Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[Cinderumbrella]

My advice is to try to do the Hoopla the first weekend if it doesn't rain. It would be terrible to miss it only to have a thunderstorm the following week and not see it. Also, do character pics both weekends, and maybe split Chewy and Vader into separate weekends since their lines are so long?

 

[yulilin3]

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?

Sounds like a great plan. So happy for your kids to have this special surprise, especially since they are SW fans. It's great to have several days that way you won't burn out by the end.
The only thing I would say is to sign up for Padawan Mind Challenge the same day as JTA. Since you're going to have to go there early for JTA take advantage and sign up for PMC, it's in the same location. Just sign up for JTA first and then sign up for PMC since JTA is more popular.
PMC is fun, every kid gets the same prize at the end and it's on the big Hat Stage.
I hope your family has a great time

 

[sam_gordon]

We were there on the Saturday of the 3rd weekend last year. Everything said the park would open @ 9am, EXCEPT the DIS (and probably other internet sites). On here I found out they had been opening @ 8. DS & I showed up at 7 (weren't concerned with celebrity autographs). We were first in line at a turnstile. DS was able to back up (because we were under the roof)and watch the Storm Troopers on the roof of the gate.

Once they let us in, we went straight to JTA signups and got the first "class". Within 40 minutes, all classes were filled. I don't remember them asking DS any questions, they just handed us the pass showing the time.

Also keep in mind, while the characters will stop signing autographs ~7pm to get ready for Hoopla, they will cut off the lines for the characters between 6-6:30 depending on the length of the line. We were the last ones to see Chewbacca and Wicket last year and witnessed the CM saying "no more autographs" and guests trying to argue.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

I like the name Darth Mall! Speaking of the Padawan Mind Challenge, I hear there's 2 shows a day, one for the Movies, and one for CW. Which one is the movie one? I'm not a big CW fan

 

[goofyredraider]

My advice is to try to do the Hoopla the first weekend if it doesn't rain. It would be terrible to miss it only to have a thunderstorm the following week and not see it. Also, do character pics both weekends, and maybe split Chewy and Vader into separate weekends since their lines are so long?

This will work if they do two Fantasmic shows that weekend. It looks like they might (waiting on the rest of May's calendar revisions)...and if they do, we will do both. Right now, I have the Fantasmic package booked for an ADR for this night, so there's no changing it, but if there is another one...OR we can squeeze Fantasmic in on that "flex" night... we will do that instead. I just wish they'd release times for SW events already and the May/June revisions of the hours!!!

Sounds like a great plan. So happy for your kids to have this special surprise, especially since they are SW fans. It's great to have several days that way you won't burn out by the end.
The only thing I would say is to sign up for Padawan Mind Challenge the same day as JTA. Since you're going to have to go there early for JTA take advantage and sign up for PMC, it's in the same location. Just sign up for JTA first and then sign up for PMC since JTA is more popular.
PMC is fun, every kid gets the same prize at the end and it's on the big Hat Stage.
I hope your family has a great time

Thank you! I didn't realize PMC & JTA sign ups were in basically the same location. If so, we will try the first weekend...and if not, he has two more chances (the following weekend) to sign up for either. Seriously, if he gets a question in PMC wrong...I will be shocked. It is kinda scary how much he's memorized (by yeah, we're working on our multiplication tables... can't seem to remember those). I would like for him to do the movies version specifically.

 

[momtotwins]

We are going to be in Orlando from May 19-26. We are mostly doing sea world and universal this trip but.........after realizing it was SWW we decided to buy 1 day tickets and check it out. My DH and 2 4 year old dd's are star wars freaks. I just bought queen Amidala costumes for my girls to wear they are going to be in heaven

Mostly I just wanted to join in the excitement of this thread but also to ask a question....which day would you choose Sun may 20 or Fri May 25th? Normally I know Fridays are less crowded but will it be different since it’s the holiday weekend?

