TIPS: Star Wars Weekends 2011

[KigerKat]

How jammed is the park on SWW? We will be visiting DHS on the first Friday, and plan on getting there at opening, BUT we are not there to see the Star Wars stuff. When you say that people get there the night before, is that to stand in line JUST TO ENTER THE PARK? or is it a special line for SWW events? Is the rest of the park a madhouse?

We will be there May 15th-21st and plan on visiting SWW the first Friday, too. From what I've read everywhere, that day isn't such a bad day to go. It's a weekday, most kids are still in school, and the park is mostly filled with the die-hard SW fans and collectors.

I do have one question...when everyone here is talking about FPs to get celebrity autographs, they are just talking about the people there who play SW characters in the movies/shows/cartoons, right? That's not for the characters that are around the park? DH and I are not huge SW fans (we like the movies, but that's about as far as it goes), so we don't really care about meeting the celebrities or the talk show, but I think we would like to get our pics taken with the different characters. I'm not even sure we would want to go to the different SW shows. I think I would rather ride TSM or RnRC over and over again if everyone is at the SW stuff!

 

[yulilin3]

We will be there May 15th-21st and plan on visiting SWW the first Friday, too. From what I've read everywhere, that day isn't such a bad day to go. It's a weekday, most kids are still in school, and the park is mostly filled with the die-hard SW fans and collectors.

I do have one question...when everyone here is talking about FPs to get celebrity autographs, they are just talking about the people there who play SW characters in the movies/shows/cartoons, right? That's not for the characters that are around the park? DH and I are not huge SW fans (we like the movies, but that's about as far as it goes), so we don't really care about meeting the celebrities or the talk show, but I think we would like to get our pics taken with the different characters. I'm not even sure we would want to go to the different SW shows. I think I would rather ride TSM or RnRC over and over again if everyone is at the SW stuff!

The first Friday of Star Wars Weekend this year will be crowded because of the fact that Star Tours 2.0 is opening that same day and alot of collectors go that day to buy limited edition merchandise.
As to your question, you don't need FP's for the characters you only need FP if you want to meet a celeb visiting that weekend. Still lines for characters can get extremely long, Darth Vader and Chewbacca being the most popular ones, but if you get there a rope drop and head directly to the character you most want to meet/ take pictures with, you should be fine.

 

[sweetpea29488]

If we get there on Sunday, June 5th, before opening would we be able to do the following? (We aren't going for SW but this is the only day we can get to HS at rope drop)

We are taking our DN and want to do the following:

TSM(ride or get fp at rope drop)
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Muppets
Beauty and the Beast
Lights, motor, action
Great Movie ride (maybe)

Is this doable on a SW day?

 

[Karpkg]

If we get there on Sunday, June 5th, before opening would we be able to do the following? (We aren't going for SW but this is the only day we can get to HS at rope drop)

We are taking our DN and want to do the following:

TSM(ride or get fp at rope drop)
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Muppets
Beauty and the Beast
Lights, motor, action
Great Movie ride (maybe)

Is this doable on a SW day?

Yes. Just think of extra bodies there to to take up space visually but not there solely for the rides. Kind of like, people standing around watching fireworks but you're trying to hit Space Mtn while the lines are 10 min. instead of 40.

No, seriously, not as good as that. But people will be standing in lines to meet characters, hanging around the Jedia Academy, waiting along the streets for the parade, etc. Some may do rides, but your plan is doable. Grab FP's for TSM of course but also for Voyage of the Little Mermaid, check the Times Guide for LMA, I've never had problems with Muppets and definitely not for the GMR, that's like a walk on on most days.

 

[sweetpea29488]

Thank you for the help

 

[smalltowngirl504]

I booked my trip before they announced SW weekends would be that weekend of my first trip. and planned HS , according to the fantasmic schedule , which HAPPENS to be on saturday during SWW, I am not a fan, I have never seen the movies, and I am part dreading being on that day, but our ADR are made and I cannot change them, some places have nothing left to give me 3 months in advance... so here goes nothing...

P.S the people we are traveling with like Star wars, I am sure they will enjoy it!

 

[Virtucomp]

We had some 'trouble' waiting for the parade last year. We were next to this nice couple with several young kids and it was less than a half hour before the parade. DW and I had to help them shoo off people who kept comming up and standing in front of their kids.

As the parade start got closer the spot jummping got more bold to the point where we had to hold people back from this family's spot. We helped the dad arrange the strollers so that the kids were shielded between them with us behind so they wouldn't get stepped on.

The funny thing about it was that the children were very polite even when the rude adults were pushing their way into the spot that they had been sitting in the hot sun for.

 

[All American]

I have a question or two. Sorry if it seems silly. We have breakfast reservations at Hollywood and Vine for 8:20 on Friday, June 10th. (My daughter wants to meet Special Agent Oso.)

First, the park is not scheduled to open until 9, so where do we go to enter? It seems like there are a couple of different entrance lines for different things.

Second, My husband and daughter really want to ride the new Star Tours (I'm probably one of the few who doesn't thanks to motion sickness.). In my mind I am imagining throngs of people, shoulder to shoulder, and am wondering if they have a good shot of getting a fast pass for Star Tours after breakfast.

Also, if we shifted the reservation to 9, is there a chance (I know it's just a guess and no one knows until you get there) of getting a fast pass still. And how would a 9:00 reservation affect entering the park since you need to be at the restaurant a few minutes early?

Thanks for any help!

