Better strategy for Jedi training academy

[peacefulmama]

1. Arrive 45 min before rope drop

2. 8am ADR at Hollywood and Vine

It would just be my 11yo and I so we wouldn't need to wait around for character interactions at breakfast. Does being in the park already give us an advantage to getting to the sign up area or no. The crowds are expected to be a 9 that day and we're really hoping to get a morning slot and leave HS before noon.

Also, to complicate things would it be easier to get a morning slot on an morning EMH day with a 7 level crowd estimate than either above strategy?

 

[princesspiglet]

I would skip the breakfast. We did the JTA for 3 years before DD aged out. We were always at the park 45 mins prior to park opening. As most crowds were being lead to TSMM, we were veering to the left to head to ABC Sound Studio. We always took the first slot open (which was usually the first show). If you do that, you stay there and they line up the kids right away. We stood there for about 15 mins, then they walked all the kids over to the stage and we found seats. The kids start their show and its over after about 20 mins.

If you are not interested in seeing the characters at H&V for breakfast, then there is really no reason to eat breakfast there. Honestly, there are a lot of better choices in the park for breakfast and the ONLY reason in my opinion to do H&V is for the characters. Do the show, then grab something at Starring Rolls for breakfast.

 

[xlsm]

Last August we were there on a crowd level 9 day. We got there before rope drop, but not 45 minutes before, maybe 20? After they let us in the gates, we walked up to the stage where the hat used to be and waited for a *literal* rope to be dropped, with CMs leading people in the direction they were wanting to go with big signs: Frozen Fun, JTA, TSMM. We followed along behind the Jedi sign, and there were several people in front of us, but we were through the line in 10 minutes probably, and had our pick of times - from the first show to the last. We chose ours for after our lunch ADR.

I agree with the pp who said H&V is not necessary. Just get there early and know where you're going.
Good luck and have fun! We love the Jedi Training Academy

 

[Robo]

Last August we were there on a crowd level 9 day. We got there before rope drop, but not 45 minutes before, maybe 20? After they let us in the gates, we walked up to the stage where the hat used to be and waited for a *literal* rope to be dropped, with CMs leading people in the direction they were wanting to go with big signs: Frozen Fun, JTA, TSMM.

Just know that the internal holding and rope drop area is only used during the summertime months.

 

[Mikie]

Hmmm, I was there in Oct with crowd level 6 and arrived by 8:10. We were 3-4 families back from our turnstile and walked quickly but refused to run when they started letting in about 8:45, though many ran past us (no literal rope used when we were there) by the time we got to the front of the line the first 3 shows were full.

I'd say you have to be willing to run and have a bit of luck not getting stuck behind anyone with fingerprint problems. I really dislike rope drop, the feeling of increasing people slowly filling up while you stand around for 30+ minutes, then break into a run. so Id probably prefer sitting and eating a nice breakfast then walking out in the front of the pack. Haven't experienced this at H&V, so I,d want to see if tips and tricks are necessary.

ETA: if you're an onsite guest and willing to go to EMH on a level 7 day, that's definitely the preferred option of all 3

 

[peacefulmama]

ETA: if you're an onsite guest and willing to go to EMH on a level 7 day, that's definitely the preferred option of all 3

That may end up being the best choice despite the early morning. He's only interested in the Start Wars stuff although we'll do Toy Story and Muppets if we need to kill some time and the line for Toy story isn't insane. We're scheduled to meet up with the rest of our group for lunch at AK and then finish out the day there so a morning session is vital. Sign up, hit toy story, breakfast, then star wars, would be ideal...we'll see if it works out

 

[krista113]

I did a 8am H&V breakfast, with my son, and I wouldn't recommend it as they ended up letting people into HS early, which I hear they do a lot, so we had to rush through breakfast, and rush to the Jedi training. He did get a spot, but it was for the evening.

 

[RJstanis]

I did a 8am H&V breakfast, with my son, and I wouldn't recommend it as they ended up letting people into HS early, which I hear they do a lot, so we had to rush through breakfast, and rush to the Jedi training. He did get a spot, but it was for the evening.

What time of year did you do this?

 

[peacefulmama]

I did a 8am H&V breakfast, with my son, and I wouldn't recommend it as they ended up letting people into HS early, which I hear they do a lot, so we had to rush through breakfast, and rush to the Jedi training. He did get a spot, but it was for the evening.

That's good to know!

We're going Thanksgiving week, I don't want to risk an early open due to crowds on a 9AM open and losing any chance of a morning slot.

 

[krista113]

What time of year did you do this?

Second week of May

 

[Disney44please]

Robo, will the rope be there in June? I have friends going and I told them 45 minutes before RD. Also is sign up still right beside the old American Idol building?

 

[aaarcher86]

I did a 8am H&V breakfast, with my son, and I wouldn't recommend it as they ended up letting people into HS early, which I hear they do a lot, so we had to rush through breakfast, and rush to the Jedi training. He did get a spot, but it was for the evening.

We'd I'd they same thing, but my husband and oldest left, signed up, then came back.

Still a madhouse though with runners and pushers. Some lady was trying to weave around people, tripped, and face planted into the cement. YOUCH!