Another JTA Question - Checking in 30 Minutes Beforehand

[Indecisive]

If I take my son to check in to JTA 30 minutes beforehand, should I have the rest of my party with me so they can get good seats? Or is there plenty of good seating, or the ability to save seating, such that the rest of my party can do other things and arrive a little later? Can someone please describe the seating set-up at JTA? (My party is 4 adults and 2 kids. I believe only one of my kids will want to participate in JTA). Thank you!

 

[Itinkso]

If I take my son to check in to JTA 30 minutes beforehand, should I have the rest of my party with me so they can get good seats? Or is there plenty of good seating, or the ability to save seating, such that the rest of my party can do other things and arrive a little later? Can someone please describe the seating set-up at JTA? (My party is 4 adults and 2 kids. I believe only one of my kids will want to participate in JTA). Thank you!

Here is no seating for JTA. The parents and family members stand at the ropes that surround the JTA stage. Usually it's only the families watching the show and passersby may stop to watch from the walkway area.

When you take your child to the check-in, the rest of your family can go to secure a place at the ropes.

 

[Indecisive]

Thanks for the info. That's a bummer! DS4, who is probably too shy to participate in JTA himself, is not likely going to cooperate with standing at the rope for 30 minutes beforehand, followed by 20 minutes of showtime. Oh well. I'm sure we'll muddle through somehow!

 

[Itinkso]

Thanks for the info. That's a bummer! DS4, who is probably too shy to participate in JTA himself, is not likely going to cooperate with standing at the rope for 30 minutes beforehand, followed by 20 minutes of showtime. Oh well. I'm sure we'll muddle through somehow!

A family member can walk around with him and then return to the rope area closer to start time. You don't have to stay with the child you check-in. All the Younglings are supervised and they march to the stage as a group.

Here is a photo when Darth Maul is taking part in the training with kids in front of the stage while Vader is training onstage:

 

[Indecisive]

Thanks! Although I should make sure we are talking about the same place. I was wondering about JTA at DHS. I noticed that you are in California, so are you talking about Disneyland, DHS, or both? Thanks!

 

[Itinkso]

DHS. My DD is an onstage Padawan, hence the photos... I had to look through a bunch to find families at the rope.

 

[Indecisive]

Thank you for finding that photo for me!

 

[Itinkso]

You're welcome. Hope your kids enjoy JTA! My DD loves all the little Younglings... it's her favorite role at WDW... not to mention hanging out with Vader and Troopers all day!

 

[Kate and Family]

If we get to sign up by 10 am (in October) - do my grand children (5 & 9) stand a chance of getting in, do you think?

 

[Itinkso]

If it is a morning EMH day, there would be no chance at all. Even on a regular park opening day, it would be an extremely slim chance of signing up. If only one training group is scheduled, that's only 15 kids per session and they go fast.

 

[KelleyK75]

If I take my son to check in to JTA 30 minutes beforehand, should I have the rest of my party with me so they can get good seats? Or is there plenty of good seating, or the ability to save seating, such that the rest of my party can do other things and arrive a little later? Can someone please describe the seating set-up at JTA? (My party is 4 adults and 2 kids. I believe only one of my kids will want to participate in JTA). Thank you!

There were tables right outside the stage/rope area (that are meant for another area) that my Mom, Sister and other Nephew sat at until it was time for my nephew participating to come to the stage. Once they saw us coming they walked right up to the rope. I think mainly it's the families watching, but since it's right next to Star Tours, people do stop and watch while it's going on. Once I got there with the group, I didn't have any problem getting right up by the rope to take pictures. You might want to just keep an eye on that area and see how crowded it is, then you can determine if you have to stand there or can wait until show time.

Our group was probably a little different, because the 9:20, first show of the day was cancelled, due to it was raining a little. So there wasn't anything going on until our 10:10 group went onstage. Later in the day, it could be a little more crowded.

 

[KelleyK75]

If we get to sign up by 10 am (in October) - do my grand children (5 & 9) stand a chance of getting in, do you think?

We were with the rope drop crowd, as we were already in Hollywood and Vine, and when I came out of signing my nephew up the line was massive. I would definitely try to get there with the rope drop crowd so you have a better chance of signing up. Or make a before the park opens ADR at Hollywood and Vine so you are already in the park and can leave there as the park is opening to get your spot.

 

[LilyWDW]

If we get to sign up by 10 am (in October) - do my grand children (5 & 9) stand a chance of getting in, do you think?

I doubt it.

Last October, by 10am, there were reports of it being filled already. And I am not talking just on the holiday weekend, but other days of the month.

I would get there at rope drop or plan on not being able to do it.

 

[Kate and Family]

The girls will have to get a move on it then, if they really want to do this.

(Trying to figure out how to burn the candle at both ends!)

Thank you

 

[Itinkso]

The girls will have to get a move on it then, if they really want to do this. (Trying to figure out how to burn the candle at both ends!) Thank you

You'll have the best chance if you arrive at DHS 45 minutes before the scheduled park opening. The gates open at least 15 minutes early.

 

[iheartjuppy]

When we went last May (5/8, crowd levels were predicted at 4.3 for the day which seems about right), we got to the park 45 minutes before scheduled opening and they let everyone through the turnstiles 30 minutes before scheduled park opening. My DH and son walked briskly to JTA signups and I pushed my daughter's stroller to TSMM. I was the very first person at the TSMM FP machine and was not running (which was cool) but the boys were at least 7 families behind the front of the JTA line and the line behind them was incredibly long when they left. We had one of the early slots (10 at the latest) and when we went to bring him for the actual show they were telling families they were completely booked up but to check before each show as there are often no-shows, so if you aren't able to get a slot, always go back and check later for drop outs!

 

[KelleyK75]

When we went last May (5/8, crowd levels were predicted at 4.3 for the day which seems about right), we got to the park 45 minutes before scheduled opening and they let everyone through the turnstiles 30 minutes before scheduled park opening. My DH and son walked briskly to JTA signups and I pushed my daughter's stroller to TSMM. I was the very first person at the TSMM FP machine and was not running (which was cool) but the boys were at least 7 families behind the front of the JTA line and the line behind them was incredibly long when they left. We had one of the early slots (10 at the latest) and when we went to bring him for the actual show they were telling families they were completely booked up but to check before each show as there are often no-shows, so if you aren't able to get a slot, always go back and check later for drop outs!

That's very true, as one little girl in my nephews group cried that she didn't want to do it as they were getting their robes. Then another little boy cried when Darth Vader came out. Someone probably could have replaced the little girl in the group as she never made it over to the training. I bet this happens all the time.