Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[Cinderumbrella]

If we just want to watch the hoopla on the screen do you need to arrive very early?

We watched it on the screen each time we saw it last year. Most people didn't arrive until about 15 minutes prior. The most amazing thing was that everyone sat on the ground! Only time the view was obstructed was when people walked on the pathway in front of the screen. Hopefully people will be just as considerate and not block views again. Maybe everyone was just exhausted. There were a ton of little kids and lots of strollers and a few wheelchairs in the mix. I should have pics of sitting in front of the screen.

We had the same experience (although we got to the screen almost 45 minutes early, simply because the other SWW activities were done and we were eager to just sit and relax.)

 

[laughinplace2]

See above for the answer to your rain question

Thanks, I missed it in that long post.
So that means if it rains the only day I can go, like a washout day, it's all for nothing bc the two main things I wanna do (meet the VIPs and see the parade) won't happen. Wow that sucks!!! There is nowhere for them to move the characters? They should consider the animation building or something.

 

[Karpkg]

Updated: 5/9/2012 11:51 AM

I see others posting but no dates....come out, come out, wherever you are!

1st Wknd May 18-20
CentralFloridian99 5/20
Daisy'sMama 5/20
disneydreamgirl 5/18, 5/20
disneyforus 5/18
Donald Duck888 5/18
d-r 5/20
Hanover
jthornton94 5/20
lcarlton99 5/18
lovethattink 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
maybs607 5/18
momtotwins 5/20
momto2sweeties 5/19
MSUmom
vettegirl 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
wallawallakids 5/18
wendypooh 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
yulilin3 5/19, 5/20
2goofykiddos 5/18, 5/19

2nd Wknd May 25-27
aiminator 5/27
csmommy 5/25
delmar411 5/25
d-r 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
evcollins 5/26
goofyredraider 5/27
jthornton94 5/26
justwinnie 5/25, 5/26
Karpkg 5/25
lovethattink 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
moethorne 5/25
wendypooh
yulilin3 5/26, 5/27

3rd Wknd June 1-3
cerberus 6/2
delmar411 6/1, 6/2
d-r 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
goofyredraider 6/2, 6/3
ireland nicole
Karpkg 6/1
lovethattink 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
megan511 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
mesaboy 6/3
RedM94 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
vleeth 6/2
yulilin3 6/2, 6/3

4th Wknd June 8-10
bizeemom4 6/8, 6/10
buckeev 6/10
cerberus 6/8, 6/10
Cinderumbrella 6/8, 6/9
d-r 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Hanover
jacksonsmom 6/8, 6/10
ireland nicole 6/8
ladyjubilee 6/10
lovethattink 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Music City Mama 6/8
TrixieLouMagoo 6/8
39CINDERELLA 6/8, 6/10
wdwnut61 6/8
yulilin3 6/9, 6/10

 

[lovethattink]

We had the same experience (although we got to the screen almost 45 minutes early, simply because the other SWW activities were done and we were eager to just sit and relax.)

Wasn't it great! I hope they do the screen this year too!

We missed so much of the outdoor stuff during SWW because of my son's intolerance to heat. He can't be out in the heat long. So the screen was ideal for him! He could see, we could arrive at the last minute, it was perfect!!

 

[vettegirl]

We are going the first weekend all 3 days!

 

[moethorne]

It's our first SWW! Wa arrive May 24th and plan doing HS on the 25th maybe another day depending on how it goes. Thanks for all the great info on this thread!

 

[1971DBday]

Okay....not going to SWW, missing it by a few days but had to share that I met someone today is going to be at WDW the week before us. I asked if they were going for SWW and he asked what that was. I explained and he said "Oh my son will be thrilled, I didn't know."

I know we are not all DIS addicted, but I mentioned to him that he may want to look into it a little bit and be prepared for the crowds at DHS. He seemed appreciative but a little "yeah, yeah".

Okay - have fun!!!!

Sorry I had to share with the planning people!

 

[Donald Duck888]

I will be there with my wife and 5yr old (huge star wars fan) daughter on the 18th.

All she seems to have talked about for the last couple of weeks is meeting princess Lea.

