Jedi Training Academy ~ Experiences Please

[earthfaries]

Hi.

We're leaving for Disney World next week and just wondered if anyone could share their experiences on the Jedi Training Academy?

Both of my sons love SW and light sabers and would love to get trained on stage.

Do they let all the kids come up of pick one or two? Is there anything they can do to get picked?

Do they sell a lot of SW stuff at that park now like pins and shirts, etc.?

Should they bring their own light sabers into the park that day?

Any info would be great! Thanks

 

[LisaBi]

Hi.

We're leaving for Disney World next week and just wondered if anyone could share their experiences on the Jedi Training Academy?

I thought the Jedi Training was only in the late spring/early summer?

Anyway, DS got selected once - April 2006.

They picked about 12 or 15 kiddos. They gave (but not to keep) each child a toy light saber and a jedi robe, then the "jedi master" showed them different moves and practiced as a group. Then each child got to "fight" Darth Vader one-on-one.

I don't know what got a child picked - I think she truly just picked kids from random places in the crowd. Of course, they did have to be excited and raising their hands.

They do sell LOTS of toy light sabers and other SW stuff, especially in the gift shop at the exit from Star Tours.

 

[dcforbreakfast]

Do they let all the kids come up of pick one or two? Is there anything they can do to get picked?

They pick about twenty kids. Make sure they smile and raise their hand. Parents point at your kid and smile too! You MUST get there at least 30 minutes before the show starts so your kid has a spot on the rope to get picked. I think the side by the CS restaurant was a good spot because they pulled a lot of kids from this part and my son was chosen.

Do they sell a lot of SW stuff at that park now like pins and shirts, etc.?

Tons of star wars stuff. There is a whole shop called Tatooine Traders right next to Star Tours and there is more Star Wars stuff at Once Upon a Toy at DTD.

Should they bring their own light sabers into the park that day?

They can bring them but they will not be allowed to use them during the show. They will get some and a padwa cape. It's veryyyy cute. My son thought Darth Vader was real and got very scared, so make sure you tell them it's fake. My son is six.

 

[DisneyDebbie]

we were there November '07 and both my boys were picked. They have the show times listed on a sign right outside the Star Tours ride. We were there 20 minutes early for the first show of the day. There was a carpet in the front for all the kids to stand on. They picked about 20 children, all had to be enthusiastic about wanting to come up on stage(raise hand, jump up and down, say "I Do"). One of my sons was wearing a Star Wars shirt. They recieved a robe and Lightsaber to borrow and battled Darth Vader one-on-one. We brought our video camera for it. They all recieve a certificate to keep. One of my boys' favorite memories. (that and Test Track)

There's a Steve Soares web site that can give approximate show times. Sorry I don't remember it off-hand.

 

[earthfaries]

Thanks for all the info so far.

I am concerned now what a poster said about it not running all year long. Does anyone know if it runs year round? I thought it did...

Thanks again I know it would just make my boy's trip to get picked, and if it doesn't run year round we may just go to AK instead of MGM.

 

[Disney1976]

It does run all year long now. It used to run only during Star Wars Weekends, but it was obviously so popular that they decided to make it a permanent attraction, at least for now.

Oh, and the guy I saw playing Darth did a really nice job.

 

[earthfaries]

It does run all year long now. It used to run only during Star Wars Weekends, but it was obviously so popular that they decided to make it a permanent attraction, at least for now.

Oh, and the guy I saw playing Darth did a really nice job.

Thank goodness!!! The boys were so excited and then the thought that it might not be available when we go was just
Thanks

 

[ryrysmom14]

This was one of the highlights of our trip when we went in November. Here's a tip- see it early in the day so if your children are not picked, you can go again later. The first time, my son was not picked even though he was front and center and he was jumping up and down, etc. My son was OK with not being picked and really enjoyed the show, but it really put some kids into a tailspin and lots were crying. I had prepared my son that there were tons of kids and he may not get picked and might be able to try again later.

The second time he was maybe the 2nd or 3rd kid picked...didn't do anything different than the 1st time, just luck. I was so excited for him b/c I knew this was it and we weren't coming back. Once again, unfortunately, lots of disappointed kids everywhere...REALLY prepare them as I could see this ruining a day. I had a friend go and one son was picked and the other wasn't and that was even worse.

One more note, there were some kids all done up in Star Wars gear and it didn't seem to make any difference. It was really great and he loooooved battling Darth and getting his certificate- sooo many great pictures. I hope both your kids are picked right away!!

Lorraine

 

[Disney1976]

Thank goodness!!! The boys were so excited and then the thought that it might not be available when we go was just
Thanks

No problem! I hope they have a wonderful time, and may the force be with you. (Sorry, couldn't resist, I've always wanted to say that).

 

[earthfaries]

No problem! I hope they have a wonderful time, and may the force be with you. (Sorry, couldn't resist, I've always wanted to say that).

