Can anyone tell me what to expect as far as crowds go the 1st Friday of SW Weekend? We are going down May 15th - 22nd and the 22nd is actually the first day of SW weekends. My DS (age 10) and DH are completely excited. Thinking about changing our stay to add another day so we can stay for this event. I however, am worried about crowds and how much we would actually get done. We'll also have our DDs with us (6 & 4). Will this day be totally crazy and worth the extra night stay? Thanks in advance for your responses!
Star Wars Weekend
- Thread starter discott71
- Start date
DHS will be very crowded. I would get there very early, so that your kids can be towards the front of the line and see the brief opening they do before opening the gates. I would say that it's worth the extra night, if your kids like SW. My son loved it.
Tough to say. We arrived 45 minutes before opening and were about 3 or 4 families back.
Wow, that's really good. I thought you were going to say 5 am or something
Was it easy to get pics with the Dis characters dressed up in their sw gear? My kids will definitely want to do that! They plan on bringing their costumes too!Wow, that's really good. I thought you were going to say 5 am or something
I would allow, at least, an hour ahead to be safe. You don't need to be first in line. The lines did get long to see the characters, but I didn't have any issues getting the ones that I wanted. They alternate characters sometimes, so figure out which ones you want and get in line when the alternate character is out (if the line is long). That way the will switch out to the character you want while you're waiting.
I posted earlier on a thread about this on the Theme Parks board:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2071415
We went the first Sunday of SWW last year and it was a fantastic day. We arrived about 45 minutes early (so 8:15) and watched the Storm Troopers do their thing from above the turnstiles before the park opened (they stood in the very middle so we got in the middle line).
We saw all the characters we wanted to. The character attendants were very nice and helpful and they told us the exact times certain ones would be out (or switch out) so we could time our entrance into the lines right.
It was so much fun!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2071415
We went the first Sunday of SWW last year and it was a fantastic day. We arrived about 45 minutes early (so 8:15) and watched the Storm Troopers do their thing from above the turnstiles before the park opened (they stood in the very middle so we got in the middle line).
We saw all the characters we wanted to. The character attendants were very nice and helpful and they told us the exact times certain ones would be out (or switch out) so we could time our entrance into the lines right.
It was so much fun!
If we leave on Friday, our flight leaves at 7:30 pm - do you think we'll have enough time that day to enjoy? Thinking about adding a night, but Friday night points are soooooo expensive!
When we went as I said we arrived to HS at about 8:15am (for park opening at 9), and we left there at 6pm that evening. Here's what we did (in no particular order): 2 of our boys did the Jedi Training Academy, rode TSM, saw the Playhouse Disney show, rode Star Tours, saw Indiana Jones show, met 9 characters (Disney dressed in SW stuff or SW ones), went to the SWW store and bought a few things, ate a leisurly lunch around 11am, had a break in the afternoon for a snack... I think that covers it. We felt like we did a lot (for people with 4 young kids! lol) and it was a really great day!
My opinion is this, if you have a SW fan in the family then if you can swing doing SWW I would do it. It's just a really cool experience I think, and if you think you won't get a chance to go again when SWW is happening then I would try to do it.
You could have a great day and still leave that night, it is doable. Good luck deciding!
When we went as I said we arrived to HS at about 8:15am (for park opening at 9), and we left there at 6pm that evening. Here's what we did (in no particular order): 2 of our boys did the Jedi Training Academy, rode TSM, saw the Playhouse Disney show, rode Star Tours, saw Indiana Jones show, met 9 characters (Disney dressed in SW stuff or SW ones), went to the SWW store and bought a few things, ate a leisurly lunch around 11am, had a break in the afternoon for a snack... I think that covers it. We felt like we did a lot (for people with 4 young kids! lol) and it was a really great day!
My opinion is this, if you have a SW fan in the family then if you can swing doing SWW I would do it. It's just a really cool experience I think, and if you think you won't get a chance to go again when SWW is happening then I would try to do it.
You could have a great day and still leave that night, it is doable. Good luck deciding!
Thanks alot Liznboys
You really got a lot done (especially w 4 kids)! We have 3 (ds - 10, dd - 4, dd - 6). You totally made me feel better about spending the day and catching the 7:30 flight! We'll be in total comando mode that day, but will sleep in the next morning at home in our beds! We've done Playhouse Disney and Indiana Jones so it will be all about Star Wars that day 
Our kids love HS so we'll probably visit 1 other day before that. Thanks again for your help !I've been several times to SWW with my DS. He was about 5 the first time and, as a Star Wars fanatic, was in heaven. He wanted to stay for every single minute of each day. He's about to turn 12 and wants to go back this year.
Excellent opportunities to get photos with various SW characters (including non-official ones, park guests who dress up), Jedi Mickey, participate in the Jedi Training Academy, etc. Definitely wear a costume if you have one. You don't have to get there super-early, but you want to be close enough to hear the Stormtroopers on top of the entrance pavilion, so maybe 30 minutes ahead.
Great parades and such. Getting autographs from the SW actors requires some fast footwork (limited to 100 or so) and possibly a VERY HOT time waiting in the sun. My DS was not able to handle it. Try to attend one of the Q-and-A sessions with the actors; the air conditioning alone will be worth it.
If you join the SW Fan Club, there may be some exclusive opportunities like a member breakfast. I haven't checked in several years.
Tons of videos on Youtube give you a good idea of what goes on.
For a SW fan, probably only one of the "Celebrations" would exceed it.
Excellent opportunities to get photos with various SW characters (including non-official ones, park guests who dress up), Jedi Mickey, participate in the Jedi Training Academy, etc. Definitely wear a costume if you have one. You don't have to get there super-early, but you want to be close enough to hear the Stormtroopers on top of the entrance pavilion, so maybe 30 minutes ahead.
Great parades and such. Getting autographs from the SW actors requires some fast footwork (limited to 100 or so) and possibly a VERY HOT time waiting in the sun. My DS was not able to handle it. Try to attend one of the Q-and-A sessions with the actors; the air conditioning alone will be worth it.
If you join the SW Fan Club, there may be some exclusive opportunities like a member breakfast. I haven't checked in several years.
Tons of videos on Youtube give you a good idea of what goes on.
For a SW fan, probably only one of the "Celebrations" would exceed it.
Thanks alot Liznboys
You're welcome!
Yeah, if you guys just focus on the SW stuff you will definitely get a lot done. 
bookswin, you reminded me of the really friendly fellow SW fans we encountered while there. We sort of felt that camaraderie of being with fellow Disney AND SW fans, it was neat. When my younger two son's and I were in line to meet Luke Skywalker I chatted with a women who was a HUGE Luke fan...she had a bag with tons of Luke and SW pins and things all over it, it was fun talking with her. Funny thing, I saw the same woman on our trip last month in MK! She stood out because she had another bag with a bunch of Mickey and friends pins and things. I couldn't believe I saw her again, small world!
A tip for the parade... If you view it on Hollywood Blvd., stand on the left side of the street (left if you're facing the hat). That's where the shade is.
We did not do any of the celebrity autographs, my boys are more into the characters than the actors who played them. I've read that you have to get there much earlier than we did in order to get in line for those. It was fun to see the celebs in the parade though.
A tip for the parade... If you view it on Hollywood Blvd., stand on the left side of the street (left if you're facing the hat). That's where the shade is.
We did not do any of the celebrity autographs, my boys are more into the characters than the actors who played them. I've read that you have to get there much earlier than we did in order to get in line for those. It was fun to see the celebs in the parade though.
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