 

[TrixieLouMagoo]

Hi, again, everyone -

Thanks for answering my question about the shows. It was quite helpful. The compiled list of info is amazing and is really going to help my planning!

I have another question for you all -

My group loves Fantasmic. I mean LOVES Fantasmic!

Now, of course, we plan on attending Hyperspace Hoopla - we had the most incredible time last year, but we would ultimately like to end the day with Fantasmic.

Currently the schedule is 8pm Hyperspace Hoopla and 9pm Fantasmic.

Last year we did both, but I am pretty sure Hollywood Studios was open later and we saw a 10:30pm Fantasmic. (Goodness, it was so long ago, I could be making this up...)

In any case - in your expert opinions - do you think we will be able to do both?

Are there any tricks you would recommend to do both? Would the Fantasmic dining package be worth it?

We aren't concerned with sitting anywhere particular for Fantasmic, so I am hoping we can just book it over there at the end of Hyperspace Hoopla. I am also hoping that Fantasmic won't reach capacity before we get over there because most people will be leaving the park after Hyperspace Hoopla.....?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you all! I am one month away exactly! Cannot wait!

-TLM

 

[Karpkg]

I'll try and update the listings for as long as I can hit the edit button on the previous posting. Then I'll try and post updates occasionally.

Hi, again, everyone -

Thanks for answering my question about the shows. It was quite helpful. The compiled list of info is amazing and is really going to help my planning!

I have another question for you all -

My group loves Fantasmic. I mean LOVES Fantasmic!

Now, of course, we plan on attending Hyperspace Hoopla - we had the most incredible time last year, but we would ultimately like to end the day with Fantasmic.

Currently the schedule is 8pm Hyperspace Hoopla and 9pm Fantasmic.

Last year we did both, but I am pretty sure Hollywood Studios was open later and we saw a 10:30pm Fantasmic. (Goodness, it was so long ago, I could be making this up...)

In any case - in your expert opinions - do you think we will be able to do both?

Are there any tricks you would recommend to do both? Would the Fantasmic dining package be worth it?

We aren't concerned with sitting anywhere particular for Fantasmic, so I am hoping we can just book it over there at the end of Hyperspace Hoopla. I am also hoping that Fantasmic won't reach capacity before we get over there because most people will be leaving the park after Hyperspace Hoopla.....?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you all! I am one month away exactly! Cannot wait!

-TLM

A 2nd showing of Fantasmic could happen; it just depends on the prediction of how crowds will be that night you happen to be there. Just keep checking the calendar, even park hours change without notice. Disney tries to anticipate the crowds and act accordingly.

I forget how long the Hoopla is. I advised one person to watch the Hoopla from the AI screen and from the outskirts so they can make a quick getaway for Fantasmic! They had the Fantasmic! dinner package so their seating was reserved; you may want to try that or just cross your fingers and grab the last seatings.

 

[lcarlton99]

Hello everyone,
This is the best information I have found. Me my DS and his best friend will be there on the 18th and will be there bright and early. My question is I have a AAA parking pass. Should I park in that parking area or try to park in the regular one. I want to be as close as possible to the gate. any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks so much

 

[Karpkg]

Hello everyone,
This is the best information I have found. Me my DS and his best friend will be there on the 18th and will be there bright and early. My question is I have a AAA parking pass. Should I park in that parking area or try to park in the regular one. I want to be as close as possible to the gate. any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks so much

Depending on how bright and early you get there you may find regular parking to be closer than the AAA parking, although I don't know where the AAA designated parking is.

If it were me, if I got there at park opening (9AM) I'd use the AAA parking. If I got there say 2 hrs prior, I'd probably be in regular parking.

Oh, and let me say,

 

[lovethattink]

Hello everyone,
This is the best information I have found. Me my DS and his best friend will be there on the 18th and will be there bright and early. My question is I have a AAA parking pass. Should I park in that parking area or try to park in the regular one. I want to be as close as possible to the gate. any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks so much

AAA parking is behind the handicap parking. Follow the signs and blue line for handicap parking, show your AAA parking pass and a parking attendant will direct you where to park.

