Star Wars Weekends?

[Fashionista007]

Hello all! We're going down to the World for our very first SWW in just 4 weeks and I was wondering how do you get to DHS early before it opens to get in line for celebrity autograph FPs? We generally use Disney transportation so we won't have a car. Can we get a cab? We're staying at CBR.

Does anyone have any good tips about SWW? I've been reading a lot of forums and the basic message is expect it to be crowded and get there no later than 6:30AM if you want autographs. We usually go during value season so I think the crowds will be a bit shocking for us

What is the best method if you want multiple autographs? There are 2 of us going (my fiance and I), should we stand in separate lines for FPs? I would like to get all of the autographs but I doubt that is possible with the crowds and FPs. I'm guessing if you don't have a FP you're probably not going to get an autograph. We definitely want Anthony Daniels and Ashley Eckstein. We're planning to attend on Fri 5/20 and Sat 5/21.

 

[Master Yoda]

You will have to take a cab as there is no transportation running at that time. For celebrity autographs it will depend on the celebrity. 6:30 AM in many cases will be too late. Last year when Ray Park and Billie Dee Williams were there I got in line at 3:00 AM and was the second to last person to get a non-standby fast pass for Billie Dee and my wife was about 20 people in front of the last person for Ray Park. Ashley should not be an issue but Anthony will be. Also Anthony has been very picky about what he autographs in the past. Many times he will only sign the pictures he provides

If you do not have a FP you will not get an autograph. They will not even let you get in line. When it comes to autographs you will need to divide and concur. You will need to each get into separate lines and you might have to do multiple days.

Other than that what you will need to do is set priorities. There is simply too much to do to fit it all in on one day. We did three weekends last year and still lacked a few of the character pictures. Also with the new ride this year expect 1-2 hour waits for Star Tours this year.

 

[Fashionista007]

You will have to take a cab as there is no transportation running at that time. For celebrity autographs it will depend on the celebrity. 6:30 AM in many cases will be too late. Last year when Ray Park and Billie Dee Williams were there I got in line at 3:00 AM and was the second to last person to get a non-standby fast pass for Billie Dee and my wife was about 20 people in front of the last person for Ray Park. Ashley should not be an issue but Anthony will be. Also Anthony has been very picky about what he autographs in the past. Many times he will only sign the pictures he provides

If you do not have a FP you will not get an autograph. They will not even let you get in line. When it comes to autographs you will need to divide and concur. You will need to each get into separate lines and you might have to do multiple days.

Other than that what you will need to do is set priorities. There is simply too much to do to fit it all in on one day. We did three weekends last year and still lacked a few of the character pictures. Also with the new ride this year expect 1-2 hour waits for Star Tours this year.

Thank you so much for the information MasterYoda! I figured we would not be able to get everything done. It's so hard to prioritize! I guess #1 for us would be autographs and #2 is the Behind The Force show. I'd love to do everything but if I could get those 2, I can die happy

 

[Todd L]

You will have to take a cab as there is no transportation running at that time. For celebrity autographs it will depend on the celebrity. 6:30 AM in many cases will be too late. Last year when Ray Park and Billie Dee Williams were there I got in line at 3:00 AM and was the second to last person to get a non-standby fast pass for Billie Dee and my wife was about 20 people in front of the last person for Ray Park. Ashley should not be an issue but Anthony will be. Also Anthony has been very picky about what he autographs in the past. Many times he will only sign the pictures he provides

If you do not have a FP you will not get an autograph. They will not even let you get in line. When it comes to autographs you will need to divide and concur. You will need to each get into separate lines and you might have to do multiple days.

Other than that what you will need to do is set priorities. There is simply too much to do to fit it all in on one day. We did three weekends last year and still lacked a few of the character pictures. Also with the new ride this year expect 1-2 hour waits for Star Tours this year.

You Know...I was thinking about going to Sww 2012 But after reading this Im not so sure..My son will be 6 and just loves star wars but I think ill wait a few more years until hes a little older and make it easier on us!!

