TIPS: Star Wars Weekends 2011

[thecapells]

Anyone know if the Cantina Band is out this year?
And if so, where can you find them?
My son and I would love pics with them!!

 

[left210]

I was there the first and second weekends and the park opened and hour early everyday.

Is this advertised or do you just show up and get lucky? We have reservations for breakfast at 8 AM on Sat June 10 so that we could get into the park early and take pics in an empty park and then be done by the time the park opened to do all the SW stuff. Is it likely they will do that thru the entire SWW? I am now wondering if we should change our reservation to a later time as I wouldnt want to be eating breakfast during the best part of the day. What do you think? Also, if we are eating at H&V, where is that in proximity to either TSM or any SW stuff that we should do first to avoid long lines later in the day?

 

[Victoria3]

Anyone know if the Cantina Band is out this year?
And if so, where can you find them?
My son and I would love pics with them!!

They hang out around Star Tours.

 

[JMD]

Anyone know if the Cantina Band is out this year?
And if so, where can you find them?
My son and I would love pics with them!!

Yes, the Cantina band is out this year. Both times I saw them, they came out of Sounds Dangerous around 6pm.

 

[JMD]

Is this advertised or do you just show up and get lucky? We have reservations for breakfast at 8 AM on Sat June 10 so that we could get into the park early and take pics in an empty park and then be done by the time the park opened to do all the SW stuff. Is it likely they will do that thru the entire SWW? I am now wondering if we should change our reservation to a later time as I wouldnt want to be eating breakfast during the best part of the day. What do you think? Also, if we are eating at H&V, where is that in proximity to either TSM or any SW stuff that we should do first to avoid long lines later in the day?

This was not advertised. The park opened 1 hour before the announced opening.

 

[thecapells]

They hang out around Star Tours.

Is there a set location or do they just wander around in the area?

 

[JMD]

Also, if we are eating at H&V, where is that in proximity to either TSM or any SW stuff that we should do first to avoid long lines later in the day?

You are closer to SW, but neither is far away. Honestly, I would skip the breakfast ADR, and try to take advantage of the early opening when the lines will be the shortest.

 

[Victoria3]

Is there a set location or do they just wander around in the area?

They wander in the area.

 

[Plucker001]

Weekend 3 is coming up, who's coming and what are your plans? Maybe we can do a Dis meet?

We will be getting into town Sat AM. We were planning on heading over to the Studios once we arrived to try to get the passholder lanyards. We were then going to watch the parade and then probably head back to the resort. Our dedicated DHS day will be Sunday. No high expectations... but we want to see the Stormtroopers on the roof and obviously ride ST.

Thanks for all of your advice and trip reports!

 

[TGaines107]

I've been to many of these over the years and quite simply, its crowded, hot and a thrill every minute. Go slow, drink water. If you want any of the swag, hit the specialty shop first as a lot of it sells out since they have specialty items for each weekend. I always tried to make a late lunch reservation at one of the restaurants to get outta the sun and re-charge the batteries. Try to do an inside air conditioned ride or show every other event you do. Lotta fun down there, really missing this year with the re-vamped ride. I've heard nothing but good news about it! Look forward to riding it next month!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

OK, so of the 2 weekends thus far, the only day the park DIDN'T open early was this past Friday?

Can someone PLEASE report here again if they open early this weekend? We are going Fri Jun 10, but have a 7:30 am ADR at Cape May Cafe that we would sacrifice if the park is opening at 8am.

 

[Disneymomma41304]

I'll be there Friday - staying at CBR I want to get there before 8am in case they open early! Hopefully the Disney buses to DHS are running that early!

I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We stayed at CBR 2 week-ends ago and instead of waiting for the buses we drove and it truly took us 4 minutes to get there and park!!!!!!!! We got to DHS at 7:45 and walked straight in after bag-check!!! Good Luck!!!

 

[Disneymomma41304]

Anyone know if the Cantina Band is out this year?
And if so, where can you find them?
My son and I would love pics with them!!

They were around where they do JTA and ST2! It was crazy one came right up to my son after JTA and took his toy he received out of his hand to look at it. Perfect timing too bc I had the video camera on!!!!!!!!!

 

[speedo]

We stayed at CBR 2 week-ends ago and instead of waiting for the buses we drove and it truly took us 4 minutes to get there and park!!!!!!!! We got to DHS at 7:45 and walked straight in after bag-check!!! Good Luck!!!

Thanks!

 

[Havana]

The hyperspace hoopla is a lot nicer on the new big stage, but it is still so hard to see. We were about 20 deep and could barely see the dancing
There were kids all around saying they couldn't see. I felt bad for them. We got there about 7:00.
I wish they would display the video on the big screen at the stage.
They do show the feed on the AI screen. It would almost be better to watch it from there.
We arrived at the Studios at 8:30 on Sunday and were very surprised the park was open! We got a 10:30 fast pass for Toy Story and walked on Star Tours.
As we were walking back to Star Tours we saw people waiting in line for the character meets at the different locations.
We were staying on property and the early opening wasn't announced at all.
The merchandise tent is very nice. Lots of room!

 

[Karpkg]

My daughter is about 41 inches. So do the shorter kids go on stage and taller ones on the bottom?

DD tells me that the littler ones they want in the front and mostly on stage so they can be seen. But I've seen a few younglings on the bottom but in front as well, so who knows. They've kept DD and DS close to each other but DS is younger and just meets 48'.

I've told her to try for the stage but each time it's been on the bottom. We've also wanted darth maul but have gotten ventress 3x now.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I think I'm going to plan on watching Hoopla on the AI screen. I'm assuming there are less people in that area. It's just the characters up there dancing right, no people/kids?

 

[Stinkerbell317]

OK, so of the 2 weekends thus far, the only day the park DIDN'T open early was this past Friday?

Can someone PLEASE report here again if they open early this weekend? We are going Fri Jun 10, but have a 7:30 am ADR at Cape May Cafe that we would sacrifice if the park is opening at 8am.

I will PERSONALLY let you know! We plan to be there before 8am, just in case.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I will PERSONALLY let you know! We plan to be there before 8am, just in case.

That's my girl!!

I still think we will probably just eat quickly at breakfast and take a cab to get there just after 8am, to be safe...

 

[beachmama]

Does anyone know if Disney is considering making the parade route longer for the next two weekends since it has been so crowded?