Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[Florida Girl]

Back from the week-long extravaganza.....SWW Friday and Saturday
Friday did the Chewy run where Maxie was finally the short one! Friday was all about the meals and characters. The Sci-Fi breakfast was pretty delish but the stormtroopers were awesome they did not like the fact that Maxie was taller then them and when i stood up (5'10") they made us both sit down, lol The Rebel Hanger was the perfect spot for a few drinkies and snackies,checked in and did not even wait two minutes for our reservation. The H&V dinner was fantastic character interaction and pretty delish as well.
Saturday oooh let's talk about how flipping awesome the Deluxe Premium Package is we checked in around 10 went and dinked around, read ciggie time, went back had some waters and ice cream and watched the parade. Might of been in the blazing sun but definitely not feeling crammed or being stomped upon. And how awesome to walk behind the parade and be right in front of the stage for the show!!! The reserved seating for all three shows? Waltzing right into the mall? Yes,please! How awesome And finally the dessert party...plenty of tables not packed in, right next to the stage,fab drinks....yum dark side iced coffee and desserts too! Might have had to look up a wee bit for the fireworks but as amazing as they are it was totally cool.
Bottom line....Deluxe Premium Package? Best.Package.Ever.
Thank you Yulilin3 for this amazing thread and the awesomeness that is you! It was so lovely to meet you during the dessert party

 

[pookadoo77]

Ty!

I'm sure she'll give you a more detailed answer but here's a pic from the package area around 10:50am. You can see the wheelchair area and then all the kids sitting down at the front

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Mostly due to this thread I got one great day at SWW Saturday. I have all 3 spaceship glow cubes and a Boba Fett head stein. They ran out of the steins quickly, that's going to be the big purchase this year.

I did the premium package and they let me check in about 9 AM, get a card for Stars of the Saga (traded in my fastpass) and I left until 10 when they let the line in. I wasn't in the front but I got some pictures anyway. Stars of the Saga was great, Mr. McDiarmid was very entertaining although Ms. Allen was a bit flat. for the dessert party, stand to the left of the stage, not right in front of it, to see fireworks. (that does mean you won't be able to see much of the preshow but it is on a screen too). I really like the Jabba cupcake. Next weekend I'll have friends with me but I didn't have trouble getting back to a table.

Loved Rebel Hangar. A friend and I had the cheese sabers and a sith & chips and it was plenty of food. Portions seem huge. the Rebel Red drink is pretty strong and the Dark Side martini comes with a dark chocolate truffle. The Cantina Band came through. They did visit tables. I have one of them painted on my magic band and they loved that. There were a couple of jawas too. No other characters appeared while I was there.

Pretty sure I saw Sunrise marching in the parade.

And the Imperial officers were out in the afternoon, interrogating passersby. They are pretty funny, for Imperial officers.

They separate deluxe package from premium package for the party? I have 2 friends on the deluxe package, guess I can't stand with them.

 

[pclvnmcky88]

This may have been answered already, but for those of you who went this past weekend and stayed at the All-Star Resorts, what time do the buses start running and should we line up earlier? Our RD day for SWW is the same day of the MK 24 party so I know that those buses will be up and running.

Thanks!

 

[Cluelyss]

Anyone happen to notice what time TSMM is closing? I assume it's 8:30, but just want confirmation.

The last FP return time offered for weekend III was 7:15-8:15.

 

[yulilin3]

Funny story about this picture: We were waiting for Steph to meet DM. My son joined us yesterday and he just wanted to see the iteraction (he hasn't taken a pic with characters in years) So we get the Maul/Steph pic and Maul walks up to my son and motions for him to come take a pic, my son's like "no it's Ok" and Maul just motions to come and do it. SO my son goes over and we get a couple of pics. About 30 minutes later he gets a text from a Universal co-worker "Dude, I guess you didn't recognize me"

 

[kpd6901]

Mostly due to this thread I got one great day at SWW Saturday. I have all 3 spaceship glow cubes and a Boba Fett head stein. They ran out of the steins quickly, that's going to be the big purchase this year.

I did the premium package and they let me check in about 9 AM, get a card for Stars of the Saga (traded in my fastpass) and I left until 10 when they let the line in. I wasn't in the front but I got some pictures anyway. Stars of the Saga was great, Mr. McDiarmid was very entertaining although Ms. Allen was a bit flat. for the dessert party, stand to the left of the stage, not right in front of it, to see fireworks. I really like the Jabba cupcake. Next weekend I'll have friends with me but I didn't have trouble getting back to a table.

