**Official** Star Wars at DHS, Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party/Galactic Nights/Launch Bay/JT

[FastPasser.]

my question is whether the guided tour is still worth it or not?

As a general rule, I for one stay away from responding to "is it worth it" questions. As the PP posted "Cost is a subjective thing". Many people think the tour is worth and probably more do not. Relying on few responses made on a forum is IMO, not a true indicator of whether the tour is worth it or not.

 

[Cynergy]

Star Wars Guided Tour or Star Wars Dessert Party?

With all that said, my question is whether the guided tour is still worth it or not? Are there any added perks not listed on the website? ARe any of the ones that are in Disneyland any noticeably different in Disneyworld? How different is the Trials of Temple, for example?

Right now, I'm leaning towards no, but maybe there are some additional perks?

DD7 and I recently did the tour on June 22. I knew going in that we could do all of the stuff on our own and we had pretty much done all of the SW related stuff at DHS in the past. The guides were very knowledgeable and it was fun discussing SW trivia with them and getting to see some of the behind the scenes stuff. We got to ride star tours before the park opened, which was cool. We got to go to the front of the line for the 3 meets in the launch bay (Kylo, Chewie and BB8). We got to march behind Phasma and her toopers from the front of the park to the stage. We had a reserve spot up front for the stage show. We were able to go to the reserved viewing area for SWaGS, though the new location is too close IMO. We also had lunch at backlot express. There were a few take home "gifts" as well.

Was it fun? Yes, but mostly because of the CMs and fellow SW fans and the interactions with them. Was it worth the money? Yes and No. I most likely won't do it again, but DD7 had fun and it was a good time, maybe not worth the price tag though.

I did read on another forum board a review that stated they got to meet Vader as well and that the CMs told them it is n't advertised as it isn't always guaranteed to happen. I don't know how true that is as we did not get to meet him on our tour. However all of the kids from the tour did get to participate in Jedi Training and were placed so they could fight Vader.

 

[areno79]

Booked me and DH for the 9/15 SWGS dessert party!

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

That's the most straight forward method, however if that's not possible, just let them know when you book the party that you'd like to sit with or near another party. It's ok if you don't, some Guests are relocated just about every night.
Assuming the CM was aware of the red tag, he was absolutely incorrect. The official party policy is that a stroller with a red tag or a sleeping infant are allowed in.

Although they wear the Launch Bay CM costumes, which IMO is not right, the Check-in CMs, the table assigner CM and any CMs inside the actual party area have nothing to do with the Launch Bay attraction or DHS. In fact, DHS management would rather that the party not be there.
If that manager was in the party area and if she had a British accent, she was not a Launch Bay manager, she was the Lead party manager and she is great.
That's the standard procedure for all ECVs or strollers with red tags. It's due to safety concerns.
That's what the party staff is all about..

Yeah, we showed him. First time taking the baby with the red tagged stroller, so it was all new to us. He was just diagnosed earlier in the year, so they are getting used to how things work. We’ve never traveled with a wheel chair before.

I don’t know the proper names for who does what. Yeah, she was in a fancier outfit and her name was Dana. It wasn’t that the CM didn’t allow it, it’s that he kept telling us it was a bad idea and that we would complicate things with it there. It was a really awkward situtation. We stood there having to listen to him go on and on.

Thanks for the info..

 

[Steven G]

DD7 and I recently did the tour on June 22. I knew going in that we could do all of the stuff on our own and we had pretty much done all of the SW related stuff at DHS in the past. The guides were very knowledgeable and it was fun discussing SW trivia with them and getting to see some of the behind the scenes stuff. We got to ride star tours before the park opened, which was cool. We got to go to the front of the line for the 3 meets in the launch bay (Kylo, Chewie and BB8). We got to march behind Phasma and her toopers from the front of the park to the stage. We had a reserve spot up front for the stage show. We were able to go to the reserved viewing area for SWaGS, though the new location is too close IMO. We also had lunch at backlot express. There were a few take home "gifts" as well.

Was it fun? Yes, but mostly because of the CMs and fellow SW fans and the interactions with them. Was it worth the money? Yes and No. I most likely won't do it again, but DD7 had fun and it was a good time, maybe not worth the price tag though.

I did read on another forum board a review that stated they got to meet Vader as well and that the CMs told them it is n't advertised as it isn't always guaranteed to happen. I don't know how true that is as we did not get to meetuld him on our tour. However all of the kids from the tour did get to participate in Jedi Training and were placed so they could fight Vader.

