Jedi Academy - How soon does it get full?

[choover2576]

We are planning our first WDW with our boys and would love for them to be able to participate in Jedi training. We are going the first week of November. If we get there at opening and casually walk our way to the sign-up, will we be able to get a spot? I'm not interested in rushing, running or going to the character breakfast before opening to get a spot.

BTW I really like how they do this. As many of you probably know, at Disneyland they just pick kids out the crowd. The last time one of my boys got picked but not the other and I felt so bad for the little guy.

 

[Itinkso]

You should be okay if you attempt this on a regular, not EMH, park day. You do need to know DHS usually opens a few minutes early on regular park days.

If it is an EMH morning and you are not an onsite guest, don't attempt JTA. Most slots will be filled before the gates open to all guests.

 

[choover2576]

Thanks Itinkso! We are staying on-site and we are planning on going on a non-magic morning day. The calender says the park opens at 9am, so maybe we'll try to be there at 8:30?

 

[Itinkso]

Yes. 8:15-8:30 would be good. You will be passed up by all the speed-walkers but as long as you know your FP and Dining Reservation schedule, you should be able to choose a slot that fits into your plans.

 

[Dis703]

We went last weekend on an EMH morning day. Park opened for EMH at 8am and we didn't make it until just after 9. The line for bag check was insane so I left my husband and took ODS with me to get into the park and head to the sound studio. There was no line at all and the first available show was 3:25 and they had many shows with plenty of room after that. We decided to do it after dinner since we were eating nearby.

 

[Mikie]

I don't know the predicted crowd levels when you are going. I went when it was about a 6-7 (out of 10) and was not willing to run past everyone. We did arrive early, before they started letting people in. I think about 8:15 on a 9:00 opening day. We were very near the turnstiles to get in. When they opened (around 8:40-8:45) many people ran past us - we walked and did not stop for any pictures or anything and a line had formed by the time we were there. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the front of the line and all 3 of the first shows were full by then. We selected a late afternoon show that we wanted anyway. When we returned later for our show, the CMs said all slots for the day were full by 10:30.

Since you have 2 boys you want in the same show, I would go at opening, but if you are available late in the day and pretty flexible with your time, not running should still be fine! Note that the CMs will help you adjust FPs if needed to avoid a conflict, but they will tell you (and I agree!) that if you have Toy Story FPs, you shouldn't try to move them (unlikely to find any others available)

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Someone please explain what this is all about and why the spots are so coveted? I saw the signs at Hollywood studios when I went and it didn't look packed...

 

[smitch425]

Someone please explain what this is all about and why the spots are so coveted? I saw the signs at Hollywood studios when I went and it didn't look packed...

It is a show at DHS, and there are about a dozen or so spots per show, so they fill quickly. You can see the show on YouTube.

 

[Mikie]

Someone please explain what this is all about and why the spots are so coveted? I saw the signs at Hollywood studios when I went and it didn't look packed...

It's an outdoor kid-participation stage show in which the kids wear a brown Jedi robe (loaned) and have a Jedi Master trainer (not a known character from movies) to teach the young Padawans how to use light sabers. They do some things as a group and some things individually until - oh no! - Darth Vader (and also Darth Maul if it's a large show) appear through the door and try to attack! The new trainees get to try out their choreographed saber-fighting against the bad guys. Photopass photographers take tons of shots and it lasts about 20 minutes.

It was a highlight of our trip! My son, the huge Star Wars fan, absolutely loved it and my daughter, a medium-strong fan had a good time as well.

 

[AgletWDW]

This is one of my must do's for my boys for our trip. We are going to HS on the first day of our vacation, if we can't get in on that day we will try again later in the week. I actual have 3 kids, not sure if DD would want to do it. But I know my 7 year old would live this!!

