May the Force Be With You..SWW opening day

[devores 382]

In November of 2012, the DW and I requested off work for the 17th of May.

 

We had made reservations for a nice dinner for DWs birthday, and wanted to ensure we would both be off.

 

Little did we know that her birthday coincided with another huge event.

 

Star Wars Weekends.

 

We go every year. Have for the last 6 years.

 

So we were very excited to be able to go this year together. Our schedules do not always line up when working for the mouse.

 

So, we had planned to go.

 

We both got off work at 0100 on the 17th. That's 1 am for those who have difficulty deciphering military time.

 

DHS was due to open at 8 am, and we would be there.

 

So we thought.

 

I guess our grand bus drivers extraordinaire had talked to their buddies and ensured no busses would be running from the Fort to DHS this morning.

 

 

We arrived at the outpost bus stop at 0745, and our bus arrived to whisk us away to Galaxy far far away, at 0830. Yes, we waited 45 mins for a bus. So did two bus fulls of people.

 

It was so bad, we saw the same bus to AK come and go, and come back again for people. No kidding, same driver, same bus number.

 

 

Our bus was standing room only so some folks got left standing at the bus stop.

 

No big deal, we are on our way.

 

We arrive at DHS right around 9 (yikes, 30 min bus ride to DHS???) This is a drive I could make in 10 mins, 15 mins tops.

 

Disney transportation isn't doing so well this morning. We actually regretted making the decision to use it this morning, but with it being DWs birthday, we had planned on drinks today and didn't want to drive.

 

Oh well, we are here now.

 

The first thing we notice is there are no Storm Troopers on the entrance this year.

 

Instead, the rode around on these platforms and did their skits.

 

 

There were two of them and they rode around the area.

 

They were also on the stage doing the same stuff.

 

 

and Bobba Fett came out to entertain the crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

We had planned on hitting the Darth's Mall before finding a place to watch the parade.

 

When we got back to the Mall area, the line was back by Tower of Terror and a 4 hour wait.

 

No thank you.

 

All we wanted was a couple of the limited edition pins.

 

Which we found at one of the vendors by the hat. So unless you some of the super rare expensive stuff, shop at the vendors around the area. They have the same stuff as in the store.

 

So we decided to stake out our spot for the parade.

 

We have a plan for SWW which involves a no stress approach. We don't wait in line for characters or rides. We see the parade and take in the atmosphere and then the Hyperspace Hoopla to conclude the night. So waiting on the parade for two hours was not such a big deal.

 

Five mins before the parade was to start, a CM comes by and asks us to move so they could put a wheelchair where we were sitting.

 

Now, Im normally a pretty understanding person. But come on.

 

We waited 2 hours so someone else can get our spot. Its not my fault you waited till the last min and the handicap area was full, as was the entire Hollywood Blvd. So we played A hole tourist and told the lady we weren't moving. Call me a bad person, look down on me, oh well, your lack of preparation does not mean I should be inconvenienced.  

 

Sorry, I almost sounded like the Troll for min.

 

But, as a tip, if you go see the parade, line up early. It gets crowded fast.

 

I know I have allot of parade pics so I will cover that in the next update..........

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

Great pics.  Waited 2 hours?  I wouldn't have moved either!  Hope your DW had a great birthday.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Being on the pics!!!

[devores 382]

The anticipation and excitement when that music starts to play and you know the motorcade is heading down HB cannot be described. It is something any Star Wars fan must experience themselves.

 

And the first thing we get to see is none other than Jedi Mickey.

 

 

For the most part, if you have seen the parade in years past, you have seen this one. Not much has changed.

 

 

Mickey leads the motorcade down HB on an X wing.

 

 

 

One new addition is Chip n Dale make an appearance.

 

They have not appeared in years past. But they are Ewoks now.

 

 

 

 

 

The padawans from the Jedi training academy march in the parade too. Its a neat experience for the kids, and if youre interested show up early to get your kids registered, but you miss the parade by being in it.

 

 

The 501st marches in the parade every year.

 

 

These people are a group of enthusiasts who make their own costumes. We have a few friends who participate in this and some of those costumes run as high as $30,000 to make. They are all hand made and personalized to fit the person.

 

If youre interested, check out their page http://www.fl501st.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ive got a bad feeling about this......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pic limit.......

[devores 382]

dang forum quirks........

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Great pix. Happy birthday to the misses.

[Lou... 3,118]

Explain to me why you decided to take the bus? I can't wait to hear this.

STAY OFF THE DAMN BUSES!

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

dang forum quirks........

so you were KfK's... fists up!  :rofl3:  :rofl3:  :rofl3:

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Explain to me why you decided to take the bus? I can't wait to hear this.

STAY OFF THE DAMN BUSES!

if we stay off the damn buses how will we ever get to ride your bus....

[Lou... 3,118]

if we stay off the damn buses how will we ever get to ride your bus....

 

That probably won't happen anyway, so unless you don't have a car, stay off the damn buses?

