TIPS: Star Wars Weekends 2011

[MelissathePooh]

I have heard many people complain about not knowing that the park was opening at 8am, maybe that's why they want to announce it.

I can understand their frustration. Think about the number of people who DON'T use Disboards or other webpages - or who just don't bring their laptops. I talked to sooo many resort guests who checked and double checked what the park opening time was and had been assured by their front desk/concierge that it was 9am. I can't even keep up with the number of people I heard complain about it throughout the park over the weekends.

I appreciated that it was a golden hour for us, but it really was kinda sneaky. I don't believe it had anything to do with the people in the parking lot as there just weren't that many. It was a contingency plan that they had based on the number of folks who showed up at the regular gates early. Like the one morning that they didn't open until 8:45 and it was really chaotic with the split drop for JT/TSM and the morning where they did open and half the park wasn't ready. It wasn't just that TSM was down - FP weren't starting until 10am and every other day it had been 9 something. They've been basing it on the crowd with a contingency.

I would guess they'll do it this weekend and we'll be there anyway for autograph fp's, but who knows.

Can't remember who asked about picking the session for the autograph. The first weekend (Sat) for one of the guests I was allowed to pick the session, and I know another lady who has been able to pick her session every day, BUT was declined last weekend. You can ask, but DON'T plan on being able to.

 

[Karpkg]

Can't remember who asked about picking the session for the autograph. The first weekend (Sat) for one of the guests I was allowed to pick the session, and I know another lady who has been able to pick her session every day, BUT was declined last weekend. You can ask, but DON'T plan on being able to.

I don't know how anyone would be able to pick their session. It would eliminate a spot for someone else and frustrate those who wanted to be able to pick and choose which session to be in so I wouldn't encourage anyone to try.

Last year we had late afternoon sessions and I went to a first session to beg and plead with those guests to trade for a first session since we were leaving at 12PM to drive home. That was hard to get 2 separate people to give up their morning fast passes for my afternoon ones. The CM's were sympathetic and waved my fast passes and announced for me but in no way were they going to accept my fast passes earlier. I had to do all the work myself.

 

[MelissathePooh]

I don't know how anyone would be able to pick their session. It would eliminate a spot for someone else and frustrate those who wanted to be able to pick and choose which session to be in so I wouldn't encourage anyone to try.

Last year we had late afternoon sessions and I went to a first session to beg and plead with those guests to trade for a first session since we were leaving at 12PM to drive home. That was hard to get 2 separate people to give up their morning fast passes for my afternoon ones. The CM's were sympathetic and waved my fast passes and announced for me but in no way were they going to accept my fast passes earlier. I had to do all the work myself.

Only if you want the later sessions. The CM pulls a FP from the bottom of the stack. Its pretty common, but again not guaranteed. A lot of people like to go back to their hotel and swim or do something else then come back later. Some CM's have the sessions broken out into separate stacks based on session time.

Again you can't do it if you want an earlier session - only the late sessions. It also is NOT guaranteed - its up to the CM. It does not hurt to ask, IMHO as long as its not something you are counting on happening.

 

[ilmomof2]

schedule for weekend 4: http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/files/sww-061011.pdf
after that it's bye bye Star Wars Weekend, until next year

Thanks for posting this! It looks so cool.

It says the Hoopla is at 8p. Is this a change from 7:45, or has it always been 8p? I hope it's earlier. Have to get in line for Fantasmic. Grr. Everything we want to do is all happening at the same time!

 

[yulilin3]

Only if you want the later sessions. The CM pulls a FP from the bottom of the stack. Its pretty common, but again not guaranteed. A lot of people like to go back to their hotel and swim or do something else then come back later. Some CM's have the sessions broken out into separate stacks based on session time.

Again you can't do it if you want an earlier session - only the late sessions. It also is NOT guaranteed - its up to the CM. It does not hurt to ask, IMHO as long as its not something you are counting on happening.

I saw this happen too, a lady in front of me asked for a later session for Ashley and the CM just got a fp from the back of the pile

Thanks for posting this! It looks so cool.

