TIPS: Star Wars Weekends 2011

[RedM94]

I would have never guessed that doing SWW would require such strategic planning.

So if DS 10 and I are going to make the early trek for autograph FP's I'm thinking that the autograph should be on something other than a standard autograph book.

Any thoughts on what to have autographed? Anything special at Jobba's Hutt that could be autographed?

 

[delmar411]

What do you think the chances of getting the AP lanyard are if we arrive at the park around 12 PM tomorrow? Do they typically run out that fast?

Thanks!

You should get one easily. They have cases and cases of them. Looks like they stocked enough for the weekend.

 

[delmar411]

Ray parks the best! Just invited the kids Togo on stage foe his trip to the maul. Got wristbands, about to head over there. Lanter's got the bluest eyes... LOL!

Exciting!! Dh wanted to catch that show but the kids were done and we left the park before 6. Last autograph we got was Ventressa.

 

[Karpkg]

DD had a double purple and green lightsaber signed by ray and DS had a pic of darth maul signed, both bought at jabbas. Last year I had custom autographs made and signed by him. I think a lightsaber signed is such a neat momento. Or even those figurines still in their boxes, the adult guys were getting those signed, or posters.

 

[Plucker001]

You should get one easily. They have cases and cases of them. Looks like they stocked enough for the weekend.

That's great to hear! Thanks so much for the prompt response.

 

[yulilin3]

I would have never guessed that doing SWW would require such strategic planning.

So if DS 10 and I are going to make the early trek for autograph FP's I'm thinking that the autograph should be on something other than a standard autograph book.

Any thoughts on what to have autographed? Anything special at Jobba's Hutt that could be autographed?

At Jabba's Hutt they have pixtures of Bobba Fett (Jeremy Bullock) Darth Maul (Ray Park) also toys, lightsabers, books of clone wars (for the clone wars people). Each celeb also has a black and white 5x7 picture with them that they can sign, no cost for the picture.

 

[disEAR]

Sorry if this has been asked/answered already. Can we have the items bought at Jabbas Hutt sent to our hotel?(animal kingdom lodge). Don't really want to be carrying around the bags of stuff were buying all day.

Thanks!

 

[Donaldswife]

Sorry if this has been asked/answered already. Can we have the items bought at Jabbas Hutt sent to our hotel?(animal kingdom lodge). Don't really want to be carrying around the bags of stuff were buying all day.

Thanks!

Yes, they do resort package delivery. We did this just last weekend and we were at AKL as well and it worked perfectly!

 

[MelissathePooh]

No clue what I'll have on tomorrow, but MH will be in an ice cream cone capri set and Holden will be out playing lightsaber fights with some of the other kids. He'll be in an grey SW tee.

The early mornings are really wearing out MH. She's doesn't nap and ends up really irritable by the end of the day so we tried the spit up hoping we could forfeit our bands to the kids and then supervising from along side the rope. J.A.T. threw us for a loop though since he moved inside and the young CM out front was just not willing to budge. DR politely asked for his supervisor and explained what we wanted to do and she was fine with it. We still only got the 2 autographs and I believe the kids were the only ones in the picture there (I had to wait outside - which stunk, but I'll survive).

We explained what we wanted to do at Matt Lanter and the entry CM was just dead set on making sure that we were only going to get 2 autographs - made sure to tell everyone who'd listen to make sure we only got 2 which is all we wanted and had any intention of getting anyway.

I appreciated them easing up a bit - I doubt they will tomorrow. A grown woman ran into Lanter's tent from the exit side and took a fast picture. Then 2 teen girls ran up and begged for him to sign a poster/sign thing they had - which he did. It really puts the celeb's in a bad spot to not want to be the bad guy.

I wasn't particularly blown away by Lanter. He was nice, but not very chatty with the kids. In his defense the Pixar Parade was going on right beside him and my kids kept getting side tracked. His girlfriend was there in the tent corner. At least my guess is that she was his girlfriend. Very sweet girl - she was more talkative than he was.

We'll be split between Jeremy Bullock and Ray Park tomorrow. At least that is the plan - hoping the split and forfeit will work, if not we'll just flip it for a repeat Sunday. Have to admit I'm pretty well Studio'd out - hoping it will just work out like today. I'm beat!

 

[Karpkg]

Had an overall good time.

Impressions on character signing: The CM's over at Jabba's don't know what the heck they're doing. They won't say what the times the characters are coming out or who's next; they won't help out as to getting the character you want. I gave up on getting Luke after 4 tries.

