TIPS: Star Wars Weekends 2011

[StitchSpawn]

So what time is the parade?? And is the parade shorter or is the route shortened??? I am confused!!!

The parade line (number of people, characters) is not shorter, but the parade time wise is shorter, because the parade route is shorter.

 

[fenrir58]

And it honestly isn't worth the trouble to see more than two event shows a day, I only saw one, but I WAS IN THE FRONT ROW MIDDLE SEAT, b/c I'm awesome -.- lol, no I just knew when to get in line. Which is between right after the CMs let the ppl seeing the show into the theatre (a show that takes place before the show you want to see) & 45 min into that said show. Ppl start lining up for the *next* show within that time frame. I was first in line.
Ok, y'all have me so excited, I'll post pics I was trying to save for video, no spoilers though! I'll work on it, give me a bit.

Are you talking about the "Behind the Force" and whatnot? Because the length of the lines might've changed since Friday, but I went to 3 of the 4 shows(missed Anthony Daniels show because of an ADR that clashed with it). Every time there were a few seats to spare. Granted, getting all shows dones and all sorts of charaqcters on top would be too much, but if your have no other real massive goals, it can be done.

 

[StitchSpawn]

No Stormtrooper Donald???? We have a soft spot for the duck

Thanks for all the other great info. It helps me get the kiddos to focus & prioritize (at least my oldest bossypants ).

TIA,

I saw stormtrooper Donald at the parade, but not after, maybe I missed him or maybe that's why Goofy is so random in appearance bc he goes to Donalds spot too? Or maybe he was there while I was at a show or ride, but when I was chillin at Mickey's spot, I never saw Donald doing autographs.

 

[StitchSpawn]

Are you talking about the "Behind the Force" and whatnot? Because the length of the lines might've changed since Friday, but I went to 3 of the 4 shows(missed Anthony Daniels show because of an ADR that clashed with it). Every time there were a few seats to spare. Granted, getting all shows dones and all sorts of charaqcters on top would be too much, but if your have no other real massive goals, it can be done.

Ya, & if you go to one show, & then when it ends, directly get in line for the next, you can see most of the shows, or drop into the spares, like you said. But I also meant that it's not worth the time if you also want to met characters & get autographs & ride the rides & or spend most of the day running around, exhausted, to get average or less than average experience. I got front row, middle seat for show & front row for Hyperspace. I spent the extra time to get those spots, but I think it was worth giving up the things I missed for those spots. The Hyperspace is so awesome this year, it's awesomeness can't be fully understood with words & I saw the pre-event-show, with the stormtroopers right in front of my seat. I was closest to AD & other celebs while they were on stage & I got personal time with R2D2 (bc I was there forever & BFF'd everyone there, CM rule). (uh -.- so what did I miss that was more awesome than that?)
I'm not trying to be sarcastic or mean, you are right, but it's not worth it.
Lesson: "I shall follow all theme parks rules & regulations & suck up to CMs, who are amazing & totally help you out extra, if you show thy (thou?) love to them."
I am not a CM, FYI.

 

[StitchSpawn]

Do I need out passes to sign up for JTA? I was thinking about having my family head to get fast passes for us while I am my son bee line to the jta signups.

You have to sign up, there may passes or wristbands, I think there is, but I didn't go with kids, so I didn't experience it. The flyer says it the available spots are available on a first come first served basis, and the JTA is from 9:15, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, etc...etc... Until 6:15. The flyer SAYS you sign up in front of Indiana Jones (check there first) But I remember seeing ppl lined up for it at Sounds Dangerous. I thought it was a character line & CM said, "no, JTA". Then a guy behind me said "I thought it was for padawan mind challange" & CM said, "ya, that 2".
I'll post later about HOW THERE WERE NO SIGNS (obvious helpful ones) ANYWHERE OMG totally confused a lot of us &
If you really really want your under 11 year old to have the ultimate experience, sign up for the Padawan Mind Challange. I SUPER promise they won't loose. Like Disney would let your child be a loser! Uh no! -.- And they get some pretty awesome help

 

[StitchSpawn]

Do I need out passes to sign up for JTA? I was thinking about having my family head to get fast passes for us while I am my son bee line to the jta signups.

You have to sign up, there may passes or wristbands, I think there is, but I didn't go with kids, so I didn't experience it. The flyer says it the available spots are available on a first come first served basis, and the JTA is from 9:15, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, etc...etc... Until 6:15. The flyer SAYS you sign up in front of Indiana Jones (check there first) But I remember seeing ppl lined up for it at Sounds Dangerous. I thought it was a character line & CM said, "no, JTA". Then a guy behind me said "I thought it was for padawan mind challange" & CM said, "ya, that 2".
I'll post later about HOW THERE WERE NO SIGNS (obvious helpful ones) ANYWHERE OMG totally confused a lot of us &
If you really really want your under 11 year old to have the ultimate experience, sign up for the Padawan Mind Challange. I SUPER promise they won't loose. Like Disney would let your child be a loser! Uh no! -.- And they get an awesome judge

 

[StitchSpawn]

Supposedly, there are 2 PMC, one at 2:10 & one at 6:30, I would sign up for the 6:30 one, I can't tell you why because I would spoil the surprise, they are both similar, but there's a kind of bonus to the afternoon one. Sorry, you wont have fun if I tell you everything! CM just told me this. See, they're amazing!

 

[r2mk]

Did anyone get information about what time each of the characters are out and what time they switch? Someone posted this last year and it is so extremely helpful.

