TIPS: Star Wars Weekends 2011

[chpmnkfan]

I was wondering, do they pair the Disney-Star Wars characters together? For example Jedi Mickey and R2MK together and Vader Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald together? Im also a bit confused, there is a point where the CMs will make you leave the line if you want to wait for another character to come out? Thanks for the info!

 

[kat12345]

Thanks for all the help in regards to Dee Bradley Baker. We are so excited!

 

[Karpkg]

Okay,

finally have internet that's not thru the iphone. Not crazy 'bout typing Disboards on an Iphone. couple impressions so far. will be going back tomorrow; be last day.

Park's been opening at the earliest 1 hr prior. Depends on crowds. Today(Sat) DHS public hrs were 9-12A w/2 fantasmics so I think that helped to make that decision to open up earlier. Probably will be open at 8AM Sunday as well.

Rode TSM 2x(nobody there) RocknRoller 1x, had breakfast at Starring Rolls then headed to Jedi Mickey's line. Bumped into a DIS member, EMT_Pinki Her dad had a LGMH on a backpack and struck a conversation w/him before she joined him. She says rotation is Mickey, Minnie, Donald then Goofy. Caught the tail end of the schedule; 4:10, 5:10, 6:10 for Jedi Mickey. Sun was brutal, only got Goofy and Donald 2 separate occasions. Lines are extremely long. There's an "on-deck" section right before the character that if you're in it you're guaranteed to see the character before a switch or break. You may not be in that area if you're going to let people get in front of you while waiting for your choice character, you have to be before that area to do that. Same thing with Chewbacca area; there'll be a point where you cannot let people in front of you if waiting for choice character.

Have gotten Anthony Daniels FP arriving around 7A 2nd session(Fri) Got Bradley Dee Baker 2nd Session and James Arnold Taylor's only session again arriving 7A-ish Sat.
As I was approaching the FP person they're yelling out what times are left; just announced 2nd session for Baker, standby for Spence, AD's was all gone. Gives a heads up of where you might stand a chance.

Vinylmations are still there as of Sat; broke down and bought a case; got 4 of them signed by Mike Sullivan. Real nice guy; I told him the kids and DH have their figurine toys, these are mine. He gave a surprised chuckle and huge grin; and said thanks sincerely. He was signing 2 per wristband. (Wish I knew that, there were 4 of us, could have gotten 8 signed) Yep, wristbands are the rage this year.

I wouldn't be surprised if it does rain the characters would sign in Jabba's hut. There are around 4 to 5 scenes that are similar to those around DHS- Princess Leia, Luke and C 3PO get theirs done front of Tattooine scene w/a speeder. Cute.

Noticed: yellow shirt CM's were pulled from other stations (MK, Epcot, etc and don't have a lot of info or even knowledge of Star Wars. One said she was pulled from MK's tunnels and this was the first light of day she's seen. Those wearing black polos w/Star Wars Weekends on back of shirts walk w/a swagger and are pretty authoritative. They carry the schedules of everyone and direct the characters. Seriously go to them for any questions. They live/breathe Star Wars.

More after tomorrow. Next from me will probably be texting horrendously from the phone.

Tried to check every female at Baker's 2nd session who would be MelissathePooh(?) didn't have the nerve to yell out "Who here is on the DISboards?"

If you see a family of 4 wearing matching star wars t shirts, stop me and say hi!

 

[brdlyleon]

OKAAAY still confused! I'm really sorry to do this to you guys but if anyone can help, FANTASTIC! I'm planning on attending Weekend #3, on Friday. I'm not wanting to spend ALL day at DHS but I do want to meet Matt Lanter and Ray Park, but my main celebrity would be Matt. I also wanna ride star tours a couple of times and maybe get some pictures with some characters (I went to the star tours preview so I have C-3PO, Jedi Mickey, and Princess Minnie.) I also want to ride TSMM and that's pretty much. Of course, need to pick up the free lanyard and then maybe head out before heading back in later to watch the Hoopla...possibly. Anyways, here where I need help: do you guys think itll be possible to get fps for both ray and matt; like I said, I'll be heading to the matt line first and then hopefully the ray line...If I can't, not a big deal. Just wondering. ALSO, what is up with the wristbands im reading about? Do you need a fp AND a wristband, do you need a wristband to get the fp? Its not clear on me :/ I think that's it for now TIA!

