Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[MelissathePooh]

we had and amazing second weekend at star wars weekends 2012. The cast members are really doing an amazing job stirring up pixie dust for the kids. There is so much fun going on. The weather is a ilttle cooler than last year so that is very nice.

Here is a link to an album of a few pictures from this weekend: celebrities, a few characters,kids in jedi training, padawan mind challenge, the parade and Ray Park's show.

 

[delmar411]

If you want hard to get autographs you can't get there early enough using disney buses. We were on the first bus from SSR yesterday and barely made it in time for the opening show. We got standby for JAT- but he didnt get to standby ppl. We got Tom Kane and Ashley and Andy Seacome(sp?) though. YDD got into the 10:45 jta and she also did the 6:30pm pmc along with yds.

Darth's line was over an hour long by like 8:30. He did start before 9am but he took pretty frequent breaks and there was only 1 Darth so there was a good bit of time between his 'sessions'. We finally got through his line by 10am.

The heat is really hard to deal with this year for me as well as the kids. It seems to be a lot hotter earlier on. MK was a madhouse earlier on today so we bailed out and will head back there later on since it's EMH until 3am tonight. BTMR is open and running though so that was really great! It's our fave ride at MK so it was nice to get back on it. They have redesigned the line, switching up FP and standby entrances. No A/C added though so it's just as hot. There didn't appear to be any FPs for today since the FP lane was roped off and the machines covered. They took out the water spraying at the top of the caverns in the beginning and looks like they just completely removed the 'falling' rocks from the broken track portion. I didn't really notice anything else different.

 

[yulilin3]

Hi everyone! I am leaving on Friday morning for WDW. We will be at sww on Friday June 8th. I've never been to sww. I'm going to try to be there close to 7:00am. I would like to see the storm troopers show. I will be with ds8 he doesn't know who the actors are so we just want characters. I will head straight to JTA. What should I do then? Should we get right in line for Chewbacca? He really wants to meet Maul and Anakin,Luke R2D2 C3po everyone really but those are his faves. What order should I try to get them? I think we will just watch hoopla at Idol so maybe I should try to get a lot of characters around 5:30-6:30? Also what shows should we try to see again he is more interested in characters but anything that would be cool for an 8yr old boy?

Thank you for any help you can give me

If they open the park around 7:30am, you can sign up for JTA and then maybe ride something (TSM, ST) then I would recomend getting in line for characters, if Chewbacca is a favorite maybe get him first since his line gets so long. Then you could go toward Anakin by Streets of America, then Maul then you could go to Darth Mall for the rest of the characters. If he's into the Clone Wars cartoon he'll enjoy Behind the Force, it's fun to see the actors doing their voice over work and you get a sneak peek of next season. I would try and get all the characters way before Hoopla so then you can just relax and wait for the show.

 

[d-r]

We knew we were going to make it a quick morning - I jumped in Chewy's line around 8:30 - at that point there was no line and I was first. By 8:45 it was down to American Idol. While it is still waiting an hour to see him - at least its semi shady and not too hot first thing. His line never really gets any break. Briefly around lunch/parade, but its a solid hour generally.

Fortunately the kids haven't been too interested in the characters this year and I'm really okay with that. The ones we've seen have been a pretty serious luck factor in timing (except for Chewbacca which we planned). We caught Vader yesterday morning around 8:20 or so with a 5 min wait - if that.

Another character opportunity for people is over at the Animation Pavilion first thing. The kids had about a 10 minute private audience with Pluto, Goofy, Chip, Dale, and Eyeore on Friday morning. The Hat characters are over there first thing and no one really wanders in for a while. We had been on TSM 2 or 3 times before we went in there.

We'll be back next weekend. Plan is to start with Jake. Not sure how chatty Silas and Cat are in terms of walk ups and needing to split up - we'll hit them on Sat and pick up Ashley on Sunday.

Hope everyone stays safe and dry tonight!