Thank you that is the info I was looking for. Sorry to others, when I asked whether it was worth it, I was focusing on the extras not mentioned on the website, and as well whether it was worth the time taken.

I know it is still subjective, but I was asking what the hidden perks are, and cynergy covered them.
I’m still not sure if we will do it.

 

[grumpy28]

I attended the July 1st party with my DH and 3 kids. My YDD and I are not Star Wars fans (the horror! LOL), but DH and other 2 kids are. They loved it. I enjoyed it, but I think it was a one and done. On the other hand, we did Jingle Bam 2 years ago and I would do that one again. The food at the Star Wars party was good. Especially loved the hummus and spicy black bean dip with Pita bread. Frozen nutella ice cream thing was amazing! That was the only dessert that had me get a 2nd serving. Family liked most of the savory items and enough of the sweets to be happy. Watermelon drink they hand you was awesome. Not the kids version, that one was syrupy sweet. Even my kids didn't like it. They don't drink soda, so they had water. We did ask to see if they had apple juice or another juice, but was told no. I think a juice for kids would be a good addition. The "waiters" who came by every so often to clear your table or take trash were super friendly. DH and 2 kids went at their assigned time to meet Kylo and were back in a flash. We got the Phasma steins and a bottle of water on the way out. Also took a diet coke to go. The viewing for the show was not as good as I'd expected, but I was happy to have not had to stake out a spot. There were about 7 people in the very front row who stood the entire time, blocking a lot. That was pretty annoying. We were towards the back left, near the railing. Overall, I'm glad we did it. It was a fun experience.

 

[kat_lh]

We just got back from (a non Disney) vacation and to beat the blues - I was able to book the party for the night of my 40th birthday! I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JennLTX]

So so glad they added chairs. That just seals the deal for us to do the party again June 2019, if everything stays as is. We probably would have anyway, but this makes it certain.

You and me both!!!

 

[FastPasser.]

There were about 7 people in the very front row who stood the entire time, blocking a lot. That was pretty annoying.

That's understandable, however it was originally intended to be a standing viewing area.

 

[yulilin3]

I have said this on this thread a couple of times. There are people, me included, who cannot sit on the floor for more than maybe 5 minutes. I understand that in a perfect world everyone will sit and everyone will have an unobstructed view. I have seen the show from this particular viewing spot and what I do is go to the back and sit on the small ledge but if I didn't have that option I would be one of those people standing while everyone else sits.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I have said this on this thread a couple of times. There are people, me included, who cannot sit on the floor for more than maybe 5 minutes. I understand that in a perfect world everyone will sit and everyone will have an unobstructed view. I have seen the show from this particular viewing spot and what I do is go to the back and sit on the small ledge but if I didn't have that option I would be one of those people standing while everyone else sits.

Yep. Get to a certain age or a certain body type or have certain issues with hips/knees/etc... and sitting all the way down on the ground, especially the HARD ground, becomes either not an option or a very uncomfortable option. I could probably manage it for a few minutes, but I'd have to stand eventually. Glad it works out for most to sit if that's what they want!

 

[yulilin3]

Star Wars Guided Tour or Star Wars Dessert Party?

Hi, as a background, I've been to Disneyland many times, and pretty much done everything Star Wars there with my DS, as well I have a Disney Visa card so I can do the Disney Visa Character Interaction. So the following have already been done at Disneyland:
1) Star Tours
2) Path of the Jedi short movie
3) Launch Bay
4) Character interaction with Chewbacca and Darth Vader (not with Kylo)
5) Trials of the temple

So I have the Galactic Dessert Party booked already since it is now available just in case, and I realize that the guided tour no longer has the dessert party included for a while, just the ability to go in the same area as the party guests.

So the new stuff is really:
1) A galaxy far,far away show
2) March of the First Order show
3) The lunch (eh?)
4) Kylo Ren greeting (But I can use Disney Visa perk)
5) Galactic Spectacular reserved viewing (but no dessert)


With all that said, my question is whether the guided tour is still worth it or not? Are there any added perks not listed on the website? ARe any of the ones that are in Disneyland any noticeably different in Disneyworld? How different is the Trials of Temple, for example?

Right now, I'm leaning towards no, but maybe there are some additional perks?


