SW Weekends Survival Guide
May. 10th, 2010 07:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lazypadawanThe First Ever Disney SW Weekends Survival Guide
I went to Disney Star Wars Weekends a year ago and lived to tell about it. For those of you fortunate to make two trips to Orlando (or maybe you live there) or if you're going to this event instead of Celebration V or maybe you're thinking about 2011, here's what I learned.
FAQs
1. Do I have to go Friday, Saturday, and Sunday? Can I do it all in one day?
Theoretically, you can do it all in one day. I went on Sunday and pretty much saw everything except for Ray Park's martial arts demonstration at 5 p.m. and the Hyperspace Hoopla--the outdoors character dance-off seen on YouTube--at 7 p.m.. The only other thing I missed out on were autographs, but I'll get to that in a minute. So long as you are willing to forego rides or go on them in the evening hours after all of the Weekend events are over, you can hit all of the highlights in a single park visit.
However, Orlando being what it is in the month of May, weather can literally rain on your parade. I doubt they went ahead with the Hoopla on the Sunday I went because it was pouring rain and there was lightning galore around that time. It would suck if they cancelled the parade, one of the event's must-sees, and that was the only day you were there. If you tire easily or if you have kids/old people in your group who get cranky after about 3 p.m., you might want to consider a two or three-day visit.
2. What Are The Must-Sees/Must-Dos?
You HAVE to see the parade. If you like Disney's park parades, you will LOVE this parade because it's Disney and SW in one big happy combo. See both Disney cast members and fan costumers represent your favorite characters and wave at the celebrity guests as they arrive by motorcade. My mom thought this was easily the best part of SW Weekends.
I would also strongly recommend the guest presentations. If you frequently go to panels at conventions, that's what these are like. They're a lot of fun and I'm willing to bet there will be a Clone Wars panel that will feature exclusive sneak previews of Season Three.
Kids like the Jedi training show and the Hyperspace Hoopla seems to be pretty popular. The problem with those shows is that they're on a temporary stage right outside of Star Tours and unless you're standing right up front, it's hard to see because there aren't any risers or bleachers to stand on.
Part of the fun is taking pictures with Disney cast members as various SW characters. Kids love to pose with them and get "autographs," but I saw plenty of teens and adults doing the same thing. The lines can be long and slow-moving, especially for a very popular character like Darth Vader. But the cast members really get into it and not only are good with the tourists, they work hard to be in character. Characters appear in a hit and run kind of way; you sort of have to bump into them. Rain and lightning will make the characters disappear.
3. What About Autographs?
Autographs from the celebrity guests (not Disney cast members as characters) are a real hassle to get and they disappear fast. Unless you're willing to get up at four a.m. and line up outside of the park for the measly few passes handed out for the short autograph sessions, I'd say wait until your next Celebration, Star Wars Fan Days, Comic Con, etc. to catch these guys. Or buy autographs from Official Pix. They've never had a super-rare celebrity like Ewan McGregor or Harrison Ford at these things, so don't worry about it. If you do get an autograph pass, there's a limit on the number of things guests can sign but I didn't think it was strictly enforced.
4. Can I Wear A Costume?
Disney has strict rules against park visitors wearing costumes, although I noticed it was relaxed a little bit for SW Weekends. I guess as long as you don't show up wearing a mask or a helmet and you or your kids look "homemade" enough, they'll let you in. Save the Cad Bane costume with the very real-looking gun for another event. Besides, it's too frickin' hot.
5. Should I Stay On Disney Property?
There are advantages and disadvantages to staying onsite. The biggest advantage is that you can use the Disney bus to get to and from the airport, and between the hotel and the park at no additional charge. You can avoid a lot of the worst traffic to get in and find a spot because the bus gets its own entrance.
However, the buses run about every 10-15 minutes, sometimes longer if there's bad traffic on Disney property. We waited a long time for a bus to take us back to the hotel because *everybody* was leaving due to a big thunderstorm.
There are only a handful of hotels that are close to Disney Hollywood Studios, the park where SW Weekends takes place and even those aren't THAT close. You still need to take a car or a bus to get to the park. I went Memorial Day weekend and the prices for the hotels were quite expensive. I ended up staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort because it was a reasonable $157/night and it was the closest hotel to the park. I was unprepared for how massive the resort actually was and how hard it was to get around. The room was okay; it was essentially top tier motel quality. If I wanted something more "luxe," I'd have to stay at some place that was racking up about $300/night or the Grand Floridian for almost $500/night. The relatively-close Swan and the Dolphin are on Disney property but are not Disney-owned hotels. Those are pretty nice and price between the Caribbean Beach Resort and the more expensive hotels.
To be honest, I could have gotten a lot more for the money and stayed not too far away from the park at an Embassy Suites or a Courtyard or something.
Do's & Don'ts
1. Do Bring A Rain Poncho
Rainstorms are common in Florida this time of the year. Ponchos are easier to tote than umbrellas and they keep you completely dry. If you don't already have one, just about every Disney gift shop sells them for $8 a pop.
