Star Wars Weekends

[Stimpy]

Yea!!! New Forum! And I get to be the first? :woohoo:

Any one planning on Star Wars weekends this year? I'm anxiously awaiting the exact dates so I can plan a quick weekend trip for us. DS and DH are HUGE SW fans. DS has worn out his Anakin Skywalker costume b/c he loves it so much...2 Halloweens in a row, SW weekend last year, MNSSHP this year.....and he really wants to wear it again this year!

We're hoping they start the weekend before Memorial Day this year since it seems the only weekend we have open so far. Anyone else?

[tjkraz]

If a few things fall into place, we'll be doing our first SWW in May.

We had originally planned to take our family vacation in May to hit SWW. Then we ended up getting a great airfare deal for February / March (DW hates to drive) and moved-up our trip accordingly.

One of the compromises I floated to my wife was that myself, DS and a cousin of mine (who is like a brother) take a short "guys' trip" to WDW just for SWW.

It would work out great if they start SWW the weekend of 5/19. We could drive down to Atlanta the first day, see a Braves game and spend the night. Then we'd make it to WDW the following afternoon / evening, ideally spend 3 nights in a Studio and return home.

I've shown my son photos of the SWW events in the past. As we were discussing our upcoming February trip, my son said to me "will they have all of the stormtroopers in the parade this time." :(

I haven't told him about the planned May trip yet, but hopefully all of the details will come together.

[DarthGoofy]

It would be great if they started 5/19!! That is our departure date, and I would love to check-out SWW.

[Rozzie]

ok I am all for 5/19. Allready have our ressies for that date. DH would just go bonkers if it was in that timeframe.

So anybody have any pull at WDW? :scratchch

[tjkraz]

Here are the starting weekends the last 3 years:

2003: May 16-18
2004: May 14-16
2005: May 20-22

Unless they don't hold the Weekends this year, I can't see them starting any later than the weekend of the 19th. I was actually holding out hope they might start one weekend sooner, although that seems to be a longshot.

The event has become such a cash cow, I'm sure they will continue unless George Lucas sees a reason to discontinue it. I still remember reading stories of the 90 minute wait just to get into Tattooine Traders on the first weekend for exclusive merchandise. :yuck:

[DarthGoofy]

I still remember reading stories of the 90 minute wait just to get into Tattooine Traders on the first weekend for exclusive merchandise. :yuck:

I am a big SW fan and I don't think I would do that unless the merhandise was really really really outstanding.

I got my Darth Mickey on eBay last year several weeks after the event. It was a few dollars more than the $12.95 sticker price, but not much.:D

[Stimpy]

When we went for the first time last year, we were pretty shocked at the lines trying to get into Tattoine Traders! After the Stormtroopers let you through the main gate of Disney Studios, they still have the ropes up blocking anyone's entry to any of the other areas. They had a huge line formed at the ropes! Just for the store! I think they also had to have bracelets or something like that to get on the line.

Personally, we aren't that into collectables, so it wasn't a big deal for us. DS got a new book and t-shirts for him and Daddy. DD got a stuffed R2-D2 and I got a Jedi Mickey b/c I thought he was so cute (at 1 of the other stores) I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the people who did wait on line, we just had a different agenda....

Instead we RAN for the sign-up table for the kids trivia contest (DS-6) and adult trivia contest(DH), then RAN for the Padawan Training so DS could get up front and hopefully get picked to "further" his training. LOL (Fortunately, he got picked in the first show, otherwise we would have been standing there all day waiting for him to get chosen :thumbsup: ) BTW, DS also got 2 Hasbro action figures for the training (and a certificate that he is especially proud of) and for the trivia contest (he came in 3rd but all kids got the same thing).

[Stimpy]

BTW, I have a really helpful website for Star Wars Weekends. I'm not sure if I can post other websites here or not? If I can, I'll be more than happy to share the link :)

[tjkraz]

Absolutely. Post the link. Is it one from mgmstudios.org? I know Matt has a lot of great info there.

[Stimpy]

Yes that's the one! Matt also has his own Star Wars Weekend site with alot of info from past SWWs. Since there hasn't been any recent news it hasn't been updated in a while. Once the new dates are released I'm sure he'll have alot more. :)

BTW, if you go to the MGM forums, I'm Figaro there :computerg

http://sww.mgmstudios.org/main/

[lllovell]

We have been the last two years and will most definately go again as long as WDW sees fit to keep in pleasing geekettes like me :)

We usually wait and go the first weekend the kids are out of school for a long weekend, but the downside of this is man is it hot hot hot already in FLA by that time. Last year it was raining the first couple of days and by Sunday when the rain stopped, it was so hot, we were begging for the rain again.

