Official Star Wars Weekends 2013 Tips and Tricks

[syntigger]

Our disney sww day is over. What a great day got 2 celebrity autographs and meet tons of people. Hope everyone else has a great day

 

[TallandGoofy]

Today was our Studios/SWW day. It was awesome! I hope this info will help anyone going next weekend. First, though, I must say, it ended up being less "Star Warsy" than I'd anticipated but still a wonderful day. I thought my DS10 would be more interested in the SWW stuff but, ended up getting hooked on ToT and RnR which he had never done before. I was fine with it though. Still fun to be there with SWW going on. So here is a run down.

Bus stop at AKL by 6:40 am. Picked up at 6:50ish. At the gate by 7:10. Wasn't all that crowded at that time. Plenty of people, maybe 20 or so ahead of us in our line. Gates opened around 7:30 then Stormtroopers and then we
walked to the JTA sign ups. This took a good 20 minutes or so to get through. We got the 10:35 show which was the one I was hoping to get. DW meanwhile went to get FPs for TSMM. The return time was for 8:55.

After JTA sign up, we did RnR with a 10 minute wait. Then ToT with a 10 minute wait. Then used our FPs for TSM. After that, we got FPs for Star Tours (wait was 40 minutes) and went over to MuppetVision. After that it was 10 am and time to check in for JTA.

(will need to continue later...need to sign off just now)

 

[JayCeeDoubleU]

What a great day to finish off SWW! We managed to get pics with EVERY character except C3PO. Rotating characters in Darths Maul weren't our friend and we kept getting just Luke and Leia over and over all weekend! We finally just had to give up and accept C3PO defeat. We had the same issue trying to get Jedi Mickey but finally got him today! Hooray!

All 3 kiddos had an absolute blast but the highlight was definitely the unexpected! We just happened to walk past the Ashley FP line on our way into DHS this morning around 8:00 and there were still FP's left. So we snatched up 5 and went to her 5:40 signing. We hadn't really bothered all weekend because even though the oldest kiddo in our group is 6 and obsessed with Ahsoka (and was in full Ahsoka attire all weekend... Head tails, facepaint, the whole 9 yards...) We weren't sure she would completely understand that Ahsoka wasn't "real" or what a voice actor was. Boyyyyy were we wrong! She was shaking with excitement while meeting Ashley! I thought she was going to cry. Ashley was so sweet and talked to her for about 15 minutes about how they were now best friends because they were both from KY, had "A" names, loved Ahsoka, ect. It was SO sweet and we were so appreciative that she took that much time to really make the experience special. She even spent a good 5 minutes talking/explaining to Ally why it was "okay" that Clone Wars ended the way it did. We got about a million or so pictures of the 2 of them and I'll post a few when we upload them

The 2 little boys (4 and 2) were also excited to meet the Blue Bird from Sofia the First

On other ends, we managed Jedi Academy all 3 days, had amazing seats for the parade, had WONDERFUL character experiences, and the alcoholic drinks (The Force and Dark Side) were awesome! Props to Disney!

Our only complaints (if you can even call them that) were the rotating characters. They're understandable but it made it SO hard to get Jedi Mickey! Lol.

The Hoopla was also hard for us with 3 little ones. We got there at 6:15 one day and it was already so full that the kids couldn't see the stage so we didn't even bother knowing that they would be upset and not make it the hour and 45 min until the show.

Otherwise! Wonderful weekend!

 

[HawaiianPunch]

Hi all!

I need some more advice from my fellow SW celebrity autograph collectors. I ordered from Official Pix (the official SW photograph site) an 8x10 picture for Billy Dee Williams to sign this upcoming weekend. However, it's been over a week since I ordered it and they still haven't even shipped it!! I leave for Florida on Wednesday and I'm starting to think it won't arrive in time.

My question is whether anyone has some advice on how to get this 8x10 photo specifically (officialpix . com/estore/proddetail.asp?prod=SW-0586) maybe somewhere in Disney or Orlando? Can you get OPX photos like that one at his signing table, Tatooine Traders, or at Darth's Mall? Thanks in advance, and I love hearing all your great SWW stories and strategies!

 

[Karpkg]

Hi all!

