Super Soap Weekend Tips

[mrsksomeday]

Hi this is my first post. My b/f (who is in a wheelchair) and I are taking our second trip to Disneyworld on November 8th - 16th. We went back in February and I fell in love with everything. We are addicted to the place, lol.

Anyway, we wanted to try out Super Soap Weekend while we were there. I was wondering if anyone had been there in the past, if they had any tips, anythings to stay away from, etc. I am just happy to be going back to Florida, we want to make this an experience of a lifetime.

Any advice would be extremely appreciated.

thanks

 

[iHEARTflorida]

what the super soap weekend????

 

[Bill From PA]

It's not clear whether you want to experience the Soap 'Stars' or avoid them. We were there for this week a few years back, 2002 I think, which was also the last week of Food&Wine and the dreaded Jersey Weekend. We went to MGM early that Sat. Rope Drop had the smallest opening crowd I'd ever seen at any WDW park. There were no Soap activities on the street leading to R'n'Rollercoaster & ToT so those rides we walked on several times. All the Soap 'Stars' were at booths in the central MGM area and up towards where the Osborne Lights used to be, the street where the exterior of Golden Girls is/was. If you want to avoid the Soap crowds, it's easy, just swing around these limited areas, if you want to meet them, get in line. We had no trouble enjoying MGM that morning, if that's what you want to do.

Bill From PA

 

[Shubunk]

It's not clear whether you want to experience the Soap 'Stars' or avoid them. We were there for this week a few years back, 2002 I think, which was also the last week of Food&Wine and the dreaded Jersey Weekend. We went to MGM early that Sat. Rope Drop had the smallest opening crowd I'd ever seen at any WDW park. There were no Soap activities on the street leading to R'n'Rollercoaster & ToT so those rides we walked on several times. All the Soap 'Stars' were at booths in the central MGM area and up towards where the Osborne Lights used to be, the street where the exterior of Golden Girls is/was. If you want to avoid the Soap crowds, it's easy, just swing around these limited areas, if you want to meet them, get in line. We had no trouble enjoying MGM that morning, if that's what you want to do.

Bill From PA

Why do people dread Jersey week? What is it?

 

[Bill From PA]

Quote: "Why do people dread Jersey week? What is it?"

That's a little bit of sarcasm on my part. Jersey Week is a week in Nov. when NJ school teachers have meetings or seminars and such and NJ schools are closed for several days. The urban legend is that a huge percentage of NJ students, thus relieved of attending class, decend on WDW with their families, clogging the parks. In '02 (I think), when we went, it was the second LEAST crowded week we spent in WDW in 8 trips of 7 days or more each. I'm not saying that this long weekend isn't more crowded than the one right before and right after, but it's slow compared with our usual week, the first 10 days in March. I'd go again that week in Nov. in a heartbeat

Bill From PA

 

[Poohbear123]

I go every year for this, plan my life around this date! Usually on Sat. its more crowded than on Sunday. I am going BOTH days this year, so hope its not too crowded. SSW=Soap Stars from All My Children/One Life to Live/General Hospital all ABC soaps!

 

[mrsksomeday]

I am so sorry I didn't clarify, my b/f and I want to see the soap related activities. I didn't know if there were any strategies that you need to see the talk shows and concerts they put on. I don't know if you have to get tickets for them or it is first come first serve. It will be a new experience for us.

I love WDW, we plan on going at least once a year from now on. When we went in February the cast members were wonderful to my b/f. Everyone is so kind and considerate.

Thank you so much for taking time to reply to my questions.

 

[Shubunk]

Quote: "Why do people dread Jersey week? What is it?"

That's a little bit of sarcasm on my part. Jersey Week is a week in Nov. when NJ school teachers have meetings or seminars and such and NJ schools are closed for several days. The urban legend is that a huge percentage of NJ students, thus relieved of attending class, decend on WDW with their families, clogging the parks. In '02 (I think), when we went, it was the second LEAST crowded week we spent in WDW in 8 trips of 7 days or more each. I'm not saying that this long weekend isn't more crowded than the one right before and right after, but it's slow compared with our usual week, the first 10 days in March. I'd go again that week in Nov. in a heartbeat

Bill From PA

Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[Eeyoreprincess]

I am so sorry I didn't clarify, my b/f and I want to see the soap related activities. I didn't know if there were any strategies that you need to see the talk shows and concerts they put on. I don't know if you have to get tickets for them or it is first come first serve. It will be a new experience for us.

I love WDW, we plan on going at least once a year from now on. When we went in February the cast members were wonderful to my b/f. Everyone is so kind and considerate.

Thank you so much for taking time to reply to my questions.

I've gone the last two years. It is crowded but alot of fun. If you want autographs you need to get there really early. People line up in the parking lot even earlier than 6am. They typically let everyone in earlier than usual. Once they let everyone in there is a mad rush to get in line for fasspasses for the autographs. It is virtually impossible to get an autograph without a fastpass.