Melissa

 

[CentralFloridian99]

If you want hard to get autographs you can't get there early enough using disney buses. We were on the first bus from SSR yesterday and barely made it in time for the opening show. We got standby for JAT- but he didnt get to standby ppl. We got Tom Kane and Ashley and Andy Seacome(sp?) though. YDD got into the 10:45 jta and she also did the 6:30pm pmc along with yds.

Darth's line was over an hour long by like 8:30. He did start before 9am but he took pretty frequent breaks and there was only 1 Darth so there was a good bit of time between his 'sessions'. We finally got through his line by 10am.

The heat is really hard to deal with this year for me as well as the kids. It seems to be a lot hotter earlier on. MK was a madhouse earlier on today so we bailed out and will head back there later on since it's EMH until 3am tonight. BTMR is open and running though so that was really great! It's our fave ride at MK so it was nice to get back on it. They have redesigned the line, switching up FP and standby entrances. No A/C added though so it's just as hot. There didn't appear to be any FPs for today since the FP lane was roped off and the machines covered. They took out the water spraying at the top of the caverns in the beginning and looks like they just completely removed the 'falling' rocks from the broken track portion. I didn't really notice anything else different.

Thanks for the report. It's spelled Secombe, and I think the effects will be working tomorrow.

 

[alala]

Thanks everyone for this awesome thread!! We are going to SW weekend 4 (me, DH, DD6, DS8). Our plan is to do rides early on (ToT, RnRC, TSM, Star Tours) and then later go shopping at Darth's Mall, lunch at 50s Prime Time, catch a show or two at Premier Theatre, maybe see a couple of characters later in the day, and see Hyperspace Hoopla in the evening. Another family may be meeting us; they have a toddler and are not as interested in the "big" rides or the Star Wars characters. A couple of questions:
When will the schedule be officially announced for weekend 4? Would you expect the Premier Theatre shows to be very different from the first 2 weekends?
Also, are the "regular" Disney characters (that are usually near the Sorcerer Hat) still meeting in the mornings inside the Animation building?

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks everyone for this awesome thread!! We are going to SW weekend 4 (me, DH, DD6, DS8). Our plan is to do rides early on (ToT, RnRC, TSM, Star Tours) and then later go shopping at Darth's Mall, lunch at 50s Prime Time, catch a show or two at Premier Theatre, maybe see a couple of characters later in the day, and see Hyperspace Hoopla in the evening. Another family may be meeting us; they have a toddler and are not as interested in the "big" rides or the Star Wars characters. A couple of questions:
When will the schedule be officially announced for weekend 4? Would you expect the Premier Theatre shows to be very different from the first 2 weekends?
Also, are the "regular" Disney characters (that are usually near the Sorcerer Hat) still meeting in the mornings inside the Animation building?

According to d-r's post two above yours, yes as of yesterday.

 

[alala]

Another character opportunity for people is over at the Animation Pavilion first thing. The kids had about a 10 minute private audience with Pluto, Goofy, Chip, Dale, and Eyeore on Friday morning. The Hat characters are over there first thing and no one really wanders in for a while. We had been on TSM 2 or 3 times before we went in there.

We'll be back next weekend. Plan is to start with Jake. Not sure how chatty Silas and Cat are in terms of walk ups and needing to split up - we'll hit them on Sat and pick up Ashley on Sunday.

Hope everyone stays safe and dry tonight!

Melissa

Thanks, Melissa. I didn't see your post before I posted my questions

 

[d-r]

Thanks, Melissa. I didn't see your post before I posted my questions

My kids had a great time just hanging out. Hard to say how crowded or not crowded it will be by weekend 4 - as word gets around, but unless something bizarre changes in the schedule I'm pretty sure they will still be there.

Have a safe trip - will be here before you know it

Melissa

 

[lovethattink]

Hoopla isn't being broadcasted on the idol screen tonight due to weather. We were all advised to get a spot to see the stage instead at 7:55pm.