If you can, I would certainly go to a weekend before school lets out (so the earlier the better). Also - - - Disney will sell exclusive items, but they realized that they had made a mistake last year with the Darth Mickeys pretty quickly and I think they won't make it again. After the initial lines of the first couple of weekends, they realized that the Darth MIckey was a hot item so they offered them for sale online for several weeks. I ordered two that way. We would NEVER stand in line for merchandise (although we will for a few other things around WDW) and have yet to have to. They had a special store set up last year in the Indiana Jones store (sorry - I stink with most of the store names) which had tons of merchandise. They always also have the goods at the little store area outside the Drew Cary auditorium. Waiting in line is crazy. When we get there, the first thing we did was head to either Darth Mickey or Darth Vader for a picture and autograph. Darth Vader was FANTASTIC - being menacing with the adults but gentle with the little ones. My youngest (3) even showed Darth Vader the stormtrooper he insisted on bringing (action figure) and got patted on the head for his efforts from the big guy himself. They LOVED it. Also, two years ago, we happened to enter at the same time as the Storm Troopers were coming off the entrance. My oldest had his Jango Fett gun with him and the Storm Trooper saw it and came over and stared my son down, both of them with their weapons across their chest. He still talks about it.

So - in short....I will always recommend these weekends for fans. They are getting busier (as so many things at WDW do) but they are a TON of fun. Nothing beats walking down the street and passing your favorite characters walking around or hearing "make way for the Emperor" and watching him walk by you with his red royal guard at his side :) Very cool.

Laura

[DarthGoofy]

Bo it sounds great. Heres hoping that is starts on the 19th.:dust :dust

[tjkraz]

Good news, everyone. I just pulled this off of mgmstudios.org:

The dates for the 2006 Star Wars Weekends will be May 19 - June 11, 06. Currently there are 4 listed and if Disney does an extension like they have the past two years, we would end up with our standard six. Here are the weekends exactly:
May 19-21
May 26-28 (Memorial Day Weekend)
June 2-4
June 9-11

Now we just need to wait for the celebrity guest rumors to begin. Last year they had a lot of behind-the-scenes people as guests during the event and not many actors/actresses. However, with all of the worldwide publicity for EPIII, that wasn't too surprising. Maybe we'll get some bigger names this year. :howudoin:

[Stimpy]

Good news, everyone. I just pulled this off of mgmstudios.org:

The dates for the 2006 Star Wars Weekends will be May 19 - June 11, 06. Currently there are 4 listed and if Disney does an extension like they have the past two years, we would end up with our standard six. Here are the weekends exactly:
May 19-21
May 26-28 (Memorial Day Weekend)
June 2-4
June 9-11

Now we just need to wait for the celebrity guest rumors to begin. Last year they had a lot of behind-the-scenes people as guests during the event and not many actors/actresses. However, with all of the worldwide publicity for EPIII, that wasn't too surprising. Maybe we'll get some bigger names this year. :howudoin:

Yes! I can finally start really planning it now!! Thank you for the update! :bouncingg

[lllovell]

I am also hoping for more characters again this year. It felt like there were many less last year. It might have been the weather, but in years past, there were a lot more characters just roaming the streets....I can remember stopping to watch the Jedi training and a sand person came up and stood next to this lady - sort of menacing at her until she felt like she was being watched and turned...scared the bejesus out of here - but she laughed afterwards. Things like that didn't happen much last year.

[tjkraz]

I am also hoping for more characters again this year. It felt like there were many less last year. It might have been the weather, but in years past, there were a lot more characters just roaming the streets....I can remember stopping to watch the Jedi training and a sand person came up and stood next to this lady - sort of menacing at her until she felt like she was being watched and turned...scared the bejesus out of here - but she laughed afterwards. Things like that didn't happen much last year.

I was actually referring to the actors who appeared in the films who were probably off doing promotional tours last May and June.

But, you are probably right about the roaming characters. I remember reading that most of the people roaming the streets in costume are members of local fan clubs who are given free admission to the park in exchange for appearing in-costume. These people may have been a little Star Warsed-out after all of the hype of the film, and didn't turn-out in as large of numbers as in the past.

It will be our first experience. I just can't wait to see my son's face when those stormtroopers are patrolling the entrance queue. :)

[DarthGoofy]

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :kickingco :kickingco :woohoo: :woohoo:

That is great. I will definately swing by MGM before we head out on the 19th.

[Rozzie]

OMG! We will be there for the entire first weekend. DH and I have always dreamed about this, being able to go for it. Looks like luck bounced our way, as we have had our ressies for a while now. DH is going to go bonkers!

