Jedi academy for a 3 1/2 year old?

[Kasper11]

Are they strick with the 4 year old age limit for the Jedi acedemy? Our son will still be 3 when we visit for the first time at the beginning of May (4 in August.) He's 40 inches tall and goes to preschool so he should be fine if they let him in. Does anyone know how strict the age requirement is?

 

[AngiTN]

Yes they are strict on the age. They will ask him how old he is

 

[disneymom0104]

When they say 4-12, they mean 4-12

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

They're very strict. And there's a good difference between a three and a half year, a three year old a couple days away from turning four, and a four year old.

4-12 is the age limit, and that's the age the participants have to be.

 

[disnut8]

The child will need to be able, in the parent(s)' presence, tell their age with no prompting from the parent(s). This is during the "interview" phase and not during the signups. The "interview" takes place right before the training and a parent will need to be with the child. The four year old cutoff is there for a reason and my then five year old grandson, who is height challenged was the smallest one there and one of the youngest. The trainers had to be aware of his "limitations" but because of his age, he was able to quickly adapt as the trainers helped him out. Not sure a 3-1/2 year old would be that quick and understand what a "hobbit" is (that's what my grandson was called at one point).

Realize the training is done quickly and while the weapons aren't real, it can be dangerous if there is someone who doesn't pay attention so that's why an age requirement is there. It's not about height, it's about "maturity".

 

[Crystal824]

They are strict and they will ask the child. JTA can be a bit intimidating for little kids. We had a trip shortly after DD turned 4. She wanted to do JTA. We got in line and got to the sign-up area. She backed out when they started asking her questions about if she could fight Darth Vadar. She did do it the next year when she was 5.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

They are strict. My son did Jedi Training when he was 4 last year and because he is tiny, I feel like they were really careful to make sure he would be okay during the training.
He happens to be very good at following instructions (particularly from attractive women) so he was fine, but I could see how anyone under 4 might be hard to work with. They are asked to stay in one spot for a period of time and then also mimic certain moves. They have to march in a line. Children who have been to preschool might have better results here.
The scenes where they are fighting can be a little scary because Darth Vader is large and intimidating and he emerges from the mist. The Seventh Sister is also creepy. The look on some of the kids' faces was priceless.

 

[bumbershoot]

We had a trip shortly after DD turned 4. She wanted to do JTA. We got in line and got to the sign-up area. She backed out when they started asking her questions about if she could fight Darth Vadar.

I've seen older kids than that back out!

Back when Darth Maul was at Disney*land* I watched him scare the crud out of preteens standing outside the training area, let alone the kids he was going to fight!

 

[Kasper11]

Strict agree requirement it is. He'll be disappointed but I can't fault Disney for having and following rules!

 

[got15]

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.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

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.

Technically, no, since he won't be four. I can't say if the CM will let him through or not, that will be up to their discretion.

 

[LilyWDW]

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.

The age requirement is 4. He won't be 4. So it wouldn't be okay.

 

[IrishNYC]

I was 12 once, and I'm not very tall. Maybe I can slip by.

The rules are there for a reason. Three and a half isn't four.

 

[Ava]

I watched a video of it on YouTube to see if it might be something my girls who will be 8 and 4 on our trip would enjoy doing. Right now I wouldn't sign my soon-to-be-4-year-old up for it simply based on the amount of time the kids are required to stand on their circle waiting their turn to fight and while the rest of the show is going on. We still have 5-ish months until our trip, so I'm sure she'll mature some in that time, but I just cannot see her being able to stand in one place waiting for that long. (She also goes to preschool, but staying still in one place for any length of time is not one of her strengths, lol.)

 

[ShellieMimi]

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.

While I would not coach a child to lie for convenience, if he's going to tell everyone he's four from the start of the trip on his own, it's one darn day. I'd just take him. Hopefully, it won't be the start of a life of crime.

 

[Keels]

They are SUPER strict - from the "interview phase" to prep and the actual show. On top of that, if a kiddo has trouble following verbal commands and directions, even basic ones, they'll get to "participate" but won't get to go do any of the combat on stage, which is basically what you waste half your day waiting for. I've seen this happen at both WDW AND DL, so they're pretty consistent on it.

They need to answer questions, be able to follow directions, sit or stand in a line without help or prodding, respond when called for, know their left or their right, be able to pay attention for lengthy amounts of time with numerous distractions. ALL of these things with numerous (and exciting) distractions.

Plus, there are effects on and around the stage - dangerous elements - and only a couple of "adult" supervisors for the large crowd of kids. This isn't something you can go up with your kiddo and hold his hand/force him to pay attention through - they are TOTALLY on their own.

I'm not a parent - I just travel with Littles - but even seeing my 4-year-old friend up there made me crazy-nervous. I couldn't imagine watching a 3-year-old.

 

[Jennasis]

Birthday buttons can be worn anytime you want. Age limitations put in place are there for a reason. You are either of age or you are not. A day shy is not of age. Sorry.

 

[Princess Minnie321]

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!

 

[IrishNYC]

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!

You definitely got some very lucky pixie dust, because that is not the norm.

 

[Lynzer4]

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.

Sign him up! More importantly he has to be able to follow the instructions. One day isn't going to change that. Its his birthday weekend. If they ask and he says 3 tell them his birthday is tomorrow and he will be 4 they won't fault you or not let him do it. This happened to us as we didn't coach the kid. They asked he said 3. He was wearing his button and we just said he turns 4 tomorrow. The CM was great and wished him a happy birthday and started talking about how birthday boys had even more force within them to defeat Vader.