 

[Music City Mama]

we had and amazing second weekend at star wars weekends 2012. The cast members are really doing an amazing job stirring up pixie dust for the kids. There is so much fun going on. The weather is a ilttle cooler than last year so that is very nice.

Here is a link to an album of a few pictures from this weekend: celebrities, a few characters,kids in jedi training, padawan mind challenge, the parade and Ray Park's show.

Thanks for sharing the pics! So, let me ask you (or anyone whose child has had the Darth Maul face painting) . . . how hard is it to get off?

 

[Poohbug]

You can get the face painting anytime at DHS-it is not exclusive to SWW. The paint is not that hard to get off. In fact, if you are hot and sweaty, it is going to come off pretty quick when you wipe your face. Get the pics you want as soon as possible before it gets messed up.

 

[Roythe13th]

Sorry if this was posted already. I kept up with the thread so long until recently. How are the lines for Darth Mall this past weekend? I'm heading to SWW this Friday the 1st or Sunday the 3rd. I'm interested to see what is there and really want the Chewbacca lanyard. I thought it was more a regular item for the SWW but now I guess its more a limited edition item?

I'm not interested in autographs. Mainly just want to check out the atmosphere, ride Star Tours with other Star Wars fans, maybe a photo with some of the roaming characters and check out the mall. Is there ever a time where the mall is just a walk in?

 

[crusoe2]

I've been reading thru this thread most of the day and really appreciate all the great info. We're heading down next weekend so I'm copying all these great tips into a document to print and take with so I don't forget it all. I have a couple questions tho.

I saw that the characters start appearing at Darth Mall around 9-9:30 each morning and you can get pictures with them. How long do they stay? And do they sign autographs?

I also saw a few references to the Jawas trading with park guests. Are they trading pins or something else?

Thanks so much.

 

[Kathy Jetson]

If they open the park around 7:30am, you can sign up for JTA and then maybe ride something (TSM, ST) then I would recomend getting in line for characters, if Chewbacca is a favorite maybe get him first since his line gets so long. Then you could go toward Anakin by Streets of America, then Maul then you could go to Darth Mall for the rest of the characters. If he's into the Clone Wars cartoon he'll enjoy Behind the Force, it's fun to see the actors doing their voice over work and you get a sneak peek of next season. I would try and get all the characters way before Hoopla so then you can just relax and wait for the show.

Thank you for the response I will try that plan!

 

[Karpkg]

Updated List:

3rd Wknd June 1-3
ajh88 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
audrey2580 6/1
bjakmom 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
cerberus 6/2
delmar411 6/1, 6/2
DisneyMom14 6/1, 6/3
d-r 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
emilyandethansmom
goofyredraider 6/2, 6/3
Hollywoodhaha(working at Darth Mall or Tatooine Traders, say hi to Holly!)
ireland nicole
jar
jlovesee 6/2, 6/3
jollygreengirl 6/1, 6/2
Karpkg 6/1
MeggyK(KathleensKid) 6/2, 6/3
la la 6/3
lelei
LeslieLou
lovethattink 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
MarkinMA 6/1, 6/2
megan511 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
mesaboy 6/3
mmtska 6/1
MrsPook
ocalla 6/1
pandamom 6/1, 6/2
PIRATEGIRL007 6/1, 6/2
Roythe13th 6/1, 6/3
RedM94 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
Scouter88 6/2
thej 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
tigerdragon
Toystoryfan32 6/3
vleeth 6/2
vwaller72 6/2
yankeePrincess
yulilin3 6/2, 6/3

