SWW People WO Feel the Force

[DisMom1981]

I've read a lot of posts from SWW people making it sound like you NEEDED to have the FTF package to enjoy the activities. Therefore, despite really not wanting to shell out extra money for events we can enjoy with our regular admission I booked the Frozen package with the rationale that there is time to study feedback and cancel. I'm wondering if there are any points of view from SWW people who did not go with the package? Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Missyrose]

I've read a lot of posts from SWW people making it sound like you NEEDED to have the FTF package to enjoy the activities. Therefore, despite really not wanting to shell out extra money for events we can enjoy with our regular admission I booked the Frozen package with the rationale that there is time to study feedback and cancel. I'm wondering if there are any points of view from SWW people who did not go with the package? Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

We did the FtF package one day and not the other at SWW. FtF was a nice luxury. On our FtF day, we still ended up waiting for the activities a little bit longer than I thought we'd have to, simply because we wanted good seats for the parade and a specific spot for the fireworks (my husband is a photographer). We enjoyed the snacks/desserts/drinks. But in no way did we feel like we HAD to have FtF to see the SWW stuff.

We're taking a similar approach to Frozen: One day with the package and one day without. We really enjoyed FtF, so we're very much looking forward to the Frozen package.

Hope this helps!

 

[DisMom1981]

We did the FtF package one day and not the other at SWW. FtF was a nice luxury. On our FtF day, we still ended up waiting for the activities a little bit longer than I thought we'd have to, simply because we wanted good seats for the parade and a specific spot for the fireworks (my husband is a photographer). We enjoyed the snacks/desserts/drinks. But in no way did we feel like we HAD to have FtF to see the SWW stuff. We're taking a similar approach to Frozen: One day with the package and one day without. We really enjoyed FtF, so we're very much looking forward to the Frozen package. Hope this helps!

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I was at SWW on 2 different weekends, used FTF for the weekend Mark Hamill was there. I thought it would be more crowded than it was, but I loved having the package. It was a long wait for the parade but I had 2 bottles of water, 2 diet cokes and a strawberry bar. Had to find a bathroom right after though.

Just to note, my friend was able to walk right into Guest Services on the day of and buy herself a FTF package. Even though we checked and it was showing as sold out online. So it might be worth a shot if anybody decides they want a Frozen package at the last minute.

Just to note the dessert party on my day was moved into Disney Jr. because of the weather. It was fun indoors too. I'm not so interested in Frozen but I think if I was going I'd get the package again...you don't really need it if you don't mind doing a little waiting for the parade and the show. I think I waited an hour for the parade in a decent spot on the weekend I didn't do FTF. It's pretty easy to see the fireworks without the party and you will probably get a better view if you stand further back from the hat anyway. FTF didn't include any priority for shows but there was FP+ for the shows.

 

[Itinkso]

I had FtF for 5 adults and couldn't get the 6th that we needed and ended up canceling due to time constraints and being on a cruise until the day before our park visit. Everything worked out fine for us.

We could have found seats near the parade start near Sid's an hour before the parade but we hopped to Epcot for lunch. We went to the last show of the last SWW weekend and waited less than 30 minutes in line. Our substitute for the Dessert Party was dessert and drinks at Brown Derby. Because only 3 in our party drink alcoholic beverages, the beverage total was inexpensive. Brown Derby serves dessert trios so we each had a sampling of their many desserts @ $9 per trio. Our Brown Derby total was about 1/3 of what FtF would have cost for the 6 of us.

As soon as we finished at HBD, we walked by the massive crowds on Hollywood Blvd. and found spots in front of Prime Time. Not crowded at all and our fireworks view was unobstructed. Everyone enjoyed the day even without the package. We liked having desserts in the relative quiet of HBD.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

No FtF for us. We saw the majority of events, but from a further vantage point. It's a personal choice and how important it all is to you. I wanted to buy it for DH, but I figured it wouldn't be worth the money for myself and DS3--I always plan a get away point in case he gets too squirmy or loud. DH nixed the idea of just for part of our family so we skipped it. Perhaps in the future...