See ya'll there, we'll be at SSR that trip....:woohoo:

[AFMom]

Hmmmmmm
This is getting me thinking....
DH is deploying to the desert here pretty soon and we'll be on our own for a while. 3 nutty SW fans with no place to go.:idea:
What do you think the odds are of last minute ressies at SSR........ I mean - I only need a studio,,,, yeah - it'd be a Sat night stay (icky icky weekend points), but the next night would be a Sunday...... 3 park tickets........
I think the odds of getting the room are better than the odds of making DH happy about the plan!:faint:

[Rozzie]

Hmmmmmm
This is getting me thinking....
DH is deploying to the desert here pretty soon and we'll be on our own for a while. 3 nutty SW fans with no place to go.:idea:
What do you think the odds are of last minute ressies at SSR........ I mean - I only need a studio,,,, yeah - it'd be a Sat night stay (icky icky weekend points), but the next night would be a Sunday...... 3 park tickets........
I think the odds of getting the room are better than the odds of making DH happy about the plan!:faint:

We'll swing by and pick you up!!!!!!!!!! :idea: Er.....tight squeeze, but wouldn't that be fun to go to SWW together....DH will teach your kids how to run over non suspecting guests for the best chance for goodies....

[AFMom]

The kids will fit in the trunk - just don't get pulled over!:tongue:

I'm going to start working the ###'s and the $$$$ and start the whole "You're leaving us or 3-4 months" guilt trip thing. Maybe this can work.......

I'd love to meet ya'll down there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kathleena]

I booked BWV SV last June from 5/17 to 5/23 in hopes it would be the first weekend. I haven't been since 2001.

I'll be solo this trip - so would really look forward to a meet with someone!

[Stimpy]

I booked BWV SV last June from 5/17 to 5/23 in hopes it would be the first weekend. I haven't been since 2001.

I'll be solo this trip - so would really look forward to a meet with someone!

You're welcome to spend time with us! I will be there the first weekend with DH and our 2 children, DS-6, DD-2....who are generally very well-behaved but I can't make any promises...DH has been known to throw a tantrum or two ;)

[tjkraz]

I'll let someone else organize a meet if there's interest. I'm staying out in the boonies at SSR, so that's probably not an ideal location. If those of you in the BW area want to put something together, we'll do our darndest to attend.

Tim

[Rozzie]

I'll let someone else organize a meet if there's interest. I'm staying out in the boonies at SSR, so that's probably not an ideal location. If those of you in the BW area want to put something together, we'll do our darndest to attend.

Tim

Oh Tim, you'll have company in the boonies, DH and I will be there!:cool:

We should really try to all meet up somehow, we are talking about the 1st Weekend right??????

[Rozzie]

I booked BWV SV last June from 5/17 to 5/23 in hopes it would be the first weekend. I haven't been since 2001.

I'll be solo this trip - so would really look forward to a meet with someone!
those are our exact dates! Surely we can all work out something! :)

[DarthGoofy]

My DW and I will be at BCV from the 14th-19th. We should try to get together.

[kathleena]

Sounds like we have the makings of a meet.

Would a meet inside MGM on one of the weekend days work just as well as outside of the park? Perhaps to attend one of the events or for lunch?

Other thoughts/suggestions?

As for kids - I have two grandchildren and one husband - I can cope with anything! :hahahaha:

[TammyAlphabet]

Absolutely. Post the link. Is it one from mgmstudios.org? I know Matt has a lot of great info there.


You mean it is okay to post links in this discussion group? :holymoly: I am really happy to see that!:jumpingbe

[RweTHEREyet]

Hmmmmmm
This is getting me thinking....
DH is deploying to the desert here pretty soon and we'll be on our own for a while. 3 nutty SW fans with no place to go.:idea:
What do you think the odds are of last minute ressies at SSR........ I mean - I only need a studio,,,, yeah - it'd be a Sat night stay (icky icky weekend points), but the next night would be a Sunday...... 3 park tickets........
I think the odds of getting the room are better than the odds of making DH happy about the plan!:faint:

I can tell you that on Monday I am calling to give up my BWV studio for Memorial weekend, and when I booked it last week, there were still rooms at SSR and OKW available for that weekend. I think your chances are very good if you go for that weekend.

[RweTHEREyet]

We have never been for SWW before, but we will be there May 24-30. My hubby is a huge SW fan, attending each movie on the first showing on the first day. I would love to surprise him with making sure we saw/did some of the "must do things" that weekend. For example, I have heard that if you get there when MGM opens, the Storm Trioopers are standing on top of the entrance to MGM. That would be a great photo op. Those of you that have been before, can you help me with other things we would not want to miss, where timing makes a difference?

[Stimpy]

This site is great for Star Wars Weekends info. It has the whole Stormtrooper spiel from the opening, pics, schedules from previous years etc.

http://sww.mgmstudios.org/main/

[RweTHEREyet]

Thanks for the link, I plan to check it out. I guess I am asking those of you that really get into this weekend, what do you definitely not miss doing or seeing. Not being the SW fan in the family, I am not sure just what would be the priority items.

Off to check out that site.