DHS Jedi Academy (mini rant)

[ctlovesdisney]

If you go to DHS with a young boy who loves Star Wars, AVOID this show like the plague!!!! Only a handful of kids can participate, and I have never seen more tears at a single attraction in all the years I've been going to the World. I talked to several parents who abandoned any attempt to do anything else the entire day so they could attend four or five of these shows in an attempt to get their kids in. And, if your child doesn't get picked, it's actually kind of boring to watch 12 other kids individually fight Darth Vader. Definitely not worth the angst.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I agree that it can be disappointing to the kids that aren't picked, but when we went we explained to our kids ahead of time that they might not be picked and that headed off alot of tears. My boys each had on a Star Wars shirt and we got there early so we were right in front, one of my sons got picked, the other one didn't and they were fine with that and still enjoyed the show.

 

[MouseMadness]

I agree. DS was 4 (almost 5) when we went last year. He didn't want to do anything else until he was picked to get up there and fight Darth Vader. Every time we went to DHS we went there first...and 4 times he didn't get picked. He did ok except for the 4th visit...that's when the tears came. We were lucky, though, and had 2 1/2 weeks there (WDW) so we could keep going back. He finally got picked on the 5th try, and I must say, it was the highlight of his trip

But, if you're short on time, you definitely might want to skip it.

 

[Quilter007]

Yeah -- you have to prepare for the "might not be picked" possibility. We didn't know that the first time either! I will share a tip -- our kids have Jedi costumes. Well, we figure that if princesses can wander around the parks, Jedi can wander around as well. When we went to the training academy the 2nd time, they were dressed as Jedi and we were front & center. They got picked right away. They loved it -- we've got fabulous photos & all is right with the world. Here's what I didn't expect -- the last time we went w/ Jedi clothes/gear, we asked them if they wanted to do the training academy. They said that they'd like to watch, but since they've already graduated, they didn't need to do it again! (They are 5 and 8.) So we ate lunch (at DL -- not WDW) watched the show and had a great time! Legoland signs kids up to participate in the special shows -- I think Disney could do that here -- at least then you know if you are going to be able to participate before you spend 30 minutes waiting for the show.

Katrina

 

[Desnik]

We took our kids and they were 5 and 10 at the time. They didn't get picked but didn't make a big deal about it at all. They really enjoyed watching the show. I think I was more disappointed they didn't get picked than they were! You really have to prepare them ahead of time if you think it would upset them to not be able to participate. Also, i noticed after seeing this show a bunch a times, it pays to get there very early and be upfront. A Jedi tshirt helps too!

On the same trip we took them to see the Pirate Tutorial at the MK. DD(10) had on a Captain Jack shirt and she got picked to be in the show. DS did not and he could care less!LOL He loved the show though. One thing great about this show was they only picked about 4-5 kids for the main part, but at the end they had all the kids join Captain Jack and recite the Pirate code and sing with them. All the kids had a great time and there were no tears.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

We went to it and my daughter got picked for the show and my son didn't. And he is the one that is the Star Wars fanatic and really wanted to do, but then we realized that they really picked younger kids. My son is 11 and DD is 8, so after awhile he was OK with it, but he really wanted to do it. But I could see how it would bring tears in some kids.