2. Do Bring Comfy Shoes
You will be on your feet a good portion of the day. Don't bring your stilettos.
3. Do Watch Out For Lightning
If a thunderstorm hits the area, take shelter in one of the stores until the lightning gets further away. You get some nasty thunderboomers in Florida, with frequent cloud to ground strikes. Nothing to play around with.
4. Do stake out a spot in front of the American Idol theater to catch the parade
It's the best spot. Disney reserves the steps just outside of the theater beneath an overhang for family members of parade participants but if there aren't too many of them, the Disney folks will let you stay.
5. For the Love of God, DON'T Eat Lunch At The ABC Commissary
The problem with Disney Hollywood Studios is a lack of quick places to eat. Therefore, the few that are in the park are jammed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.. The sit-down restaurants are often booked long in advance to very late hours, thanks to the Disney Meal Plan. There are no guys selling hotdogs or hamburgers in carts, just snacks like popcorn or ice cream. The least worst places are toward the rear of the park, such as one near the faux studio tour. The ABC Commissary is located near the center of the park. The lines were hellaciously long, the service was absurdly slow, and there weren't enough spots to sit down. Eat lunch very early, very late, or smuggle in a sandwich. I wish I did.
6. Do Take Pictures
The only time they tell you not to take photos is if they're showing an exclusive Clone Wars preview or something. Go nuts with everything else, even taking photos of folks signing autographs (generally a no-no at conventions). You can't go up and pose with anyone if you're not getting anything signed, but snapping a pic from nearby is fine.
7. Do Shop At Wicket's Warehouse and Don't Forget Your Credit Cards
The Tatooine Traders outside of Star Tours was mobbed. Wicket's Warehouse sold the same stuff plus ALL of the event exclusives in a much larger space and it was blissfully uncrowded. The problem is it's tricky to find. If it's in the same location this year, it's between the faux studio tour and Pixar Land. It's in a brick building with a marquee.
8. Do Wear Sunscreen and Bring A Hat
Chances are it will be sunny most if not all day and the Florida sun can be a killer. You don't have to be at the beach to look like a lobster. It's also very hot and humid…break out the shorts and tees.
9. Do Geek Out But Don't Become A "Legend"
It's expected for hardcore SW fans to geek out at SW Weekends. But please don't stalk the Disney cast members and don't tell people you've changed your last name to "Skywalker."
10. Do Buy Your Tix In Advance
You can buy your park tickets in advance and print them up at home. It will save a lot of time at the front gate in the morning.
I went to Disney Star Wars Weekends a year ago and lived to tell about it. For those of you fortunate to make two trips to Orlando (or maybe you live there) or if you're going to this event instead of Celebration V or maybe you're thinking about 2011, here's what I learned.
FAQs
1. Do I have to go Friday, Saturday, and Sunday? Can I do it all in one day?
Theoretically, you can do it all in one day. I went on Sunday and pretty much saw everything except for Ray Park's martial arts demonstration at 5 p.m. and the Hyperspace Hoopla--the outdoors character dance-off seen on YouTube--at 7 p.m.. The only other thing I missed out on were autographs, but I'll get to that in a minute. So long as you are willing to forego rides or go on them in the evening hours after all of the Weekend events are over, you can hit all of the highlights in a single park visit.
However, Orlando being what it is in the month of May, weather can literally rain on your parade. I doubt they went ahead with the Hoopla on the Sunday I went because it was pouring rain and there was lightning galore around that time. It would suck if they cancelled the parade, one of the event's must-sees, and that was the only day you were there. If you tire easily or if you have kids/old people in your group who get cranky after about 3 p.m., you might want to consider a two or three-day visit.
2. What Are The Must-Sees/Must-Dos?
You HAVE to see the parade. If you like Disney's park parades, you will LOVE this parade because it's Disney and SW in one big happy combo. See both Disney cast members and fan costumers represent your favorite characters and wave at the celebrity guests as they arrive by motorcade. My mom thought this was easily the best part of SW Weekends.
I would also strongly recommend the guest presentations. If you frequently go to panels at conventions, that's what these are like. They're a lot of fun and I'm willing to bet there will be a Clone Wars panel that will feature exclusive sneak previews of Season Three.
Kids like the Jedi training show and the Hyperspace Hoopla seems to be pretty popular. The problem with those shows is that they're on a temporary stage right outside of Star Tours and unless you're standing right up front, it's hard to see because there aren't any risers or bleachers to stand on.
Part of the fun is taking pictures with Disney cast members as various SW characters. Kids love to pose with them and get "autographs," but I saw plenty of teens and adults doing the same thing. The lines can be long and slow-moving, especially for a very popular character like Darth Vader. But the cast members really get into it and not only are good with the tourists, they work hard to be in character. Characters appear in a hit and run kind of way; you sort of have to bump into them. Rain and lightning will make the characters disappear.
