Help us get picked for Jedi Training!

[Marthasor]

Hi! We are traveling with two children ages 4 and 7 who really want to be chosen for the Jedi Training Academy! We plan on going to the first show of the day, 1/2 hour before show time and sitting in the front. I read that making a sign for the children to hold and being very enthusiastic can help. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions? We will be there for 3 days, so we can certainly try again if they don't get picked the first time. We will prepare them for disappointment in case it doesn't happen, but just wondering if there is any way to up their chances? Thanks!

 

[helenb]

My understanding is that Star Wars t-shirts also increase the likelihood of being picked. Maybe if you got them matching t-shirts?

 

[myxdvz]

Read this thread >> http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

But I believe its SIGNS and jumping up and down!

 

[deesquared]

Something I didn't realize until our recent trip is that they pick LOTS of kids. Seriously, like 15 - 20 kids must have been up there. I thought they would only have 3 or 4 kids come up front. I didn't know that it was like a huge training class! So there is a good chance your kids will be chosen if they are enthusiastic!
Anyway, if you are there nice and early, that will help. Also, they call up the children based on colours they are wearing, so if you have something nice and bright that stands out, it will help. Like a purple shirt or an orange hat. Many kids were wearing black and white or grey, and I think that makes it harder for the Jedi Master guy to pick them out of the crowd.
There was an adorable little girl, about 9 years old, who had her hair all done up like a Jedi, with a ponytail, and a little braid in the back like Anakin Skywalker. She also was wearing a brown Padowan-type robe, so she TOTALLY got picked to go onstage!
Also, if you get a photopass, you can sit back and enjoy the show. There was a photopass photographer who took awesome pics of all the kids. She gave us a paper with the show time and date on it, which we took to the Photo center to get our photos added to our Photopass. So cool!
Here's a picture of one of my girls fighting Darth Maul:

Good luck!

 

[lozzypop]

My DD has an inbuilt advantage for this kind of thing - she is tall and has red hair. Turtle Talk with Crush, Jedi Training Academy - she has been picked every time.

I am not suggesting that you dye your kid's hair, but standing out with an outfit or a sign helps!

 

[the donut]

I agree with the comment about wearing clothes that are in some way remarkable. My daughter was wearing black and white stripes and happened to be the only kid wearing stripes in her little area. So it was easy for the jedi master to say "the little girl with the striped shirt". Maybe try to position your kid so that their clothes stand out in some way compared to the kids around them, whether by shirt color, or some sort of distinct hat. And of course, the jumping up and down.

We walked up to jedi training about 5 minutes before it began, but it wasn't too crowded that day, and she did manage to get to the front row to be picked. I think front row is essential.

 

[Marthasor]

Wow! Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Signs, colorful clothes, jumping up and down - will do! I think they may even wear costumes! They are very enthusiastic children and want to do this so much! Hope it happens! Thanks again for your advice!

 

[Go Mickey]

Signs a must!!! Matching Star Wars shirts. We had 3 kids with us, my DS and my friends 2 kids. All 3 were standing together, with matching signs, boys had matching Star Wars shirts. They were all jumping up and down and were picked right away. I handed one of our signs to the little boy sitting next to us and The Jedi Master said "hey I think I've seen that sign before, so you better come up too".

Good luck! The kids all had the best time doing it, my son still talks about it.

 

[pinkprincess30]

Our kids made signs and jumped up & down. They simply said "PICK ME" in bold black letters...very easy to read. They were picked the very first time we attended the show. I would say 30 min. ahead is cutting it close, it does fill up fast. When we were there they picked kids from right to left...so if you are facing the stage, sit on the right side and you may get picked early on. Good luck!

 

[Monica D]

We got both of my kids on stage by getting there early and lots of jumping/pointing/excitement. Plus, my mom is LOUD. Good luck!

 

[Geemo]

It took us two shows one day to get both kids up on stage. It would have been nice to have them in the same show. But at least both managed to have their time. It's hard to explain to the little ones why they didn't get picked. We didn't know about the signs or special shirts. This is one of the nice tips you get by reading this site.

Be sure to have your cameras ready when they do get picked. The smile on their face is so special. They are so proud to be part of the group!

 

[Marthasor]

Signs a must!!! Matching Star Wars shirts. We had 3 kids with us, my DS and my friends 2 kids. All 3 were standing together, with matching signs, boys had matching Star Wars shirts. They were all jumping up and down and were picked right away. I handed one of our signs to the little boy sitting next to us and The Jedi Master said "hey I think I've seen that sign before, so you better come up too".

Good luck! The kids all had the best time doing it, my son still talks about it.

That is adorable and so sweet of you to share your sign!

We need to get moving on making our stuff!! I've been trying to find funny Star Wars quotes - any ideas?!

Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and ideas! I know we can't guarantee they will be picked, we sure will have fun making everything to get them noticed!

 

[KaitlynandTaylorsMom]

My daughter was picked the very 1st time we saw the show. We were seated in the front row on the left hand side of the stage (well, left side when your facing the stage ). She was only just turning 3 years old so a little young and I was very surprised they picked someone that young. We did not have a sign but she did have on a Cinderella dress and was wearing a birthday button so perhaps those things helped her out. She was also jumping up and down with her hand raised in the air. She was the 2nd or 3rd kid that was picked for that show. She was taken up onto the stage to stand right next to the Jedi Master. She had a little trouble with her light saber and he was really good about waiting for her to activate & deactivate it. He would say "activate" then look down at her and say "activate, princess" with a big smile on his face. It was really cute! When they ushered everyone off stage when darth vader came on she didn't really know what to do so she was just sort of standing on the far side of the stage when he came out. She had never seen Star Wars and didn't know who he was so I thought she might start crying but she did fine. She was the first one to go out and fight him.

 

[helenb]

Jennifer, those pictures are adorable! You'll have to bring those out when your DD gets married and show them to her fiance...

 

[deesquared]

Cutest Padowan Ever!!

 

[croppincolburn]

That is extreme cuteness! The princess dress coordinates well with the brown robe.

 

[Marthasor]

Adorable!!

 

[Love Tink]

In my experience, signs are the key (and probably all you need). We've literally never had a kid not picked, and we always have signs. We had five kids in one show last August - in fact they were the first five kids picked.

I wouldn't worry so much about what they wear. Make them a couple of signs.

 

[3LittleMonkeys]

We are leaving for Orlando Friday. My son would love to do this. He eats, breaths and lives Star Wars.

 

[WicketsMom]

Does Disneyland do this differently from Hollywood Studios in Orlando? At Hollywood Studios, you sign up for a time early in the morning (as soon as you arrive or the spots are all gone). There is no picking kids out of a crowd.