TIPS: Star Wars Weekends 2011

[meecheee03]

Be there an hour before park opens. They will put you at a turnstile to go in for jedi training academy. Follow that line, you take a left and then a right to sounds dangerous. The jedi training academy is in the cue under the roof to the left -= for the padawan challenge you want to go to the information desk to the right.

been to WDW plenty of times but this will be our first SWW. when we get there do we need to tell someone we want to do the JTA?
is there a certain turnstile for this?

thanks and i love how much information i have been able to gather on this thread.

 

[Karpkg]

Be there an hour before park opens. They will put you at a turnstile to go in for jedi training academy. Follow that line, you take a left and then a right to sounds dangerous. The jedi training academy is in the cue under the roof to the left -= for the padawan challenge you want to go to the information desk to the right.

been to WDW plenty of times but this will be our first SWW. when we get there do we need to tell someone we want to do the JTA?
is there a certain turnstile for this?

thanks and i love how much information i have been able to gather on this thread.

Any turnstile will do; just get into the park and head left toward Echo Park(the green dinosaur in the lake) and follow that crowd as they go toward Star Tours. Along the way CM's stationed at various points will be yelling out and directing you (just like those for TSM) and will be saying "Veer left for Star Tours, or go toward Sounds Dangerous for JTA or PMC sign ups!" Or just ask any yellow shirt CM along the way.

 

[RedM94]

Thanks to this thread and everyone who has posted tips and real time data, I actually feel prepared for SWW Week #4.

What does everyone think about having a week #4 survivors toast? Let's all meet at one of the beverage carts and all have a beer together next Sunday evening.

Ok, maybe by then we will want to have several beers together.

 

[Joanna71985]

Mission complete! I was able to meet Matt Lanter today (I got the third-to-last FP for the first session), and I walked up for Ashley Eckstein.

 

[Joanna71985]

Some odd woman who claimed Luke was her husband stopped by and took up a spot 5 minutes before the motorcade in front of everyone else that had been waiting. She seemed a little mentally challenged and had a big purse decorated with toys- she said she sleeps out front so she doesn't miss anything.

I know who you're talking about

 

[tarrbear]

. Some odd woman who claimed Luke was her husband stopped by and took up a spot 5 minutes before the motorcade in front of everyone else that had been waiting. She seemed a little mentally challenged and had a big purse decorated with toys- she said she sleeps out front so she doesn't miss anything.

Just thought I'd share something with you about this, I think I know who this lady is. So I have a friend who works at DHS, and she told me about this woman who is like "famous" to the CM's. This woman in an annual passholder who changed her last name to Skywalker because she loves Star Wars that much. I guess she goes to all of the SWW and DHS frequently. My friend informed me that when they had the High School Musical 3 show, she would come to the park dresses as a cheerleader and dance with them during the show....

Some people, are just plain weird, but to each thier own. : )

 

[MelissathePooh]

Any turnstile will do; just get into the park and head left toward Echo Park(the green dinosaur in the lake) and follow that crowd as they go toward Star Tours. Along the way CM's stationed at various points will be yelling out and directing you (just like those for TSM) and will be saying "Veer left for Star Tours, or go toward Sounds Dangerous for JTA or PMC sign ups!" Or just ask any yellow shirt CM along the way.

Can't remember if it was Friday or Sat, but they were separating the people up front a bit based on TSM and JT if people wanted. My guess was to ease the cross over of runners up front, but ultimately it doesn't matter. It would be better to be closer to a turnstile regardless of what side, IMHO.

 

[MelissathePooh]

What a Sunday! DR will post a full report with pics later. We're heading to Vero today for a couple of days.

At any rate - we didn't get up for any autographs this morning. Everyone was beat. We went back around 4pm for Ray Park's show and to see if Holden and MH really would get to be in the show as Mr. Park had said. Sure enough - after a few minutes of the CM's checking out what we told them we had been told - the kids went right in with the others to be on stage.

Sooooo we're sitting there and I said something to DR about one of the kids DarthMaul's costume, about how great it was and the guy sitting next to me started nodding in agreement and commented as well. We started talking and I was saying how fun SWW were and how our kids loved them - if he had a chance to do any celebrity m&g's and he sort of smiled and said "oh yeah - they're all really great".

He then looks at me and says "Well, my wife is Ahsoka Tano - Ashley." My initial reaction was of the CM who is Ahsoka's friend must be named Ashley, wait a minute he has a VIP pass...OH he means Ashley Eckstein!!!! I'll admit I must have blushed a bit, but went on to chat and told him about Holden's crush on his wife which cracked him up. He and the lady he was with (famliy member) went on to chat with us about Chattanooga up until the show started.

As nice as Ashley Eckstein is - her husband is every bit as nice!

From there we made it to the Hoopla and Fantasmic. Both were firsts for Holden as he HATES loud/fireworks stuff. Loved the Hoopla!!! Fantasmic is my least favorite, but glad Holden worked up the courage to see it.