 

[Karpkg]

Stormtroopers started at 7:40. Park opened at 8:00. Fp for star tours , next time is 9:20. Did star tours already, kids signed for jta 9:25. Dh and kids now tsm. I'm in line for vader. 4 in front of me.

 

[Karpkg]

OKAAAY still confused! I'm really sorry to do this to you guys but if anyone can help, FANTASTIC! I'm planning on attending Weekend #3, on Friday. I'm not wanting to spend ALL day at DHS but I do want to meet Matt Lanter and Ray Park, but my main celebrity would be Matt. I also wanna ride star tours a couple of times and maybe get some pictures with some characters (I went to the star tours preview so I have C-3PO, Jedi Mickey, and Princess Minnie.) I also want to ride TSMM and that's pretty much. Of course, need to pick up the free lanyard and then maybe head out before heading back in later to watch the Hoopla...possibly. Anyways, here where I need help: do you guys think itll be possible to get fps for both ray and matt; like I said, I'll be heading to the matt line first and then hopefully the ray line...If I can't, not a big deal. Just wondering. ALSO, what is up with the wristbands im reading about? Do you need a fp AND a wristband, do you need a wristband to get the fp? Its not clear on me :/ I think that's it for now TIA!

Realistically will get one celebrity and a standby. They will put armband on so no one can join u later in line. Need park ticket as well. You'll get a fp. Can get another 2 hrs later but by then r standby's. Best to have another person w/u and slide wristband off. Have them put on hi on arm or loose. Get there early but have been getting in (celebrity sessions) by 7a.

 

[Karpkg]

Star tours 5 min waits go first. Builds to an hour as time goes on. Dark side opens up 9a light side opens 9:30

 

[yulilin3]

yesterday was our 1st SWW! We were the first people at the turnstills so we could not see the opening Storm trooper show since they were over our heads. All our boys got 1st JTA session against Darths Vader & Maul so it was worth it. My boys especially wanted to fight Darth Maul & got to. Later in the day, we went to meet Maul, my 10 year old w/moderate ASD grabs their Jedi robes with the mouse ears on top and tells me "Don't worry, me and Joshua (or Jawa as he says it) will handle this.". He went up there & started pointing at Darth Maul & talkin'some smack while Maul was signing autographs. When Maul got done, he started doing his predator pace around Aidan & then stared him down. I saw Aidan put his fingers to his mouth, gulp, and slowly take a few steps back. IT WAS HILARIOUS. My family was rolling! Absolutely loved it.

We met Jedi Mickey w/R2MK, Stormtrooper Donald w/Darth Goofy, & Princess Minnie Leia (took about 1 1/2 to accomplish), Queen Amidala, skipped parade((, went to Jabba's Hut & got Limited
edition pins & passholder pins & t's, and Darth cup back in stock, met Luke, Leia, Chewbacca,
Ventress (awesome looking), Ahsoka (also great job making her up) w/captain Rex, random Clone
Troopers, Imperial Troopers, Jawas, Darth Maul, & Mace Windu. Rode ST2 & for exact sequence as
our 2nd one yesterday (what are the odds LOL), but the ride is simple amazing!!!! Hope to do it a couple more times to more totry & catch the podrace

Pictures from JTA are AMAZING. The highlight for me was the Hyperspace Hoopla. It was the most fun EVER at a Disney show for me. It was outstanding!!!

I'll keep you posted if we go back for the droids & Anakin tomorrow. MTFBWY

BEST DAY EVER!!!

Soooo happy you and your family had a great time. All the planning worked out for you

about how long was the hoopla show?