Finally, along with the Frozen Dessert party, the Star Wars guided tour is the last major extra paid event that is still not scheduled for September and October.... so annoying.

sorry it's taken so long to respond...work, ugh.
I have friends who have done the SW Tour and all of them have told me it is not worth it, especially now that it doesn't include the dessert party. As for the things you have not done:
1 and 2: SWaGFFA and MotFO you can do on your own, under the same sun as the tour people
3. Nothing special other than the lightsaber churros
4 Available to all and since you have the card you can get in faster
As for Trials of the Temple I have not watched any videos from DL so I can't say

Now the tour guides are knowledgeable on extra things, like they will point out the relation between Who Framed Roger Rabbit and George Lucas's ILM and a pretty cool easter egg in the display inside LB, but that's about it. If you have basic knowledge of SW you know the connection with ST and Indiana Jones
I personally wouldn't do it

 

[yulilin3]

Yep. Get to a certain age or a certain body type or have certain issues with hips/knees/etc... and sitting all the way down on the ground, especially the HARD ground, becomes either not an option or a very uncomfortable option. I could probably manage it for a few minutes, but I'd have to stand eventually. Glad it works out for most to sit if that's what they want!

I've gotten yelled at so many times, but that's why I tend to get a spot hours before and explain to my spot holder neighbors that I cannot sit.

 

[grumpy28]

I wouldn't have minded standing. However, there were tons of people behind us yelling "sit down!". I tried to ignore them, hoping they too would stand, but it was very uncomfortable being yelled at. Eventually, I just gave up and sat. I suppose it was my "choice" to give into the hecklers, but it was an uncomfortable situation.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I wouldn't have minded standing. However, there were tons of people behind us yelling "sit down!". I tried to ignore them, hoping they too would stand, but it was very uncomfortable being yelled at. Eventually, I just gave up and sat. I suppose it was my "choice" to give into the hecklers, but it was an uncomfortable situation.

That’s rude that they Yelled to sit down. I also can’t sit on the ground unless I am leaning against something and in that case my limit is maybe 15 min before I am in severe pain. At our party everyone stood. Probably the fact that it was pouring helped with that though. We stood in the back and had a great view. Other than a row across the back everyone stood together in a pack in the front.

 

[MacMama0930]

I have this booked for our trip. I have a tall husband, who physically can’t sit for very long on the ground. He’ll definitely need to stand. So my first thought is get a spot in the back just in case no one else stands, however we also have kids. And our 7 yr old daughter is a peanut and I’m afraid she won’t be able to see. I have no idea what the seating area looks like or how any of it works. Where do you think we should grab a spot?

 

[SaintsManiac]

I have this booked for our trip. I have a tall husband, who physically can’t sit for very long on the ground. He’ll definitely need to stand. So my first thought is get a spot in the back just in case no one else stands, however we also have kids. And our 7 yr old daughter is a peanut and I’m afraid she won’t be able to see. I have no idea what the seating area looks like or how any of it works. Where do you think we should grab a spot?

You'll want to be as far back as you can be. The reserved area is really close to the theater and you miss the big pyro if you're too close to the front.

 

[wenpop]

We stood the whole time last time, I can't imagine sitting. Please say we don't have to sit on the pavement.

 

[kpd6901]

Yep. Get to a certain age or a certain body type or have certain issues with hips/knees/etc... and sitting all the way down on the ground, especially the HARD ground, becomes either not an option or a very uncomfortable option. I could probably manage it for a few minutes, but I'd have to stand eventually. Glad it works out for most to sit if that's what they want!

We plan on watching MK fireworks twice during our trip, same as our 2015 trip. One time from an up close view after CRT and the other time from much deeper down main Street. 2 viewings. 2 vantage points. Our up close day we sat. With us being so close and people around us sitting, I couldn't in good conscience stand and block their view of everything. No joke, it took me about a good 15 minutes after it was done for me to get up. Hard pavement and my legs fall asleep. With all the blood rushing back to my legs, the rest of me was having a hard time keeping from passing out or puking. That was the only time in my life it was that bad.

 

[kpd6901]

I have said this on this thread a couple of times. There are people, me included, who cannot sit on the floor for more than maybe 5 minutes. I understand that in a perfect world everyone will sit and everyone will have an unobstructed view. I have seen the show from this particular viewing spot and what I do is go to the back and sit on the small ledge but if I didn't have that option I would be one of those people standing while everyone else sits.

Just curious, since SWAGS has historically been black during the dates of my trip, does this advice regarding the reserved area still apply to JBJB dessert party viewing? Or is that completely different?