Star Wars Weekend

[radev104]

Hey All. We just got back and upgraded our 10 day ticket to the Premium Annual Pass while we were down there so we can go to SWW. I'm looking at booking the last weekend of May (Memorial day) since my fiance has off that Monday and that will be one less day vacation day he has to take.

Are the crowds horrible? My family might come too and probably won't do all three days at DHS are the other parks as crowded during the weekend? What special things are there to do and what SW characters are there? Should I book my room now or wait to make sure the last weekend in May is a SWW?

We have never been to this and any help/pictures would be appreciated.
TIA

 

[mymouse]

Hey All. We just got back and upgraded our 10 day ticket to the Premium Annual Pass while we were down there so we can go to SWW. I'm looking at booking the last weekend of May (Memorial day) since my fiance has off that Monday and that will be one less day vacation day he has to take.

Are the crowds horrible? My family might come too and probably won't do all three days at DHS are the other parks as crowded during the weekend? What special things are there to do and what SW characters are there? Should I book my room now or wait to make sure the last weekend in May is a SWW?

We have never been to this and any help/pictures would be appreciated.
TIA

Here's a link to the Star Wars characters that appeared this year- http://unofficialdisneycharacterhun.../may-force-be-with-you-star-wars-weekend.html

 

[StitchSpawn]

Hey All. We just got back and upgraded our 10 day ticket to the Premium Annual Pass while we were down there so we can go to SWW. I'm looking at booking the last weekend of May (Memorial day) since my fiance has off that Monday and that will be one less day vacation day he has to take.

Are the crowds horrible? My family might come too and probably won't do all three days at DHS are the other parks as crowded during the weekend? What special things are there to do and what SW characters are there? Should I book my room now or wait to make sure the last weekend in May is a SWW?

We have never been to this and any help/pictures would be appreciated.
TIA

I was there the weekend before Memorial Day Weekend and Memorial Day weekend, and Memorial Day weekend was very busy in my opinion. I can't compare it to June, July or August because I refuse to go then, but compared to NYE crowds, it was only slightly less crowded. I thought it was aweful Memorial Weekend! It was hot and a lot of people, who didn't know anything about WDW, newbies basically, were there, and they were all whining at eachother too. I wanted to yell at them, "Well, if you pay thousands of dollars to be here and don't understand FP and wait times and that's it's 94degrees outside and humid, do you really think your vacation will go over well!!!???"
I had researched and knew what I was getting into, but I was AMAZED so people hadn't planned. So, be prepared for that. I felt I noticed those people more than unusual...
It was very very hot and humid.
Yes, all the other parks were crowded too, more or less depending on the park, but crowded.
I LOVED SWW though, it was AMAZING! It was also, both weekends, very very crowded and HOT did I say HOT already? I'm from florida FYI, so I'm used to the weather and I thought it was aweful!
But SWW is worth it if you want to go. It took me two weekends to do and see everything, so if your not planning on that, be prepared to miss a few things. But what I saw was awesome and the characters are great! Poor Chewie in that Heat, , but he rocks the show!
I hated going to MK; I went the Thursday and Friday before Memorial Day weekend, which was a BAD decision. Everyone coming in for that weekend, that came early, went to MK first, of course... Such long lines and whining and it was hot and everyone was complaining to everyone else. The Thursday I arrived late and dealt with it. Friday I got there right after RD and left at lunch and came back for close.
AK wasn't so bad the Wednesday before Memorial Weekend.
I left Monday, Memorial Day, probably for the best.
I stayed at AllStarMu and supposedly it was booked the whole time I was there, but it's the cheapest hotel. Other hotels may not have been booked up. I liked AllStarMu though.

 

[StitchSpawn]

I can show you crowd pics, give me a day or two to put them up though...

