Jedi Academy- need the scoop ASAP!

[nicobus]

We are leaving tomorrow for Disney World and I have one 6 yr old that will be VERY dissappointed if he does not get into Jedi Academy at HS. Can anyone give me the secret to making sure he gets a slot. We are panning on going to HS on Wednesday and I'm not entirely sure where to even go to sign up let alone what time I should get there. Can anyone help on this?? Thanks!!

 

[Mich Mouse]

We just did this with our six year old in August. It was the highlight of his trip.

Here is a link I bookmarked that gave me all the information I needed. There is even a map


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3179861

 

[Itinkso]

There is no longer an 11:00 JTA session because of the Frozen Processional. Take your ADR and FP schedule with you to help you choose the JTA session that best fits your schedule. Your child will need to arrive 30 minutes before his scheduled session to check-in and receive his robe and directions.

 

[nicobus]

Thanks! I will look into the link attached, I'm sure that will have a lot of info. Do you think we need to get there before the park opens? And do we need to sit through the Frozen Show before we head over or can we head over there as soon as the park opens? My two boys are not interested in watching the frozen show- lol.

 

[Itinkso]

Yes, arrive 30-45 minutes before park opening to get situated at the rope that leads to JTA sign-ups. Everyone is held in the Hat area for the opening so just head to the rope as soon as you enter through the tapstiles... look for a CM holding a JTA sign - should be near the American Idol jumbo screen.

 

[nicobus]

Thanks for the tip! Phew, this is the most nerve wracking part of our trip! Now I have to hope my husband doesn't get lost or head in the wrong direction as they are racing through HS. sigh.

 

[Itinkso]

Tell him to initially head in the direction of the Hat... as he approaches the Hat area have him veer towards the AI screen while at the same time looking for a JTA CM at the rope. From there, he can't get lost as there will be plenty of guests elbowing their way to the front of the line on the approach to the JTA sign-ups! Good luck!!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Thanks for the tip! Phew, this is the most nerve wracking part of our trip! Now I have to hope my husband doesn't get lost or head in the wrong direction as they are racing through HS. sigh.

There really is no "racing through HS", as no guests can leave the stage until after the opening show. It is absolutely imperative that you find that JTA sign and get as close to it as possible during the opening show. Your husband should pick his way through the crowd, get as close to the stage as possible, and then turn to the left. A CM holding the JTA sign will be standing right there, along with another group of CMs holding light sabers. The internal rope will drop after the opening show, and guests wanting to signup for JTA will be escorted to the signup area. While CMs hold people back, they do walk very fast, and tell guests not to run, there is a lot of jockeying for position. If you're at the front the pack, you're good to go, but if you're at the back...you'll be in a long line to signup. When we were there at the end of August we overheard people saying that they were at the back of the pack the day before, waited nearly an hour to sign up, and all the slots were taken for the entire day before they got a chance to sign up. So definitely be there before opening, and definitely make sure your husband knows where to go.

 

[Arden01]

There really is no "racing through HS", as no guests can leave the stage until after the opening show. It is absolutely imperative that you find that JTA sign and get as close to it as possible during the opening show. Your husband should pick his way through the crowd, get as close to the stage as possible, and then turn to the left. A CM holding the JTA sign will be standing right there, along with another group of CMs holding light sabers. The internal rope will drop after the opening show, and guests wanting to signup for JTA will be escorted to the signup area. While CMs hold people back, they do walk very fast, and tell guests not to run, there is a lot of jockeying for position. If you're at the front the pack, you're good to go, but if you're at the back...you'll be in a long line to signup. When we were there at the end of August we overheard people saying that they were at the back of the pack the day before, waited nearly an hour to sign up, and all the slots were taken for the entire day before they got a chance to sign up. So definitely be there before opening, and definitely make sure your husband knows where to go.