IF it is important to you to be in a very good sight area or as PP mentioned, not having to set up your spot an hour in advance, get the package. But, if you just want a taste of the festivities, skip it.

 

[DisMom1981]

Excellent points. My kids like Frozen, but they are young and the crowds will be overwhelming. We can buy the same Mickey Bar- or two - for far less than the Frozen package. Alcohol is nice but we will be with our little kids so whatever. Also might need a quick escape with the kids re: behavior/potty/anything and everything else that goes wrong with kids lol. Same reasons I didn't book CRT.....can use fp+ or photo oop meet an greets w princesses, so why spend more. When I saw the jumbo tron screen in the SWW pictures I realized you don't necessarily need to be right on too I the stage. On the other hand we stay value resort and have no theme parties or add ons besides the meal plan- which is an expensive add on actually I guess.

Still going to wait out some feedback before canceling. Thanks for the input!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[NavyDotz]

... Our substitute for the Dessert Party was dessert and drinks at Brown Derby. Because only 3 in our party drink alcoholic beverages, the beverage total was inexpensive. Brown Derby serves dessert trios so we each had a sampling of their many desserts @ $9 per trio. Our Brown Derby total was about 1/3 of what FtF would have cost for the 6 of us.

OT: did you book a ADR for HBR or were you able to walk in & get a table?

LOVE LOVE LOVE the grapefruit cake!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You don't need a reservation for the Brown Derby outdoor lounge.

 

[Itinkso]

OT: did you book a ADR for HBR or were you able to walk in & get a table?

LOVE LOVE LOVE the grapefruit cake!

We booked an ADR. My DD was a member of the SWW cast and had been scheduled to work that last SWW day. As soon as she was granted the day off, I made a number of ADRs as back-ups if we had to cancel FtF.

Although we have had small plates at Brown Derby Lounge, we were glad we ate in the Dining Room. The thunderstorm begin @ 5:30 and continued through the evening. It lightly sprinkled during the fireworks.

The grapefruit cake is now a small portion which is offered as part of the trio. One DD chose two portions of the grapefruit cake in her trio. She said it was much more moist than the regular sized slices that we had in previous visits.

 

[boBQuincy]

We didn't see the need for FtF.
We saw Mark Hamill with about a 15 minute wait:

Saw the pre-fireworks show:

and the fireworks:

 

[southernfriedmom]

Excellent points. My kids like Frozen, but they are young and the crowds will be overwhelming. We can buy the same Mickey Bar- or two - for far less than the Frozen package. Alcohol is nice but we will be with our little kids so whatever. Also might need a quick escape with the kids re: behavior/potty/anything and everything else that goes wrong with kids lol. Same reasons I didn't book CRT.....can use fp+ or photo oop meet an greets w princesses, so why spend more. When I saw the jumbo tron screen in the SWW pictures I realized you don't necessarily need to be right on too I the stage. On the other hand we stay value resort and have no theme parties or add ons besides the meal plan- which is an expensive add on actually I guess. Still going to wait out some feedback before canceling. Thanks for the input! Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

We did FtF and it was the absolute highlight of my boys (7 & 9) Star Wars weekend. Before the announcement was even made my kids were asking if there was some other dessert party at DHS they could do during our return July trip. I will agree with you about quick escape stress. We also have two DD (4 year olds) who needed to go the bathroom multiple times during the dessert party- it wasn't the end of the world but it did wear me out a bit. The worst was after securing a rope parade spot, one of them insisted moments before the parade started that she could not hold it. I hated the stress of feeling like if we left and missed the parade we were out so much money. Now having said all that, I did book the Frozen package but will be much better about doing all I can to minimize the bathroom visits & meltdowns during the events (which may be unavoidable with two 4 year olds.) Good luck making your decision- I'm sure it will be a blast either way!!