I need some more advice from my fellow SW celebrity autograph collectors. I ordered from Official Pix (the official SW photograph site) an 8x10 picture for Billy Dee Williams to sign this upcoming weekend. However, it's been over a week since I ordered it and they still haven't even shipped it!! I leave for Florida on Wednesday and I'm starting to think it won't arrive in time.

My question is whether anyone has some advice on how to get this 8x10 photo specifically (officialpix . com/estore/proddetail.asp?prod=SW-0586) maybe somewhere in Disney or Orlando? Can you get OPX photos like that one at his signing table, Tatooine Traders, or at Darth's Mall? Thanks in advance, and I love hearing all your great SWW stories and strategies!

Kewl pic.

Unless you get an e-mail confirmation that they've shipped it, I doubt it'll get to you on time.

I haven't seen it at Darth Mall. And any pic that is of a celebrity tends to be bought out before the celebrity's signing. Perhaps any Orlando resident may be able to let you know of a local place to get one.

Those at his table will be a black and white Disney photo of the celebrity for those who don't have anything to have him sign.

 

[lovethattink]

My dh ordred 2 pictures from official pics. It took about 10 days till it arrived.

 

[Ninja Mom]

To get in the first row for Hoopla, just how early do people start lining up? DH would like to take pictures with his camera and we realize from reading this wonderful thread (Thanks Peeps!) that we would need to be close. He is crazy enough to camp out for as long as it takes....

Also, if it rains do they cancel Hoopla? Cut it short?? We will be at SWW for all 3 days and I'm wondering if it rains what do they do for Hoopla. We plan on hitting Hoopla on Friday night with repeats on Sat/Sun if the weather fouls it up. We'll be in line for Chewie first thing on Friday morning and go from there.

Thanks!

~NM

 

[nomargat]

Hi all!

I need some more advice from my fellow SW celebrity autograph collectors. I ordered from Official Pix (the official SW photograph site) an 8x10 picture for Billy Dee Williams to sign this upcoming weekend. However, it's been over a week since I ordered it and they still haven't even shipped it!! I leave for Florida on Wednesday and I'm starting to think it won't arrive in time.

My question is whether anyone has some advice on how to get this 8x10 photo specifically (officialpix . com/estore/proddetail.asp?prod=SW-0586) maybe somewhere in Disney or Orlando? Can you get OPX photos like that one at his signing table, Tatooine Traders, or at Darth's Mall? Thanks in advance, and I love hearing all your great SWW stories and strategies!

Darth's Mall sells some matted pictures from Official Pix, but I haven't seen that version of Lando.

 

[nomargat]

I hope the weather is good this weekend. There's tropical moisture out in the Gulf heading east.

 

[cgattis]

We saw folks sitting on the front row for Hoopla by around 3:00. By 6:30, we could only get last row, in front of the sound booth. I watched it with my 61 pound DD11 on my back.......ouch. Wish they'd move it to the Indy theater.

 

[TDC Nala]

To get in the first row for Hoopla, just how early do people start lining up? DH would like to take pictures with his camera and we realize from reading this wonderful thread (Thanks Peeps!) that we would need to be close. He is crazy enough to camp out for as long as it takes....

Also, if it rains do they cancel Hoopla? Cut it short?? We will be at SWW for all 3 days and I'm wondering if it rains what do they do for Hoopla. We plan on hitting Hoopla on Friday night with repeats on Sat/Sun if the weather fouls it up. We'll be in line for Chewie first thing on Friday morning and go from there.

Thanks!

~NM

You need to get there at least 2 to 3 hours before the show. When I used to do front row for Hoopla, I'd get there at least for the end of the last Padawan mind challenge. I waited until the end of Obi-Wan And Beyond this year, and a front row position was not possible at that time (about 7). There is a post above that says people are starting to "camp out" for the Hoopla at 3 PM which is 5 hours before the show.

One thing you need to watch out for is one or two people holding a place for a larger party. You may find what you think is a good position and then get squeezed out of it.

They will cancel the show if water pools on the stage. At that point it is dangerous for the performers. May also be the case that some of the costumes won't hold up in rain.