The one taking care of the disney characters- Jedi Mickey and such would yell out periodically who's up next, what time they'll be out; to stay behind a certain point to wait for your character, asking are there any questions, etc. I like straight up answers and no hedging. Wish they'd change the location; it's the longest line in direct sun.

Chewbacca/Ewok's line also drove me nuts. I got there today at 9:30 and waited in line nearly 30 minutes knowing I was in a good spot to get an Ewok. Then the CM comes by and says the Ewoks won't be coming out and it'll be strictly a Chewbacca line. Last week they said Chewbacca'll be out at 9:00, then 9:30, then he comes out at 9:40 for 20 min. then there was a break, then Chewbacca wasn't going to be out after the Ewoks. I think I got there 8:30 but finally got Chewbacca after 1.5 hrs. Had pastries from nearby Writer's Nook and used the restrooms at ABC Commissary.

Got to Darth Vader's line at 8:30 on one day, let DH and the kids go on TSM while I waited. He showed up at 9:05 and we were the fourth family he saw. We were done by 9:15.

Except for Anthony Daniels where we all saw him we saw 2 celebrities/day. Split my family to do this and except for Baker we quicly learned to "forfeit" the adult wristbands to the kids. Wristbands were obviously mangled but the CM's accepted it. Ones with Ray Park were nice and allowed DH to be with the kids to take pictures; the CM's with Matt Lanter were strict and gruff- the kids were on their own and the CM's kept blocking the view and got into my pictures quite a bit. Had to keep telling them to get out of the way.

Ashley was in Sounds Dangerous last week and that was weird; they allowed DH in to take pics but not me, and she's known to be very friendly. James was outside so we took many pics.

Too many variances that changes on a whim. Even with those who try and keep up in the know. Just stay flexible and go with their flow. It just doesn't seem as consistent as last year.

Since they've been opening an hour early use the time to ride the rides and collect fast passes after JTA or PMC sign ups. Get in line half hour before characters are supposed to show although again Chewbacca's line builds quickly which is insane. Good luck, leaving tomorrow so it'll be sporadic from me after tonight.

 

[Joanna71985]

DH and DS got 2nd session matt, me and DD got 2nd session ray parks. Was in line 6:45a.

Thanks for the info! I'll be arriving around 6am on Sunday for Matt Lanter

 

[MelissathePooh]

Had an overall good time.

Impressions on character signing: The CM's over at Jabba's don't know what the heck they're doing. They won't say what the times the characters are coming out or who's next; they won't help out as to getting the character you want. I gave up on getting Luke after 4 tries.

The one taking care of the disney characters- Jedi Mickey and such would yell out periodically who's up next, what time they'll be out; to stay behind a certain point to wait for your character, asking are there any questions, etc. I like straight up answers and no hedging. Wish they'd change the location; it's the longest line in direct sun.

Chewbacca/Ewok's line also drove me nuts. I got there today at 9:30 and waited in line nearly 30 minutes knowing I was in a good spot to get an Ewok. Then the CM comes by and says the Ewoks won't be coming out and it'll be strictly a Chewbacca line. Last week they said Chewbacca'll be out at 9:00, then 9:30, then he comes out at 9:40 for 20 min. then there was a break, then Chewbacca wasn't going to be out after the Ewoks. I think I got there 8:30 but finally got Chewbacca after 1.5 hrs. Had pastries from nearby Writer's Nook and used the restrooms at ABC Commissary.

Got to Darth Vader's line at 8:30 on one day, let DH and the kids go on TSM while I waited. He showed up at 9:05 and we were the fourth family he saw. We were done by 9:15.

Except for Anthony Daniels where we all saw him we saw 2 celebrities/day. Split my family to do this and except for Baker we quicly learned to "forfeit" the adult wristbands to the kids. Wristbands were obviously mangled but the CM's accepted it. Ones with Ray Park were nice and allowed DH to be with the kids to take pictures; the CM's with Matt Lanter were strict and gruff- the kids were on their own and the CM's kept blocking the view and got into my pictures quite a bit. Had to keep telling them to get out of the way.

Ashley was in Sounds Dangerous last week and that was weird; they allowed DH in to take pics but not me, and she's known to be very friendly. James was outside so we took many pics.

Too many variances that changes on a whim. Even with those who try and keep up in the know. Just stay flexible and go with their flow. It just doesn't seem as consistent as last year.

