Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[yulilin3]

Ok, so if the park opens at 8, will they take advantage of the early rope drop?

They will give out the fps before the park opens so people can go and sign kids up for JTA/padawan mind challenge or start making lines for characters. Everyone goes in at the same time, in years past you would get your fp and make the line at the turnstiles; last year you would get your fps they scan your ticket right there and let you in thru the gates on the right of the turnstiles and you would enter thru backstage by the restrooms but still at the same time as everyone else.

 

[vleeth]

Do the characters sign "Mickey" or "Jedi Mickey" etc.?

What time do they stop signing? Do they sign after dark?

Just watched yulilin3's youtube videos...LOVED them!

 

[yulilin3]

Do the characters sign "Mickey" or "Jedi Mickey" etc.?

What time do they stop signing? Do they sign after dark?

Just watched yulilin3's youtube videos...LOVED them!

You had me looking for autograph books that have been sitting on my bookcase for years, I found plenty of SW characters but no Jedi Mickey so I'm not sure about that one.
The characters start around 9:15 to 9:30am and then take a break for the parade, so I would say they probably stop around noon, then they come back out after the parade and I they stay out until 7 to 7:30pm. This was the schedule from last year.

 

[vleeth]

I think I'd rather stand in line at 7pm verses in the am. That way we can get Jedi Academy and the major rides knocked out first thing. Of course I'm not sure if I want autographs if they just sign the way they always do, but then I might have to do it just for the pictures!

 

[yulilin3]

I think I'd rather stand in line at 7pm verses in the am. That way we can get Jedi Academy and the major rides knocked out first thing. Of course I'm not sure if I want autographs if they just sign the way they always do, but then I might have to do it just for the pictures!

I would really advice you on getting outdoor character photos in the morning.Believe me, you have your energy level high and most importantly the heat is not as bad. At 7pm you'll have all the heat of the day. During SWW the temps can climb up to 95 degrees, The Fab 4 are in an area without shade, it's miserable to be there for more than 15min.
You could get there at rope drop, sign the kid(s) up for JTA, send someone to get fps while someone else makes the line. You should be done in an hour and then you can enjoy the indoor rides during the heat of the day.
Like I've said before have a plan and make sure you know your priorities.
IMHO

 

[vleeth]

Still hot a 7? Yuck! Okay, I don't want to meet the celebs. How long does it take to sign up for Jedi Training? Do they let you pick the time you want to come back?

I was planning on taking dd to sign up for Jedi Training and sending my dh to get TSM FP. Now that the Fp times are inforced, do you think we will make our window if we meet the characters?

I'm getting super excited!!!

 

[yulilin3]

Still hot a 7? Yuck! Okay, I don't want to meet the celebs. How long does it take to sign up for Jedi Training? Do they let you pick the time you want to come back?

I was planning on taking dd to sign up for Jedi Training and sending my dh to get TSM FP. Now that the Fp times are inforced, do you think we will make our window if we meet the characters?

I'm getting super excited!!!

Not only hot but humid. The sun won't set until around 8:15pm. You MUST be at the turnstiles before the park opens, JTA is very popular and slots fill up in a matter of 25min. during SWW. It will take aprox. 20min. because there's ahuge line that forms and then CM go one by one signing kids up. I don't think you can pick the time slot but you could always ask. Now for the TSM fps, if you get them at rope drop you'll probably have a return time around 10 to 11 so I would think that you would have time to meet one set of characters. Also if they open the park earlier than announced you can sign up for JTA and go to TSM and see how long the line is at that time.
Last year during the first weekend they opened the park at 7:30 when it was announced for 9am. We did TSM, RnRC and ToT in 1 hour and ha half
Do you know which characters you want to meet, is it just the Fab 4 and R2MK?

 

[lovethattink]

Still hot a 7? Yuck! Okay, I don't want to meet the celebs. How long does it take to sign up for Jedi Training? Do they let you pick the time you want to come back?

I was planning on taking dd to sign up for Jedi Training and sending my dh to get TSM FP. Now that the Fp times are inforced, do you think we will make our window if we meet the characters?

I'm getting super excited!!!

When we did Jedi Training, we got to sign ups 5 minutes after the park opened and we got an afternoon time slot. Just depends on how many people get there ahead of you.

