Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[wallawallakids]

My DD11 has the "Daddy's Little Girl" and the Padme Nouveau"
We've only had problems with Daddy's Little Girl, the purple bled into the white of Leia's dress. But my DD11 still wears it proudly, she's had them for over a year and they still look great, other than the little issue.
As to fit just follow the link and it tells you the measurements. Ashley said that she'll have some new products for SWW, so I'm already saving for that.
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Thank you!

 

[ocalla]

We visited WDW last year during SWW and purposely avoided DHS during the events. This year however, DD14 decided she really wants to see some of the characters, and wants a picture with Mickey & Minnie in the SW costumes.

I'm completely at a loss as to what goes on, where everything is located, how crazy the park will be...............and how big a drink I will need by the time we leave there

Can you please help me??? We plan to see SWW on Saturday May 26th. She doesn't want any of the guest stars autographs, so am I right by saying we don't need to be in any special line early before the park opens??

thanks in advance for any help

 

[sam_gordon]

We're heading down the 11th-19th, so we'll be there for the first weekend. A couple questions maybe someone could help me with...

We're really only interested in the parade and a few character meets. Will we be able to ride the other attractions with little waits, or will the lines be crazy?

And, how bad is the first day? Is it insanely crowded? We'll have another HS day to do the other rides and shows.

Thanks!

We were there for the third weekend last year. I know TSM was it's normal madhouse, as was Star Tours (it had just reopened a couple weeks ago). The lines for food were long (during normal eating times). However, we still managed to do Indiana Jones, the cars stunt show, and Great Movie Ride (no wait). We did not try RnRC or ToT. Got FP for TSM after getting DS signed up for Jedi Academy.

We visited WDW last year during SWW and purposely avoided DHS during the events. This year however, DD14 decided she really wants to see some of the characters, and wants a picture with Mickey & Minnie in the SW costumes.

I'm completely at a loss as to what goes on, where everything is located, how crazy the park will be...............and how big a drink I will need by the time we leave there

Can you please help me??? We plan to see SWW on Saturday May 26th. She doesn't want any of the guest stars autographs, so am I right by saying we don't need to be in any special line early before the park opens??

thanks in advance for any help

We got there early specifically to get DS signed up for JA. Once we did that and got FP for TSM, there wasn't much to do early. IIRC, characters didn't come out until 10 I think. Mickey & Minnie were a busy line. They swapped with Donald and I think Goofy. I believe that line was ~45min-hour. Keep that in mind.

Last year they were in between the Commissary and the Chinese Theater. I don't know if they move them or not. Keep an eye out on boards when it gets closer for specific locations.

I suggest getting there early (maybe about 30 minutes before the characters come out) to get your "must do's".

 

[yulilin3]

SWW weekend tips:
*Get there 45 min before park opens (this goes for all weekends)
*Make a list of your priorities, if you want to meet characters or sign up for JTA?
*If you want to sign the kids up for JTA, power walk to the sign up area at park opening (last year it was Sounds Dangerous) JTA fills up in a matter of 20min during SWW.
*If you want to meet characters be aware that the longest lines are Darth Vader (by Backlot Tour) Chewbacca (By Star Tours) Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, R2MK by exit to Great Movie Ride. This last group rotates so you might stand in line for one pair and when it's your turn they switched them. Last year you could let other people in front of you and keep your place in line for the characters you wanted, just do this about 4 families from the front.
*Don't forget the shows. Behind the Force will be hosted by Ashley Eckstein and the celeb Clone Wars. They show you how voice over is done and have a sneek peek at next seasons. This is real fun for people who enjoy the cartoon series. They usually have 2 shows a day.
* Stars of the Saga this year hosted by James Arnold Taylor with the STar Wars celebs. They talk to them about the making of SW, their characters, etc. Depending on the kids, this might be boring as it's more talk than anything else. We always enjoy the stories of the visiting celebs. This how is done once per day.
* SW parade. If they do the same as last year and cut the parade route short, you need to grab your spot at least 1 hour before. It'll start at the entrance and end at the hat.
* Hoopla: hoping they do it again at the Hat Stage, grab your spot at least an hour before. They also show it on the jumbotron outside the AMerican Idol Experience. If you get there early there are benches and chairs that you can grab.
* TAKE IT EASY, don't expect to do everything and get every character. Take in the atmosphere, the people in coustume, it's really fun.
* For the first day of the first weekend; unless you must have any of the Limited Edition merchandise, stay away from the big merch tent behind Rock n' Roller Coaster. It'll be a zoo. That first Friday, you could go to the merch tent after maybe 4pm and it should be better.
*Don't try and buy anything at Tattoine Traders (Star Tours Gift SHop) it'll always be crazy. Same merch. will be at the big tent.
* For kids they also have Padawan Mind Challenge, it's like a trivia show, where they ask the kids questions about Star Wars or Clone Wars. Every kid gets a prize at the end, so no worries.
* TAKE BREAKS AND DRINK WATER. You have no idea how many people I've seen over the years collapse. Bring small wascloths and soak them in cold water for around your neck, bring gatorade power and you can ask at any counter service for a cup of water and mix your gatorade. Take shade whenever possible.
* If you want to get celeb autographs, be at the park by 6am depending on the celeb. For example: Peter Mayhew has come to alot of SWW so his line would be shorter, Ray Parks is very popular so you would need to get there earlier. We won't know until the entire list of celebs comes out.