 

[Master Yoda]

Thank you so much for the information MasterYoda! I figured we would not be able to get everything done. It's so hard to prioritize! I guess #1 for us would be autographs and #2 is the Behind The Force show. I'd love to do everything but if I could get those 2, I can die happy

That should not be a problem. The big 3 time killers are autographs, character pictures and potentially merchandise. The shows are not too hard but plan on getting to the theaters no less than 45 minutes early. Also prepare for heat and zero shade. Wear white, pack plenty of water and sun screen and if all possible wear a hat preferably a 3' diameter sombrero.

 

[Master Yoda]

You Know...I was thinking about going to Sww 2012 But after reading this Im not so sure..My son will be 6 and just loves star wars but I think ill wait a few more years until hes a little older and make it easier on us!!

The only really bad part are the celebrity autographs and attractions do have to take a back seat. The shows are easy to get into providing you get there 30-45 minutes early and character pictures and autographs are not bad providing that you get there before park opening and do them straight away.

 

[Scuttle]

How busy is it and will Star Tours fastpass be working may 21 when I go? If I take the monorail to epcot at 830 cut through epcot get a soarin fastpass and then take the boat over to the studios make it there about 930 I am guessing, will that be early enough to get a fastpass for Toy Story Mania and Star Tours or will they all be gone? Anyone ever use this strategy?

 

[Master Yoda]

How busy is it and will Star Tours fastpass be working may 21 when I go? If I take the monorail to epcot at 830 cut through epcot get a soarin fastpass and then take the boat over to the studios make it there about 930 I am guessing, will that be early enough to get a fastpass for Toy Story Mania and Star Tours or will they all be gone? Anyone ever use this strategy?

You can't hold that many fast passes at one time. I do not know if it tracks between parks but I know for certain that it does track inside the parks. Typically you can only get around one fast pass inside of 1-2 hours.

 

[Fashionista007]

That should not be a problem. The big 3 time killers are autographs, character pictures and potentially merchandise. The shows are not too hard but plan on getting to the theaters no less than 45 minutes early. Also prepare for heat and zero shade. Wear white, pack plenty of water and sun screen and if all possible wear a hat preferably a 3' diameter sombrero.

Good tips! I'm looking on Amazon.com for a CamelBak and some of those spray fans. My Fiance is hell bent on buying the Indiana Jones hat this time around but I need a hat too. Especially because I'm the palest shade of white and I get sunburnt every time we go!

Any news on what time the Star Tours 2.0 dedication ceremony will be on 5/20? I heard this week that they might announce a plan to further integrate Star Wars in DHS with more attractions, shows, etc. I'm definitely going to be around for that!

 

[Master Yoda]

Good tips! I'm looking on Amazon.com for a CamelBak and some of those spray fans. My Fiance is hell bent on buying the Indiana Jones hat this time around but I need a hat too. Especially because I'm the palest shade of white and I get sunburnt every time we go!

Any news on what time the Star Tours 2.0 dedication ceremony will be on 5/20? I heard this week that they might announce a plan to further integrate Star Wars in DHS with more attractions, shows, etc. I'm definitely going to be around for that!

I have not as of yet. I would not expect too much from the ceremony. It will be fun to see but earth shattering announcements are as rare at hens teeth at them.

 

[Scuttle]

You can't hold that many fast passes at one time. I do not know if it tracks between parks but I know for certain that it does track inside the parks. Typically you can only get around one fast pass inside of 1-2 hours.

No the system is only for the park I have dones this before. You can totally get a soarin fastpass and then go get one in another park. Not true either if you get there early enough the fastpass return window is usually under 1 hour.

 

[minniemickeyfan]

Hello all! We're going down to the World for our very first SWW in just 4 weeks and I was wondering how do you get to DHS early before it opens to get in line for celebrity autograph FPs? We generally use Disney transportation so we won't have a car. Can we get a cab? We're staying at CBR.

