Star Wars Weekends 2014

[PhotoDave219]

No I can't.

I'm seriously reconsidering my $170 investment. The entire point of making the purchase was that I didn't want to have to wait an hour for a decent view of the parade. Now it sounds like I still need to wait an hour but I get a Mickey bar for my troubles. You have to be kidding me.

Thats correct.

I would highly advise getting into your spot no later than 10 if you want to be on the rope.

The crowd is behaving as if the parade still starts at 11 (last years time)..... People immediately adjacent to the VIP area, that area starts filling in at 930.

 

[lebeau]

Thats correct.

I would highly advise getting into your spot no later than 10 if you want to be on the rope.

The crowd is behaving as if the parade still starts at 11 (last years time)..... People immediately adjacent to the VIP area, that area starts filling in at 930.

That is consistent with what I am reading elsewhere. It's hard to believe. The parade hardly seems worth the effort. I can't imagine waiting two hours to see a parade with no floats.

 

[note2001]

You guys are scaring me off from bringing my son to SWW for his senior trip. Sounds like the whole event has just grown too big to be enjoyable. He has always loved the series and I think what he wants to see is the characters randomly walking about. He's not into celebrities either, so it's down to the fireworks, the opening skit with the stormtroopers and... merchandise? Oh lord, nope, don't think he'll be happy.

 

[PhotoDave219]

You guys are scaring me off from bringing my son to SWW for his senior trip. Sounds like the whole event has just grown to big to be enjoyable. He's not into celebrities either, so it's down to the fireworks, the opening skip with the stormtroopers and... merchandise? Oh lord, nope, don't think he'll be happy.

Okay, dont let that happen.

Its a lot of fun, just requires some serious planning. There's a lot of characters to see and the shows in the Premier theatre are pretty good. Besides, can meet Darth Vader.

 

[Furiated]

@kennygman ran a pretty negative review of the parade portion of the Feel the Force Premium package at his blog.

He's scheduled to review the fireworks section today. Based on his comments, it doesn't sound like he would recommend the package. The way he describes it, it hardly sounds worth the hefty price tag.

It's definitely set up better for fireworks than for the parade. You really need to get on the rope for a good parade view. I'm pretty tall and was by myself so I didn't mind being 2-3 people deep since I could still see. I was more concerned about having a good view for the fireworks and I was happy with my spot.

 

[Furiated]

Slightly off topic but Tower of Terror got stuck right before the drop while we were inside. Saw backstage and surprisingly some guest was filming and they didn't stop him.

Was this last Friday? I had the same thing happen, got stuck as soon as we got into the drop shaft and had to be pulled back out and evac'ed off. It was very cool getting to see everything, but this was getting close to parade time and I was sweating missing the parade if we were stuck for too long.

 

[Bolt]

You guys are scaring me off from bringing my son to SWW for his senior trip. Sounds like the whole event has just grown too big to be enjoyable. He has always loved the series and I think what he wants to see is the characters randomly walking about. He's not into celebrities either, so it's down to the fireworks, the opening skit with the stormtroopers and... merchandise? Oh lord, nope, don't think he'll be happy.

I would not change your plans - Star Wars Weekends is great in the aspect that it is a mix-in event, and not separately ticketed. But as Dave said, just plan it to make the best of it. It really is awesome to see the energy of the crowd there.

 

[lebeau]

It's definitely set up better for fireworks than for the parade. You really need to get on the rope for a good parade view. I'm pretty tall and was by myself so I didn't mind being 2-3 people deep since I could still see. I was more concerned about having a good view for the fireworks and I was happy with my spot.

At 5'6" I am the tallest in our group. We either need to be at the rope or standing behind ewoks. I'm frankly a little amazed to find out that $60 doesn't buy you a spot at the rope.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I would not change your plans - Star Wars Weekends is great in the aspect that it is a mix-in event, and not separately ticketed. But as Dave said, just plan it to make the best of it. It really is awesome to see the energy of the crowd there.

It requires planning, thats all. I suggest making an insane day of it.

First, bring a water bottle with you - You will be walking to the quick serv location next to star tours to refill it with water throughout the day. Just go with me on this, it will save your butt come 4pm.

Reserve a FP+ for Saga with the Stars, if any are available. Its the marquee show of the weekend.
If not, grab star tours.

You're going to want to rope drop (730) and immediately head to either the meet & greet for Vader or Chewbacca. After that, meet some more characters and stalk a shady spot for the parade.

Go get lunch and then get in line for Luke/Leia. Go check out the Saga of the Stars and cool off.