Since they've been opening an hour early use the time to ride the rides and collect fast passes after JTA or PMC sign ups. Get in line half hour before characters are supposed to show although again Chewbacca's line builds quickly which is insane. Good luck, leaving tomorrow so it'll be sporadic from me after tonight.

Yeah - they did that with J.A.T. yesterday for us - I had to wait outside, but DR was allowed to go in with the kids. The CM's at Lanter's line were grumpy as all get out. She was insane about making sure we were only getting 2 autographs - she let me in with them even though I wasn't even really asking for that. I did not get an autograph or get in a picture just to be sure she wouldn't have a stroke

We got there at 6 again this morning. Seemed MUCH busier than other days. I made it into Ray Parks second signing - which shocked me. He must sign a TON per session. DR got Bullocks second session as well so we are back resting and hope to take a swim before heading back for meet & greets. Kids are wearing out and getting grumpy from being tired. Went to bed early, but didn't help MH's attitude much this morning

We're hoping to see the late afternoon shows and Hoopla tomorrow night once my aunt is here. She flys in today and we need the reinforcements/change of adult face for the kids

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Did the park open at 8am again today?

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm sorry if this was asked, but I just thought of something that's kind of important for me to know. What time do they actually start handing out the wristbands/FPs? If the park opens at 8, do they hand them out at 8 (or 9 and 9)? Or would they start at 7 or 7:30 for an 8am open? Thanks for any help!

 

[Karpkg]

I'm sorry if this was asked, but I just thought of something that's kind of important for me to know. What time do they actually start handing out the wristbands/FPs? If the park opens at 8, do they hand them out at 8 (or 9 and 9)? Or would they start at 7 or 7:30 for an 8am open? Thanks for any help!

They'll give out fp's then u can start lining yourself at the turnstiles. It'll roughly start at the same time the stormtroopers skit starts.

 

[TDC Nala]

The whole thing of "let my kid in front of you because this is for kids" just goes against the fabric of the place.

If I have been waiting I don't mind letting kids in front of me as long as the kids are shorter than me, and the parents don't try to come with. Once I let a kid in front of me, but the mom wanted to videotape every expression the kid made, so I spent the whole show with her arm and camera in my face.

It's also interesting that we had parents who waited over an hour for the Hoopla so they could get their kid into the front row, and when the show starts they STILL pick up the kid (I guess because the kids don't like how loud the show is, or some of them are still too little to see over the lip of the stage) and when they get tired of holding the kid in their arms, they put the kid on their shoulders. In the front row. So it may be better to be further back for this show - the stage is so large that you could likely stand in the middle of the street and still see it - or better yet watch it on the big screen outside American Idol.

To get a short line for Vader or Chewbacca don't go on any rides first. Get a fastpass and go get in line for the character.

 

[TDC Nala]

Is the general consensus that it seems better to watch the Hoopla near the AI screen rather than in person on the hat stage?

If you want to be sure you see it without people stepping on you and standing in front of you with children on shoulders, then yes.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

If you want to be sure you see it without people stepping on you and standing in front of you with children on shoulders, then yes.

 

[TDC Nala]

I want to clarify that, it was better than waiting at the smaller stage, but if you're trying to be in front there will be no space wasted. People will wiggle in. The person sitting next to you will be suddenly joined by the rest of their extended family who were off doing Star Tours and they will shoehorn themselves into the space that is left. This is probably true no matter where in the crowd you are waiting. I do want to mention that this stage is so large that I think you will be able to see ok even if you move down to the area where the tip board is. Oh, and the actor playing Snig was not the same guy they've had up there in years past.

 

[chicagoshannon]

We're back at the condo taking a break. We went to SWW last night to see Hoopla. We rode Star Tours and also met Queen Amadala.

Today we arrived right at 8am for tail end of the Storm Trooper show. My DH signed my daughter up for Jedi training and Padiwan challenge. We then got fast passes for Toy Story and rode it twice. After that we met Darth Vader and Anakin. It was then time for Jedi training. My daughter was supposed to be in the 10:15 show but after getting her robe she chickened out. I was a bit bummed cause she was looking forward to it. So we had a snack and then met Leia Minnie, Commander Cody, some Jawa's and then ate lunch at Sci Fi.

After lunch we met an Ewok and then did the Padawan challenge. Madeline was the only girl. So if any of you were at the 2:00 show you probably saw her. We then went to Jabba's tent and met Leia.

My DH is gong to take DD back after supper to ride TOT, Star Tours, and Toy Story with our fast passes.