Loved Rebel Hangar. A friend and I had the cheese sabers and a sith & chips and it was plenty of food. Portions seem huge. the Rebel Red drink is pretty strong and the Dark Side martini comes with a dark chocolate truffle. The Cantina Band came through. They did visit tables. I have one of them painted on my magic band and they loved that. No other characters appeared while I was there.

Pretty sure I saw Sunrise marching in the parade.

And the Imperial officers were out in the afternoon, interrogating passersby. They are pretty funny, for Imperial officers.

Ha! I ask a Premium package question, and you respond while I am typing my question Logistically, how did you trade in your FP? Did they do that for you or did you just have to swap it on your own and were at the whimsy of current availability? Sorry, the last time I was at WDW was 12 years ago and we have never been part of special events like this to have any experience with it. So, they let you check in early to get your pass, but did you have to stay there in line for other reasons until 10? I'm a little confused. I would think that once one checked in, they would have their credential and be free to "move along" (see what I did there?) Or were you saying that the staff waited until 10 to open up the parade viewing area and there was a line of people already with their credentials waiting in line by the Premium package parade viewing area? Just trying to get a good idea of how we need to work our morning after the Chewie run and hopefully Darth Maul M&G before 9.

 

[yulilin3]

For the non-Deluxe, regular Premium FtF, with the parade starting at 11, how was credential line? We were hoping to hop in the credential line approx. 9:45 or so and then head on over to get our parade spot. Prior to the weekends, there was talk that the PP spot was actually in the shade (at least mostly), while the DPP spot was inexplicably not in the shade (hence your issues with the wheelchair section). Is the PP spot still actually shaded (mostly or partly)?

Related, how have regular Premium FtF show passes been scooped up? Does anybody have any idea how many passes they have available for each show? I'm trying to figure out how we want to do Weekend V. With the FP's being Tier 2, we already scooped up FPs for SotS and Oz. We had not planned on seeing Rebels, and we were otherwise looking at Obi-Wan. I suppose then we would select Obi-Wan for our FtF pass, but from what I have seen so far from reports, it seems that people still need to get to the FP line about 30 minutes in advance to have any sort of decent seat and not be stuck in the sun. Is that true? Should I try to select Oz for FtF and try to switch my FP at the park that day from Oz to Obi-Wan? Then, if I do want to use FtF pass on Oz (or SotS), then do I need to adjust my check-in hangout earlier?

I'm not surprised at the number of DPP and VIPers in this group, it just seems that the number of Premium folks are a little light....
thanks so much for all of your help!!

see pic on page 808, that's the PP area,most of it is in the shade.
I would keep your fp for SotS and Oz (they are the 2 top priorities) and get a fp for Rebels with your PP. Obi Wan has not been filling up completely (at least that's what happened weekend I) so you could do a 30 minutes standby for it.
As far as to how far in advance to line up for your fp, I would be there 45 minutes before both shows. They let you in 15 minutes before the show so you will only wait 30 minutes in line, that way you won't be in the upper rows where the sun creeps in.

 

[ethanwa]

So the less expensive Premium is in the shade but the more expensive Deluxe is in the sun?? That makes no sense!!

 

[yulilin3]

I'm going to take a couple of hours off of the thread right now..life has creeped up on me. Our phones got disconnected yesterday cause I forgot to pay the bill, I was having too much fun to pay bills .
So, yeah, house chores and responsibilities call. See you in a couple of hours.
Again first post updated to reflect new closing times for GMR and TSMM. Links to all my pictures are there and video of the Chewie run. Will do some digging to see if I can get autograph session times for weekend II

 

[Cluelyss]

Just trying to get a good idea of how we need to work our morning after the Chewie run and hopefully Darth Maul M&G before 9.

FYI - Darth Maul does not start meeting until 9, so you may need to adjust your schedule a bit. If you went right from the Chewie line to Darth Maul's line you may be one of the first in line? Not sure how early people will be lining up now that there are more characters out earlier?

 

[moobar25]

I'm sure she'll give you a more detailed answer but here's a pic from the package area around 10:50am. You can see the wheelchair area and then all the kids sitting down at the front

I see they changed the arrangement from last years. It was me, DH and DD(2) - and the parade viewing was very dissappointing. We had shown up at 9am and asked about checking in - CMs told us no one gets in prior to 9:50am. When we came back at 9:40 - the place was packed. The people at the ropes (especially the tall adults without children) were very rude. No one would move over even an inch so that my DD could see. Finally just as the parade was starting I was able to sit on the ground between two adults and have my DD on my lap. I wish they had a kids section back then. I spoke with the CMs after, they were apologetic but didn't help us any. The dessert party went better because I was the first in line to get in while DH played with DD around the lake. I'll look for the pics.
I'm very glad they have changed things since then.

