TIPS: Star Wars Weekends 2011

[yulilin3]

Ok, just got back from DHS.
Got there at 5:15am, autograph and merchandise line was pretty empty. it only went back to the security check point. Anyways lined up at the turnstile because I'm doing autographs tomorrow, there were only about 40 people in line to go into the park. They gave out the fp for autographs at 6am, Stormtroopers were up on the roof with their show at 6:20am
They let us in around 6:45am, to the first rope (before the Tip Board) waited there for about 20 minutes, got moved eup to second rope (closer to the stage but behind bleachers for media) I never complain about Disney but this was not good, people that were there very early got to be squished behind the media, anyways, we saw the little show, George Lucas and everyone else came out. The show was alright, not what I expected after all the hoopla...
Star Tours line at 11:30am was 160 minutes, when we left at 4:00pm was 35min. so everything seems to be working fine.
Only got to one show, Stars of the Saga, the pre show stormtroopers were great as always. James Arnold Taylor is a great host, Daniel Logan was his adorable self, and Anthony Daniels was...self-centered and arrogant. I'm sorry but this guy needs to have his ego checked, he is only signing his B&W picture for autographs, no posters, no toys, nothing. I wont be getting in his line tomorrow.
All the characters seem to be in the same places as last year, same rotation style as last year.
Didn't make it to Jabba's tent today. Tomorrow I'll report back.
Today was HOT...when I went back in my car the temp said it was 98 degrees...bring your water

 

[StitchSpawn]

That sucks if AD is only signing his BWs! I bought a poster for him to sign and I'm sure a lot of other people had a particular item in mind for him to sign. It might be easier orhim, but he's not thinking about the fans, which means he's going to loose them. I also was hoping he would do a video shout out to my mom, whose turning 50 this year. I don't know what I'm going to do now, and I'm definitely going to complain.

 

[JMD]

I've read reports of people entering the park at 7 am today,do they always open the park early for SWW? I'm going this Sunday, should I expect to get there earlier than 9?

 

[ophkw]

UPDATED INFORMATION:
The SWW motorcade will start at 12:40pm near the entrance of the park and end at the Hat Stage with the Celebrity Welcome. So it does not go all the way to Star Tours, plan accordingly.

Does anyone know if this is the time for the parade for all weekends? Or was it just for this one?

 

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

Ok, just got back from DHS.
Got there at 5:15am, autograph and merchandise line was pretty empty. it only went back to the security check point. Anyways lined up at the turnstile because I'm doing autographs tomorrow, there were only about 40 people in line to go into the park. They gave out the fp for autographs at 6am, Stormtroopers were up on the roof with their show at 6:20am
They let us in around 6:45am, to the first rope (before the Tip Board) waited there for about 20 minutes, got moved eup to second rope (closer to the stage but behind bleachers for media) I never complain about Disney but this was not good, people that were there very early got to be squished behind the media, anyways, we saw the little show, George Lucas and everyone else came out. The show was alright, not what I expected after all the hoopla...
Star Tours line at 11:30am was 160 minutes, when we left at 4:00pm was 35min. so everything seems to be working fine.
Only got to one show, Stars of the Saga, the pre show stormtroopers were
great as always. James Arnold Taylor is a great host, Daniel Logan was his adorable self, and Anthony Daniels was...self-centered and arrogant. I'm sorry
but this guy needs to have his ego checked, he is only signing his B&W picture
for autographs, no posters, no toys, nothing. I wont be getting in his line
tomorrow.
All the characters seem to be in the same places as last year, same rotation style as last year.
Didn't make it to Jabba's tent today. Tomorrow I'll report back.
Today was HOT...when I went back in my car the temp said it was 98
degrees...bring your water

Awwww. I hope tomorrow is better for you! Thanks so much for being our eyes & ears! You really have been so helpful in all the experience & info you have shared about SWW. I would be so overwhelmed without this thread. This padwan cannot thank you enough. I'm still curious as to whether or not the change the Indiana stunt show to incorporate some Star Wars fun like the did for Last Tour to Endor. I look forward to tomorrow's report
MTFBWY!

 

[d-r]

Awwww. I hope tomorrow is better for you! Thanks so much for being our eyes & ears! You really have been so helpful in all the experience & info you have shared about SWW. I would be so overwhelmed without this thread. This padwan cannot thank you enough. I'm still curious as to whether or not the change the Indiana stunt show to incorporate some Star Wars fun like the did for Last Tour to Endor. I look forward to tomorrow's report
MTFBWY!

celebrity fp started at 6:40. park open thdn. not sureabout rope drop.

big change. only one fp per person.only one celeb. can come back 2 hours if any left. plan accordingly. one celeb/day. must be present for fp. no getting for kids etc. arm bands and scanners. no giving later. Arm band to get in. fps still available. casual guests wondering in off busses.
plan for this. anthony daniels fp gone.u

 

[Karpkg]

celebrity fp started at 6:40. park open thdn. not sureabout rope drop.

big change. only one fp per person.only one celeb. can come back 2 hours if any left. plan accordingly. one celeb/day. must be present for fp. no getting for kids etc. arm bands and scanners. no giving later. Arm band to get in. fps still available. casual guests wondering in off busses.
plan for this. anthony daniels fp gone.u

Okay, we need more info. Is this applying only for the first weekend because it's crazy right now or all weekends? I spend the night in lines so my kids don't have to. Seriously, wouldn't Disney be more considerate than that? Why not just police the lines then and not have 20 people cut in vs. being able to stand in line for someone else?

