Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[bluvw]

Ya'll bring back memories...We went in 2010 and are planning this year as well.
I didn't notice the heat until we were standing in line or watching the parade. We also didn't have problems with Darth Vader or Darth Maul lines - I guess we lucked out - and they're in the shade!

If you can get to the park early enough, storm troopers perform interactive comedies at the gate. We always shout at them to get their attention. My son had a blast with that.

There's a lot of SWW-only merchandise which is not sold anywhere else the rest of the year.

You can also get SWW-only frames/borders for your photopass pictures and special SWW photo pass cards with characters on them.

I never got there early enough for fastpasses for the autographs - they sell out quickly. And I saw the people still waiting in long lines even with the pass.

Lots of photo ops with props and characters. Some characters wander around the food areas but getting them to stop for autographs or pictures was a challenge. And for Mickey or Minnie, the lines were horrendous (and hot).

I think it's worth it if you have a fan in your family. Otherwise, come at night when all the excitement has died down.

 

[Rachella76]

Had to change our reservation, now we are going the 2nd weekend end of May/beginning of June. Excited to go! Trying to decide on which day to hit DHS with the kids, as I know they will not to spend the entire vacation there and will want to go to MK as well...so also trying to plan our dining reservations around that. Any suggestions from folks that have been there for Star Wars Weekends previously are welcomed!

 

[lynn46356]

Just realized that we'll be checking in the last Sunday of Star Wars Weekend (6-10)! My DH and DS are huge SW fans! Now, do I check in on Saturday at the BC so we can take total advantage of Sunday????? What's a Mom to do. Is the last day of the event something I should take advantage of or is it mostly over prior to this day???? I don't know enough to decide so I could use any help you can give me! Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!

 

[vleeth]

How busy is the park other than Star Wars stuff? Should we plan on doing Star Wars things in the am and then hopping to another park and spend a half non-SWW day at Studios to do the rides?

 

[wallawallakids]

I have a question...We are going to be there the first weekend of SWW. (May 18-20). I was initially thinking Friday would be the best day because it is a Friday, but reading these posts has me wondering if I am picking the wrong day to head there. I will be going with my 4 kids (10,9,4 and 4). I, personally, have no interest at all in SW (sorry) but my oldest two children are beyond obsessed with everything SW. Every movie, every book, every lego set. So I am taking a hit for the team on this one by going. That being said, they are most interested in the parade, seeing a few characters...but not necessarily getting signatures, and having a chance to sign up for the Jedi training. So...is Friday the best option?? Or would Sunday be better? Or should I work hard on convincing them to not go. Thanks!

 

[delmar411]

I have a question...We are going to be there the first weekend of SWW. (May 18-20). I was initially thinking Friday would be the best day because it is a Friday, but reading these posts has me wondering if I am picking the wrong day to head there. I will be going with my 4 kids (10,9,4 and 4). I, personally, have no interest at all in SW (sorry) but my oldest two children are beyond obsessed with everything SW. Every movie, every book, every lego set. So I am taking a hit for the team on this one by going. That being said, they are most interested in the parade, seeing a few characters...but not necessarily getting signatures, and having a chance to sign up for the Jedi training. So...is Friday the best option?? Or would Sunday be better? Or should I work hard on convincing them to not go. Thanks!

Friday is your best option. Last year it was crazy on the first friday because of the opening of Star Tours. This year it shouldn't be that bad.

But you are going to have to be there long before opening to get the kids signed up for JTA. A ton of people will be heading there. And I'd be prepared to MOVE IT to get in line once the park does open. Have the older kids be in charge of the younger ones (holding their hands for sure) and follow behind you.

 

[Tinker Bell Fan]

So the parade might be at 12:40? I have ressies at Sci-Fi for 12:30 darn it (because I was thinking in the past the parade had been at 11:40)!


Is the Hyperspace Hoopla all three days (Friday/Saturday/Sunday)? If not when is it? What time does it usually start? Any ideas of what music theme will it be this year? I am so looking forward to Hoopla - haven't seen it in the past just on YouTube and thought it was hilarious. I keep telling DH "we got to see that this year!"

We arrive on the 17th for that weekend's festivities! Cannot wait!!!

 

[Tinker Bell Fan]

Friday is your best option. Last year it was crazy on the first friday because of the opening of Star Tours. This year it shouldn't be that bad.

Why shouldn't it be that bad this year?

 

[TDC Nala]

Why shouldn't it be that bad this year?

There won't be extra crowds to attend the new Star Tours, most of the regulars/locals and repeat visitors have seen it already and won't go in just for that. Besides,there were opening ceremonies and George Lucas showed up, I'm sure there were a number of guests who only went for that, who wouldn't normally go on a Friday.

