Jedi academy for a 3 1/2 year old?

[disnut8]

My 3 1/2 year old was in line with us when we went to sign my 5 year old up. After interviewing my 5 year old, the cm asked my daughter if she wanted to train too. She said yes. He asked her how old she is and she said 3. He asked her a few questions that showed she can follow directions and he let her sign up. She is in preschool and she follows directions better then her older brother. She did great during the show and did everything that was asked of her. I was never worried about her safety. I am so glad they allowed both to go. They had the best time!

Yes you got some pixie dust and were extremely lucky. However, your circumstances were a bit different in that she had an older sibling also with her. Taking a 3/12 or almost 4 year old to the training signups really shouldn't be done.

 

[AngiTN]

Yes you got some pixie dust and were extremely lucky. However, your circumstances were a bit different in that she had an older sibling also with her. Taking a 3/12 or almost 4 year old to the training signups really shouldn't be done.

True, I do think they got lucky. But, if someone does want to take a child that's under 4 in the line and stand there to check to see if they can sign up I guess it's on them. I wouldn't do it, time is too valuable at Disney for an iffy chance, but if the CM let them, then the CM let them. No? I mean, maybe the CM are allowed to use their discretion?

 

[goofy4tink]

Soooo, you try to get a an under 4 child in, which now takes away a spot from a child who is the correct age? I'm sorry, I realize that everyone wants their child to have the best experience possible. But is that experience worth embarrassing you child?
Back in the day, my dd badly wanted to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour. But, she had to be 16! Disney's rules. So, she waited...even though she was there when she turned 15 and sure did look old enough to be 16 due to her height. But, she waited!!

I've seen parents make a huge stink about a child not being allowed to do something...then a CM gives them what they want! And that's not right. Those parents that are polite and respectful get nothing, their child doesn't get the 'wonderful experience' while the nasty family does?? Sorry, not right.
Sorry for the rant...it's kind of a sore spot with me!!

 

[Micca]

I'd just like to know how to get kids that young interested in the world of Star Wars!

 

[ShellieMimi]

I'd just like to know how to get kids that young interested in the world of Star Wars!

According to my dad, he bought me a plush Ewok & showed me scenes from RotJ that Ewoks were in. I liked them because they looked like teddy bears, and I liked R2 for whatever reason. I wasn't yet 3 at the time. Eventually I stuck around to watch more of the movie than those scenes and before long I was hooked. I have to say I don't think I really understood what was going on at first (can't remember but I HIGHLY doubt it) - I just liked spending time with my dad & I would play things about Star Wars in my own way, i.e. running the cash register at the spaceship and droid store.

Now I have a couple of years before I can try this out with my own, but we'll give it a shot!

 

[hiroMYhero]

I'd just like to know how to get kids that young interested in the world of Star Wars!

Use the "Force!"

With all these underage questions, I did ask my CM "former Padawan" friend her thoughts: The Operations CMs who allow the 3 year-olds on the stage have never assisted the kids during the show. Those CMs have never dropped paper towels on stage "puddles" and they never had to run to grab a screaming child before they leapt from the stage.

The Padawans feel the ideal age range would be 5-12. Why is it 4-12? Because this is a Lucasfilms show and Younglings in the movie are ages 4-12.

 

[CMNJ]

I'd just like to know how to get kids that young interested in the world of Star Wars!

Lego Star Wars-that's how my son got hooked lol

 

[Kasper11]

This is a great question. My sons turns 4 on our May trip. I think we plan on doing HS & Jedi Training the day before his birthday. Technically he won't be 4- but he would be the next day- is this ok? He would be wearing a birthday button.

Reading these comments, if you think he's ready, go for it! If the CM says no, say thank you and walk away politely; you lost nothing but some time.

Everyone on here telling you that "one day too young is just wrong," just makes me happy that there are so many people in this world that have never jaywalked, went one mile over the speed limit, always use their blinkers, etc. because if they had done any of those things, they would look pretty hypocritical.

 

[RachaelA]

Reading these comments, if you think he's ready, go for it! If the CM says no, say thank you and walk away politely; you lost nothing but some time.

Everyone on here telling you that "one day too young is just wrong," just makes me happy that there are so many people in this world that have never jaywalked, went one mile over the speed limit, always use their blinkers, etc. because if they had done any of those things, they would look pretty hypocritical.

None of those things take a spot away from a kid that's old enough though. That's the point people are making. Because when you break the rules it takes something away from another kid.

 

[goofy4tink]

Use the "Force!"

With all these underage questions, I did ask my CM "former Padawan" friend her thoughts: The Operations CMs who allow the 3 year-olds on the stage have never assisted the kids during the show. Those CMs have never dropped paper towels on stage "puddles" and they never had to run to grab a screaming child before they leapt from the stage.

The Padawans feel the ideal age range would be 5-12. Why is it 4-12? Because this is a Lucasfilms show and Younglings in the movie are ages 4-12.

Oh man....exactly what my CM dd says!! It drives her nuts when a parent says "But, he's very mature for his age, he'll be fine. He'll be 4 in 6 months. Come on...just this once!!!'. Where do you draw the line? So, the CM lets a kid in who's 3.9. The parent a few families back sees this, and decides that will work for her 3 y/o. Good for one, good for everyone!!! There's a reason they made the cut off age 4...perhaps they wanted it to be 5, but felt that too many people would try to fib their way in. What's next? "Oh, I know he's still in diapers and is barely walking, but he'll be fine!!!!'??
As my dd said to me last week.....'just watched a young Padawan wet himself, and the stage...#magical!!