 

[NoahKatyMom]

We went last year, first weekend in June and it was nuts and HOT! We sat to watch the parade and were miserable. That being said, kids loved seeing the characters. The storm trooper like guys who stood on top of the entrance and made fun of those of us waiting to get in were entertaining! My advice-get there early and be prepared for horrible heat and you will enjoy!

 

[TDC Nala]

Go to SWW on the Friday before Memorial Day (not Saturday or Sunday) as that is always the least crowded day I've been there for.

 

[goofyredraider]

I'm curious as well. We are booked for May 27-June 6, though...so we won't do SWW or HS (if it is scheduled) until June 2 or 3rd.

We went mid-July this year, and I'm hoping for a little less crowd (and no large BTGs) and slightly cooler temps than mid-July. (I can hope, right?)

 

[sam_gordon]

We were there for the 3rd SWW this year. We only went on Saturday. It was HOT, it was CROWDED. It was WORTH IT! My DS(7) was in heaven all day (and we missed a bunch!). I got him up early and we were the first family at the turnstiles (There were a bunch of people waiting to sign up for autographs, but we didn't).

What we accomplished:
Jedi Training Academy (1st show)
Star Tours (once in the morning, once at night w/FP)
Star Wars Parade
Indiana Jones
Toy Story Mania (DS & DD only with the FP DS & I got in the morning)
Disney Parade
Hyperspace Hoopla
Great Movie Ride

Characters (in no particular order):
Chewbacca & Wicket
Mace Windu & another Jedi
Jawa
Bobba Fett
Captain Rex
R2D2
A couple clone troopers

I know there were more characters, but I can't remember. DS didn't want to wait in lines (which didn't bother me either).

Again, SO worth it to watch my Star Wars addicted son throughout the day!

 

[StitchSpawn]

This is the Saturday, the weekend before MDW;

This is when I walked in about 11am.

The ppl here can help you out with questions about SWW, there another event services area near Sounds Dangerous too.

The people working here didn't speak English well, and we're no help whatsoever...

The parade route is very short and gets very very crowded.

He's hot, literally...

He's hotter...

Here is where you wait in line for the special event shows. Yes, I showed up before everyone else...No, there is no sign that says, "Line for event show."

Here is a horrible photo of the event tent. I took more video here, but you can't post video on DIS I think...

Here is a crowd photo for the Hyperspace Hoopla. I was at the very front, right at the rope or stage, this was everyone behind me. I showed up an hour and a half early to be in front and sat in the blazing sun for that long too...and the bricked ground was hot, but the ppl staking spots with me were nice

This is a line at MK Thursday to see Aladin. The lady in front said they had already been waiting for an hour...outside It was HOT

Here's part of MK POTC line, midday, 30mins or so...

HM was about 35 midday...

Here is what you do NOT wear at WDW. I WILL take photos of you and put them on the internet so be warned... (There's no evil face.)

Here's AK Wednesday the week before MDW, midday...

 

[StitchSpawn]

Animal Kingdom...

 

[StitchSpawn]

Here we are back at MK Friday and a sea of strollers, Epcot was way worse!

MK Friday Midday...

Here's a great place to take a nap in Adventureland

There is now two lines for HM

Now back to SWW

You go past RRC to get to the event tent. Was there a sign that said, "This way to event tent" or "Event Tent" No, it just looks like an open backstage area with a giant white tent with no sign outside...good job Disney

Build your own lightsaber

Your behind HTT for the event tent...

Did I mention being in front for Hyperspace Hoopla?

And I was in the front middle seat for the event show I was at too. So, no, a wheelchair or ECV doesn't get you the best seat...

And a few more for the road...

This place carries every icee!!!!!!

I guess I should post the merchandise video on youtube...sometime soon...

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

If it is the only time you can go ,then do it. We are there almost every year and over Mem Day Wkend due to an annual convention that is that weekend that we attend. I will say that it will be very crowded, very hot and will probably rain at some oint but it is still alot of fun. We keep our expectations realistic...and get to the parks early!