Does anyone have any good tips about SWW? I've been reading a lot of forums and the basic message is expect it to be crowded and get there no later than 6:30AM if you want autographs. We usually go during value season so I think the crowds will be a bit shocking for us

What is the best method if you want multiple autographs? There are 2 of us going (my fiance and I), should we stand in separate lines for FPs? I would like to get all of the autographs but I doubt that is possible with the crowds and FPs. I'm guessing if you don't have a FP you're probably not going to get an autograph. We definitely want Anthony Daniels and Ashley Eckstein. We're planning to attend on Fri 5/20 and Sat 5/21.

If you miss meeting a celebrity, there's always the special Star Wars parade they will be in. Not the same, but a picture is nice.

 

[Fashionista007]

If you miss meeting a celebrity, there's always the special Star Wars parade they will be in. Not the same, but a picture is nice.

Yep that's what we're betting on. We're sitting here discussing our priorities for the trip and now we have a new question!

Do the celebs have pictures they sign to give to you and/or can you bring something for them to sign? TIA

 

[SFMarine]

This SW weekend is going to be rough for me haha (27-29). This is my first one and it sounds like it will be tough to get some autographs. I think I'll pass on waking up @ 3am. I'm guessing these pics that the celebs sign have to be bought somewhere in advance?

 

[Master Yoda]

Yep that's what we're betting on. We're sitting here discussing our priorities for the trip and now we have a new question!

Do the celebs have pictures they sign to give to you and/or can you bring something for them to sign? TIA

This SW weekend is going to be rough for me haha (27-29). This is my first one and it sounds like it will be tough to get some autographs. I think I'll pass on waking up @ 3am. I'm guessing these pics that the celebs sign have to be bought somewhere in advance?

They do provide free pictures that can be autographed. Most will sign pretty much anything you put in front of them. Anthony Daniels would be the one exception that I know of, he would only sign the provided photos, but that might have changed. I typically bring in action figures or buy one of the SWW posters and use it for all the celebrities.

 

[Tonphanan]

I saw Anthony Daniels at a convention two years ago and he was signing everything and anything (he signed someones R2-D2 dome) I am going the second weekend and have a poster to get signed will all the SW charcters pics on it.

This is my first SWW with the fastpass concept so I'm still trying to make a plan as well. My parents went last year. There were 3 movie actors and 3 cartoon voice actors. There was no issue getting a decent fastpass as soon as the fastpass section opened.

The only thing to lookout for is the 501st. They are the group that dresses as the Imperial forces for the parade. The 501st gets priority in the standby line. And they don't need a pass, just be in costume.

 

[Dwarful]

Does anyone know what time the parade/motorcade will be? We will be there the first weekend in June and plan on two days of SWW. Not worried so much about the autographs.

 

[Tonphanan]

Does anyone know what time the parade/motorcade will be? We will be there the first weekend in June and plan on two days of SWW. Not worried so much about the autographs.

Last year it was at 11:40am. I would expect about the same time this year.

 

[SFMarine]

I am reviving this semi-old thread...im down in Disney right now and am bracing myself for my first sww. I had a question about where the fp autograph kiosks are located. Are they near star tours? Which is such an awesome ride,btw. I am planning on getting to the park an hr early
..im hoping to meet Anthony daniels and get an autograph. Thanks.

 

[Master Yoda]

I am reviving this semi-old thread...im down in Disney right now and am bracing myself for my first sww. I had a question about where the fp autograph kiosks are located. Are they near star tours? Which is such an awesome ride,btw. I am planning on getting to the park an hr early
..im hoping to meet Anthony daniels and get an autograph. Thanks.

They no longer have kiosks inside of the park for the autograph fastpasses.. You will line up outside of the park and a CM will hand you a fastpass. Just a word of warning, people will get there way early. I have already heard reports of people getting there around 4 AM and it not being early enough. Last year I got there at 3 AM for Billie Dee Williams and Ray Park and was the second to last person to get a non-stand by pass.