's favorite. I can't imagine we can re-book Sci-Fi altogether at this late date. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Last year they weren't even letting you check in early at the Sci Fi (only 5 minutes prior). I would check and see if there are any other ADR times available after the show. Even with a 4:45 seating, you would never be done and make it over to the show, and still have seats available.

 

[kennythepirate]

I know it has been said many times before on this thread, but, that is what they charge Disney so that the guests do not have to pay for the autographs. That being said, I have attended many conventions, and have had the opportunity to talk to a few stars outside of the "official" signing spots. This is a source of income for them, much as your regular job. Often, the stars will charge anywhere from $20 to $50 per signature for their autographs. They sometimes will also charge for taking a picture with them. It is just part of the business on the convention circuit. In fact, I was privileged to attend a private party for one Star Wars star who specifically stated that there were to be no autograph requests at all - he would take all the pictures you would like with him at that event. The penalty was that if you violated it, you could get booted from the organization that arranged the get together. Most of the stars are pretty cool about chatting and such, but, ALWAYS ASK before taking a pic or shoving something at them to sign. Their image and their signature are part of how they make their money. Just remember that you would not be thrilled to give your work away for free - neither would they.

Give my work away free everyday on my blog LOL!