 

[vleeth]

Is it just the first weekend that opens so early? We'll be there on Saturday of the 2nd weekend.

I would think Mickey and Minnie would be the two we'd want the most...and Darth Vader.

Oh andYay...our first ever SWW!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lovethattink]

Is it just the first weekend that opens so early? We'll be there on Saturday of the 2nd weekend.

I would think Mickey and Minnie would be the two we'd want the most...and Darth Vader.

Oh andYay...our first ever SWW!!!!!!!!!!

May 25 the park opens at 8am, 26th at 8am, 27th at 9am.

Last year the fab rotated at the character spot between the Commissary and the Great Movie ride exit. It was very possible to stand in line while Minnie was up there, only to have it be Donald til you got up there. That was one of the hardest things for my son to understand.

We waited about an hour to see Darth Vader. He is very popular. He was located near the exit of the back lot tour.

 

[vleeth]

May 25 the park opens at 8am, 26th at 8am, 27th at 9am.

Okay...maybe I'll be there the 3rd weekend.... I'll be there June 2nd! I think they have the posted time set at 9:00. What time would you guess them to start letting people in?

I'll have to talk to my dd and see if she would be willing to wait an hr for Darth...if I had to guess, I'd say no.

 

[lovethattink]

Okay...maybe I'll be there the 3rd weekend.... I'll be there June 2nd! I think they have the posted time set at 9:00. What time would you guess them to start letting people in?

I'll have to talk to my dd and see if she would be willing to wait an hr for Darth...if I had to guess, I'd say no.

Lol, ok. You're right the park opens at 9am that weekend. Not sure when they will let people in, I've only ever made 1 rope drop. The crowds are too unbearable for my son just standing there like sardines. Though it is very cool to watch the storm troopers on the roof of the turnstiles.

 

[yulilin3]

Okay...maybe I'll be there the 3rd weekend.... I'll be there June 2nd! I think they have the posted time set at 9:00. What time would you guess them to start letting people in?

I'll have to talk to my dd and see if she would be willing to wait an hr for Darth...if I had to guess, I'd say no.

They may very well change the the opening times for the June dates. The closer to the start of SWW we'll know at what times they are actually opening the park.
CMs get their schedules 1 1/2 weeks in advance so if we know that Star Tours and other main attraction CMs are schedule to be there at 7am there's a good possibility that they'll open the park at 7:30-7:45am.
It's all up to management, if the rides are ready to operate and they see a huge line outside the turnstiles (going all the way back to security bag check) then they'll open the park early. That's why it's so important to be there extra early.
Do you have an option for a second day of DHS? maybe you could do non SWW things then. Darth Vader is very popular, the good thing is that his line is under roof. So I would do Fab 4 first then go to Darth.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Do the characters sign "Mickey" or "Jedi Mickey" etc.?

What time do they stop signing? Do they sign after dark?

Just watched yulilin3's youtube videos...LOVED them!

They sign "Mickey" and "Donald" and everyone stops signing about an hour before the Hoopla.

 

[yulilin3]

Hey Jedis, Padawans and Siths, I found some new info on food offerings during SWW (this is from the HUB):
The R2D2 bucket will be used with the following itens:
1.- The Kids Power Pack in an R2D2 Bucket, available at Quick Service Restaurants throughout the park. (includes: cheese stick, Goldfish,Yogurt, Carrot Sticks, Cookie and kid beverage)
2.- Corn dog and chips in an R2D2 bucket, available at the Herbie's cart.
3.- Churros in an R2D2 Bucket at Darth's Mall.
The most ineteresting thing is that they're calling the Merchandise Tent Darth Mall..goes with the theme

 

[Cinderumbrella]

The most interesting thing is that they're calling the Merchandise Tent Darth Mall..goes with the theme

Love it!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope they have the SW cupcakes again too!

 

[girli565]

The R2D2 bucket is so cute. I was at DHS in December right before xmas and the popcorn/preztel stand to the right of the Hat had them. I snagged one up real quick, lol. I was shocked that they had it, the CM said they had a few leftover and told him he could sell them.