 

[2goofykiddos]

We will be there! DH is a huge Star Wars fan so he was very excited that it coincided with our already planned trip. We scheduled BBB and a MK day for the Fri the 18th, so we will just try and make the Hoopla. We are then dragging the ILs on the 19th and plan to stay until the parade and then hit the road for our long drive home. Hoping to wear out the kiddos for it. Dh has the idea of dressing DS as Luke Skywalker and bought him this tiny Yoda backpack. Crazy man!

 

[aiminator]

AAA parking is behind the handicap parking. Follow the signs and blue line for handicap parking, show your AAA parking pass and a parking attendant will direct you where to park.

I'll be there 5/27 Was considering renting a car - is there usually a fair amount of parking for people who arrive at park opening? I was concerned that with the resort crowd level being a 10 (and HS being a 9.8) I wouldn't be able to find a spot to park at HS. Thanks!

P.S. I'm staying onsite at WL and will also have AAA parking pass

 

[evcollins]

Quick question for you veterans, please.

We are driving to HS from our hotel. If we want to leave the park for an early dinner and be back in time for Hoopla, is there somewhere close that we can walk to? When I say close, I mean spend less than an hour and a half for dinner. The reviews for HS eateries don't sound very appetizing, but if we have to stay and eat there, we could definitely deal with it.

Just wondering if there are other options for dinner than in HS without having to take the car somewhere. We'd be looking at dinner around 6:00pm and want to get back by 7:15 the latest.

Thanks for your input!!
ec

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Ok, I'm just gonna be watching Hoopla at AI since it's less crowded.

 

[ajh88]

Quick question for you veterans, please.

We are driving to HS from our hotel. If we want to leave the park for an early dinner and be back in time for Hoopla, is there somewhere close that we can walk to? When I say close, I mean spend less than an hour and a half for dinner. The reviews for HS eateries don't sound very appetizing, but if we have to stay and eat there, we could definitely deal with it.

Just wondering if there are other options for dinner than in HS without having to take the car somewhere. We'd be looking at dinner around 6:00pm and want to get back by 7:15 the latest.

Thanks for your input!!
ec

First, we are fans of Sci-Fi Dine In. I know that many knock it and I'm not saying it is our absolute favorite place to eat, but we still go there every trip. If you find it crunches your schedule too much to make it somewhere else, I'd seriously consider it.

However, if you are set on leaving DHS for a bit, you can either take the Friendship boat to EPCOT and have something in WS (Canada, UK, and France I believe are all relatively near the International Gateway) or you can walk to Boardwalk and have something there. I suppose you could also take the boat to EPCOT and IG then back-track walk to Boardwalk if you want.

We have not taken the boat to EPCOT - I would figure on about 15 minutes each way for travel, give or take. We have made the walk from DHS to Boardwalk - not a bad walk, but a little longer than we anticipated (Robo has repeatedly posted great maps). I would say it probably takes about the same amount of time (maybe a few minutes longer) to walk it. We enjoy ESPN Club at Boardwalk - but they don't take reservations so it can be an unknown on how long it takes to get a table and frankly the food isn't necessarily all that special - we just like the TV's in the bathroom . There is also Big River Grille, which we have never tried.

Hope that helps a little!

 

[mesaboy2]

We have not taken the boat to EPCOT - I would figure on about 15 minutes each way for travel, give or take. We have made the walk from DHS to Boardwalk - not a bad walk, but a little longer than we anticipated (Robo has repeatedly posted great maps). I would say it probably takes about the same amount of time (maybe a few minutes longer) to walk it. We enjoy ESPN Club at Boardwalk - but they don't take reservations so it can be an unknown on how long it takes to get a table and frankly the food isn't necessarily all that special - we just like the TV's in the bathroom . There is also Big River Grille, which we have never tried.

Hope that helps a little!

Closer to 25 minutes, boat or walk.

 

[ajh88]

Closer to 25 minutes, boat or walk.

You could be closer - it felt like we walked about 5 miles that night...but I know it isn't really that far! I don't know that I would recommend the walk if you are on a tight schedule. I think it is best taken at a leisurely pace, but that is just my humble opinion.