4th Wknd June 8-10
AdamLonghorn 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
ADisneyQueen 6/8
alala
Atchley 6/8, 6/10
bizeemom4 6/8, 6/10
buckeev 6/10
CarolynMink 6/10
cerberus 6/8, 6/10
Cinderumbrella 6/8, 6/9
cookieswithangel 6/8
disneymomma76 6/8, 6/10
d-r 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Hanover
Hollywoodhaha(working at Darth Mall or Tatooine Traders, say hi to Holly!)
ireland nicole 6/8
jacksonsmom 6/8, 6/10
Kathy Jetson 6/8
ladyjubilee 6/10
LeslieLou
liriel 6/10
lovethattink 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
love goofy 6/8
Maavernon 6/8
mmtska 6/8
mousenyc
Music City Mama 6/8
NWT 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
POLY1985 6/10
Poohbug 6/8, 6/10
RalphinSC 6/10
susanrose73 6/8
texasteacher35
tigerdragon
tink70 6/9
TrixieLouMagoo 6/8
undertheseas 6/8
VeganCupcake
vwaller72 6/8
wdwfanatic80 6/9, 6/10
wdwnut61 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
yulilin3 6/9, 6/10
39CINDERELLA 6/8, 6/9, 6/10

 

[Karpkg]

I've uploaded face painting options for people. 3 locations I saw and took a few pics. Darth Mall CM said you could even have a female Darth Maul- instead of red do pink and black! That would definitely be eye-catching. Everything is up for grabs and your imagination except for copyright pics like Cat In the Hat, etc. He says hardest ones are Mickey and Minnie because can't draw ears and such, just ask and they'll work around your design.

Located inside Darth Mall at exit:

Located just before RocknRoller Coaster

Located between TSM and Little Mermaid

 

[Karpkg]

Droid Factory- They're running out of parts and the line is long as the cart can only fit 2-3 kids along with a parent and a CM to help build a droid. Mouse ears were gone when our kids did this and hats as well. Suggest doing this during the week or after SWW if you can. They said it may be replenished by start of next SWW but definitely by Sunday the best parts are gone. Just a heads up.

Black SWW polo shirt Melissa that worked Jedi Mickey/Minnie line last year was moved over to Luke/Leia line this year stopped me and . She remembered us from last year! We talked and she said they switch CM's so they don't do the same procedures at the lines; constantly changing.

While waiting for PMC on Friday at the Hat another CM called out to me (Calvin) and said I remember you! You were in the fast pass celebrity line last year! (Okay, this was getting unnerving)

Saw Mrs. Luke Skywalker a few places and she's always at the head of the line somewhere; fast pass celebrity line, turnstile entrance, Luke/Leia line

Black polo SWW(I call them Terminators when they're wearing their sunglasses) are not regular CM's; they're managers, members of the design team, higher ups, that's what one told me. They pull the strings apparently.

As I get closer maybe 5-6 families to the top I start asking people to go ahead of me explaining I'm waiting for the next character. Most of the time it works; but I'll encounter some that says I've already had that character and don't want to go ahead so it's a toss of the dice.

 

[MelissathePooh]

Thanks for sharing the pics! So, let me ask you (or anyone whose child has had the Darth Maul face painting) . . . how hard is it to get off?

I have to say it was tougher than I hoped. MH was done with it by lunch time - she'd had it painted on early that morning around 8 and by PMC she wanted it off. I tried to hold her off, but she couldn't stand it itching. I took her to a restroom and with just water it only smeared around. I was too afraid to try using soap and it getting in her eyes.

Water only doesn't work so hot, it did come off easily in the bath tub with her regular childen's wash pretty easily.

The couple of spots that got on her white shirt from earlier in the day came out without issue in the laundry.

 

[bjakmom]

Thank you all so much for the info, answers and pics

You can put us on the list for next weekend = 1st thru 3rd.

I am so excited to take another young SW fan back for SWW. and new characters and shows for me, too! I think it sounds best to start Fri morning with a quick trip thru ST so she can then put together a light saber and mayb a droid or two and then get in line for Chewy.

I suspect DGrD(8) will want to dress as her fav, Princess Leia, each day - I have been putting together/packing a few all-white outfits for her. Last minute, surprise trips are a little more stressful - lol