We already have a WDW trip planned for Sept so I don’t really care of we do anything non SWW while there that day. But we have a few must do's

1) Parade
2) JTA
3) Character greetings-darth vader, luke, laia, anikin, princess amadala, and chewbaca would be our top contenders
4) The hoopla show- but probably at the screen
5) Star tours

My plan of attack so far is:

Arrive at 7:30 am for 8 am park opening. The girls and I will head straight to sign up for JTA, while DH goes and gets fast passes for star tours. Then I figured we would start hitting characters. Use star tours FP at appropriate time

Probably an afternoon break then back in the evening for hoopla and more characters. If we can do tower of terror that would be cool too

 

[sam_gordon]

Arrive at 7:30 am for 8 am park opening. The girls and I will head straight to sign up for JTA, while DH goes and gets fast passes for star tours. Then I figured we would start hitting characters. Use star tours FP at appropriate time

That was my plan too (except arriving at 7). A couple notes...
1) We did JTA signup then got Star Tours FP... they were valid within like 30 minutes. We rode SB. Fortunately we were able to hang onto those FP until after Hoopla. You won't have that option. It's POSSIBLE your FP time will coincide with your assigned JTA. If that happens, simply find a group getting ST FP's and offer to swap.
2) Characters weren't out until 9:30 or so. I know we couldn't see any until after our JTA (first show).

 

[yulilin3]

I like the name Darth Mall! Speaking of the Padawan Mind Challenge, I hear there's 2 shows a day, one for the Movies, and one for CW. Which one is the movie one? I'm not a big CW fan

This will work if they do two Fantasmic shows that weekend. It looks like they might (waiting on the rest of May's calendar revisions)...and if they do, we will do both. Right now, I have the Fantasmic package booked for an ADR for this night, so there's no changing it, but if there is another one...OR we can squeeze Fantasmic in on that "flex" night... we will do that instead. I just wish they'd release times for SW events already and the May/June revisions of the hours!!!



Thank you! I didn't realize PMC & JTA sign ups were in basically the same location. If so, we will try the first weekend...and if not, he has two more chances (the following weekend) to sign up for either. Seriously, if he gets a question in PMC wrong...I will be shocked. It is kinda scary how much he's memorized (by yeah, we're working on our multiplication tables... can't seem to remember those). I would like for him to do the movies version specifically.

If my memory is correct the earlier one (2:10pm) was Star Wars and the evening one (6:30pm)was Clone Wars.
As of now Fantasmic! is schedule to play 2 times (9pm and 10:30) during SWW until May 26. After that it shows just one at 9pm, but that can change

 

[yulilin3]

We are going to be in Orlando from May 19-26. We are mostly doing sea world and universal this trip but.........after realizing it was SWW we decided to buy 1 day tickets and check it out. My DH and 2 4 year old dd's are star wars freaks. I just bought queen Amidala costumes for my girls to wear they are going to be in heaven

Mostly I just wanted to join in the excitement of this thread but also to ask a question....which day would you choose Sun may 20 or Fri May 25th? Normally I know Fridays are less crowded but will it be different since it’s the holiday weekend?

We already have a WDW trip planned for Sept so I don’t really care of we do anything non SWW while there that day. But we have a few must do's

1) Parade
2) JTA
3) Character greetings-darth vader, luke, laia, anikin, princess amadala, and chewbaca would be our top contenders
4) The hoopla show- but probably at the screen
5) Star tours

My plan of attack so far is:

Arrive at 7:30 am for 8 am park opening. The girls and I will head straight to sign up for JTA, while DH goes and gets fast passes for star tours. Then I figured we would start hitting characters. Use star tours FP at appropriate time

Probably an afternoon break then back in the evening for hoopla and more characters. If we can do tower of terror that would be cool too

Great plan! I would also suggest, like sam gordon says, to arrive a bit earlier than 7:30am.
The characters don't come out at 9am but people start lining up for them. The more popular ones are: Fab 4 and R2MK, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, their lines are always long the entire day. The rest you'll be able to see easier.
If your ST fp's coincides with JTA just talk to the CM at the entrance of the ride and explain the situation, they should be able to help you.

 

[goofyredraider]

If my memory is correct the earlier one (2:10pm) was Star Wars and the evening one (6:30pm)was Clone Wars.
As of now Fantasmic! is schedule to play 2 times (9pm and 10:30) during SWW until May 26. After that it shows just one at 9pm, but that can change

Thank you again. I think they just revised through May 26 so far ...but easywdw is predicting they will change May 27-on as well. That would make sense since it is Memorial Day weekend, too.