Hoopla is 30min. long, starts at 7:45pm ends at 8:15pm. You could go to Sci Fi early and ask them to hold your ressie...from the Hat to SAci-Fi is really close

 

[yulilin3]

Alright here's my news report from weekend 2:
Got to DHS at 10:30am, and talked to CM just outside Mickey's of Hollywood and asked what spot would be b est to get full shade until parade time, best spot for this is as you come in you see Sid's store on your left, you can see the gate where the parade starts there's a side door to Sids that has 2 steps, that square right there remains shaded. Since we wanted to see the parade and had nothing else to do we just sat down, sent my son for ST Fp. People started arriving to grab this spot about 1hour 15 min before parade. It's a great spot, no sun, everyone sees you first but I understand that not all people can stay in a spot for that long, anyways saw the parade, walked behind the rope at the end to get the pictures with everyone on stage.
After we went to Behind the Force, Ashley, Dee and James joined in it was great I took some video and can post the youtube ling when it's done downloading.
I went by Clone Wars photo spot and DIsney SW spot t ask if people could let others go by if you wanted to wait for a specific character and they said Yes, no problem, as long as you don't leave the line.
Walked over to Jabba's Hutt around 2pm and saw Leia, Luke and C3PO.
My daughter wanted to grab a great spot for Hoopla so, again we didn't have anything else to do, sat down on a ledge that's right by the sounds tent (facing the stage to the right), saw 2 Disney Channel Rocks, saw Padawan Mind Challenge and the came Hoopla. In all we sat there for 3 hours, people grabbed the rest of the ledge about 1 1/3 before Hoopla. Good thing about the ledge is that they let you stand on it and you get a great view. Hoopla was completely packed about 30 min before the show, and as soon as it started people were trying to cram in the corner we were in, the CM tried their best to keep people moving but they're is always one person that doesn't care, they almost fell in some pine trees they had by the sound tent.
One good thing they did is that they were filming Hoopla and showing it on the big jumbo screen of American Idol Experience, my husband was over there and said that everyone their were sitting on the floor or at the tables by Min and Bill's and it showed great. So now you knoe you have that option.
Getting ready for weekend 3, Matt Lanter is the big autograph line for the weekend, so planning on getting to DHS at 5am, maybe earlier.

 

[yulilin3]

Here are the videos I took yesterday:
First the Parade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUCRM4L2TP4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUWBYXFpgCg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WzpWFsUezA
Behind the Force:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpXFtVeEto0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRHykmDBZtU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlRg6qdRuzQ
Last C3PO and R2D2 ending Hoopla:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aoUNyohMfk
you can leave any comments. Next week I might film a little more, do you guys want to see anything in particular?

 

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

Thanks Yullin. My guys went back today & got Anakin & C3PO M&Gs so they were happy.

We must have had a militant CM in the Disney SW Character line. She would let u switch mid queue, but not if you got past a certain point. She did state loudly & quite clearly what her ground rules were though, but also told guest that she would look the other way if they let other guest in front of them as long as the were not like the next 3-5 in line to meet characters. It was not as big a deal as it sounds, I just wanted to give a heads up & hope I didn't scare anyone

I truly hope we get to come back for another SWW! I did not get to see the parade since I ended up w/a mild heat rash after Friday. I'm having to hide out until dark, then I'm off to enjoy our last night in WDW. We have had a blast! I hope every one else has had as much fun at SWW as we did! The new ST2 is INCREDIBLE, so everyone going the next 2 SWW ENJOY!!! you will not be disappointed. MTFBWY all!

We sure got some fabulous photos & memories out of it

 

[MelissathePooh]

Tried to check every female at Baker's 2nd session who would be MelissathePooh(?) didn't have the nerve to yell out "Who here is on the DISboards?"

If you see a family of 4 wearing matching star wars t shirts, stop me and say hi!

We were at the first signing for Baker - at the tail end of it. Sounds like you all are having a blast! Thanks for the details on the Disney SW Character lines. We're dreading it and saving them for later.

We'll be back next weekend for more autographs. I think we're going to start with James Arnold Taylor first and let some people cycle through Matt Lanter/Ray Park. We'll see how that works out. Ray Park is very popular with the fans!

I think DR has me in some of his pictures - please say hi if you see us! If nothing else look for the little blonde with a green light saber bigger than she it - that will be Mary Hadley

 

[yulilin3]

Completely off topic: I just noticed that Robo doesn't appear in this thread at all....I think we have found his weakness
On topic, talked to CM at the Info Desk she says that JTA is filling up in 20minutes after rope drop and PMC is filling up in about 45min after rope drop. Plan accordingly.