What do you mean scanners? Bioscan? Do you mean you have to have bought tickets before you can get fastpasses?

 

[d-r]

We just got back - was typing on phone earlier.

They are giving out wrist bands along with the celebrity fast pass. You may only get one fast pass per person per day unless 2 hours goes by (like a regular fp window) then you can get back in line and get what is left. Today it was only stand by's for Ashely, Dave and Daniel Logan. They had little scanners that scanned your ticket before they handed you the pass.

Some people were able to get out of the wrist bands and get through again, but only a couple of people cheating that way. It was pretty guarded though. Not how they did things yesterday apparently and a lot of folks were pretty miffed, but it does give resort guests who can't get to the parks the night before a better shot. Really stinks for a lot of us though who were used to the old way and had not notice it was changing.

The initially told us that we could not give our pass to our son for the meet & greet - he had to have a wrist band. The CM in charge told us that we could "forfeit" our fp to our son and gave us the name of the CM to ask for if we had any issues.

Really poor communication on Disney's part. Resort guests will benefit, locals kind of got the shaft. A few bad apples ruined it for everyone.

pictures-

 

[VeganCupcake]

In line now for boba/jango!

 

[chicagoshannon]

celebrity fp started at 6:40. park open thdn. not sureabout rope drop.

big change. only one fp per person.only one celeb. can come back 2 hours if any left. plan accordingly. one celeb/day. must be present for fp. no getting for kids etc. arm bands and scanners. no giving later. Arm band to get in. fps still available. casual guests wondering in off busses.
plan for this. anthony daniels fp gone.u

ok lets say I was the only adult and had a 4 yr old with me. Would she be able to stand in the autograph line with me? We would only be getting 1 autograph but she would need to be in the line with me. Also would I be able to use her ticket to get a different autograph fastpass and then stand in line with her?

 

[d-r]

nope. They put you in a cue and you have to have a fp to get in the cue. Kids have to have fp.

Headed back. Going to be a scorcher; sww must be here.

 

[StitchSpawn]

Yay!!!!! I'm so excited, I'm leaving now, and expect to get there at about 5pm and in the park about 6pm, and will be there tomorrow too. I'm going to try to get whatever information I can, but thems are seeming to change all the time, so I think it's best to keep an open mind and schedule.

I really think it sucks that lady wouldn't be able to stand in line with her daughter for 1 autograph, that's dumb, no idiotic and rude to park guests. I was really wanting a autograph, but being that I'm adult going with friends, I may not get one, so hopefully a child can.

I do understand them only wanting to sign one autograph per fastpass though, it saves time. And in theory, if everyone is only able to get one fastpass, then more people will be able to get autographs and I think it's disney's attempt to help people who can't stand in line al night or get up super early or stand in line for someone else.

I'll try to answer any questions ya'll have.

I think my expectations for this weekend are going down a bit, but I think that is a good thing. The last time I went to Hollywood Studios was New Years 2009/2010. The park was at full capicity by 2pm and me and a friend had to wait 2hrs in line to see fantasmic. Actually, we were coraled (sp?) like cattle. People "moo"ed out loud as a joke. We were there from 8am to 3am, we were exhausted, but it was so much fun and I think we had fun because we didn't have super high expectations. We knew it would be croweded and we may not be able to do a lot. Everyone paid good (and A LOT) of money to be there and I think Disney does try to make everyone as happy as they can, but it is hard too, especially in a business geared towards children (I know). And were they have to make THOUSANDS of people happy. It's there job to do that, but I think it is tough during events like this one.

I'm going to attempt to make an informative video while I'm there, and post on youtube. I can't promise one though, or that it will be amazing either, I've never done one. It won't include spoilers.

 

[chicagoshannon]

nope. They put you in a cue and you have to have a fp to get in the cue. Kids have to have fp.

Headed back. Going to be a scorcher; sww must be here.

Thanks. If we decide to do autographs I'll be sure to get FP's for both of us. I was really just playing devils advocate. I doubt we'll be getting any autographs. We're more interested in the characters vs. the actors at this point.

 

[Karpkg]

ok lets say I was the only adult and had a 4 yr old with me. Would she be able to stand in the autograph line with me? We would only be getting 1 autograph but she would need to be in the line with me. Also would I be able to use her ticket to get a different autograph fastpass and then stand in line with her?

nope. They put you in a cue and you have to have a fp to get in the cue. Kids have to have fp.

Yay!!!!! I'm so excited, I'm leaving now, and expect to get there at about 5pm and in the park about 6pm, and will be there tomorrow too. I'm going to try to get whatever information I can, but thems are seeming to change all the time, so I think it's best to keep an open mind and schedule.