 

[lovethattink]

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

Hope they have the SW cupcakes again too!

My dh hopes so too!

My advice is to try to do the Hoopla the first weekend if it doesn't rain. It would be terrible to miss it only to have a thunderstorm the following week and not see it. Also, do character pics both weekends, and maybe split Chewy and Vader into separate weekends since their lines are so long?

The Hoopla was my favorite! Last year was the first time I'd ever seen it and we've been going to SWW since 2004. Is it always the same or does it change year to year?

We are going to be in Orlando from May 19-26. We are mostly doing sea world and universal this trip but.........after realizing it was SWW we decided to buy 1 day tickets and check it out. My DH and 2 4 year old dd's are star wars freaks. I just bought queen Amidala costumes for my girls to wear they are going to be in heaven

Mostly I just wanted to join in the excitement of this thread but also to ask a question....which day would you choose Sun may 20 or Fri May 25th? Normally I know Fridays are less crowded but will it be different since it’s the holiday weekend?

We already have a WDW trip planned for Sept so I don’t really care of we do anything non SWW while there that day. But we have a few must do's

1) Parade
2) JTA
3) Character greetings-darth vader, luke, laia, anikin, princess amadala, and chewbaca would be our top contenders
4) The hoopla show- but probably at the screen
5) Star tours

My plan of attack so far is:

Arrive at 7:30 am for 8 am park opening. The girls and I will head straight to sign up for JTA, while DH goes and gets fast passes for star tours. Then I figured we would start hitting characters. Use star tours FP at appropriate time

Probably an afternoon break then back in the evening for hoopla and more characters. If we can do tower of terror that would be cool too

Just remember the characters rotate. According to my 7 year old Anakin rotated with Mace Windu, Plocoon (?spelling), Kid fisto, and maybe another character or two. I think the cm's had a list of who was where at what time. Many people would get in line and let people go in front of them until the character showed up who they wanted to see. Some weekends the lines for characters were crazy.

Princess Amadala was didn't rotate with any other characters last year. Luke and Leia were at Darth Mall. Vader was by himself.

Does Chewy and Wicket rotate or are they together?

 

[laughinplace2]

On average, about how long are the lines to meet Mickey/Minnie/Goofy/Donald dressed in their SW attire? Everyone is saying how long they can get, so I'm just wondering if we can get a rough idea. This is like the one thing I want to do more than anything that day, is to get my pic with them (whomever happens to be up when I reach the front of the line lol). I love my character pics!!
Thanks guys

 

[momtotwins]

Is it really necessary to get there an hour before the park opens. What does this get us?

 

[KathleensKid]

Does anyone have a link to a video of the Padawan Mind Challenge? Or even a series of photos?
I've searched youtube and have come up empty. Just wanted to get a idea of whether my ds would like it. Thanks!!

 

[sam_gordon]

On average, about how long are the lines to meet Mickey/Minnie/Goofy/Donald dressed in their SW attire? Everyone is saying how long they can get, so I'm just wondering if we can get a rough idea. This is like the one thing I want to do more than anything that day, is to get my pic with them (whomever happens to be up when I reach the front of the line lol). I love my character pics!!
Thanks guys

IIRC, 45 minutes to an hour. Keep in mind they also swap out with Goofy & Donald.

Is it really necessary to get there an hour before the park opens. What does this get us?

All but a guarantee of getting kids signed up for JTA. If that is a priority, the LATEST I would show up is 30 minutes before opening. If you're not interested in JTA, be there 30 minutes before, watch the Storm Trooper "show" (~10-15 minutes before opening), then when the gates open, you should be able to do TSM, ST, and probably the other major rides before getting ready for characters at 9:15. Just my opinion.

 

[laughinplace2]

IIRC, 45 minutes to an hour. Keep in mind they also swap out with Goofy & Donald.

eek. Kinda what I figured, but man that's long, especially when the blazing hot sun is beating down on you (and you are pale and burn easily) lol. Thanks! I guess I'll have to wear a hat and lots of sunscreen!!!