It's ok if it's during the slow time of the day, that makes some sense, but if it's near opening or closing time, or during a special event, you're asking for disappointment.

[Big Kahuna aka John 71]

I am in...  may the force be with you... Happy Birthday Mrs. D !

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

This is cool!!  I've been there during Star Wars time, but never saw the parade.  So how does the 501 get the costumes so good?  Study pictures, buy action figures?  All of those are really spot on!!! Most of the time, at fan conventions and Halloween, etc. the costumes are just a bit "off".

[Beckers 1,136]

Props to you for not moving! I wouldn't have either.

Love the pics!!! Happy birthday to the wifey!

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

Great update. I was there, as well, and shocked at the crowds. It looks like you saw everything I missed. Can't wait to read more.

[devores 382]

Great pics.  Waited 2 hours?  I wouldn't have moved either!  Hope your DW had a great birthday.

Thanks. She had a great birthday. It was her idea to do SWW, she is as a big a geek as I am.

 

Being on the pics!!!

You know me too well. One day I will do a TR with no pics.

 

Great pix. Happy birthday to the misses.

Thanks.

 

Explain to me why you decided to take the bus? I can't wait to hear this.

STAY OFF THE DAMN BUSES!

Since you don't read TRs, you don't know that I took a bus. BUT, since you didn't read it, I will cut you some slack reiterate what I had already said in the first post. We took the bus because we had planned on having some drinks, and we do not drink and drive, at all. So if we have drinks, we take the bus.

 

so you were KfK's... fists up!  :rofl3:  :rofl3:  :rofl3:

Yeh....

 

if we stay off the damn buses how will we ever get to ride your bus....

Ive never seen Lou drive a bus. If I haven't seen him in his snazzy bus driver costume, I would think he made up the whole job thing.

 

That probably won't happen anyway, so unless you don't have a car, stay off the damn buses?

It's ok if it's during the slow time of the day, that makes some sense, but if it's near opening or closing time, or during a special event, you're asking for disappointment.

If no one rode the bus, you wouldn't have a job now would you?

 

I am in...  may the force be with you... Happy Birthday Mrs. D !

Thanks for reading along

 

This is cool!!  I've been there during Star Wars time, but never saw the parade.  So how does the 501 get the costumes so good?  Study pictures, buy action figures?  All of those are really spot on!!! Most of the time, at fan conventions and Halloween, etc. the costumes are just a bit "off".

IMO, the parade and Hyperspace Hoopla are what makes SWW. The characters are cool, but it still just a meet and greet.

 

The 501st study everything they can to get the costumes as authentic as possible. I wouldn't be surprised if they had the original concept plans somewhere. They have been doing this for years and have perfected the art. Then pass on their knowledge to the other members.

 

Props to you for not moving! I wouldn't have either.

Love the pics!!! Happy birthday to the wifey!

Thanks......

[devores 382]

Great update. I was there, as well, and shocked at the crowds. It looks like you saw everything I missed. Can't wait to read more.

The crowds were expected, being opening day of SWW. It is normally allot worse.

[devores 382]

Continuing with the parade.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its Porkins.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the parade, all of the characters/stars gather on the stage to officially kick off the day. They announce some of the shows and events happening, then do some poses.

 

Due to the pic limit, we will have to continue in another post though......

[Beckers 1,136]

Excuse my lack of SW knowledge but who are the people in the cars?

[Lou... 3,118]

BUT, since you didn't read it, I will cut you some slack reiterate what I had already said in the first post. We took the bus because we had planned on having some drinks, and we do not drink and drive, at all. So if we have drinks, we take the bus.

 

  

You got me, I don't read every word in a TR. In fact I don't read most words.

Are you saying that the both of you were going to get so sloshed that you'd fail the breathalyzer test if you got stopped?

 

Nice pics, almost like you knew what you were doing, now I won't have to go. Thanks a lot schmuck face.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Great pics!  Having never been to a SWW, I had no idea they did a parade with all those cool characters.  I shouldn't be surprised that Disney does a parade though, should I?  And that is actually one parade I'd stand in line to see. 

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

You got me, I don't read every word in a TR. In fact I don't read most words.

Are you saying that the both of you were going to get so sloshed that you'd fail the breathalyzer test if you got stopped?

 

 

For some of us, one single drop of alcohol is enough not to get behind the wheel.

[Big Kahuna aka John 71]

Incredible costumes....  That is a parade I would like to see.  Thanks for letting me see something I never knew existed Dave !   I love the photos. 

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Late to the hoopla, but i am here now.

Love the parade pics.

My older brother and his wife are 501st members.

They do a lot of events that include meet and greets for sick kids, etc.

Looking forward to more Dave.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

For some of us, one single drop of alcohol is enough not to get behind the wheel.

 

I am with you Carol. One of the big reasons I don't drink much anywhere besides Disney when I can ride the buses. And even then I don't drink much. 

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Excuse my lack of SW knowledge but who are the people in the cars?

 

The last three are actors who do the voices for characters on the Clone Wars cartoon. I could not see the name on the first car but He is either the same or an actor from the movies.