Star Wars Weekend Tips 2012

[Belleandtinker]

Thank you so much for the pictures. I'm not as scared as I was before looking at the pics. We are early rope drop people and we were planning on being there at least an hour before opening. Even at that, I was afraid of the crowds.

 

[liriel]

Yay,I already follow you.

I will be tweeting that first star wars weekend too. I tweet a lot, especially pics, during my Disney trips (I leave this Tuesday), if anyone wants to follow along

http://twitter.com/heatherw25

You know I will be following!

 

[liriel]

DISboarders who are going to Star Wars Weekend 2012

1st Wknd May 18-20
Aerorea 5/18, 5/20
CentralFloridian99 5/20
Daisy'sMama 5/20
disneydreamgirl 5/18, 5/20
disneyforus 5/18
Donald Duck888 5/18
d-r 5/20
Hanover
heyitsmejosh 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
JenGC 5/18
jthornton94 5/20
KaterBell 5/20
kennythepirate 5/18, 5/19
kswm30b 5/18, 5/20
lcarlton99 5/18
lovethattink 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
maybs607 5/18
momtotwins 5/20
momto2sweeties 5/19
MSUmom
tiggerpenny 5/18, 5/19
Tinker Bell Fan 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
vettegirl 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
wallawallakids 5/18
wendypooh 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
yulilin3 5/19, 5/20
2goofykiddos 5/18, 5/19

2nd Wknd May 25-27
aiminator 5/27
csmommy 5/25
delmar411 5/25, 5/26
d-r 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
evcollins 5/26
goofyredraider 5/27
jthornton94 5/26
justwinnie 5/25, 5/26
Karpkg 5/25
kmcdougan 5/26
lovethattink 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
moethorne 5/25
redshoepaul 5/26
wendypooh
yulilin3 5/26, 5/27

3rd Wknd June 1-3
ajh88 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
audrey2580 6/1
cerberus 6/2
delmar411 6/1, 6/2
d-r 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
goofyredraider 6/2, 6/3
ireland nicole
Karpkg 6/1
KathleensKid 6/2, 6/3
lovethattink 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
MarkinMA 6/1, 6/2
megan511 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
mesaboy 6/3
RedM94 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
thej 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
Toystoryfan32 6/3
vleeth 6/2
vwaller72 6/2
yulilin3 6/2, 6/3

4th Wknd June 8-10
Atchley 6/8, 6/10
bizeemom4 6/8, 6/10
buckeev 6/10
cerberus 6/8, 6/10
Cinderumbrella 6/8, 6/9
d-r 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Hanover
ireland nicole 6/8
jacksonsmom 6/8, 6/10
ladyjubilee 6/10
lovethattink 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Music City Mama 6/8
tink70 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
TrixieLouMagoo 6/8
undertheseas 6/8
vwaller72 6/8
wdwfanatic80 6/9, 6/10
wdwnut61 6/8
yulilin3 6/9, 6/10
39CINDERELLA 6/8, 6/9, 6/10

I will be attending on 6/10, sadly we won't get there until 11 am or so, but since we couldn't come any sooner it will have to do for my first SWW! I am just hoping it won't be too insanely crowded.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Thanks Kenny and Sam!

 

[VAfamily1998]

Thank you, Sam Gordon, for the pics! It's not quite as bad as I was picturing!

 

[VAfamily1998]

Hey guys I've compiled all the celebs, characters and show times on my blog for easy tracking/usage. Please let me know if I miss anything. I'm thinking of comprising many of these great tips (with credit given) in a simple format too, what do you think?

I've already added this weekend's regular showtimes. Just waiting on the actual SWW shows to be confirmed for this year.

http://kennythepirate.com/star-wars-weekends/

This helps so much!!! Thank you!

