Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[yulilin3]

Hyperspace Hoopla started at 7:45PM?

Just double checked.Weekend 1 first day was at 8:45pm beucase of all the fanfare with the opening of Star Tours, then weekend 1 Saturday and Sunday and Weekend 2 was 7:45pm then for the last 2 weekends they moved it to 8pm

 

[csmommy]

Just double checked.Weekend 1 first day was at 8:45pm beucase of all the fanfare with the opening of Star Tours, then weekend 1 Saturday and Sunday and Weekend 2 was 7:45pm then for the last 2 weekends they moved it to 8pm

OK - thank you!

The whole dinner thing is an issue. It is DS's real b-day that day so counter service just wouldn't do it.

 

[Karpkg]

Disney Parks Blog just anounced that Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor will be the hosts of SWW 2012, again.

Now, I want RAAAYYY PAARRRKKKSSS!!! RAAAYYY PAARRRKKSS!!

Hyperspace Hoopla started at 7:45PM?

I'll be in the same situation. Gotta make those ADR's and don't know when HH will start and end.

You may want to schedule dinner 5-ish, and maybe a dessert/B day cake stop at the Starring Rolls Bakery after HH?

 

[RedM94]

Celebrity Hosts Announced for Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
posted on April 2nd, 2012 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor

As previously mentioned in this post, Star Wars Weekends –*one of the most popular month-long events at Walt Disney World Resort – returns to the Disney’s Hollywood Studios galaxy in May and June this year.
Today, we’d like to announce two of the talented Star Wars stars that will serve in Celebrity Host roles this year. They are both Star Wars Weekends veterans, so we’re especially excited to welcome them back again.

Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor – who provide the voices of Ahsoka Tano and Obi-Wan Kenobi, respectively, for the popular animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars – will join us for the duration of the 2012 event in their host roles.
James is the Official Celebrity Host of Star Wars Weekends 2012, and Ashley is Celebrity Host of “Behind the Force,” a show that gives fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
One of the most versatile voice actors today, James not only is famous for the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi, but many other popular characters from films, television, advertising and video games. He’s the current voice of everyone’s favorite resident of Bedrock, Fred Flintstone, and has a list of character voice credits including Green Arrow, Johnny Test and Ratchet (from the “Ratchet & Clank” video game series), just to name a few.
Ashley, who provides the voice of Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s eager Padawan learner, is no stranger to Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. She practically grew up (literally) in the middle of the magic. Her father was a longtime Disney Parks cast member and her first plunge in show business was as a parade dancer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s full circle for Ashley; little did she know that the street (Hollywood Blvd.) where she performed in daily parades would someday be the same street where she’d be center stage as one of the featured celebrities in Star Wars Weekends motorcades. In the time since Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuted, Ashley also has become a fashion designer and head of her own company, “Her Universe,” that specializes in merchandise and apparel specifically for female sci-fi fans. Look for some of her latest Star Wars-inspired designs this year during Star Wars Weekends.
We’re excited to once again welcome James and Ashley, who entertained Star Wars Weekends audiences last year in their Celebrity Hosts roles, back for another year of galactic fun. We hope you’ll join us!
Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for future updates about the event, special activities and the rest of the Star Wars celebrities that will make appearances each weekend.

 

[TDC Nala]

You may want to schedule dinner 5-ish, and maybe a dessert/B day cake stop at the Starring Rolls Bakery after HH?

Starring Rolls closes between 4- 4:30 so that won't work.

 

[Karpkg]

Starring Rolls closes between 4- 4:30 so that won't work.

ARGH!

Well, how am I supposed to buy a Darth Vader cupcake to save for later in the evening without melting then?

 

[sam_gordon]

My tips from last year (first SWW):

1) Be there BEFORE RD. We got there at 7AM (more in a moment). First at the gates, but there wasn't long before others were with us.
2) CHECK the DIS (and other sites) to find the correct opening time. The "official" opening time was listed as 9AM, but by checking online, I found they had been opening the gates at 8AM and not publicizing that.
3) Find out what you want to do. My DS wasn't interested in celebrities but wanted to meet the characters (autographs). So we mainly did that (and Jedi Academy and the Star Wars Parade and some rides)
4) Last year the Star Wars parade ended at the hat stage, so sitting on the American Idol steps wouldn't help. Check the map for the parade route.
5) Speaking of the parade, if you plan on taking pictures/video, sit on the LEFT (looking from the gates) side of the street. That will put the sun at your back instead of behind the parade subjects.
6) Hyperspace Hoopla is a MUST. My 13yo DD (who knows NOTHING about Star Wars) even enjoyed it. BUT... if you want to see the stage with little ones, a) get there early. We got seats (on the ground) an hour before hand and were about 12 rows back. b) be ready for little ones to not see a thing unless you pick them up. When we sat down we could see the stage fine. But when everyone stood up, we had to too, and in order for DS to see I had to put him on my shoulders (for 45 minutes to an hour). But, I could just imagine the look on his face... it was worth it.

