Jedi Training Academy: How do they check age?

[deanimal]

Just a quick question. I'm taking my son to Disneyland for a quick mother and son trip for his 4th birthday. However, the day we're in the park will be a few days shy of his actual birthday. The Jedi Training Academy says it's for kids age 4-12, but how do they check that? My understanding is that they just pull kids from the audience. Do they just go by looks and guess? In that case, my son is very small for his age so he may not have a chance even after he turns four. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[HydroGuy]

Just a quick question. I'm taking my son to Disneyland for a quick mother and son trip for his 4th birthday. However, the day we're in the park will be a few days shy of his actual birthday. The Jedi Training Academy says it's for kids age 4-12, but how do they check that? My understanding is that they just pull kids from the audience. Do they just go by looks and guess? In that case, my son is very small for his age so he may not have a chance even after he turns four. Any info would be appreciated.

They don't. They just eyeball the kids quickly and the 4-12 is a suggested age range. My DS17 was 11 when he did it the first time and got picked. He was very excited but next when he was older he was not interested any more.

 

[FiggieFan]

Not sure about DL, but at WDW, they no longer pick from the audience. A parent has to register the child with the child present. They do ask the kid some questions and give you a show time to come back for. We always register first thing in the morning to get it over with.

 

[awdsmama]

Not sure about DL, but at WDW, they no longer pick from the audience. A parent has to register the child with the child present. They do ask the kid some questions and give you a show time to come back for. We always register first thing in the morning to get it over with.

According to DL's website:

How Are Padawans Selected?





Participants, ages 4 to 12, are randomly selected from audience volunteers; here are tips that might improve the chances of being picked.

Pick Me! Pick Me!
•When selecting new students, the Jedi Master looks for energetic and enthusiastic Padawans eager to learn. Jump up and down with excitement!
•Get the Jedi Master to see you. Those in the front of the audience are very visible, but if you find yourself a bit further back, consider standing out with some sort of Star Wars-themed sign.
•Dress the part. What would a young Jedi-in-training wear on the first day of school?

Please know, there are no guarantees, and the chances of being part of the Jedi Training Academy are based on the number of volunteers per performance.

 

[lilbuddy88]

Not sure about DL, but at WDW, they no longer pick from the audience. A parent has to register the child with the child present. They do ask the kid some questions and give you a show time to come back for. We always register first thing in the morning to get it over with.

Exactly what I was thinking. DLR vets is this not the case? We'll have to rethink this if they just chose from the audience. My daughter swears she never gets picked but I think it's more because the things she wants to be picked for are usually "boy" parts , but she's a tom boy so she doesn't get why she isn't picked to play parts like beast

 

[wallawallakids]

Just a warning if he is picked, it is kinda scary. My youngest son got picked on his 5th birthday and he was so excited. His older brother and sister are HUGE Starwars fans and he had seen the movies and was never scared. He thought it would be so fun. And he did ok, until Darth Maul came out. And then he LOST it. He started screaming and crying (and not in a funny way.) They ended up pulling him off the stage and he ended up crying for a good 30 min after. So just a warning, you might want to rethink it! I wish we hadn't put him through it in the end. On a side note, my older two LOVED doing it. But they were older and they already knew Darth Maul wasn't real. It does seem better geared to the 8-10 year olds though. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[BensWife]

We went to DL when my DS was 3. We didn't know there was an age limit when we sat down to watch the show - well, we didn't know they picked kids out of the audience either. During the picking process, my little 3 year old (who was and still is a total Star Wars Fanatic) was picked. He was so excited, but when he was walking up the the stage, the cast member asked if he was 4 - and he said no he was three, and the CM said he was sorry, but he couldn't be picked until he was 4 and made him go back and sit down. Talk about OUCH! He was pretty sad he didn't get to do it. I guess it was my own fault for not knowing the age range, but it was really hard to see him so disappointed. I think it would have been better for him to just not get picked at all, as opposed to get picked and then denied. I think that if they are just guessing ages, then they need to go with what they think or say at the show that only ages 4-12 can do it. On a happy note, when we went to WDW last summer (DS was 6 at the trip) he did get to do it and had a blast!

 

[Malcon10t]

My nephew was picked when he was a couple weeks shy of 3. They never asked him age or anything. He was jumping up and down, very excited. He is very outgoing (he takes acting lessons) and responded well to the Jedi Master, so was picked and named the "Infant Padawan." He followed directions to the tee. My favorite line was when the Master told him to "Duck, never mind, you won't need to unless you are fighting Yoda..."

Make sure he plays up to the people who come out prior to the show. They check out the crowd and make recommendations to the Master.

 

[HydroGuy]

Exactly what I was thinking. DLR vets is this not the case? We'll have to rethink this if they just chose from the audience. My daughter swears she never gets picked but I think it's more because the things she wants to be picked for are usually "boy" parts , but she's a tom boy so she doesn't get why she isn't picked to play parts like beast

They choose from the audience.