 

[la_la]

If the park opens early, can you immediatey go and get FP's for TSM? We are going to HS SWW on 6/3, with my dad and step mom in tow. I hate that it's worked out that way b/c I think it's going to be way to crowded for them, but at the same time, I don't want our family to miss it. I'm trying to finalize a last minute breakfast ressie, and I'm trying to figure out what time to do it. We won't stand in line to meet any SWW characters, unless we do SW Mickey, Leia Minnie, etc, but we are interested in the SW parade and Hyperspace Hoopla. If anyone could help guide me as to the TSM question, that'd be great!!

ETA: The park is scheduled to open at 9 that day if that matters!

 

[MrsPook]

Add us to the list! We will be at SWW the 2nd AND 3rd weekends this year! Can't wait to read all about this 1st weekend from everyone attending before we get down there!

 

[Music City Mama]

Hi! I pop in here every Star Wars Weekend. Last year I followed the postings to keep up with the hype around the first weekend when George Lucas was rumored to appear and we went that weekend. I've been 2 years in a row and we're surprising my son with a trip this year.

Unless you're a die-hard for the big names like Ray Park, then yes - you need to get to the park really early like around 7 a.m.

If you just want to enjoy the day, then you can get there at gate opening. Last year we were scared into getting to the park early because it was Star Tours opening weekend and we wanted to try to get our son into JTA. We arrived at 8:30 and he was in just fine. Turns out we had to miss the parade. Wish we hadn't even bothered with JTA because the parade is better.

Here's my advice - If you have kids . . . relax and enjoy. The best time we had was the first year we went 2 years ago. We were oblivious to everything, went with the flow and had the time of our lives. The park clears out toward the end of the day and you can walk on rides so easily. Last year, opening weekend, Daniel Logan (little Boba) accepted guests at his autograph area after his passes ran out. He was amazingly grateful and awesome. A couple of other folks did the same thing. Be patient, young padawans.

Again, if you're there for your kid, just relax and go with the flow. Seeing the characters is far more fun for the kids than standing in line to meet them.

Cheers!

Thanks for your perspective! We love SW, but none of us are completely obsessed (although, DS9 did go through a phase a year or two ago). We are considering getting a FP for Daniel Logan, but, we don't have to. I think we may even skip PMC. I showed DS the list of characters he could meet and the only one he said that he REALLY wanted to is Darth Maul -- and I know my younger DS would love that, too (none of us really have any interest in standing in line for any length of time to meet anyone -- call us lazy! LOL). I think we'll be just as happy seeing the roaming characters and shopping for some merchandise. Since it's our only HS day, we need to ride all of the rides we want, too -- so, we need to be flexible.

One of the great things about going the last weekend is learning all of the tips from everyone going the previous weekends. Can't wait to hear all about in the next few days!

 

[poohj80]

We arrive Saturday but will be avoiding DHS until Monday due to crowds.

 

[sam_gordon]

If the park opens early, can you immediatey go and get FP's for TSM? We are going to HS SWW on 6/3, with my dad and step mom in tow. I hate that it's worked out that way b/c I think it's going to be way to crowded for them, but at the same time, I don't want our family to miss it. I'm trying to finalize a last minute breakfast ressie, and I'm trying to figure out what time to do it. We won't stand in line to meet any SWW characters, unless we do SW Mickey, Leia Minnie, etc, but we are interested in the SW parade and Hyperspace Hoopla. If anyone could help guide me as to the TSM question, that'd be great!!

ETA: The park is scheduled to open at 9 that day if that matters!

FP for all rides were available when the parked opened. DS & I got him signed up for JTA, got FP for ST, rode ST, then got FP for TSM... all before 9AM (which is when we had to meet for his JTA class).

 

[MSUmom]

The park does open at 8:00 a.m. and the storm troopers will come at 7:30 a.m. to perform for guests waiting to get in. I have read some of the posts and wasn't sure if everyone had that info. You don't want to be late I am just grateful my DD doesn't want the celeb autographs and we don't have to get there at 6:00 a.m. for fast passes!!!