Also finished off Aura Sing, Zam Wessel and Tuskan Raiders while waiting for Darth Maul a second time. Only have the Disney SWW characters and Ewoks left. Neither of which I'm looking forward to waiting on, but 3 days - we can do it

We'll be back early Friday (and Sat and probably Sun) for Tom Kane, Peter Mayhew and now the kids want to see Ray Park and Ashley Eckstein again

 

[pyrxtc]

well, my DH and DS came back late last night. Their Photopass pics came out great and so did the one's my DH took. They met a ton of characters and DS had his SWW shirt signed by a bunch of them.

I have give a shout out to some wonderfully nice lady that gave my DS the AP Star Tours lanyard since she said she wasn't going to use it. (It came with a coupon for shopping.) Neither my DH or DS realized what it was but accepted with a big Thank you. DS loves it and can't wait to wear it the next time he goes to Disney.

Neither of them had a bad thing to say about this past weekend. They both got to do everything they wanted plus way more and they talked about how everyone around them was so nice and some of the other guests, in costume, had fun ragging on my son for having a green light saber but the wrong shirt ??? Maybe we can all go again in the future and I'll let my DH plan it.

 

[yulilin3]

so happy to hear that most people had great days at SWW.
First I would like to make a comment about the lady that some people had referred to. Yes she in fact changed her name to Skywalker, yes she does come to WDW alot and dances without any inhibitions during Disney Channel Rocks and other shows...I understand why she might seem strange, weird, cooky to some people. And Yes she is mentally challenged, the CM that know have worked at WDW for a long time really had made a bond with her, she's completely harmless and quite a sweet person (I have had a chance to talk with her on several occasions). She does tend to get in front of people for the motorcade but if you ask her nicely she'll get out of your way and find another spot.
On to my report from yesterday. Got to the park at exactly 7:55am walking from the parking lot I could hear the stormtrooper show, so I guessed that they would open again at 8am. My DD wanted to see Ashley again and my son, with no real hopes, wanted a fp for Ray Park. To our surprise, my DS got a FP for Ray in his second session and my DD and I got first session for Ashley.
Walked right in and did TSMM, relaxed a bit, went to Behind the Force, Ashley, Matt and James are so funny. Got our autographs, and wacthed Hoopla from the AIE Screen. I don;t get why people in front of this creen can all sit down and enjoyt the show while if you are in front of the stage you can't. It makes it so enjoyable, noone had to move around, strain their necks. The park was super packed on Sunday.
On a side note: I did see alot of rude guests, I think it was the heat and the crowds some people just can't take it, and then they let it out on other people, their spouses and kids (Isaw a poor little girl being slapped on the face by her mother because she got out of her stroller and wanted to play with her lightsaber)
I'll be there on Sunday for weekend 4. Big priorities go to Jabba's Hutt (in past years they put all the SWW merchandise on sale since they can't sell it afterwards in the stores). watch all the shows one last time and maybe try and grab a FP for James Arnold Taylor to let him know what a great host he has been.

 

[DIS_MERI]

I'll be there on Sunday for weekend 4. Big priorities go to Jabba's Hutt (in past years they put all the SWW merchandise on sale since they can't sell it afterwards in the stores).

Ohhh, thanks so much for this info! We have Sunday planned as an Animal Kingdom day, so when that shuts down we can head over to DHS and see about any discount SWW merch

And, a huge thanks to everyone for all the info on this thread, it is so valuable to both newbies like me, and to more experienced Disney/SWW peeps

 

[yulilin3]

Ohhh, thanks so much for this info! We have Sunday planned as an Animal Kingdom day, so when that shuts down we can head over to DHS and see about any discount SWW merch

And, a huge thanks to everyone for all the info on this thread, it is so valuable to both newbies like me, and to more experienced Disney/SWW peeps

Keep in mind 2 things:
1.- This is what they've done in past years, no guarantee they'll do it again this year
2.- It's only merchandise with this years SWW logo on it (Mickey fighting Vader). Her Universe, Star Tours, Toys, Art, won't be discounted because they can continue to sell these items thruout WDW

 

[BrerNashville]

Someone asked about Chewy line -- we got in line b/t 8:20 and 8:30 on Saturday morning, and were the fourth people. Within 10-15 minutes, the line was wrapping around well past the Bakery there. Chewy came out about 9:30. I took the kids on a Star Tours ride while DW waited in line; we ate breakfast when the bakery opened at 9. Temp was still pretty cool, so the hour wait wasn't bad. Something about waiting an hour before the character shows up is less stressful than waiting, wondering if you will get the autograph before they go on break.

The CMs were very helpful in that line telling us what the schedule was supposed to be. Unlike the handlers in Jabba's Hut, who always insisted the schedule was random.