3. What About Autographs?
Autographs from the celebrity guests (not Disney cast members as characters) are a real hassle to get and they disappear fast. Unless you're willing to get up at four a.m. and line up outside of the park for the measly few passes handed out for the short autograph sessions, I'd say wait until your next Celebration, Star Wars Fan Days, Comic Con, etc. to catch these guys. Or buy autographs from Official Pix. They've never had a super-rare celebrity like Ewan McGregor or Harrison Ford at these things, so don't worry about it. If you do get an autograph pass, there's a limit on the number of things guests can sign but I didn't think it was strictly enforced.
4. Can I Wear A Costume?
Disney has strict rules against park visitors wearing costumes, although I noticed it was relaxed a little bit for SW Weekends. I guess as long as you don't show up wearing a mask or a helmet and you or your kids look "homemade" enough, they'll let you in. Save the Cad Bane costume with the very real-looking gun for another event. Besides, it's too frickin' hot.
5. Should I Stay On Disney Property?
There are advantages and disadvantages to staying onsite. The biggest advantage is that you can use the Disney bus to get to and from the airport, and between the hotel and the park at no additional charge. You can avoid a lot of the worst traffic to get in and find a spot because the bus gets its own entrance.
However, the buses run about every 10-15 minutes, sometimes longer if there's bad traffic on Disney property. We waited a long time for a bus to take us back to the hotel because *everybody* was leaving due to a big thunderstorm.
There are only a handful of hotels that are close to Disney Hollywood Studios, the park where SW Weekends takes place and even those aren't THAT close. You still need to take a car or a bus to get to the park. I went Memorial Day weekend and the prices for the hotels were quite expensive. I ended up staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort because it was a reasonable $157/night and it was the closest hotel to the park. I was unprepared for how massive the resort actually was and how hard it was to get around. The room was okay; it was essentially top tier motel quality. If I wanted something more "luxe," I'd have to stay at some place that was racking up about $300/night or the Grand Floridian for almost $500/night. The relatively-close Swan and the Dolphin are on Disney property but are not Disney-owned hotels. Those are pretty nice and price between the Caribbean Beach Resort and the more expensive hotels.
To be honest, I could have gotten a lot more for the money and stayed not too far away from the park at an Embassy Suites or a Courtyard or something.
Do's & Don'ts
1. Do Bring A Rain Poncho
Rainstorms are common in Florida this time of the year. Ponchos are easier to tote than umbrellas and they keep you completely dry. If you don't already have one, just about every Disney gift shop sells them for $8 a pop.
2. Do Bring Comfy Shoes
You will be on your feet a good portion of the day. Don't bring your stilettos.
3. Do Watch Out For Lightning
If a thunderstorm hits the area, take shelter in one of the stores until the lightning gets further away. You get some nasty thunderboomers in Florida, with frequent cloud to ground strikes. Nothing to play around with.
4. Do stake out a spot in front of the American Idol theater to catch the parade
It's the best spot. Disney reserves the steps just outside of the theater beneath an overhang for family members of parade participants but if there aren't too many of them, the Disney folks will let you stay.
5. For the Love of God, DON'T Eat Lunch At The ABC Commissary
The problem with Disney Hollywood Studios is a lack of quick places to eat. Therefore, the few that are in the park are jammed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.. The sit-down restaurants are often booked long in advance to very late hours, thanks to the Disney Meal Plan. There are no guys selling hotdogs or hamburgers in carts, just snacks like popcorn or ice cream. The least worst places are toward the rear of the park, such as one near the faux studio tour. The ABC Commissary is located near the center of the park. The lines were hellaciously long, the service was absurdly slow, and there weren't enough spots to sit down. Eat lunch very early, very late, or smuggle in a sandwich. I wish I did.
6. Do Take Pictures
The only time they tell you not to take photos is if they're showing an exclusive Clone Wars preview or something. Go nuts with everything else, even taking photos of folks signing autographs (generally a no-no at conventions). You can't go up and pose with anyone if you're not getting anything signed, but snapping a pic from nearby is fine.
7. Do Shop At Wicket's Warehouse and Don't Forget Your Credit Cards
The Tatooine Traders outside of Star Tours was mobbed. Wicket's Warehouse sold the same stuff plus ALL of the event exclusives in a much larger space and it was blissfully uncrowded. The problem is it's tricky to find. If it's in the same location this year, it's between the faux studio tour and Pixar Land. It's in a brick building with a marquee.
8. Do Wear Sunscreen and Bring A Hat
Chances are it will be sunny most if not all day and the Florida sun can be a killer. You don't have to be at the beach to look like a lobster. It's also very hot and humid…break out the shorts and tees.
9. Do Geek Out But Don't Become A "Legend"
It's expected for hardcore SW fans to geek out at SW Weekends. But please don't stalk the Disney cast members and don't tell people you've changed your last name to "Skywalker."
10. Do Buy Your Tix In Advance
You can buy your park tickets in advance and print them up at home. It will save a lot of time at the front gate in the morning.
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no subject
Date: 2010-05-11 03:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-12 01:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-11 08:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-12 01:07 am (UTC)But at least you know what to expect otherwise ;).