 

[ireland_nicole]

The fab 4 line was an hour long last time we went- we actually had to go home after because I got so sick. I am planning to use my camelback backpack this trip to keep from getting dehydrated and am also considering a small folding umbrella for those lines that don't move as well as our mister fan. It's just me and DS this trip and aside from being ghosty pale I have an autoimmune condition that makes me much more sun sensitive. I will also wear wicking clothing w/ SPF 50 so hopefully all those things will help.

 

[Karpkg]

Does Chewy and Wicket rotate or are they together?

Chewbacca and an Ewok rotates separately. Sometimes when one comes on there may be some pictures taken together before one rotates off; sometimes they'll rotate one off and the other on immediately. It varies. Also the Ewok may vary. One time it was Wicket, another time it was a different Ewok.

On average, about how long are the lines to meet Mickey/Minnie/Goofy/Donald dressed in their SW attire? Everyone is saying how long they can get, so I'm just wondering if we can get a rough idea. This is like the one thing I want to do more than anything that day, is to get my pic with them (whomever happens to be up when I reach the front of the line lol). I love my character pics!!
Thanks guys

When there are 4 characters that rotate those lines are the most frustrating. The Mickey/Minnie/Goofy/Donald one is the most visible and out in the sun one that is obvious; the other one that at least is in an air-conditioned tent is bearable but also a long wait; the Luke/Leia/C-3PO/R2-D2 is an exercise in frustration.

It also depends on the CMs controlling the line. The VIP line is an organized one; if you're waiting for a specific character they'll have you in a holding area. Not so with the Luke/Leia line; you don't know who you're going to get when you get there and they won't tell you the schedule of the characters.

Is it really necessary to get there an hour before the park opens. What does this get us?

As of right now I hear DHS is letting people in 15 minutes early; probably to relieve the TSM rush. It's unannounced. For SWW if you're interested in JTA or the PMC it is ideal to get there early for best chances in being a participant.

 

[yulilin3]

Is it really necessary to get there an hour before the park opens. What does this get us?

Like sam gordon said; if you want to sign kids up for JTA or start making a line for character you have to be there early. Imagine getting to the park at 7:30am, there will already be a huge line outside the turnstiles, missing the opportunity to sign up for JTA. Better safe than sorry if JTA is a priority. If not then you can get there later.

Does anyone have a link to a video of the Padawan Mind Challenge? Or even a series of photos?
I've searched youtube and have come up empty. Just wanted to get a idea of whether my ds would like it. Thanks!!

I searched yesterday as well and nothing. Basically they give all the kids 2 lightsabers one green and one red. Then they get asked questions and have to wait for a lightsaber sound to raise the right answer. Whoever doesn't answer correctly gets to join a SW character at the back of the stage (last year it was Luke and C3PO) Then at the end when there are only a couple of kids left, they call everyone back to the front and ask a finalq uestion which is really easy . All the kids get it correctly and get a prize.

The fab 4 line was an hour long last time we went- we actually had to go home after because I got so sick. I am planning to use my camelback backpack this trip to keep from getting dehydrated and am also considering a small folding umbrella for those lines that don't move as well as our mister fan. It's just me and DS this trip and aside from being ghosty pale I have an autoimmune condition that makes me much more sun sensitive. I will also wear wicking clothing w/ SPF 50 so hopefully all those things will help.

And this is why you must get to the outdoor charaters early in the morning. Great tips on how to keep hydrated and in shade. We also take a small washcloth and dump it in the big buckets where they have the fans with ice, soak it up and use it around our necks.

 

[laughinplace2]

The fab 4 line was an hour long last time we went- we actually had to go home after because I got so sick. I am planning to use my camelback backpack this trip to keep from getting dehydrated and am also considering a small folding umbrella for those lines that don't move as well as our mister fan. It's just me and DS this trip and aside from being ghosty pale I have an autoimmune condition that makes me much more sun sensitive. I will also wear wicking clothing w/ SPF 50 so hopefully all those things will help.

Do they give you any indication, like they do on the rides, of how long the current wait is for the picture line? If not, could you ask the Cm? Would he or she have an approximate wait time?