 

[delmar411]

ARGH!

Well, how am I supposed to buy a Darth Vader cupcake to save for later in the evening without melting then?

You can get them at Pizza Planet too.

 

[Maavernon]

Bring a small cooler bag - like for a bottle or something to keep the cupcake from melting.

 

[JenGC]

I sooooo can not wait until 41 days but since they refuse to give us any kind of information for the planning junkies, what exactly is going to happen? Autographs, parades, anything else? I am wondering if it will be like the MNSSHP (which I have only seen leaving the MK....I never bought a ticket to participate) which had special booths set up and things going on all over the park.

Will they have special things like the R2D2 popcorn bucket that I got last October when nothing special is going on or is the only special merchandise be in a shop? I like getting things like refillable cups with Anakin Skywalker on it or cool things like that.

Thanks!
Jen

 

[yulilin3]

I sooooo can not wait until 41 days but since they refuse to give us any kind of information for the planning junkies, what exactly is going to happen? Autographs, parades, anything else? I am wondering if it will be like the MNSSHP (which I have only seen leaving the MK....I never bought a ticket to participate) which had special booths set up and things going on all over the park.

Will they have special things like the R2D2 popcorn bucket that I got last October when nothing special is going on or is the only special merchandise be in a shop? I like getting things like refillable cups with Anakin Skywalker on it or cool things like that.

Thanks!
Jen

Here's a video of what goes on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIJHQ6KsKnE
Here's a site created exclusively for SWW, great info on last years events and schedules: sww.studioscentral.com (yeah sww is not a typo)
Last year was the first year of the R2D2 popcorn bucket and they're still in the park, I have a feeling this year will have something to do with Darth Maul Donald, like this: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...s-weekends-2012-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

 

[TDC Nala]

If you are an adult and you want a good view of the Hoopla you need to be really down front, because if you're not there will be kids on shoulders in front of you. Guaranteed. If you stand way back (assuming it's on the big stage at the hat again) then you can see over them unless there is one directly in front of you.

 

[d-r]

This will be the second year my son and I will be attending SWW. I just looked at the crowd calendar, and realized Gay Days is at HS on Friday May 31. I didn't check the crowd clendar prior to booking because I new it would be pegged for SWW.

Last year, we were able to do the most on Friday than we were able to do on
Saturday or Sunday becuase it was less crowded.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how GD's will impact the crowds on Friday?

Also is anyone interested in putting to gather a meet and great during SWW?

TIA.

we'll meet you in ilne at 5:00 am.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

You can get them at Pizza Planet too.

ABC Commissary was selling them last year too

 

[MSUmom]

This thread is great!!! Too bad I didn't find it earlier but it is never too late. We are going the first weekend for our first SWW. My daughter is very excited!!!!

 

[JenGC]

Here's a video of what goes on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIJHQ6KsKnE
Here's a site created exclusively for SWW, great info on last years events and schedules: sww.studioscentral.com (yeah sww is not a typo)
Last year was the first year of the R2D2 popcorn bucket and they're still in the park, I have a feeling this year will have something to do with Darth Maul Donald, like this: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...s-weekends-2012-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

I am STOKED that I got the R2D2 when I did then. He's my favorite I am happy there is something else that will be available (maybe but makes sense).

Is the Jedi Training different during SWW? She did it in October and if it is the same thing, then I wont worry with it, but if they do something different, then she will want to do it.

 

[JenGC]

This thread is great!!! Too bad I didn't find it earlier but it is never too late. We are going the first weekend for our first SWW. My daughter is very excited!!!!

ME TOO!! How old is your daughter? Mine is 10. I cant believe there is another GIRL that loves Star Wars! She LOVES Ahsoka. I am glad there is a positive strong woman (tell teenager) roll model for her.

 

[goofyredraider]

ME TOO!! How old is your daughter? Mine is 10. I cant believe there is another GIRL that loves Star Wars! She LOVES Ahsoka. I am glad there is a positive strong woman (tell teenager) roll model for her.

Although my two boys are Star Wars nuts....(and DH)...my daughter loves it, too. In fact, one of her "souvenirs" on our last trip, with her own $$, was her own lightsaber. Now, my kids know nothing about SWW...it is going to be a complete surprise when we roll up to HS that morning (we'll actually be there for two of the weekends, but it will be a surprise the first one).

 

[Donald Duck888]

My 5 year old daughter loves Star Wars as well.

She is very excited to be going to Disney during a SWW.

 

[wallawallakids]

My 10 year old DD LOVES star wars too. She has read all the books and seen all the movies multiple times. She actually just had a star wars party this Feb for her birthday. She has infected my younger 3 too. Lol. I think it is cool that the "girls" are as passionate about it as boys. Now, they just need to convince me!