 

[GoofyTraci]

Completely off topic: I just noticed that Robo doesn't appear in this thread at all....I think we have found his weakness
On topic, talked to CM at the Info Desk she says that JTA is filling up in 20minutes after rope drop and PMC is filling up in about 45min after rope drop. Plan accordingly.

OMG!! I really dont know what our plan is then? We will be ther next weekend sat and sun we will have white star wars shirts on that I made. Look for us.

Yullin what is my plan?

 

[yulilin3]

OMG!! I really dont know what our plan is then? We will be ther next weekend sat and sun we will have white star wars shirts on that I made. Look for us.

Yullin what is my plan?

I cannot find a better quote for you but: May The Force Be With You
Try and get there early, if you want to sign for for JTA or PMC do that. Fp for TSM, ride Star Tours (If the line is underneath the Ewok Village you're fine, it's about a 30 to 40min wait, if it goes out from under the village is longer and more sun) Good thing is that you have 2 days. So you can split one day for characters and parade, next day for shows and Hoopla.
I will def. look out for you, I am going Saturday and Sunday as well, so we are bound to bump into each other.

 

[Mrs D]

I will be there next Friday. I'm wearing my DOM star wars name fill that says Mommy, DS will be in the same DISign with Travis, DD will be wearing an Ashley Eckstein knock off of her chibi Ashoka and DH is in the Star Wars shirt from Target (he insisted on no iron on shirts, so I bought him one instead). I always have my LGMH on my bag and stroller. Say Hi if you see us!

 

[Disneymomma41304]

We were there last week-end and had an AMAZING time!!! We got there in enough time for JTA which was probably the coolest thing ever for a 7 year old boy!!!! I didnt think the crowds were that bad and we got lucky with Star Tours and TSM!!! We are headed back on June 10th just for the day , plan to be there for rope drop and hopefully catch hoopla (we skipped due to the need to be in the pool) !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[2girls+twins]

Thank you Dis people for the info about the secret 8:00 opening of DHS! We were there today, dh got fast passes for ST2 while the girls and I walked to TSM where we were the very first guests on today,and walked on TSM a second time with dh and girls,then to ToT for2 back to back rides, all before the rest of the world knew the park was open!

 

[disEAR]

First I'd like to say thank you to all of you for your contributions/trip reports/ and tips. It's been most helpful. After reading for days and days I was hoping some of your may wish to chime in on our plan for this weekend. June 3-5.

Our plan is to arrive bright and early by 7:45AM on Saturday morning. We have no interest in autographs or celebrity meets. As soon as the park opens we'll walk towards ST2.0 (hopefully get to ride), and pick up fast passes for later. After which we'll head towards TSM and hopefully get a ride. We're still not sure about riding RRC or TOT, sometimes our stomachs just won't allow us the thrills. Jabas Hutt is our next stop as I've heard lines and crowds are insane. There may be some passholder merchandise we'd like to get, but a full browse through the store is a must before deciding. After that we'll be playing it by ear. We are the type who like to wander around and explore all the sights and sounds while taking it in slowly. We would like to try and get photos with some of the characters. Mainly the Disney crew dressed up as Star Wars characters and possibly Boba/Jango Fett and Chewbacca. DW and I are both fairly impatient people and don't know how long we'll be willing to wait in line. Meeting with and getting pictures with characters isn't a big priority, so it's not a big deal if it doesn't happen. We still haven't decided if we'll be watching Hyperspace Hoopla or the Parade/Motorcades. Again it plays into our impatience. We can barely stand the wait for Fantasmic most of the time.

Depending on how much fun we have on Saturday (which I'm expecting to be lots), we'll most likely go again on Sunday.

So that's our plan for SWW. Any and all suggestions, thoughts, changes you would make would be greatly appreciated. Also, I was hoping someone could tell us how long we could expect to wait for the Character pics and Parades/Hoopla etc...??

Can't wait for our weekend in a galaxy far far away. Thank you and may the force be with you.

 

[undertheseas]

Thanks to MelissathePooh and everyone who is taking the time to share their informations!