It says the Hoopla is at 8p. Is this a change from 7:45, or has it always been 8p? I hope it's earlier. Have to get in line for Fantasmic. Grr. Everything we want to do is all happening at the same time!

the last 2 weekends Hoopla's time changed to 8pm. If they have 2 Fantasmic! that night you should try and get into the 2nd show. It's always less crowded

 

[Karpkg]

Another reason why I really like Ray Park. It was his morning session I traded 2 guaranteed afternoon fast passes for one guaranteed morning session and one stand by. My DS and my DD were in 2 separate queues. When they called out that the stand by's may not make it, I called out to Ray my DD was in that line (DD and DS were wearing matching t shirts and he was seeing my DS) he gave me the thumbs up and hurried it up and managed to get my DD in as well as several stand by's.

He then invited the kids to be in the Dark Maul show but I had to decline(after begging and pleading with DH, he firmly said we have to go home!) He invited the kids again this year and this time we did it for the first time and the kids had a blast! I tell you, I already have a crush on that guy!

 

[yulilin3]

I agree with you Karpkg;
Ray Parks is one of the nicest people you could meet, incredibly down to earth, takes time to talk with you and you feel like he's really listening as opposed to nod, nod...here's your autograph.
From current and previous experiences Ray ranks as one of the tops nicest celebs to meet during SWW. My absolute favorite is Matthew Wood (Voice of General Griveous and other) he didn't come this year and I was sad about it because he is an absolute delight, he's great with the kids. Ashley is high on the rankings as well, very nice, sweet. Dave Filoni is great fun, he's a jokester. James Arnold Taylor is incredible. Daniel Logan sweet and flirty with the girls of any age...Not really planning on getting any celebs this last weekend although the kids want to say Bye and thanks for being such a great host to James.
Peter Mayhew who recently has had knee surgery, has been given the Ok to come to SWW. I bet he's still in alot of pain, I wonder how he'll be able to go up the stairs during the celeb motorcade and Stage presentation. He is really nice as well, but not as talkative
My final report and thoughts on the whole event will come Monday morning.

 

[DIS_MERI]

We fly in late tomorrow night and have to pick up our tickets at will call on Friday morning. We want to be able to get 3 kids into JTA and hopefully 2 into PMC. Does anyone know what time will call is likely to open Friday at DHS? Will the park open any earlier than 8am? Suggested arrival time? TIA

 

[yulilin3]

We fly in late tomorrow night and have to pick up our tickets at will call on Friday morning. We want to be able to get 3 kids into JTA and hopefully 2 into PMC. Does anyone know what time will call is likely to open Friday at DHS? Will the park open any earlier than 8am? Suggested arrival time? TIA

I have seen the tickets windows open maybe 20min. before the park does, so I would suggest getting there around 7:30am if you want to sign the kids up for JTA. Padawan Mind Challenge is not as popular, so make sure to sign the kids up first for JTA and then for PMC.

 

[DIS_MERI]

I have seen the tickets windows open maybe 20min. before the park does, so I would suggest getting there around 7:30am if you want to sign the kids up for JTA. Padawan Mind Challenge is not as popular, so make sure to sign the kids up first for JTA and then for PMC.

Awesome, thanks

 

[Order66]

We fly in late tomorrow night and have to pick up our tickets at will call on Friday morning. We want to be able to get 3 kids into JTA and hopefully 2 into PMC. Does anyone know what time will call is likely to open Friday at DHS? Will the park open any earlier than 8am? Suggested arrival time? TIA

The PMC might not be as popular, but with only 2 shows there is less room. Pick the one they really want first and if you can't do both try the other another day.

We were there for the Sunday of weekends 2 and 3. My son saw the PMC on our first day and asked to do it. We got up early next Sun and watched the Studios bus pull away as we were walking to the stop. It took almost 30 minutes for another bus to come and we didn't get to the studios until 9:15. The shows were already filled. Another man I was chatting with later in the day said his son was mad at him because he missed getting in for JTA. He told me the last time they were at HS you still had to get picked from the crowd. He had no idea it had changed, and all the slots were filled by 9:05.

But my son was OK with not getting in and was very polite to the CM and told her about our bus problem. She then told us there was another show at 4:45 that she could put him in instead and he said yes. He got to participate in the Visit to the Maul with Ray Park and it was one of the highlights of his trip. When the show was over he was the first to walk over to Ray Park and shake his hand and say thank you. The kids also got to keep the light saber they were given, which he thought was really cool too.

regards

 

[ilmomof2]

the last 2 weekends Hoopla's time changed to 8pm. If they have 2 Fantasmic! that night you should try and get into the 2nd show. It's always less crowded

They do have 2 shows, but the kids are young and wouldn't make it that late. Especially after getting there at rd. Maybe DH can get in line and we'll join him shortly thereafter. Unless they can't see anything anyway, in which case we'll leave sooner.

btw, yulilin3, you've really given us some great info. Thanks again!

