TIPS: Star Wars Weekends 2011

[delmar411]

We've been taking it slow. We didn't bring a stroller so thr youngest is rather whiney about having to walk in the heat. We have ridden star toyrs 2x and gotten the merch that we wanted. We also were able to see Luke, R2 and Leia last night all in just about 15mins total. Had to bail on the hoopla though. We could have gotten good spots but YDD was demanding to leave since she was starving and only wanted peas. (she has food issues)
We had Ashley Ekstein(sp?) sign shirts which was neat. We brought fabric markers for her to use last night, since she signed the tags on Sat. We didn't see anymore star wars vinyls last night not even a spot for them so not sure if they are sold out or what.

If they are sold out and you were wanting some, we have a case of them (unopened boxes) that is just missing the chaser and troopers. If you want it PM me to work something out (trade, at cost, etc) and we can meet up in the parks. We'll be here until the 10th.

 

[d-r]

I just looked at my photopass photos and they don't have any sww borders. Anyone know if they will be adding them? I am kinda bummed they don't have any. That's the only reason I did the disc. They did have the 3 generic sw ones though.

Oh man. We're here for a while so I'm afraid to look at mine yet. I hope they add some. They also don't have sww photopass cards this year.

 

[AmyTap]

Almost forgot!! Go meet Daniel Logan! (Young Boba from Attack of the Clones and voices him on CW). When his Fastpass line is gone by about 4pm, he stays to meet anyone else. He is the nicest person and so great to the kids. My son got a Boba blaster as his souvenir and he signed it for him and took a photo blasting with it with my son and then wanted my son, himself, my husband and me to pose with him. Couldn't be nicer!!
He's in the back of the park near the stunt show.

 

[VeganCupcake]

Just got back yesterday! I'll post pictures later on my trip report and post the link(we recorded the parade too so I'll post a link for that as well). We couldn't find Aurra Sing or Zam roaming anywhere( we were told they would be out after 11) but we did get quite a few awesome character pictures. I was surprised that it never seemed like there was more than 2 roaming characters in one spot at a time, but then again we didn't really go towards the ride that often. DS wasn't tall enough for the ride this time, but should be by our next trip, but we knew that before hand so there was no disappointment. The parade was cool, we got a spot right in front 50 minutes before the parade, I sat on a towel, DS stayed in his stroller so he could have shade over him. I sat the whole time during the parade so the people behind me who were in scooters could see and I could make sure DS kept drinking water(it was hot, I took his shirt and shoes off). We had a small incident that I still feel a bit crappy about, some guy evidently thought it would be cool to get right behind me(crouching over me) in front of the people in the scooters and start video taping with his camera(or taking the longest picture ever) about 2 inches above my head directly in my line of view(he came out of no where, my family and the people behind us had been waiting close to an hour to secure our spots). My husband handled it quickly and efficiently, the guy probably just was excited(heck I was, but that's why I got a good spot early) and not really thinking about how inconsiderate he was being. We almost didn't go to SWW b/c of how swamped we thought it would be and while the character waits were long and sometimes very frustrating the crowds weren't nearly as bad as I thought they would be. We bought super cute merch at Jabba's hut including a storm trooper beanie with mickey ears, an ewok plush, a SWW shirt, an Ahsoka shirt, a poster, and an R2 hat. DS told us on the drive home yesterday that we can't go home, it's too far away we neeed to just stay in Disney World. We had a super fun time!

 

[yulilin3]

Just got back yesterday! I'll post pictures later on my trip report and post the link(we recorded the parade too so I'll post a link for that as well). We couldn't find Aurra Sing or Zam roaming anywhere( we were told they would be out after 11) but we did get quite a few awesome character pictures. I was surprised that it never seemed like there was more than 2 roaming characters in one spot at a time, but then again we didn't really go towards the ride that often. DS wasn't tall enough for the ride this time, but should be by our next trip, but we knew that before hand so there was no disappointment. The parade was cool, we got a spot right in front 50 minutes before the parade, I sat on a towel, DS stayed in his stroller so he could have shade over him. I sat the whole time during the parade so the people behind me who were in scooters could see and I could make sure DS kept drinking water(it was hot, I took his shirt and shoes off). We had a small incident that I still feel a bit crappy about, some guy evidently thought it would be cool to get right behind me(crouching over me) in front of the people in the scooters and start video taping with his camera(or taking the longest picture ever) about 2 inches above my head directly in my line of view(he came out of no where, my family and the people behind us had been waiting close to an hour to secure our spots). My husband handled it quickly and efficiently, the guy probably just was excited(heck I was, but that's why I got a good spot early) and not really thinking about how inconsiderate he was being. We almost didn't go to SWW b/c of how swamped we thought it would be and while the character waits were long and sometimes very frustrating the crowds weren't nearly as bad as I thought they would be. We bought super cute merch at Jabba's hut including a storm trooper beanie with mickey ears, an ewok plush, a SWW shirt, an Ahsoka shirt, a poster, and an R2 hat. DS told us on the drive home yesterday that we can't go home, it's too far away we neeed to just stay in Disney World. We had a super fun time!