 

[yulilin3]

The R2D2 bucket is so cute. I was at DHS in December right before xmas and the popcorn/preztel stand to the right of the Hat had them. I snagged one up real quick, lol. I was shocked that they had it, the CM said they had a few leftover and told him he could sell them.

the bucket has become very popular...it's funny because the kids and I have been doing SWW for years now but it was my husbands first time to go last year (he is not a SW fan) my DD then 10 already knew not to ask for anything since they get money each year to spend it however they want during SWW and she wanted a Her Universe shirt. But she is "daddy's little girl" and she knew how to play it:
DD: Dad look how cool that R2D2 bucket is!!
DH: yeah that's pretty cool.
DD: I would use it for alot of things around the house.
DH: and it comes with a chocolate mousse..do you want it?
DD: could I please?
DH: sure...
now I have an R2D2 bucket in my kitchen that's gathering dust...needless to say my husband got the "we don't buy any souvenirs during SWW or else we'll be bankrupt" speech...good thing at least he gets 20% off merchandise.

 

[girli565]

the bucket has become very popular...it's funny because the kids and I have been doing SWW for years now but it was my husbands first time to go last year (he is not a SW fan) my DD then 10 already knew not to ask for anything since they get money each year to spend it however they want during SWW and she wanted a Her Universe shirt. But she is "daddy's little girl" and she knew how to play it:
DD: Dad look how cool that R2D2 bucket is!!
DH: yeah that's pretty cool.
DD: I would use it for alot of things around the house.
DH: and it comes with a chocolate mousse..do you want it?
DD: could I please?
DH: sure...
now I have an R2D2 bucket in my kitchen that's gathering dust...needless to say my husband got the "we don't buy any souvenirs during SWW or else we'll be bankrupt" speech...good thing at least he gets 20% off merchandise.

LOL!! We do go bankrupt, my husband wants everything!

 

[goofyredraider]

Hey Jedis, Padawans and Siths, I found some new info on food offerings during SWW (this is from the HUB):
The R2D2 bucket will be used with the following itens:
1.- The Kids Power Pack in an R2D2 Bucket, available at Quick Service Restaurants throughout the park. (includes: cheese stick, Goldfish,Yogurt, Carrot Sticks, Cookie and kid beverage)
2.- Corn dog and chips in an R2D2 bucket, available at the Herbie's cart.
3.- Churros in an R2D2 Bucket at Darth's Mall.
The most ineteresting thing is that they're calling the Merchandise Tent Darth Mall..goes with the theme

Love it.

So, I need some advice. I have two, possibly three days earmarked for SWW. I want to try to "break up" activities and "must do's" as much as possible so we don't have to fight crowds as much or feel like we have to do it all in one day. My kids know NOTHING about SWW, because I want it to be a complete surprise. DS#1 is a HUGE fan. He literally cried when I took him to see Episode 1 in 3D on his birthday this year. So, this is a BIG deal for him. He has some disabilities, and he has worked SO hard this year to overcome his challenges...this is a "reward" of sorts for his hard work.

These are our must do's:
1. JTA for three kids (my boys have done it before, by DD would love to. Plus, I really think being SWW, it is likely a must for the boys).
2. Padawan Mind Challenge for oldest DS. I've been trying to stump him with trivia...and have been unsuccessful. I think he would do really well and would love this.
3. Character pics (Mickey, etc.).
4. View the parade.
5. Hyperspace Hoopla.
6. Possibly get Ray Park's autograph or view his show (if there is one).
7. Other shows (waiting to see what's announced).

So, I'm thinking of breaking things up a bit.
For example:
Day 1:
JTA sign up.
View parade.
Anything with Ray would have to be this weekend.
View Padawan Mind Challenge and see how it works, and if DS is interested.
(We will go to Fantasmic this night)

Day 2 (the next weekend)
PMC if we are able to.
Hyperspace Hoopla.
Other shows
Character pics.
(Would a 10AM breakfast at Hollywood & Vine be okay on this day? )

Day 3:(the following day from Day 2....right now, a flex day in our plans, earmarked for HS)
Anything we didn't get to do the other two days.

We also have a night we plan to go to HS on an evening for "other" things...and have another flex day at the end of our trip that isn't for any particular park...so we could always come back that morning for "regular" HS stuff (it isn't a weekend).


Thoughts? Anything I should add or try to change up?