 

[yulilin3]

Information on Weekend 4 is out...no map yet:


Specialty shows (in Premiere Theater):

•Behind the Force: "Star Wars" Voices – Explore the voices behind "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" with a fascinating look behind the scenes led by the talented voice behind “Ahsoka” at noon & 1:45 p.m.
•Stars of the Saga – Celebrity Talk Show hosted by James Arnold Taylor at 3:30 p.m.
◦With special pre-show featuring everyone’s favorite stormtroopers
•Obi-Wan and Beyond starring James Arnold Taylor and a galaxy of iconic characters as he takes his audience on a journey into the world of voice acting at 6 p.m.

•Autograph Sessions around Echo Lake
◦James Arnold Taylor – 9:45 a.m.
◦Ashley Eckstein – 4:30 p.m. (Darth's Mall), 5:45 p.m.
◦Peter Mayhew – Noon, 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
◦Tom Kane – 9:45 a.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
◦Billy Dee Williams – 9:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

It looks like Ashley wants to just stay at Darth Mall between her Her Universe signing and the 4:30pm session...not sure how much space is in there for the regular autograph signings...It'll be interesting

 

[heyitsmejosh]

its great news that billy dee has three sessions, i didnt want to have to show up at midnight to get one

 

[ajh88]

You need to get there at least 2 to 3 hours before the show. When I used to do front row for Hoopla, I'd get there at least for the end of the last Padawan mind challenge. I waited until the end of Obi-Wan And Beyond this year, and a front row position was not possible at that time (about 7). There is a post above that says people are starting to "camp out" for the Hoopla at 3 PM which is 5 hours before the show.

One thing you need to watch out for is one or two people holding a place for a larger party. You may find what you think is a good position and then get squeezed out of it.

They will cancel the show if water pools on the stage. At that point it is dangerous for the performers. May also be the case that some of the costumes won't hold up in rain.

Agreed. DH got front and center at 4:30 pm on a Saturday evening. That is consistent with when we saw people lining up last year too. Watch the last PMC from near the front (he let people with kids in the show ahead of him to watch them then moved up). It was a long wait but he was very happy.

 

[yulilin3]

its great news that billy dee has three sessions, i didnt want to have to show up at midnight to get one

I talked to several people that are going to try and get Billy Dee Williams fp's and all of them are planning to arrive by 2am at the latest...good luck to all, I'm happy we got him the last time he came.

 

[nomargat]

Here's a youtube video of Billy Dee Williams and William Shatner giving JJ Abrams ideas for the next Star Wars movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDkC_EkEUCg

 

[jtowntoflorida]

When do they start letting people into the Premier Theatre for the 3:30 show? We definitely want to catch that, and I'm trying to finalize the touring plan. I need to know when we should be heading in that direction.

 

[Zooshoveller]

Currently on hold with Photopass trying to find missing Chewy pictures. At least the music is great.

Not good.

Apparently there where "technical difficulties" with that photographer. She said there are very few photos of Chewy between the time frame and there should be tons. She did say I could try back later (next week) and see if any were able to be recovered.

Lesson learned. Backup Photopass with my own camera.

 

[doconeill]

When do they start letting people into the Premier Theatre for the 3:30 show? We definitely want to catch that, and I'm trying to finalize the touring plan. I need to know when we should be heading in that direction.

Around 15-20 minutes. However, a line forms across the way behind Muppetvision 3D, and those people will be let in first. I don't know if it has reached the point that people in line don't get in due to capacity...but I've seen people lining up more than an hour before. From my experience this past weekend with the Voices and Ewok shows, I'm pretty sure everyone there at least 30 minutes early got in.

 

[WillAustin]

I talked to several people that are going to try and get Billy Dee Williams fp's and all of them are planning to arrive by 2am at the latest...good luck to all, I'm happy we got him the last time he came.

I've got an original Empire Strikes Back movie poster signed by Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker. I'd love to get Billy Dee Williams to sign it, but I'm afraid to travel with it and have to potentially carry it around trying not to let it get wet if it rains.

I'd also be second guessing whether I wanted to bring 3 kids to get in line in the middle of the night.

Maybe I'll just be able to point at him and tell the kids "Hey, there's Lando."