 

[ocalla]

Wow, thanks to both of you for the great tips!!

What about regular park visitors, do they have to be in the line at 6:00? Is it the same line as park entry??

I think she really wants to take in the atmosphere the most, get her pic with the disney/sw costume characters, get a shirt or something and just people watch.

Can you tell me how the rest of the park is during the SWW.

I thought I would have DH and DD head over to get in line for the Mickey/Minnie/Goofy whoever pic while I head over to get a fastpass for something like RNRC or TSM................will it be a madhouse in those areas during the day also??

 

[dialane]

Could anyone tell me what time the parade takes place? Morning or afternoon? I will be there with my 10 yr old grandson for the first time and would like for him to at least get to see the characters in the parade. Any other suggestions that wouldn't be too time consuming? Thanks for the help!

 

[Karpkg]

We visited WDW last year during SWW and purposely avoided DHS during the events. This year however, DD14 decided she really wants to see some of the characters, and wants a picture with Mickey & Minnie in the SW costumes.

I'm completely at a loss as to what goes on, where everything is located, how crazy the park will be...............and how big a drink I will need by the time we leave there

Can you please help me??? We plan to see SWW on Saturday May 26th. She doesn't want any of the guest stars autographs, so am I right by saying we don't need to be in any special line early before the park opens??

thanks in advance for any help

We're usually also in the dark until the celebrities are announced because a lot of programs are tailored to who will be there. Due to past experiences with Ashley and James we have an idea of what programs they will have out. General ideas of times for the Hoopla and the parade are also approximated because each year there's been a factor thrown in. (Last year, it was Star Tours reopening after many months, and George Lucas was on hand to reopen it)

But I wouldn't worry too much about knowing enough because there will be many people there at DHS who won't have a clue that it's a Star Wars Weekend and will walk around in a daze going "Huh? What's up with all these weird people dressing up like this?

Grab a map as soon as you get there. Characters will be divided up between the Light Side and the Dark Side. There will be many CM's dressed in Star Wars shirts who can direct you to where you want to go. The more experienced ones will be the one dressed in Black polos with Star Wars blatantly written on them, and wearing sunglasses looking all Terminator-like. Others I've seen dressed in yellow shirts have admitted to me they've been pulled from another area and are helping out, and couldn't help with specific questions. Sometimes you can ask a CM which character will come out at what time and they may tell you.

There are also roaming characters; a lot of Storm Troopers and Clone Troopers, the Cantina Band, Jawas...so you'll meet some without even having to stand in line.

Then I love to people watch; especially the kids. There are some adorable ones that the parents go all out and dress them. Then the adults who are surprisingly dressed very well.

If you don't want to get a celebrity autograph, you don't have to come absurdly early. But, there's always a good chance that DHS may open early, it is cooler in the morning, you can get a jump on fast passes or rides before getting into character lines you'll also be positioned to see the Stormtroopers do their antics on the turnstile roof.

 

[Victoria3]

And if the kids didn't go up on shoulders, THEY wouldn't be able to see. To me, it's also more comfortable putting DS on my shoulders than holding him on my hip (in which case he would still be partially blocked).

If those in the front rows would simply stay seated, then you wouldn't have the problem to begin with.

It's hard to see sitting from the front row. You have to look up the whole show and it starts to hurt the neck after awhile.

 

[TDC Nala]

As long as they continue to hold this show in an outdoor venue without seats, there are going to be children on shoulders. The front rows are not going to stay seated because it is not a seating venue and the previous poster is correct, you have to crane your neck if you stay seated. That stage is not designed for seated audiences.

The way to counteract this is to move the show to a venue with seating. But Disney hasn't attempted to do this yet. So if you're in the Hoopla audience you should plan for children on shoulders in front of you, unless you are way down front.

Despite the parent's indignant reply earlier, at no time did I say that the parents should not have the children on their shoulders. I said it is going to happen, and other guests should be prepared.