 

[disneynp]

what if i just want pictures of the different people in character? not really a fan but we will be there. So i can get am autograph but i really want a picture of or with mickey

 

[delmar411]

what if i just want pictures of the different people in character? not really a fan but we will be there. So i can get am autograph but i really want a picture of or with mickey

There are character lines setup all over the park. Mickey is to the left of the Great Movie Ride. But the lines rotate characters so getting some autographs can be a pain and Mickey's line is in the direct sun with no shade. It's the roughest line to be in. I'd go there first thing if that's the character you want to see. From what I remember the characters don't start at RD either. They come out around an hour afterward.

 

[yulilin3]

So the parade might be at 12:40? I have ressies at Sci-Fi for 12:30 darn it (because I was thinking in the past the parade had been at 11:40)!


Is the Hyperspace Hoopla all three days (Friday/Saturday/Sunday)? If not when is it? What time does it usually start? Any ideas of what music theme will it be this year? I am so looking forward to Hoopla - haven't seen it in the past just on YouTube and thought it was hilarious. I keep telling DH "we got to see that this year!"

We arrive on the 17th for that weekend's festivities! Cannot wait!!!

Yes, Hoopla is all three days, get your spot early, at least an hour before it starts, or if they do what they did last year, sit in front of the American Idol Experience big screen, they show Hoopla there too and it's less crowded, althought I always prefer to see it "live" not on a screen.
Last years parade was moved to 12:40pm no idea what it'll be this year, also we won't know the theme of Hoopla until that first day.

 

[texasteacher35]

Subscribing! Can't wait for our first SWW...we will be there the last weekend. We are also leaving in 3 days for another Disney trip!! Can't wait...BLT here we come (for both trips, this one and SWW)!

 

[disneydreamgirl]

We will be there on the first day!

Trying to be prepared...so for all you experts out there, here is my plan (hopefully):
DH, DS and I wait in a different fastpass line each for the meet and greets, since DS is the one who really cares about getting SW autographs. DS would then use the three that we are able to get.

My question is, am I allowed to wait in line with him to take a picture when he gets an autograph or is there an area that allows for photos? If not, is Photopass available at each station?

Thanks, in advance, for the advice!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

It's almost time for the celebrities to be announced! Did anyone see this years logo and some of the merchandise? If not, here ya go!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...s-weekends-2012-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

 

[delmar411]

We will be there on the first day!

Trying to be prepared...so for all you experts out there, here is my plan (hopefully):
DH, DS and I wait in a different fastpass line each for the meet and greets, since DS is the one who really cares about getting SW autographs. DS would then use the three that we are able to get.

My question is, am I allowed to wait in line with him to take a picture when he gets an autograph or is there an area that allows for photos? If not, is Photopass available at each station?

Thanks, in advance, for the advice!

Well if they use the same setup as last year your plan won't work. Last year they banded you (pretty tightly) and if the celeb was inside then you were SOL to take pics, outside you could stand outside the area and take a pic head on or the CM would take a pic for you. There are CMs inside that will take pics for you also. YDD was 7 last SWW and she went into see Ashley Ekstein (sp?) on her own. They even took a little video for DH and I.

They are really uptight about the celebs and pictures and autographs. It's kind of a pain.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Well if they use the same setup as last year your plan won't work. Last year they banded you (pretty tightly) and if the celeb was inside then you were SOL to take pics, outside you could stand outside the area and take a pic head on or the CM would take a pic for you. There are CMs inside that will take pics for you also. YDD was 7 last SWW and she went into see Ashley Ekstein (sp?) on her own. They even took a little video for DH and I.

They are really uptight about the celebs and pictures and autographs. It's kind of a pain.

Aha...so if he has a camera then the CM could take a pic for him? I don't care if I even see the celebrities because most of them I wouldn't know if I fell over them! He's a massive fan though and it would be really nice to have photos of his beaming mug. When you say "banded you", what do you mean?

 

[magicbob]

Any word yet on which celebrities will be attending SWW this year?

 

[mfd25wife]

Aha...so if he has a camera then the CM could take a pic for him? I don't care if I even see the celebrities because most of them I wouldn't know if I fell over them! He's a massive fan though and it would be really nice to have photos of his beaming mug. When you say "banded you", what do you mean?

wristbands I believe. We were there, but didn't worry about autographs. We just loved the attraction and hoopla. Well, we did get pics of Vader and chewy. DH took a pic of DD & I in the gift shop looking at the chewy backpacks and got a pick of Vader just standing behind us watching us. He was trying to surprise us and we never even saw him, and he was literally just behind us. It's really a funny pic.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

wristbands I believe. We were there, but didn't worry about autographs. We just loved the attraction and hoopla. Well, we did get pics of Vader and chewy. DH took a pic of DD & I in the gift shop looking at the chewy backpacks and got a pick of Vader just standing behind us watching us. He was trying to surprise us and we never even saw him, and he was literally just behind us. It's really a funny pic.

That makes sense (wristbands)! We're looking forward to the additional activities especially and will probably only line up for autograph FP's really early on Friday morning. I don't really want to do that more than once, although we plan on going back on Sunday in case there are things we missed or want to do again! We love DHS, so we always go there more than once each trip. Would love to see that pic of Vader...very neat that the characters are wandering (and stalking ) people.