And that was the perfect opportunity

 

[ljsmom]

My two sons were picked but not for the same show. After my oldest son was selected we had to wait around because there was no way we could leave with one being selected and the other not. It was a great experience for both of them.

 

[earthfaries]

My two sons were picked but not for the same show. After my oldest son was selected we had to wait around because there was no way we could leave with one being selected and the other not. It was a great experience for both of them.

You know I have heard that they pick younger kids over older kids. That concerns me because my 11 year old is so tall and looks way older than 11. He will be devestated if he doesn't get picked because he looks too old

That's nice of you to wait for the next show to make it fair. I would definately do that too

Question for you...or anyone...I know at DL they have you fight with Darth Maul(sp) sorry Is he at MGM too? What about R2D2, do you get to see him? Thanks

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Oh, it was a total blast!!! We were there December 07 and we don't have any children - we just wanted to watch!! It was so much fun watching the kids faces light up - you could just feel how exciting it was for them!! Watching the show is entertaining in itself - I can't imagine being up there on stage!

The advice in this thread is excellent - If they don't get picked the first show, go to the next one. They pick 20 kids randomly.

 

[Atchley]

We have actually purchased an extra day on our passes so that if I have to sit for every show with my DS for two days, maybe he'll be chosen. DS has over 25 lightsabers in his room. Light-up lightsabers, non-light up lightsabers, spring action lightsabers, and the latest and greatest--an FX lightsaber! Figures, posters, ships, video games, clothes,....... My whole day will be at the Jedi Training Academy if he isn't chosen early on in the day. But to see him up there will be worth every moment.

What we won't do for our kids!!

 

[LilGMom]

We were there in October and the show is great! DH, DS6 and I are all Star Wars fans. We are currently training DS2 to become the next Jedi in the family and I think from his obsession with R2-D2 that it is working.

When we were there DS6 had a Yoda shirt on and was jumping up and waving his arms but the Jedi Master picked the six boys around him but not DS. DH & I were more crushed than DS6 was. They picked kids that ranged from what I would guess to be age 5 on up to the 'tween' ages, boys and girls and about 20 in all. We stayed for the show and vowed to come back. We had told our DS that there was a chance to be picked and a very real chance that he wouldn't get picked - it was just luck. I didn't want any meltdowns or him thinking he had done something wrong if/when he wasn't picked.

We went back later in the day and DS6 was unfortunately again passed over (guess the force wasn't shining bright enough on him) and I think the fact that another rather "enthusiastic" mother was pushing her child in front and blocking other kids might have had something to do with it. Anywho... we still stayed for the show (again) and DS6 said that it was still "really cool". I don't know that there is any one thing that the kids can do to get picked because I saw some that were jumping and yelling that didn't get picked (i.e. my DS) and some that were just standing there barely waving their hand that did get picked. Star Wars apparel also doesn't seem to be a shoe in to get picked... otherwise our entire family might have been picked.

Good luck!

 

[earthfaries]

We have actually purchased an extra day on our passes so that if I have to sit for every show with my DS for two days, maybe he'll be chosen. DS has over 25 lightsabers in his room. Light-up lightsabers, non-light up lightsabers, spring action lightsabers, and the latest and greatest--an FX lightsaber! Figures, posters, ships, video games, clothes,....... My whole day will be at the Jedi Training Academy if he isn't chosen early on in the day. But to see him up there will be worth every moment.
What we won't do for our kids!!

Is your son going to make his own light saber at DTD? My kids are so excited about that. My 5 year old is going to make a Darth Maul saber. We have to go the first night and get it too

 

[Disney1976]

FYI, the "Darth Maul" style light saber only lights up on one side, not both.

Just in case you didn't know.

 

[earthfaries]

FYI, the "Darth Maul" style light saber only lights up on one side, not both.

Just in case you didn't know.

I read that before. I wonder if it costs more?

 

[Disney1976]

Not sure if the Darth Maul lightsaber costs more or not. I thought they were all about $20 but don't quote me on that. Oh, and don't hesitate to have the CM's help you build one if you're having trouble. It looks awfully complicated to me (I'm not good with building things though!) but the CM's are masterful at giving people exactly what they want. It's a very popular part of the store.

 

[LilGMom]

I read that before. I wonder if it costs more?

When we made our two (one Rebel and one Sith) we made a Darth Maul one and it was the same cost as the Mace Windu one that we made. They are a little tricky to make but between DH & I and studying the instructions we got them together. We also got a really great pin with each saber which is why we had to have one good and one evil, lol. Dec. '06 they were $19.95. There are kits you can buy that cost less but you don't get the cool pin.

The CM also put in batteries when we paid for it so it was nice walking out with the light sabers 'active'. Of course we needed more light sabers like the Empire needed more Stormtroopers.