 

[RedM94]

Thank you for the information regarding requesting a autograph FP for a latter session.

Our original plan was to get autographs on Friday and sleep in on Saturday before having breakfast. DS 10 has since decided that he would like to get up early again on Saturday to get inline for more autographs. Getting a later session would work perfectly becuase we have 9:00 am reservation for breakfast.

Can't wait to fly out in the morning!!!

 

[MelissathePooh]

Another reason why I really like Ray Park. It was his morning session I traded 2 guaranteed afternoon fast passes for one guaranteed morning session and one stand by. My DS and my DD were in 2 separate queues. When they called out that the stand by's may not make it, I called out to Ray my DD was in that line (DD and DS were wearing matching t shirts and he was seeing my DS) he gave me the thumbs up and hurried it up and managed to get my DD in as well as several stand by's.

He then invited the kids to be in the Dark Maul show but I had to decline(after begging and pleading with DH, he firmly said we have to go home!) He invited the kids again this year and this time we did it for the first time and the kids had a blast! I tell you, I already have a crush on that guy!

I didn't meet him last year - DR did and he went on and on about how great he was. I gave him grief for a year about having a "man crush". And then I met him...now he's joking the same thing about me

 

[thecapells]

Are they still stamping Star Tours passports and, if so, where?

 

[RedM94]

We are at the airport and ready to take on SWW!! In a few short hours we will be arriving in Orlando. Hope to see everyone there!!

Thank you again to everyone for all of the tips and real time reporting!!

 

[yulilin3]

Are they still stamping Star Tours passports and, if so, where?

Sometimes there is a CM at the exit of the ride (before ramp) if not you can ask any CM inside Tattoine Traders

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

I was at SWW on Friday, June 3rd. Sorry to not post sooner, but I left my blackberry at home . Somehow I survived and am back online now.

I got to DHS at 7:30 for the 9am opening and was second household in line at the turnstiles. The entry way was full by 8am and the stormtroopers did their show above me, which I missed by being so close to the turnstiles.

Our plan was to head to Star Tours for fastpasses and then ride TSM. But the CMs told us TSM was not running yet so we rode Star Tours standby after picking up the fastpass. We walked through the queue area and were told by the CM at the staging area that we could pick a row - any row. First and only time I have ever heard that at a Disney park.

We rode Tower of Terror and Rocking Rollercoaster with absolutely no lines and as fast as we could walk though the queue area we could board. We then visited Jabba's Hut which was already crowded (it was still not 9am).

When it was time to get our next fastpass (9:20) we went to TSM to get one - the ride was still down and the line was to the coke refreshment display. We got fastpasses - for 4-5pm!!!

We wanted to see the Motorcade parade and got seats on the curb at 11:30 - already just about every other spot on the curb was taken or being saved. At 12:30 we were in absolute hell as people were literally standing on us, kids were climbing on us and sweat from other people dripped down on us. A lot of people save spots for family and friends and by the time it is 10 minutes to parade time everyone is back and trying to squeeze in. I personally didn't think the motorcade was worth the unpleasantness of the crowd and we skipped the show after and headed to Star Tours to use our fastpass from the morning.

Was glad I did the Star Tours a second time as I enjoyed my second set of scenes much better and had more time to appreciate the queue area (even with fastpass).

Over all it was a super hot, super crowded day (though I don't think it was any more crowded because of Gay Days - someone asked that question earlier and I can't say that I noticed a difference in DHS that day versus the other parks on other days - it was always crowded!).

My tip for others would be to consider enjoying some of the other attractions like TOT and RRollercoaster if the park is too crowded near Star Tours and you are looking for a break.

 

[RedM94]

What time is everyone planning on lining up for the autograph FP in the morning? I was planning on 6 am, but now I'm thnking that may be a little early.

Any thoughts?

 

[sam_gordon]

What time is everyone planning on lining up for the autograph FP in the morning? I was planning on 6 am, but now I'm thnking that may be a little early.

Any thoughts?

By the time we got there at 7am last Saturday the lines for autograph FP were fairly long (IMO). I don't know if everyone that was there at that time got a FP or not.