So happy you and your family had a good time. Preparing for the worst is better, that way you are pleasantly surprised.

 

[VeganCupcake]

So happy you and your family had a good time. Preparing for the worst is better, that way you are pleasantly surprised.

Thanks! Yeah, I felt pretty ridiculous once we got there that I almost talked us out of going to our most favorite place on earth b/c of crowds! I am not good with shoulder to shoulder crowds while walking around the park so I was almost dreading it, it is always nice to be surprised in a very good way! Hoping that lots of veggies and cheerios will pop DS up to that 40" mark by our Sept trip!

 

[yulilin3]

here are some great pictures from weekend 1 by studioscentral.com:
http://www.studioscentral.com/column/studios-update/star-wars-weekends-2011-weekend-one

 

[IncredibleboysMom]

I sat the whole time during the parade so the people behind me who were in scooters could see

So it sounds as if there is not a w/c viewing area for the parade? Anybody know?

Thanks for the report!

 

[yulilin3]

So it sounds as if there is not a w/c viewing area for the parade? Anybody know?

Thanks for the report!

there is a w/c area, but it's small, here's a video, you can see it at 00:16 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_3CARdgVZc
I don't think there is one for Hoopla but am not completely sure

 

[GoofyTraci]

thanks everyone for the tips and pics. we leave in 10 days and cant wait the restlessness has settled in. cant wait!!!

 

[IncredibleboysMom]

there is a w/c area, but it's small, here's a video, you can see it at 00:16 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_3CARdgVZc
I don't think there is one for Hoopla but am not completely sure

Saw it! Thanks! It's even shaded. I know two little boys who will be parked there this Saturday! We have a 11:00am ADR at PrimeTime. I think I will leave DH with the check and go park my boys there around noon.

I appreciate all of your updates!

 

[sweetpea29488]

I know I've asked this before but thought about asking again since we have the first weekend behind us and thought someone who was there can answer. If we arrive around 8:00am on Sunday, June 5th and just want to do the regular things (TSM, VOLM, Beauty & Beast, Muppets, LMA, GMR, etc.) Would we be able to get this done? We aren't interrested in the parade, or any SWW things. Thanks again for the help.

 

[yulilin3]

I know I've asked this before but thought about asking again since we have the first weekend behind us and thought someone who was there can answer. If we arrive around 8:00am on Sunday, June 5th and just want to do the regular things (TSM, VOLM, Beauty & Beast, Muppets, LMA, GMR, etc.) Would we be able to get this done? We aren't interrested in the parade, or any SWW things. Thanks again for the help.

You'll be able to get it done, just remember to use the fastpass system on the most popular attractions you want to do.

 

[sweetpea29488]

You'll be able to get it done, just remember to use the fastpass system on the most popular attractions you want to do.

Thank you We'll head to TSM right when we get there. I think DS is listed as opening that morn. at 9:00am. We plan to get there at 8:00am. Do you think they'll open any earlier? I'm seeing where they opened earlier this past weekend but I'm wondering if it's because it was opening weekend for SWW.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[All American]

Question about Jabba's Hut
Can anyone purchase stuff from there or is it just for passholders? Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

Anyone can buy stuff at Jabba's, but some of the items being offered are passholder exclusives.

 

[yulilin3]

Thank you We'll head to TSM right when we get there. I think DS is listed as opening that morn. at 9:00am. We plan to get there at 8:00am. Do you think they'll open any earlier? I'm seeing where they opened earlier this past weekend but I'm wondering if it's because it was opening weekend for SWW.

Thanks again for the info.

I'm not sure about opening early but it's always a possibility, it's a good idea to get there at 8am just in case.

Question about Jabba's Hut
Can anyone purchase stuff from there or is it just for passholders? Thanks!

Yes, anyone can buy things there, there is only a limited number of items for passholder and DVC.

 

[TravelGrl]

With the new wristband requirements, has anyone been able to get more than one celebrity autograph per day? I read that after 2 hours if still available, you can try for a second FP. Just wondering if anyone actually was able to take advantage of that, or if it's only theoretical.

 

[GoofyTraci]

I'm not sure about opening early but it's always a possibility, it's a good idea to get there at 8am just in case.



Yes, anyone can buy things there, there is only a limited number of items for passholder and DVC.

what items do they have for dvc? I hadnt heard anything about that?

 

[earthfaries]

My son went on the 20th ~ for the opening of the attraction, and he said anyone can shop in the merchandise shop, but of course you have to have a pass to buy the passholder items.

Have fun!