See

"Jedi Training Academy Tips" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

 

[Malcon10t]

Exactly what I was thinking. DLR vets is this not the case? We'll have to rethink this if they just chose from the audience. My daughter swears she never gets picked but I think it's more because the things she wants to be picked for are usually "boy" parts , but she's a tom boy so she doesn't get why she isn't picked to play parts like beast

They pick from the audience, but they do pick both boys and girls. She won't be ruled out because she is a girl.

 

[DisneyBiskit]

I still think it stinks that only kids 4-12 can do this....

What about us grown up kids that grew up on the original SW??? I envy those boys and girls facing off against Darth Vader! Any others out there that feel the same?

 

[aussie shaz]

Just a warning if he is picked, it is kinda scary. My youngest son got picked on his 5th birthday and he was so excited. His older brother and sister are HUGE Starwars fans and he had seen the movies and was never scared. He thought it would be so fun. And he did ok, until Darth Maul came out. And then he LOST it. He started screaming and crying (and not in a funny way.) They ended up pulling him off the stage and he ended up crying for a good 30 min after. So just a warning, you might want to rethink it! I wish we hadn't put him through it in the end. On a side note, my older two LOVED doing it. But they were older and they already knew Darth Maul wasn't real. It does seem better geared to the 8-10 year olds though. Hope you have a great trip.

We were watching my 12 year old up there on the stage, and as soon as Darth Maul came out, my 10 year old burst into tears. He's watched all of the Star Wars movies, but that Darth Maul is just so ugly and scary looking up close!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I still think it stinks that only kids 4-12 can do this....

What about us grown up kids that grew up on the original SW??? I envy those boys and girls facing off against Darth Vader! Any others out there that feel the same?

My DH definitely agrees with you. He has said many times, "Once a week, they should do a Jedi Academy with all adults."

Maybe someday...
Dreams

 

[HunnyDis78]

My DH definitely agrees with you. He has said many times, "Once a week, they should do a Jedi Academy with all adults." Maybe someday... Dreams

Sorry, once a week? No, no, no...hourly would be much better...

 

[shandrananette]

Just a warning if he is picked, it is kinda scary. My youngest son got picked on his 5th birthday and he was so excited. His older brother and sister are HUGE Starwars fans and he had seen the movies and was never scared. He thought it would be so fun. And he did ok, until Darth Maul came out. And then he LOST it. He started screaming and crying (and not in a funny way.) They ended up pulling him off the stage and he ended up crying for a good 30 min after. So just a warning, you might want to rethink it! I wish we hadn't put him through it in the end. On a side note, my older two LOVED doing it. But they were older and they already knew Darth Maul wasn't real. It does seem better geared to the 8-10 year olds though. Hope you have a great trip.

Thanks for the warning. I was thinking my then-almost-5-year-old might like it, but having no interest myself I've never seen it. I suspect the combination of being in front of people and that would be too much for him. We'll wait a bit longer.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the warning. I was thinking my then-almost-5-year-old might like it, but having no interest myself I've never seen it. I suspect the combination of being in front of people and that would be too much for him. We'll wait a bit longer.

Take him to see it. He will probably love it. Then ask if would like to do it. If so come back to a later show.

 

[lemonears6]

Last year we went to WDW and my 5 year old son did JTA. He loved it! I think it just depends on the child. We are going back this May and I know he will want to do it again. His little brother who will be 4 wants to do it but I worry he might get scared because he gets a little more scared at things so will see. The last thing I want to do it scare him and set the tone for the day. I would say if your child gets scared easy then you might want to think about it twice but if not, go for it.

 

[shandrananette]

Take him to see it. He will probably love it. Then ask if would like to do it. If so come back to a later show.

Good point - thanks!

 

[sherilaine]

I appreciate reading the "it can be scary" comments as I have a 10 year old son who, well, can be easily frightened.

We are original Star Wars fans, I have little to zero interest in the more recent movies containing characters such as Death Maul so never even thought about that ugly thing coming out to scare all the kids.

Maybe we will just set this idea aside and if they want to watch the show and then come back and participate another day they can.

We did get to meet Darth Vader on our first trip though - we were just in the area and they said there was not going to be a show that day but that Darth was going to come out - so we got our pictures taken and his autograph. The kids thought that was great!

 

[Malcon10t]

Just to clarify, they will split the kids into 2 groups at the end. They are separated by size, the smaller kids will fight Vadar, the bigger kids fight Maul. I never considered they brought Vadar and Maul out to "scare" the kids, they bring them out to have a bad guy to fight. Some kids can be frightened.Most aren't. I've only seen one child get upset in maybe 20 shows I have watched.