I really think it sucks that lady wouldn't be able to stand in line with her daughter for 1 autograph, that's dumb, no idiotic and rude to park guests. I was really wanting a autograph, but being that I'm adult going with friends, I may not get one, so hopefully a child can.

Some misinterpretation here. When you are in line for a celebrity fast pass, they will give one fast pass to the person(adult or child) present only. That hasn't changed. What has apparently changed is that if I'm standing in line for my 6 yr old son who is still sleeping in the hotel, the fast pass will be for me only, I would not be able to give it to my son. (It's a wrist band?) And be sure to have your ticket ready because apparently they scan it now as well.

Once you're in the park and it's your celebrity meet & greet time, you'll show your fast pass and enter a roped off section. It's there that last year my son had to be by himself but I got a CM to watch him while I stood outside the roped area. I remember there was a lady in a wheelchair with a fast pass but they wouldn't allow her in because she couldn't wheel herself to the podium, so her friend/spouse had to be the one to get the autograph. She was so upset and disappointed; she really wanted to be the one to meet the celebrity and I think her friend may not even be a fan.

 

[Victoria3]

You need a fp and a wirstband to meet the celebritys. No one told us we needed to keep it on and we almost didn't get to meet Daniel Logan yesterday.

 

[TisBit]

Thanks. If we decide to do autographs I'll be sure to get FP's for both of us. I was really just playing devils advocate. I doubt we'll be getting any autographs. We're more interested in the characters vs. the actors at this point.

yes, sounds like they are trying to keep it orderly and relatively fast paced. If they let one person with a kid in, someone else will come with two kids, etc and end up taking more time up with the celebs and more room in the lines.

I bet a lot of the celebs were complaining as well, most people don't take into consideration how it must feel to be mobbed and people getting upset before they see you, etc etc.

 

[MightyGitis]

Jabba's hut was insane opening day with a three put line for the limited edition merch. I was unable to get the opening day pin ecause of this. We are going back to DHS tonight for Hoopla, and Fantasmic! So I will try again. That is if they will sell me the opening day pin the day after. *crosses fingers*

The motorcade parade was not listed on anything for this weekend. But since we saw the small parade for the opening ceremony we weren't trying to catch it.

Opening ceremony was CRAZY!!! Crowd was huge. Here is a pic:

 

[sl_underwood]

This is probably a weird question but can I take a photo from outside the line of my daughter with her celeb? She will be there early to get a FP but her brother is autistic and would not tollerate the wristband at all. I do not care about celeb autographs at all and would hate to waste 2 fp just to get a picture of dd. If not, I hope someone will be nice and take her photo for her.

 

[Victoria3]

Here's my mini trip report from yesterday.

Got there a little after 5am, headed straight to Daniel Logan's line for a fp. Lots of media around and some people already lined up at the front gate. They started handing out fp around 6:50am and let everyone in the park. Star Tours opened a few minutes later. We grabbed a fp for it. The rest of the park opened around 7ish, we headed straight to Midway Mania and rode it three times in a row.

The Star Tours opening ceremony was at 10:15am. Couldn't really see much of anything unless you were in the front. Couldn't take a picture of George to save my life. lol

Hyperspace Hoopla is really good this year. Love it on the new stage. Anywho.. Hyperspace Hoopla was at 8:45pm. There was a 7:45pm Disney Channel Rocks show. Those poor cast members in the show.. As soon as they shot out the streamers everyone took off to the stage almost running over the dancers. The dancers tried to get them to move back because they couldn't leave.

Had fun yesterday. Can't wait to go back. Here's some pics.

Queue ready for Star Tours.

Cameron Mathison doing some filming infront of Star Tours.

Characters marching to the hat for the opening ceremony.

I don't remember what time this was taken but it was the longest I saw the line for Star Tours.

Daniel Logan, Anthony Daniels, James Arnold Taylor.

 

[Donaldswife]

Here's my mini trip report from yesterday.

Got there a little after 5am, headed straight to Daniel Logan's line for a fp. Lots of media around and some people already lined up at the front gate. They started handing out fp around 6:50am and let everyone in the park. Star Tours opened a few minutes later. We grabbed a fp for it. The rest of the park opened around 7ish, we headed straight to Midway Mania and rode it three times in a row.

The Star Tours opening ceremony was at 10:15am. Couldn't really see much of anything unless you were in the front. Couldn't take a picture of George to save my life. lol

Hyperspace Hoopla is really good this year. Love it on the new stage. Anywho.. Hyperspace Hoopla was at 8:45pm. There was a 7:45pm Disney Channel Rocks show. Those poor cast members in the show.. As soon as they shot out the streamers everyone took off to the stage almost running over the dancers. The dancers tried to get them to move back because they couldn't leave.

Had fun yesterday. Can't wait to go back. Here's some pics.

Queue ready for Star Tours.

Cameron Mathison doing some filming infront of Star Tours.

Characters marching to the hat for the opening ceremony.

I don't remember what time this was taken but it was the longest I saw the line for Star Tours.

Daniel Logan, Anthony Daniels, James Arnold Taylor.

Great pics! Thanks for posting. We will be there next weekend and we are very excited.