The interviews under the hat don't require any kind of ticket. There is a special section directly under the hat for anyone in a wheelchair. I'm sure if you check with a CM they'll direct you in. I believe the same applies for the night concert.

Some of the other events require fastpasses as well. About a month prior to the event Disney releases the schedule and details for the event. I hope this helps!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Thank you so much for the replies. I am so excited to get to go to SSW this year. I have always wondered what it would be like. My b/f loves WDW, this will make his 8th time going. I can't wait!!!

 

[rcraw45425]

I am so sorry I didn't clarify, my b/f and I want to see the soap related activities. I didn't know if there were any strategies that you need to see the talk shows and concerts they put on. I don't know if you have to get tickets for them or it is first come first serve. It will be a new experience for us.

I love WDW, we plan on going at least once a year from now on. When we went in February the cast members were wonderful to my b/f. Everyone is so kind and considerate.

Thank you so much for taking time to reply to my questions.

Just a heads up, if you really want to see the stars, try to book the Yacht Club. We were at the CR last year and riding the boat to MGM from EPCOT a lady sat with us and said that that was where most of the ABC stars were staying. It makes sense with the proximity to MGM. We found that the main thoroughfaire into the park was nuts whenever they had a star parade, but that the crowds were courteous for the most part. Enjoy!

 

[cindy17]

A friend and I went in 2004. It was alot of fun, but you really have to be into the ABC soaps. We are, so it was great for us! Like other posters said, if you want an autograph you need to line up (by show) and go to the fast pass line. You can usually get only 2 fast passes for the autographs per day. The fast pass will tell you when to come back for your autograph and where you should be. It's all very well organized and well marked. There are various shows and interviews going on as well that you don't need fast passes for (at least in 2004 you didn't).

If you just want to go to MGM on that weekend to do the usual MGM stuff, it probably isn't a good idea. The parade and most of the venues are dedicated to the Soap weekend. Have a great time!

 

[QuickGold]

this page migh be helpful: http://www.mgmstudios.org/ssw.html

 

[mrsksomeday]

Thank you to those who have replied. Cindy17, you said:

"It was alot of fun, but you really have to be into the ABC soaps. We are, so it was great for us!"

We are too, lol. My b/f suprised me with this trip, he knows I love the ABC soaps and he is hooked on them now too. No matter what happens we will have a great time at WDW. I adore everything there.

 

[Dreamseeker]

Thank you to those who have replied. Cindy17, you said:

"It was alot of fun, but you really have to be into the ABC soaps. We are, so it was great for us!"

We are too, lol. My b/f suprised me with this trip, he knows I love the ABC soaps and he is hooked on them now too. No matter what happens we will have a great time at WDW. I adore everything there.

I heard it's great fun for people who are REALLY, REALLY obsessed with those soaps...but be prepared, you'll see grown women get into fist fights over getting their favorite's autograph/picture! It can get REALLY ugly!
I have learnt my lesson!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Well I hope there isn't that much fighting around my b/f since he is in the wheelchair. Some times people don't even see him, bump into him, cut in front of him, or just stand in front of him like he doesn't need to see anything.

I told him about the posts about fighting, he said I will just run them over, lol. Thank you again for all your replies, this forum is amazing. I have learned so much.

 

[Pooh1215]

Just a heads up, if you really want to see the stars, try to book the Yacht Club. We were at the CR last year and riding the boat to MGM from EPCOT a lady sat with us and said that that was where most of the ABC stars were staying. It makes sense with the proximity to MGM. We found that the main thoroughfaire into the park was nuts whenever they had a star parade, but that the crowds were courteous for the most part. Enjoy!

True, We stayed at the Yacht Club during a Super Soap weekend and there were soap stars EVERYWHERE. They had a private party at one of the restaurants that is now closed and many of them were sitting outside on the veranda and my daughters ending up getting up close and personal and lots of pictures with them without waiting on line at MGM. We spent some time talking to Kelly Ripa who was at SAG bay with her children for quite some time.

No one was intrusive and the soap stars seemed more than happy to say hello to passerbys.

Pooh

 

[Dreamseeker]

Well I hope there isn't that much fighting around my b/f since he is in the wheelchair. Some times people don't even see him, bump into him, cut in front of him, or just stand in front of him like he doesn't need to see anything.

I told him about the posts about fighting, he said I will just run them over, lol. Thank you again for all your replies, this forum is amazing. I have learned so much.

No, I mean, most people will be considerate! Some people just get out of control. Just make sure to not let them get away with it! I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[mrsksomeday]

One more question about Super Soap Weekend, (sorry).

When does the schedule for the events come out. I have looked on the MGM Studios link, the abc link, and other places and nothing is out yet. I guess I am impatient.

 

[cindy17]

I remember being very anxious about the schedule too! It doesn't come out until the very last minute - about a week or two before the event. However, when you get to MGM that Saturday morning (early!!), Soap Opera Digest hands out their little magazines with the complete detailed schedules. You can then look them over quickly to decide which fast pass line you want to head toward to get your autographs. They don't put the schedule out sooner because of last minute changes with the stars.