 

[yulilin3]

I have a question or two. Sorry if it seems silly. We have breakfast reservations at Hollywood and Vine for 8:20 on Friday, June 10th. (My daughter wants to meet Special Agent Oso.)

First, the park is not scheduled to open until 9, so where do we go to enter? It seems like there are a couple of different entrance lines for different things.

Second, My husband and daughter really want to ride the new Star Tours (I'm probably one of the few who doesn't thanks to motion sickness.). In my mind I am imagining throngs of people, shoulder to shoulder, and am wondering if they have a good shot of getting a fast pass for Star Tours after breakfast.

Also, if we shifted the reservation to 9, is there a chance (I know it's just a guess and no one knows until you get there) of getting a fast pass still. And how would a 9:00 reservation affect entering the park since you need to be at the restaurant a few minutes early?

Thanks for any help!

When you get to the turnstiles there are ones open for people with breakfast reservations, so they will check a list where they have all the names of people with early reservations, there's a good chance of you getting a FP after breakfast, I don't think that the FP's will run out before noon but, of course, I could be mistaken.
To enter for early breakfast it'll be easier to do it at 8:20 rather than 9am, since the park opens at 9am more people will be waiting to get in. Hope this answers your questions

 

[All American]

Yep and thanks!

 

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

Does any one know what time Jedi Mickey & Co. appear? We'd like to get that done early

When do they release character schedules? We'd also like to meet Chewbacca, Darth Vader, etc.

TIA & great info! May 27-29 will be our 1st SWW!

 

[yulilin3]

Does any one know what time Jedi Mickey & Co. appear? We'd like to get that done early

When do they release character schedules? We'd also like to meet Chewbacca, Darth Vader, etc.

TIA & great info! May 27-29 will be our 1st SWW!

Characters start M&G around 9:15am the earlier you're in line the better. They stop around 11:00am to get ready for the SW Parade then they come back out around 12:30pm. They usually don't release the character schedules but you can always ask any character attendant and they will have a list with times for all of them

 

[Karpkg]

Does any one know what time Jedi Mickey & Co. appear? We'd like to get that done early

When do they release character schedules? We'd also like to meet Chewbacca, Darth Vader, etc.

TIA & great info! May 27-29 will be our 1st SWW!

Star Wars is usually divided between the "light side" good guys on the Jedi Training Academy area, and the "dark side" villains usually by the backlot or TSM area. So Chewbacca will be near JTA and Darth Vader will be by the backlot area.

Character meets start up around 9AM and end around 5PM. Individual character times are only known to the CM's who are assigned to characters; sometimes they're gracious enough to tell you the exact time Jedi Mickey will show up; sometimes they'll guard their schedule like it's Top Secret. If there's a specific character I want, I'll ask when they'll show and get in line ~20 minutes before and cross my fingers I'll time it right when they're there before they switch or announce a break.

 

[fadingjamie]

You guys probably don't know yet but are there any rumors that Ray Park will be there this year? We'll be visiting during the first weekend and my boyfriend is really only interested in meeting him.

 

[d-r]

I've heard a loose rumor that he will be there at some weekend(s) but not any details about when.

 

[StarToursfan]

Hi!
I am new to the boards. I have gone to all but one of the star wars weekends and they are a blast....but VERY VERY VERY BUSY!!!

My advice:
-If you want merch, autographs, or to go on Toy Story or the new ride early, get to the park at 6-7am. The lines are huge.

-Be ready to get pushed and hit with strollers cause it gets crazy.

-and have fun!

Thats about it!

 

[las3888]

I have a couple of ?'s -

1 - when you say there are shows, are these live people doing routines etc. or are they movie screens set up with shows?

2 - What time is the parade typicall? If you were to make an ADR for lunch, can you eat before? If you have to wait until after, what is a good time to make it for (i.e. when does it start and how long does it last)? We are EARLY eaters.

3 - When they have FP for autographs, are these people in character? The non-FP lines, are these characters in costumes (i.e. Darth Vader, Chewbacca, etc.)

4 - Does anybody know if the newly opened ride will distribute fast passes?

5 - the million dollar question - where is the best place to actually see the parade without having to wait too long in advance?

TIA!

 

[buffettgirl]

Anyone know what it will be like on Friday night (first june weekend)? Will it be crazy busy in there or will it just be a lot of people standing around for autographs? what time do the 'festivities' even every day?

 

[Plucker001]

We will be there this year for the first time. We are mainly interested in the parade. Can anyone give any advice on a good location (shady) to watch from? For the usual 3 PM parade, we sit on the steps of the American Idol theater but I wonder if that area is in the sun in the AM?

Thanks!

 

[ilmomof2]

Thanks to all of you for your insight on this weekend. We are planning to be there the last weekend as the kids are still in school until then. DS is the big SW fan, but he's not interested in meeting the actors who voice the characters or getting autographs. I think he'll mainly be interested in the Jedi Academy, the Star Tours ride, and probably the parade. The kids also really liked the Toy Story ride two years ago.

So, we don't have to get any Fast Passes, except for maybe the Star Tours ride? We should just to the park when it opens and head straight for Jedi Academy? Then Toy Story? Then parade?

Will the characters (Jedi Mickey, and also a human version of Darth Vader, etc.) pose for photos with the kids if you haven't stood in line for an autograph?

If he's not interested in meeting the actors, how is SWW different from going to DHS on a regular day and seeing Jedi Academy and Star Tours? He'd just miss out on the morning parade and characters in costume roaming the park?

Thx again.