We were there at 8 am at the end of August. We were 2nd in line at the turnstiles but because of the Frozen preshow and being held at the hat until after, the pack got ahead of us (I refused to push ahead of people, but some did) and we waited about 20 min to sign up. It was the most hectic part of our trip. Lots of people, like the previous poster said, jockeying for position once the Olaf show ended and the CMs escorted everyone to sign ups. Some people tried to run, but were scolded! Still we got the 12:40 show and CMs were really nice about accommodating our Adr and FPP. It was the highlight of my daughters' trip and we will definitely do it again.

 

[jlsmith376]

We did this last week. We had an 8 am reservation at Hollywood and Vine. We let our server know that we were trying to sign up for JTA and he made sure to run our credit card right away. We got done early enough that we were first held at Hollywood and Vine, then when the CM there could see the park opening and the crowd approaching, she let us head out so we were at the very front of the crowd heading to the hat. We were first in line at the hat for JTA.

 

[Frozen2014]

Anyone know why they don't just make Jedi Training a FP? Seems so silly that you have to arrive pre-rope drop and then strategize the best way to RUN to try and sign up. My DS would love this, but not sure how early we can get there plus even if we get a spot, hope that it fits within our other FP bookings.

 

[qa4ever]

I agree, it should be a FP+, however, I think a lot of people don't realize that their kids can be in the show, and if it were a FP+ to be in the show, it would be even more popular and would be a very difficult FP+ to get.

Regardless, my girls did this last Wednesday (I think a 1 on the crowd level). We arrived about 8:35 for a 9:00 am opening. We lined up about 30 back on a tapstyle line to the left.

At 8:45 they started letting people in but we were all held near the hat. When we got near the hat, we stayed to the left side where there is a rope. You will see a cast member with a sign that says "Jedi" on it.

The Frozen opening show started a few minutes before 9:00 and wasn't that impressive. They made it seem like Olaf would be appearing but he showed up on a screen, not in person. Promptly at 9:00 am, they dropped the ropes.

Some people tried to climb under the rope and other parents/guests called those people out and they waited. As we were walking to the building (which is not very far away), some people started running. A cast member told them to stop running. But didn't make them go to the back of the line (I think they should have), so as a result, they got closer up in the line.

When we got into the building to sign up, we had to wait about 10 minutes. When we got to the front, a cast member asks the kids a few questions. 1) How old are you? 2) Will you listen to rules? 3) Will you play safely? As long as the child answers correctly, you get to go to a counter to sign up.

At the counter we were offered 10:10, the second show, and had to be back at 9:40. When we got back, they check the kids in, give them their robes and then they march to the stage area and wait. There was lots of waiting around and they did give the kids a drink of water which was nice cause it was HOT.

The show was amazing, and the kids really enjoyed it! I would highly recommend it. And I do like this better than in California where they choose the kids right before each show starts, and if you don't get chosen, you have to go back and try again. At least this way you are guaranteed a spot.

 

[Frozen2014]

...
Regardless, my girls did this last Wednesday (I think a 1 on the crowd level). We arrived about 8:35 for a 9:00 am opening. We lined up about 30 back on a tapstyle line to the left.

...

At the counter we were offered 10:10, the second show, and had to be back at 9:40.

The show was amazing, and the kids really enjoyed it! I would highly recommend it. And I do like this better than in California where they choose the kids right before each show starts, and if you don't get chosen, you have to go back and try again. At least this way you are guaranteed a spot.

Glad your kids loved it.

Curious...can you select the time you want to return? I wouldn't want to go to all this effort and then have to give up an existing FP. Afternoon time would actually work better for us.

 

[JeninTexas]

Would kids still enjoy watching the show even if they are not in it? I'm not sure I want to go through a mad dash to sign up when we could spend that time riding rides instead.

 

[owensamo]

When we got to the front, a cast member asks the kids a few questions. 1) How old are you? 2) Will you listen to rules? 3) Will you play safely? As long as the child answers correctly, you get to go to a counter to sign up.

What's a wrong answer for #1? We're going in November and my DD is 12 - she'd *love* to do this! We haven't been to WDW in about 5 years, and the last time we were there she wasn't a Star Wars fan - now she totally is. I see it says on Disney's site that it's for kids between the ages of 4 and 12 - is that inclusive?