 

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

Hey, does anyone know the retail price at DHS for the Star Wars PVC figures series 5? I'm looking for Darth Goofy, Stitch Yoda, & Donald as Darth Maul. They are on eBay for $35-$40 and I don't want to pay that.

TIA!

 

[scion5220]

What a Sunday! DR will post a full report with pics later. We're heading to Vero today for a couple of days.

At any rate - we didn't get up for any autographs this morning. Everyone was beat. We went back around 4pm for Ray Park's show and to see if Holden and MH really would get to be in the show as Mr. Park had said. Sure enough - after a few minutes of the CM's checking out what we told them we had been told - the kids went right in with the others to be on stage.

Sooooo we're sitting there and I said something to DR about one of the kids DarthMaul's costume, about how great it was and the guy sitting next to me started nodding in agreement and commented as well. We started talking and I was saying how fun SWW were and how our kids loved them - if he had a chance to do any celebrity m&g's and he sort of smiled and said "oh yeah - they're all really great".

He then looks at me and says "Well, my wife is Ahsoka Tano - Ashley." My initial reaction was of the CM who is Ahsoka's friend must be named Ashley, wait a minute he has a VIP pass...OH he means Ashley Eckstein!!!! I'll admit I must have blushed a bit, but went on to chat and told him about Holden's crush on his wife which cracked him up. He and the lady he was with (famliy member) went on to chat with us about Chattanooga up until the show started.

As nice as Ashley Eckstein is - her husband is every bit as nice!

From there we made it to the Hoopla and Fantasmic. Both were firsts for Holden as he HATES loud/fireworks stuff. Loved the Hoopla!!! Fantasmic is my least favorite, but glad Holden worked up the courage to see it.

Also finished off Aura Sing, Zam Wessel and Tuskan Raiders while waiting for Darth Maul a second time. Only have the Disney SWW characters and Ewoks left. Neither of which I'm looking forward to waiting on, but 3 days - we can do it

We'll be back early Friday (and Sat and probably Sun) for Tom Kane, Peter Mayhew and now the kids want to see Ray Park and Ashley Eckstein again

OMG! Do you not know who her husband is? He is a major league baseball player! That is too funny...he has won TWO World Series rings and been an All-Star two times. Look him up...David Eckstein. I would have been more thrilled to meet him because he also played college baseball for my alma mater...UF! GO GATORS! That is very cool that you bumped into him.

Nice to know he is as nice as he as always seemed.

 

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

OMG! Do you not know who her husband is? He is a major league baseball player! That is too funny...he has won TWO World Series rings and been an All-Star two times. Look him up...David Eckstein. I would have been more thrilled to meet him because he also played college baseball for my alma mater...UF! GO GATORS! That is very cool that you bumped into him.

Nice to know he is as nice as he as always seemed.

That is funny. Here in STL, he is a bigger star than her & sorely missed. However, my DH is a sports nut otherwise I would not have known either. If I remember correctly, they got married at WDW. They are a cute couple & seem like nice people as well. I enjoy reading your SWW tales Melissa

Blessings,

 

[kschafer]

Is the schedule out for this weekend yet? We leave in the morning and I would love to take a look at it before we arrive!

 

[yulilin3]

Is the schedule out for this weekend yet? We leave in the morning and I would love to take a look at it before we arrive!

It should be the same as weekend three, with the change in celebrities. Weekend 4 is James Arnold Taylor, Ashley Eckstein, Ray Park, Peter Mayhew and Tom Kane. All the rest should stay the same.

 

[Stellaluna]

DS insisted on being signed up for JTA on Sunday after seeing Darth Maul there on Saturday. However on Sunday there were rotating between Darth Maul and Asajj Ventress, and he got Ventress. Ashoka Tano was training the kids on the lower level. It wasn't what he was expecting but he was thrilled to get to work with Ashoka Tano. I don't know if they will be doing it that way again this weekend .

I'm also with whoever was complaining about the rude and unruly crowds on Saturday. I can't remember when I've seen such a nasty, ill mannered bunch. I don't know what got into people, there was a lot of shoving and elbowing and cross words. We got fed up and left early, came back on Sunday and things were much much better.

 

[yulilin3]

DS insisted on being signed up for JTA on Sunday after seeing Darth Maul there on Saturday. However on Sunday there were rotating between Darth Maul and Asajj Ventress, and he got Ventress. Ashoka Tano was training the kids on the lower level. It wasn't what he was expecting but he was thrilled to get to work with Ashoka Tano. I don't know if they will be doing it that way again this weekend .

I'm also with whoever was complaining about the rude and unruly crowds on Saturday. I can't remember when I've seen such a nasty, ill mannered bunch. I don't know what got into people, there was a lot of shoving and elbowing and cross words. We got fed up and left early, came back on Sunday and things were much much better.

They've been rotating between Darth Maul and Asajj from weekend 1. Alot of people can't take the heat and the crowds