Reading these comments, if you think he's ready, go for it! If the CM says no, say thank you and walk away politely; you lost nothing but some time.

Everyone on here telling you that "one day too young is just wrong," just makes me happy that there are so many people in this world that have never jaywalked, went one mile over the speed limit, always use their blinkers, etc. because if they had done any of those things, they would look pretty hypocritical.

Lines get drawn for reason. A too young child is going to be in danger of putting him/herself in harm's way, as well as those around them. I've seen too young kids on that stage. Mom and dad were screaming at the poor kid, on the stage...'Stay up there, no, don't get off the stage!!!!'. Poor kids didn't want to be there, and were really too young. Sure, some kids are too young at 5, while other kids may be okay at 3.....but who gets to make that call? The CM, with about 45 seconds to make a decision? Nope, I don't think so.
And as far as losing time? That could be an hour or so!!! It's not just 5 mins. Not to mention the poor kid that wants to do it, and is now hugely disappointed to find he can't because he's too young but mom and dad figured it was worth a shot!!!

 

[AngiTN]

Seems the easy solution is for the CM in charge to never bend the rules, no? Got parents in your face because of the rule? No problem, as long as you stick to the rule you are fine. Let them get upset, they are in the wrong, not you. But bend once, and you are done for. Why do they bend, or in the case of a PP, suggest it when not even asked, if they don't want to? Why not hold to the rule, period?

 

[Ava]

I would highly encourage any parent considering trying to sign their almost-4-year-old (or even their 4- or 5-year-old) up for this to go to YouTube and watch a video of the full show. Make note of the amount of standing in one spot & waiting that is required of the children. Listen to the instructions that they are expected to follow to perform the fighting moves. Watch the way Darth Vader & Seventh Sister move, listen to Vader speak, watch the special effects. Then honestly assess whether your young child is capable of all of that and won't be frightened by the characters.

My younger daughter turns 4 in May, so she will be of-age on our August trip, but unless she has a giant leap in maturity and her ability to stand in one place and wait without an adult right next to her forcing her to in the next 5 months, she won't be ready to do this show. Some kids may be capable at 4, or even younger, but many are not.

 

[GillianP1301]

There was a very small child in my son's group once, he did not look 4 at all and the Jedi Master actually ended up calling him, or rather his parents out on in it. He did it in a joking way, the Jedi Master throws in dry humour throughout the show. When it was pretty obvious that this, I'm assuming 3 year old, was not able to follow the basic instructions, the Jedi Master said something like "somebody's parents lied about someone's age". I think it's pretty obvious to them when they get someone under age. Like a previous poster said, it's not about their size (we also had a super tiny 5 year old in our group once, but she was clearly old enough because she was able to do all the moves and follow all the instructions with no issues), it's about the maturity level. I personally think even 4 is pushing it a bit with many kids, but I suppose they have to put the limit somewhere.

And besides all of that, the real issue I have is that you would have to instruct your child to lie about their age and to me, that alone is the only reason I would need to not put a 3 1/2 year old in the show.

 

[IrishNYC]

I would highly encourage any parent considering trying to sign their almost-4-year-old (or even their 4- or 5-year-old) up for this to go to YouTube and watch a video of the full show. Make note of the amount of standing in one spot & waiting that is required of the children. Listen to the instructions that they are expected to follow to perform the fighting moves. Watch the way Darth Vader & Seventh Sister move, listen to Vader speak, watch the special effects. Then honestly assess whether your young child is capable of all of that and won't be frightened by the characters.

My younger daughter turns 4 in May, so she will be of-age on our August trip, but unless she has a giant leap in maturity and her ability to stand in one place and wait without an adult right next to her forcing her to in the next 5 months, she won't be ready to do this show. Some kids may be capable at 4, or even younger, but many are not.

Yes! My DD was 5 the last time we were there, and she loooooves Star Wars, even at 5, and she wasn't afraid of any of the characters or moves. But, there was no way she was going to follow directions for Jedi Training, and she's a big rule follower. We didn't even tell her it was an option to do. They don't know what they're missing if they don't know it exists in the first place. She's 7 now, will be 8 when we're there in September, and I know she can do it now. If she couldn't get a spot because some "totally mature" 3 year old gets a spot, then that kid gets up there and can't do it, I'd give those parents a big stink eye.

 

[JohnneeO]

Like it or not, these are WDW's rules to follow or bend at their discretion. While everyone is correct in confirming what the rules actually are, if WDW empowers CM's to allow a sub-four year old to participate, that is WDW's decision to make.

I know of a situation similar to one described earlier, where a 40 inch tall 3.5 year old was allowed to participate with a 5 yo sibling. In the situation that I know of, a 40 inch tall, 3 year, 10 month old girl had a 10 year old brother. She wanted to do the training with her brother, and was told the age limit was four. Her parents knew she was mature enough to complete the training, so she was instructed to say she was four in the interviews, and participated in the JTA without incident.

For the OP, that gives you two real world examples of a sub-four year old participating. One was explicitly allowed by the CM, one was mature enough to act the part of an actual four year old. I think the key is that both had older siblings. YMMV.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Now that the OP has received a variety of parenting skills instruction, closing.