 

[siskaren]

Anyone know why they don't just make Jedi Training a FP?

I agree, it should be a FP+, however, I think a lot of people don't realize that their kids can be in the show, and if it were a FP+ to be in the show, it would be even more popular and would be a very difficult FP+ to get.

This is why it won't be made a FP:

When we got into the building to sign up, we had to wait about 10 minutes. When we got to the front, a cast member asks the kids a few questions. 1) How old are you? 2) Will you listen to rules? 3) Will you play safely? As long as the child answers correctly, you get to go to a counter to sign up.

They have to make sure the child is the right age and will follow the rules.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

When we got to the front, a cast member asks the kids a few questions. 1) How old are you? 2) Will you listen to rules? 3) Will you play safely? As long as the child answers correctly, you get to go to a counter to sign up.

Well, the other important question they ask is whether the child WANTS to do this. Because you know there are a lot of parents who would force their kids to sign up who didn't really want to be up on that stage. Darth Vader is huge, and I noticed his boots have a thick sole on them to make him even taller. He's definitely intimidating, and of the 5 times we've done JTA, 4 of those times we've had kids start crying and leave the stage when he came out. I'd LOVE my 4 year old to participate with his big sister, but he says he's scared and I'm not going to be that parent forcing their kid up there just because I think they should want to do it, KWIM? Anyway, the in-person signup is the only way to try to eliminate kids in the show who aren't in the age range or who are forcing their kids to participate.

What's a wrong answer for #1? We're going in November and my DD is 12 - she'd *love* to do this! We haven't been to WDW in about 5 years, and the last time we were there she wasn't a Star Wars fan - now she totally is. I see it says on Disney's site that it's for kids between the ages of 4 and 12 - is that inclusive?

Your child is 12, so she's in the "4-12" category. If a child is 3, they're too young, and if they're 13 they're too old.

FWIW, it does seem like this is more popular for the 10 and younger set. It seems like there's 1-2 "big kids" who participate per session, but generally, you see mostly smaller children doing it. Not to dissuade you at all...just make your daughter aware that she's likely to be with a lot of kids substantially younger than she is.

 

[owensamo]

Your child is 12, so she's in the "4-12" category. If a child is 3, they're too young, and if they're 13 they're too old.

FWIW, it does seem like this is more popular for the 10 and younger set. It seems like there's 1-2 "big kids" who participate per session, but generally, you see mostly smaller children doing it. Not to dissuade you at all...just make your daughter aware that she's likely to be with a lot of kids substantially younger than she is.

Thanks! She's good with smaller children - she actually helps teach 2-5 year olds at her dance studio and has danced regularly with girls younger than herself so being the oldest on stage shouldn't phase her.

My biggest concern now is that she's so shy she might not answer any of the questions at all! I already let her know it's her last chance to do it, so I guess if she wants to, she'll have to do what it takes, even if she doesn't like it. It's a great life lesson!

 

[Itinkso]

Thanks! She's good with smaller children - she actually helps teach 2-5 year olds at her dance studio and has danced regularly with girls younger than herself so being the oldest on stage shouldn't phase her. My biggest concern now is that she's so shy she might not answer any of the questions at all! I already let her know it's her last chance to do it, so I guess if she wants to, she'll have to do what it takes, even if she doesn't like it. It's a great life lesson!

My DD is an onstage JTA CM and she loves interacting with the older girls who take part in the show. Just encourage your DD to answer the sign-up CMs questions as all they are doing is checking for the correct age and to make sure the child isn't being forced to do the show.

Let her know that she will be onstage with Padawans who dance and perform in shows throughout the parks... that will give her an insightful connection as to who the CMs are. The Padawans don't just wield light sabers, they are also known to dance on the Castle stage and perform in Fantasmic!

 

[qa4ever]

No one asked my kids if they wanted to be in the show, but I could see that being important to ask. I think they can tell from the enthusiasm level of the kids if they want to be there or not, and maybe ask if the child seems hesitant.

My kids loved it! Lots of fun