Found the picture from Kenny The Pirate review of FtFP 2014. We are dead center: DH blue shirt and khakis and I'm in black shirt and white shorts with a stroller).

 

[kpd6901]

see pic on page 808, that's the PP area,most of it is in the shade.
I would keep your fp for SotS and Oz (they are the 2 top priorities) and get a fp for Rebels with your PP. Obi Wan has not been filling up completely (at least that's what happened weekend I) so you could do a 30 minutes standby for it.
As far as to how far in advance to line up for your fp, I would be there 45 minutes before both shows. They let you in 15 minutes before the show so you will only wait 30 minutes in line, that way you won't be in the upper rows where the sun creeps in.

Yeah, Rebels was never a priority for us (I mean, we like the show, but we haven't been overly excited about it), so DS6's D-tech appt is scheduled for 1:45 during the Rebels show...so if there was a way to swap a SotS or Oz FP for FtF pass, and then use that FP for Obi-Wan to lessen wait time, that would be preferred, I just don't know if it can work that way.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Has anyone used TIW this weekend?? Just trying to confirm if it can be used or not. Thanks!!!

I used it on Saturday at the Brown Derby lounge and the Tune Inn Lounge. I was also at Rebel Hangar but they don't take any discounts.

 

[yulilin3]

Yeah, Rebels was never a priority for us (I mean, we like the show, but we haven't been overly excited about it), so DS6's D-tech appt is scheduled for 1:45 during the Rebels show...so if there was a way to swap a SotS or Oz FP for FtF pass, and then use that FP for Obi-Wan to lessen wait time, that would be preferred, I just don't know if it can work that way.

All of the fp for all of the SWW shows are already taken for weekend V. I would not play around with the fp you already have. Keep the ones for SotS and Oz and get Obi Wan at FtF PP. Some of the fp line is in the shade, like I said, take a small umbrella for shade, you would only need to wait 30 minutes before being seated

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Ha! I ask a Premium package question, and you respond while I am typing my question Logistically, how did you trade in your FP? Did they do that for you or did you just have to swap it on your own and were at the whimsy of current availability? Sorry, the last time I was at WDW was 12 years ago and we have never been part of special events like this to have any experience with it. So, they let you check in early to get your pass, but did you have to stay there in line for other reasons until 10? I'm a little confused. I would think that once one checked in, they would have their credential and be free to "move along" (see what I did there?) Or were you saying that the staff waited until 10 to open up the parade viewing area and there was a line of people already with their credentials waiting in line by the Premium package parade viewing area? Just trying to get a good idea of how we need to work our morning after the Chewie run and hopefully Darth Maul M&G before 9.

I swapped it on my phone for a Frozen sing along which I didn't go to because it was during my Rebel Hangar reservation.

I did not stay in the line. I got my credential and left. I went to check out the (empty) Rebel Hangar. It is cool in there, you can plug in your phone in one spot. I came back when they were already letting the line in. I did not care about getting a front row spot. There were a few folks who got their credential really early and just parked it on a nearby bench to wait until 10. I didn't do that. I can't hold a spot anyway being by myself and wanting drinks and snacks. I will just have to crop the guy's ear out of my photos of Ian McDiarmid

If you have a wheelchair or can sit on the ground with a child you will get a front row type view.

We are going to try and get passes for Ewok's Tale next weekend but I am not sure we will be there that early as we plan to leave the 24 hour event a bit after midnight. 2 of us have fastpasses for it though. Going with 4 friends, 2 have deluxe package, 2 have fastpasses, maybe we can get the last one in somehow.

 

[yulilin3]

this is not the post you are looking for...move along...move along

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Is everyone still wearing their celebrating/DIS buttons?? Wanna be able to recognize yall! Keep the pics coming, LOVE it!

I left mine I the car today ...I think I was the only one wearing mine!

 

[Felipe4]

So the general consensus is that if I see a Boba Fett stein I should buy it?
I don't want one but would hate for people to come and not get it. How many of you are interested in one and are coming weekends II-V?
I'll do my best

Oh, me! I didn't see there was a request going around before!

 

[Delilah1310]

Thnx for the notes about the Padawan Mind Challenge.
We're not going until Weekend IV, so I have a couple more weeks to figure out my route to the sign ups.
How many kids do they take for each show? I'm guessing the show is about 30 minutes total? If you do get signed up, I'm guessing you need to be there early?

so excited ... I have also successfully avoided videos of parade, stage shows, fireworks, etc. so it can be a full on surprise for us all!! Woo!