Get out, go play on Bounty Hunter alley, check out Darth's Mall or do what ever you need to do to kill time (See also: "Coaster, Rock-N-Roller" or "Terror, Tower of") until its time (830) to claim a good space for the fireworks.

It can be done, sure there are lines but everyone is there to have the same good time you want.... its a communal spirit generally.

 

[asianway]

It requires planning, thats all. I suggest making an insane day of it.

First, bring a water bottle with you - You will be walking to the quick serv location next to star tours to refill it with water throughout the day. Just go with me on this, it will save your butt come 4pm.

Reserve a FP+ for Saga with the Stars, if any are available. Its the marquee show of the weekend.
If not, grab star tours.

You're going to want to rope drop (730) and immediately head to either the meet & greet for Vader or Chewbacca. After that, meet some more characters and stalk a shady spot for the parade.

Go get lunch and then get in line for Luke/Leia. Go check out the Saga of the Stars and cool off.

Get out, go play on Bounty Hunter alley, check out Darth's Mall or do what ever you need to do to kill time (See also: "Coaster, Rock-N-Roller" or "Terror, Tower of") until its time (830) to claim a good space for the fireworks.

It can be done, sure there are lines but everyone is there to have the same good time you want.... its a communal spirit generally.

I believe the ewoks start later than Chewbacca if I recall - be aware if you want them in the pic

 

[Hyperspace Hoopla]

Yeah, David was always one of the "good guys" in MLB. Miss seeing him on the field as he always played hard and always found time for the fans. Interesting that it appears that after last playing in 2010, he's gone to work for Her Universe.


Thanks for the heads-up on the autograph situation. Did you have the standby FP's or did they litteraly allow you to walk up? In prior years, they wouldn't allow us to get a signature unless we had at least a standby FP, even if there were few people in the line. What time did you get there for the wristband?

Walk up. They banged out their line, their stand by line, and we're taking walk ups.

 

[Dwarful]

Yeah, David was always one of the "good guys" in MLB. Miss seeing him on the field as he always played hard and always found time for the fans. Interesting that it appears that after last playing in 2010, he's gone to work for Her Universe.QUOTE]

We miss him in St. Louis...that is for sure!!!!! He was a true class act, always happy to meet the fans...especially the kids, after the game.

 

[journ116]

You guys are scaring me off from bringing my son to SWW for his senior trip. Sounds like the whole event has just grown too big to be enjoyable. He has always loved the series and I think what he wants to see is the characters randomly walking about. He's not into celebrities either, so it's down to the fireworks, the opening skit with the stormtroopers and... merchandise? Oh lord, nope, don't think he'll be happy.

I just took my youngest sister down for SWW, and with some proper planning, we were able to see and do a lot! I think I will write up a mini-TR tomorrow about our experience, and post it by Thursday, 5/22.

My sister and I had the same mind-set that your son does: watch the parade (at which you'll be able to see all the characters, and guests in their elaborate costumes), meet at least 2 characters, check out Darth's Mall, watch the stage show prior to the fireworks (from in front of the stage), then enjoy the brief, but ground-rattling fireworks. Also, just to "see" the characters freely-roaming was entertaining enough! Throw in a couple of rides, and we were good-to-go!

Given that this was our first time with SWW, we went in with little expectation, moderate organization, and off-the-charts anticipation!

Have fun! and may the force be with you!

 

[Texas84]

Just to clarify, at an event aimed at children, adults are booing the fictional heroes and cheering the fictional villains?

I didn't hear any booing the heroes, but there was cheering for the villains. Sounded about 60-40 pro-villain.

 

[Texas84]

Here's a bad picture of the desserts. I also took it at a bad time. They kept those platforms full of desserts. And they were darn good.

 

[Jakester]

The GMR rides closes at 8am as well.

8:00am is a little early ya think?

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

8:00am is a little early ya think?

LOL thanks for noticing

 

[FutureCEO]

Was this last Friday? I had the same thing happen, got stuck as soon as we got into the drop shaft and had to be pulled back out and evac'ed off. It was very cool getting to see everything, but this was getting close to parade time and I was sweating missing the parade if we were stuck for too long.

It was that same day. Sometime in the morning near the parade I know that. 10ish, I think.

 

[Ignohippo]

Only complaint is the Mall. It's too small this year, very crowded, longer waits to get in and it has to close early.

Is the Mall not in the huge tent by ToT this year? Why is it smaller?

 

[FutureCEO]

The Mall is near Toy Story this year and near where they set fireworks off.