 

[yulilin3]

I agree. They could easily move Hoopla to the Indy stage, I think it would work great. Or bigger yet, LMA. Kids on shoulders will always be a problem unless CM enforce people to be seated and/or have kids down. I don't see that happening.
For people asking for schedule on shows and parade these were the times from last year during weekend 4.
JTA: 9:15am running aprox every 30min thru 6:15pm there were 15 shows.
Padawan Mind Challenge: you sign your kids up at Sounds Dangerous: 2:10pm and 6:30pm
Stars of the Saga: 3:15pm
Behind the Force: 11:00am and 1:45pm
Obi Wan and Beyond: 6pm
Star Wars Parade: 12:40pm
Hyperspace Hoopla: 8pm

 

[mesaboy2]

Updated info on celebs and other miscellany for SWW 2012 on the Disney Parks Blog:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...rs-weekends-2012-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[sam_gordon]

Despite the parent's indignant reply earlier, at no time did I say that the parents should not have the children on their shoulders. I said it is going to happen, and other guests should be prepared.

I apologize for misreading the tone in your reply.

 

[yulilin3]

Updated info on celebs and other miscellany for SWW 2012 on the Disney Parks Blog:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...rs-weekends-2012-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

So happy about this list. So many new people coming, and here I thought I wouldn't need to wake up early this year. As it turns out I'll be there early every Saturday.
We have a 30th anniversary Star Wars calendar that has all 6 movies and that's what we get signed by the actors. Now to add to the autographs.
Exciting news, thanks for sharing

 

[mesaboy2]

So happy about this list. So many new people coming, and here I thought I wouldn't need to wake up early this year. As it turns out I'll be there early every Saturday.
We have a 30th anniversary Star Wars calendar that has all 6 movies and that's what we get signed by the actors. Now to add to the autographs.
Exciting news, thanks for sharing

Just giving back.

 

[Music City Mama]

Updated info on celebs and other miscellany for SWW 2012 on the Disney Parks Blog:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...rs-weekends-2012-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

This is my weekend -- it's going to be crazy crowded:

Another 2012 highlight: keep a sharp eye during Weekend IV when bounty hunters — a favorite among many fans — take center stage in their very own weekend (doesn’t that seem appropriate, considering Star Wars bounty hunters generally work on their own anyway?). As an added surprise, Weekend IV will be a “Bonus Boba” weekend! Both actors who portrayed laconic enforcer Boba Fett in the saga — Jeremy Bulloch and Daniel Logan — will appear during the event’s closing weekend.

 

[yulilin3]

Now that the list of celebs is out, is anyone planning on getting up early to get a fp? who are your favorites from this years list?
I can say that if you are considering getting Ray Parks get there early, around 5:30am. He's extremely popular but totally worth it.
Also another repeater is Daniel Logan; he won't be as popular as Parks but is the sweetest kid and an eternal flirt.
And we also got confirmation on Hyperspace Hoopla being at the Hat Stage at 8pm. So it looks like they might stick with the same schedule as last year.
I'm getting excited!

 

[lovethattink]

Could anyone tell me what time the parade takes place? Morning or afternoon? I will be there with my 10 yr old grandson for the first time and would like for him to at least get to see the characters in the parade. Any other suggestions that wouldn't be too time consuming? Thanks for the help!

I think it was at 11am last year.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I can say that if you are considering getting Ray Parks get there early, around 5:30am. He's extremely popular but totally worth it.

Yikes...we will be getting up and out pretty early on the first Friday morning. DS is pretty excited about Ray Parks and he really likes Dee Bradley Baker as well. The other fellow he is not concerned about. I'm really hoping that Friday will work out for us as I hope to not get up that early on Sunday morning! I hope to stand in Dee's line and have DH and DS stand in Ray's line for fastpasses. I'm guessing that the first Friday morning is going to be at least as busy as any of the other mornings...we were aiming for a 6:30 arrival at DHS but it's clear we need to back that up a bit.

 

[yulilin3]

Yikes...we will be getting up and out pretty early on the first Friday morning. DS is pretty excited about Ray Parks and he really likes Dee Bradley Baker as well. The other fellow he is not concerned about. I'm really hoping that Friday will work out for us as I hope to not get up that early on Sunday morning! I hope to stand in Dee's line and have DH and DS stand in Ray's line for fastpasses. I'm guessing that the first Friday morning is going to be at least as busy as any of the other mornings...we were aiming for a 6:30 arrival at DHS but it's clear we need to back that up a bit.

The good news is that Ray will be there for 2 weekends and if you are going the first Friday alot of people will be in the merchandise line for Limited Edition Stuff. Dee Bradley shouldn't be a problem at all. He is really funny with all his voices, if you google him you'll find that you've heard him other than clone wars or Perry.
Have Fun planning everyone, and, I haven't said this in a while but:
MTFBWY

 

[ocalla]

thanks so much for posting the link................which contained the Other Link to the Disneysite area of SWW. I am not sure why I never thought of looking there for information...............except that it was a VERY LONG week !

Everyone's tips are appreciated. Now I am off to see if there are any threads of SWW pics so I can get an idea of what it all looks like.

By the way, I wondered if anyone has run across SW TankTop in adult sizes? DD would like to wear something but regular T-shirts are so hot. I did think about making one (that thought lasted about 1 second) but I realize .....I'm not crafty!!!!