 

[choover2576]

I don't know the predicted crowd levels when you are going. I went when it was about a 6-7 (out of 10) and was not willing to run past everyone. We did arrive early, before they started letting people in. I think about 8:15 on a 9:00 opening day. We were very near the turnstiles to get in. When they opened (around 8:40-8:45) many people ran past us - we walked and did not stop for any pictures or anything and a line had formed by the time we were there. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the front of the line and all 3 of the first shows were full by then. We selected a late afternoon show that we wanted anyway. When we returned later for our show, the CMs said all slots for the day were full by 10:30.

Since you have 2 boys you want in the same show, I would go at opening, but if you are available late in the day and pretty flexible with your time, not running should still be fine! Note that the CMs will help you adjust FPs if needed to avoid a conflict, but they will tell you (and I agree!) that if you have Toy Story FPs, you shouldn't try to move them (unlikely to find any others available)

The day we are planning is predicted a "4". We plan on being at that park the whole day, so i'm thinking we'll book our FP's for early afternoon and then try and plan on getting one of the later times for the training.

 

[Itinkso]

Also check the weather forecast. If rain is predicted in the afternoon, try for a morning session. JTA gets canceled if raining and a brief meet and greet is held with Vader and the Troopers.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Someone please explain what this is all about and why the spots are so coveted? I saw the signs at Hollywood studios when I went and it didn't look packed...

Kids get to participate in lightsaber training and then a duel with Darth Vader (usually; sometimes other Sith lords stand in). There are only 15 slots per show (usually; during super crowded times they double that to 30) and only 15 shows per day, so only a couple of hundred kids get to participate each day. Only children ages 4-12 can participate, and the shows themselves aren't crowded because generally only the families of the participants watch any given show. Since you don't have kids, I can see why it really isn't on your radar screen. For us, it's a must-do every trip.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Kids get to participate in lightsaber training and then a duel with Darth Vader (usually; sometimes other Sith lords stand in). There are only 15 slots per show (usually; during super crowded times they double that to 30) and only 15 shows per day, so only a couple of hundred kids get to participate each day. Only children ages 4-12 can participate, and the shows themselves aren't crowded because generally only the families of the participants watch any given show. Since you don't have kids, I can see why it really isn't on your radar screen. For us, it's a must-do every trip.

If you look at my Star Wars photos I'm a huge star war geek I'd love to watch he kiddos have fun! Thanks both for explaining what it is!

I just hate that it's so limited then!

Would you prefer to reserve it online and maybe they make you pay a deposit that you get back when you attend?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

If you look at my Star Wars photos I'm a huge star war geek I'd love to watch he kiddos have fun! Thanks both for explaining what it is!

I just hate that it's so limited then!

Would you prefer to reserve it online and maybe they make you pay a deposit that you get back when you attend?

I don't think pre-reserving would work. (1) CMs have to verify the age of each participant; and (2) each child is given a short "interview" to ensure that they are capable and willing to participate before they're allowed to sign up. Vader is scary. Maul (who fills in sometimes) is even scarier. We've had children start crying and leave the stage during about half the sessions we've participated in. With an electronic signup without the screening, I'd think that drop out rate would be even higher.

 

[InStitchesinNE]

Would you prefer to reserve it online and maybe they make you pay a deposit that you get back when you attend?

I wouldn't. They cancel if it rains, and then you wouldn't be able to just pick a different day. Disney requires too much pre-planning for my generally laid back and disorganized self as it is!

 

[alison182]

Where will the sign-up be on SWW, we will be there on June 13th!

 

[CindySwims]

They move the sign ups over by Indiana Jones during SWW. It is much harder to get a spot on during the Star Wars weekends. We have our Jedi training day planned on a weekday for a less stressful sign up morning.

 

[lroger01]

It amazes me how many people go to Disney World totally clueless about ADR's and FP+ and even what is available in each park. Yet, so many people know they need to hurry to Jedi Training, Toy Story, and Seven Dwarves! Hmm....

 

[Erinmc3]

This is at the very top of my DS's must-do list as well. We are going on a weekday (in Nov) and I really hope to get a spot. Will be there super early and will go directly to where we have to sign up but don't want the pressure of having to race there. Ugh!