 

[PrincessKida]

Deleted

 

[kschafer]

Supposedly, there are 2 PMC, one at 2:10 & one at 6:30, I would sign up for the 6:30 one, I can't tell you why because I would spoil the surprise, they are both similar, but there's a kind of bonus to the afternoon one. Sorry, you wont have fun if I tell you everything! CM just told me this. See, they're amazing!

If we sign up for the later PMC, will we still be able to get a decent view of Hyperspace Hoopla or will we be stuck in the back of the crowd? Where do they do the PMC?

 

[tokyov]

I am planning on driving up to Orland on Friday night and getting in line for Saturday autographs. However, I dont have a Disney park ticket. Will I be able to get a fastpass? I know last year they gave out Fastpasses without having to have a park ticket. I'm worried that if they require a park ticket to get a Fastpass, the ticket kiosks wont be open in time for me to get one.

 

[yulilin3]

If we sign up for the later PMC, will we still be able to get a decent view of Hyperspace Hoopla or will we be stuck in the back of the crowd? Where do they do the PMC?

Padawan Mind Challenge and Hoopla are on the same stage (Hat Stage) so you can stay in your spot for both events.

I am planning on driving up to Orland on Friday night and getting in line for Saturday autographs. However, I dont have a Disney park ticket. Will I be able to get a fastpass? I know last year they gave out Fastpasses without having to have a park ticket. I'm worried that if they require a park ticket to get a Fastpass, the ticket kiosks wont be open in time for me to get one.

This year you need your ticket because they are moving the line backstage, they give you your fp and scan your ticket. IDK at what time they are opening the ticket windows, maybe you can buy your ticket the night before?

 

[tokyov]

Padawan Mind Challenge and Hoopla are on the same stage (Hat Stage) so you can stay in your spot for both events.



This year you need your ticket because they are moving the line backstage, they give you your fp and scan your ticket. IDK at what time they are opening the ticket windows, maybe you can buy your ticket the night before?

thanks for the response! I guess we will have to go on Sunday instead as we wont be getting to disney until late friday (10pm)/

 

[woodinvilleguy]

Supposedly, there are 2 PMC, one at 2:10 & one at 6:30, I would sign up for the 6:30 one, I can't tell you why because I would spoil the surprise, they are both similar, but there's a kind of bonus to the afternoon one. Sorry, you wont have fun if I tell you everything! CM just told me this. See, they're amazing!

How do I sign my kid up for PMC? It sounds like for JTA I get there very early and drag my son to Indiana Jones and sign him up. Is PMC a sign up as well? For the sign up do we just sign or do we need to show his ticket at signup time?

 

[yulilin3]

How do I sign my kid up for PMC? It sounds like for JTA I get there very early and drag my son to Indiana Jones and sign him up. Is PMC a sign up as well? For the sign up do we just sign or do we need to show his ticket at signup time?

For both JTA and PMC you need to sign up at Sounds Dangerous as soon as park opens, you don't need your ticket just your son.

 

[StitchSpawn]

How do I sign my kid up for PMC? It sounds like for JTA I get there very early and drag my son to Indiana Jones and sign him up. Is PMC a sign up as well? For the sign up do we just sign or do we need to show his ticket at signup time?

You have to show his ticket, yes, CMs are getting strict about these sort of things. And you sign up at Sounds Dangerous.It's shaded hooray! But you need to do this first thing in AM too, I saw a long lone when I was passing by.

 

[StitchSpawn]

For both JTA and PMC you need to sign up at Sounds Dangerous as soon as park opens, you don't need your ticket just your son.

Ok, well I was told otherwise, but if you have your child, why wouldn't u have their ticket? And they might be right, b/c you already are in the park, you obviously have a ticket, so you may not need to show it.

 

[girli565]

Weekend of 28 May Disney has HS opening at 9:00am - any thoughts on if they will open it earlier.....? It is Memorial Day weekend after all.

I have a breakfast ressie at 8:00am before the planned park opening and we don't want to meet the Star Wars celebs so hopefully we can get FP for Star Tours and ride TSM....again any thoughts....?

We went on Sunday 5/22 and the park was scheduled to open at 8am. We arrived at 6:55am and walked to the autograph fast pass line to get Anthony Daniels FPs and the voice of Obi Wan (don't know his name, lol, it was for my husband so i just waited in the line he told me to). We were done by 7:15am with those and they let us in the park and there were CMs directing us towards Star Tours, I guess we couldn't go to any other area. That was fine by us though because we had planned on going straight to ST. We got there by 7:20 and walked right on to the ride. I get motion sickness so I only rode it that one time but my husband and our friends rode it 4 times by 8:20am. I was very glad we got to the park early.

We were there so early that we parked in the second row of parking on the "Television" side. Weird to see an empty parking lot. But it was very full when we left at 4pm.

 

[onelilspark]

I am planning on driving up to Orland on Friday night and getting in line for Saturday autographs. However, I dont have a Disney park ticket. Will I be able to get a fastpass? I know last year they gave out Fastpasses without having to have a park ticket. I'm worried that if they require a park ticket to get a Fastpass, the ticket kiosks wont be open in time for me to get one.

Are you staying on property? You can buy tickets at the resorts!

 

[StitchSpawn]

<a href="http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x253/ElizabethMB_photos/?action=view&current=2ba0bee0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x253/ElizabethMB_photos/2ba0bee0.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>
This is a picture of the unmarked entrance to Jabba's Hut. It can be a little confusing if you've never seen it. It's actually a backstage area they open up. Go to the Rockin' Rollercoaster, seen on left, and keep walking past. When you see the white tent, that's it. When I was there, I didn't even see a Jabba's Hut entrance sign. There was a sign about celebrity autographs, & it confused people. Celebrities are there certain times.
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Inside big white tent.