 

[MichelleXL]

Friday seems to be the least populated day of the weekend to attend, but the crowds are still very hefty.
If you want celebrity autographs, be prepared to arrive early. Although, some celebs did take "walk-ups" this year.
If you just want to experience all the geek-dom, then grab a map and go with the flow


Here's a few photos I took this year at SWW...

The first day, and also the Grand Re-Opening of Star Tours (this day was pure madness, but so worth it!)

Exclusive Annual Passholder Lanyard they gave out this year (modeled by the lovely Chewie)

Ray Park's Wushu Training Session

Boba Fett and Chewbacca with Ewok

James Arnold Taylor (Man of Many Voices) and Ashley Eckstein (Jabba's Hutt signing)

Hope that helps!


There are way too many photos to post here.
I have more photos and reviews on my blog: http://www.shellyandindy.com/?cat=21

 

[StitchSpawn]

Great Photos! Didn't think I want to go again, but I think I might...the weekend before MDW...

Because it's the Hoopla!!!
The Hyperspace Hoopla!!!
They have Chewbacca!!!
And Anakin too!!!!!!!!!
No kissing relatives...

 

[txmom0507]

I'm seriously thinking about booking this too. (Too bad DH doesn't know! ) We'd only be able to go after May when school gets out. DS6 and DD4 LOVE Star Wars the Clone Wars right now. In fact they saw the pictures you posted just now and were so upset when I told them they wouldn't see that when we are there next month! How are the crowds compared to Christmas Week levels? We were there then last time and handled them just fine, so it can't be worse than that right?

 

[StitchSpawn]

I'm seriously thinking about booking this too. (Too bad DH doesn't know! ) We'd only be able to go after May when school gets out. DS6 and DD4 LOVE Star Wars the Clone Wars right now. In fact they saw the pictures you posted just now and were so upset when I told them they wouldn't see that when we are there next month! How are the crowds compared to Christmas Week levels? We were there then last time and handled them just fine, so it can't be worse than that right?

If you think Christmas week is a 10, then June SWW at HS is a 9, but feels like a 10 because the Heat gets to head...Almost everyone in June that is at WDW will be at SWW, so an overall crowd level of 8 means, 7 out of those 8 will be at SWW. And did I mention it's hot? Getting there at RD really helps a lot, but this year, the CMs were letting people in like an hour before the official RD, to help crowd levels, so a 7am RD meant you could ride TSMM at 6am! But they weren't advertising it. It was a surprise. Some people camp out all night by the turnstiles too. I met a grandma who camped out with her grandchildren! That's how crazy it is, but it's A LOT OF FUN because...

It's the Hoopla!!!!!!!!! The Hyperspace Hoopla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KatieCollette]

Yeah it's pretty bad crowd wise, but only for Star Tours (ride and store) and characters. We went last year and it was NUTS. The lines to meet the characters were the worst. But, the rest of the parks weren't that bad. We went to MK the day before and it was pretty manageable.

 

[MelissathePooh]

We were there for a while early this summer (May 13 - June 25). Got to go to all 4 weekends - just got our photopass CD's today!!! DR has been dying to get them on the computer, but we don't have disc drive at home right now. Hopefully next week.

Anyway - I'll get him to post when he gets a chance. We ended up with 4 cd's. I'd say the majority of pictures are from SWW.

 

[d-r]

Hi everyone, I uploaded an "album" of photos from 2011 star wars weekends. I think this link will work but if it doesn't could you please let me know? THANKS

 

[HadesTX]

We went around the third week of June in 2007 & it was packed! Some of the worst crowds I've seen. But it was totally worth it, and I'm not a big Star Wars fan.

We had a really cool moment waiting in the hall for my DH to finish Star Tours (DD bailed because she felt claustrophobic so I went with her). We were sitting on a bench facing an incoming hall & all of a sudden around the corner comes Darth Vader flanked by two Storm Troopers! I swear I heard the music & his breathing in my head. Perfect!

DH had my camera, of course.