 

[ocalla]

We will be attending SWW on Friday June 1!!! Can I be added to the list?

Thanks in advance

 

[Karpkg]

Studiocentral has photos of the Star Wars Weekend stage and tents going up, as well as how it's looking like the rest of the park. Photos were taken Mother's Day.

Looks like pics of the Droid Factory as well.

http://www.studioscentral.com/column/studios-update/may-13-2012-studios-update

 

[Karpkg]

Who here is familiar with Characterpalooza? Fantasmic is showing 9PM with some 2nd showings at 10:30. Does this mean there won't be? I'm accustomed to checking it out when Fantasmic is playing earlier. I don't recall what happens when Fantasmic is done later.

 

[Karpkg]

4 more days till our 1st SWWers go!

Updated List:

1st Wknd May 18-20
Aerorea 5/18, 5/20
CentralFloridian99 5/20
Daisy'sMama 5/20
disneydreamgirl 5/18, 5/20
disneyforus 5/18
Donald Duck888 5/18
d-r 5/20
GadgetRick
Hanover
heyitsmejosh 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
JenGC 5/18
jthornton94 5/20
KaterBell 5/20
kennythepirate 5/18, 5/19
kswm30b 5/18, 5/20
lcarlton99 5/18
lovethattink 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
maybs607 5/18
momtotwins 5/20
momto2sweeties 5/19
MSUmom
tiggerpenny 5/18, 5/19
Tinker Bell Fan 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
vettegirl 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
wallawallakids 5/18
wendypooh 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
yulilin3 5/19, 5/20
2goofykiddos 5/18, 5/19

2nd Wknd May 25-27
aiminator 5/27
csmommy 5/25
delmar411 5/25, 5/26
Desiree 5/25
d-r 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
evcollins 5/26
GadgetRick
goofyredraider 5/27
jthornton94 5/26
justwinnie 5/25, 5/26
Karpkg 5/25
kmcdougan 5/26
lovethattink 5/25, 5/26, 5/27
moethorne 5/25
MrsPook
redshoepaul 5/26
wendypooh
yulilin3 5/26, 5/27

3rd Wknd June 1-3
ajh88 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
audrey2580 6/1
cerberus 6/2
delmar411 6/1, 6/2
d-r 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
goofyredraider 6/2, 6/3
ireland nicole
Karpkg 6/1
KathleensKid 6/2, 6/3
la la 6/3
lovethattink 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
MarkinMA 6/1, 6/2
megan511 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
mesaboy 6/3
MrsPook
ocalla 6/1
RedM94 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
thej 6/1, 6/2, 6/3
Toystoryfan32 6/3
vleeth 6/2
vwaller72 6/2
yulilin3 6/2, 6/3

4th Wknd June 8-10
Atchley 6/8, 6/10
bizeemom4 6/8, 6/10
buckeev 6/10
cerberus 6/8, 6/10
Cinderumbrella 6/8, 6/9
d-r 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Hanover
ireland nicole 6/8
jacksonsmom 6/8, 6/10
ladyjubilee 6/10
liriel 6/10
lovethattink 6/8, 6/9, 6/10
Music City Mama 6/8
TrixieLouMagoo 6/8
undertheseas 6/8
vwaller72 6/8
wdwfanatic80 6/9, 6/10
wdwnut61 6/8
yulilin3 6/9, 6/10
39CINDERELLA 6/8, 6/9, 6/10

 

[kmcdougan]

We are in the single digits for our trip. Three great days of SWW fun and goodness.

 

[Desiree]

Hi all! I'm a little late to this thread but I'll be there on 5/25!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I see the TA site lists official opening at 8am during SWW. Is there speculation that it will be even earlier than that, like last year? Would be SO great to ride TSM, Star Tours and the like before the SWW characters are out.

 

[GadgetRick]

We'll be there this weekend and (maybe) the weekend of June 8.