@OhioStateBuckeye
#18453
Sunday was our big SWW day. We had FP+ for the Rebels show, SOTS and An Ewok's Tale (I'd made that one in case we slept in too late and missed it the day before).
We started out the day by waking up a little before 5. We were in the car and ready to go on time, but then we realized the car had a flat tire.
I jumped into action and went to the All Star Sports lobby to request a cab. One was called and he had arrived in approx 5 minutes. We made it to DHS around 5:45 and Stephanie and I hopped into Warwick's line while the other 2 got into Vanessa Marshall's line. They were about 20th in line and we actually weren't too far back for Warwick.
We were given our wristbands around6:30-6:45. It was nice because CMs gave us a time warning of when they'd pass out the bands so we could be sure to be there.
We weren't given the actual FP until sometime around 7:20, which I thought was cutting it close as the park would open soon. But the process went really fast. Our Vanessa Marshall people were able to ask for a later time FP and were given it no problem.
After we got our FP my BF and his mom decided to go back to the room and nap. Stephanie and I were about 10 people back from our tapstyle. The park opened and we were only 3 rows back from the opening stormtrooper show. If you want pictures of the opening show, have your cameras ready when you see the stormtroopers start to come down the street, there are some cool action shots at the very start.
Stephanie and I were going to attempt the Chewie 5k today. She is a much faster and more aggressive walker/runner than I am, so I told her to go have fun and I walked sedately along with everyone else, secure in my spot.
Sure enough, I finally caught up and she had got there first. I got to talk to a DIS boards lurker who was second in line behind us (if your reading this post and say hi!). We messed around and got some speeder bike pics before Chewie came out. The photopass photographer will take your photo on the bike too if you ask. Chewie came out about right on time! And I was super excited to see Logray with him! I really like that the ewoks start in the morning this year.
After Chewie there are only so many options. You can try to get some rides in, get in line for Vader or go shopping. None of the other characters are out at that point. Since we'd see Vader at breakfast we opted to get in line for Darth Maul, who came out at 9. We sat and relaxed in the line until he came out a few minutes late. We were about 10 groups back but it was so entertaining seeing people interact with Maul that we had a great time waiting.
I wish the characters would come out earlier. After Maul, we decided to go shopping. There was no wait at Xwing Collectibles. I have to say...I was disappointed in the merchandise this year. Last year I walked away with numerous pins, vinylmations, knick knacks and a Kessel Run Millenium Falcon print. This year I only liked the passholder pin and some small Small World style post card prints.
The other store had about a 10 minute wait. We could only get the bantha aurasma pic to work while we waited.
Everything I liked in this store was too expensive (the Ezra lightsaber, which is half the price at Target and some of the Her Universe stuff). I was also a little disappointed in the snack bar this year. I was not in the mood for alcohol that early and I wish they'd had more food/snack options.
We were really hungry at this point and the parade was getting close to starting, so we headed to starbucks for breakfast and a drink to wake up. This was a MISTAKE. Starbucks was incredibly crowded and it took over half an hour to order and get our stuff. When we were done the parade was starting soon. We'd decided that with the insane crowds this year we were only going to catch the 501st part. Disney needs to make this parade route longer. After we fought our way off the main street we easily found a shady spot near the Indiana Jones stunt show. We both really enjoyed the 501st costumes!
Next up I think we went over to get in line for the Clone wars characters. We were told that we were too early and the line wasn't forming yet so we sat in a shady area and watched the line. The CM turned away a few other groups trying to line up, then unfortunately he went on his break and I didn't notice so about 4 groups lined up and weren't sent away before I realized our CM was gone so we rushed up and got in line too. Assajj Ventress was out first, which was good for us because we'd missed her last year. We had a great interaction where she tried to twist off my poor stuffed taun taun's head (he is still traumatized). After that we got back into line for Ahsoka who was due next. The CMs will tell you that you can't let people ahead of you in line, but we found if you do it quietly back in the last corner it will work out. We were able to then meet Ahsoka and Rex.
At this point Brian met back up with us and it was time for the Rebels show. We got pretty good seats and enjoyed the polls again until the show started. I really liked the opening sketch with the Rebels characters. Then JAT and Vanessa Marshall came out. It was a great show, but I thought it was really short.
Then Stephanie and I had a very narrow window to use our Warwick FP before SOTS. We saw JAT rushing around inside the autograph center, probably on his way to SOTS. We got our Warwick autographs and had a nice chat with him, then rushed off for the SOTS. Brian had waited for us outside and said the CMs were pulling random people inside to get Silas Carson's autograph.
I think our seats for SOTS were pretty decent. I enjoyed the pre show, but think that I liked last year's better.
Ugh, I feel like this post is very long so I will finish Sunday in a bit.