jedi training academy

[dlawallace]

Does anyone have any tips for getting their child chosen to fight Darth Vader? My son is looking forward to that more than anything. Is there any audience participation with the "pirates have landed" show?

 

[tinkerbelt]

When we did the Jedi Training Academy, there were a few kids that came with signs, and they seemed to get picked. Getting there early doesn't seem to help much, when I took DD, we were among the first there, and we didn't get picked. Mostly I think you just have to make sure that your DS is kind of out there when they are picking kids - when we went, they asked all of the kids to jump up and down and shout and wave their arms so that the Jedi Master would pick them.

You can also go back and try again if DS doesn't get picked the first time - and depending how old DS is, make sure he is prepared just in case he didn't get picked - when DD didn't get picked, she started crying and we had to leave, which surprised me, because I didn't think it was that big of a deal to her.

 

[Hound 109]

Quite a few tips discussed here.

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1458115

Have fun.

hound

 

[godalejunior]

We have done the Academy twice....here is my opinion. I think it does help to get there early and stake out a spot closest to the rope. That way your child can be viewed by the Jedi Master without being behind a sea of kids.

I also think it helps to wear some type of Star Wars gear- be it a cloak, having a light saber, t-shirt etc. The brighter the better.

Signs cannot hurt. The first time DS was picked we had a sign.

Enthusiasm, enthusiasm. The more jumping and yelling the better.

Rumor has it the first and last show have the least amount of attendance......

The children that are lined up closest to the staircase are usually ushered up the stairs to fight Darth. The other children will be lined up in front of the stage to fight Darth Maul. Keep in mind that Darth Maul is VERY realistic and does have the double light saber.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I just told my son about this and he is so excited now. He just ran in his room to find his light saber. LOL

Sounds like making a sign is the way to go. He's got a bright orange shirt, so that will do!

 

[mousecrazy]

I think the first show is the least crowded. And having a light saber will get him noticed...especially if he's in character...really hamming it up. If he's a little one, sitting on dad's shoulders also seemed to catch the Jedi Master's eye. The sign seemed to work too.

Also, he might not get to fight Darth Vader...1/2 fight Darth Vader and the other 1/2 fight Darth Maul - but both get the same instruction.

 

[hlbtimes2]

......
. The other children will be lined up in front of the stage to fight Darth Maul. Keep in mind that Darth Maul is VERY realistic and does have the double light saber.

He is one scary dude! He knocked the light saber out of my 8 year olds hands. I think she about wet pants, poor girl.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

My DS got to battle with Darth Maul about a week and half ago. We went to the 2:30 show on a weekday (Wednesday) and got there about a half hour ahead of time. He was in the front row on the side. We made him a sign and he was selected very early. There were 2 kids with signs (mine and other other) and both got picked, so I'd say definitely try a sign! Good luck!

 

[3for Me]

What are some examples of what your sign should say...also, we are flying so obviously can't bring a very large sign...how big does it "need" to be??

Thanks! Less than a week to go!

 

[mickeymom24]

Yes, I would also like to know about the sign. Also, what time is the first show? Thanks in advance.

Gaby

 

[godalejunior]

Our sign was about 1.5'x1.5' and it was on brown butcher paper so it folded up. We made the sign before we flew down.
It read "The Force is strong in this one" and had an arrow pointing on it. I held it and it pointed to DS.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

It also helps to have very enthusiastic parents pointing and yelling for their kids. We went in Feb right and got there when picking started ds(9) had no idea what was going on, but we told hime to jump up and down and wave his arms. My sister and I helped hime out by pointing and yelling along with him and he got pikced almost immediately. Ds had a great time and after itr was over my dd(6) decided she wanted to do it along with her 4yo cousin. We went the following day to try and get the girls picked. This time we arrived about 5 minutes before picking started and the girls also jumped up and down while dh, sister & i yelled and pointed at our girls. They too got picked.

 

[hlbtimes2]

When we went, we took a VIP tour. The tour guide made little print outs on regular paper for my kids to hold up. One said Jedi Master and the other had a picture of Yoda.

 

[PrincessIM]

We were there last week (Thursday, I think) at the 10:30 show and it wasn't very crowded at all. We arrived 5 mins. before the start of the show and got front row. DD had no idea what the Jedi Training Camp was going to be about. All I told her was jump up and down if she wanted to get picked. She started jumping up and down like crazy and waving her hands all around and was one of the first few picked and got to fight Darth Vader. She really enjoyed it and when asked what her favourite part of her Disneyland visit was, she says fighting Darth Vader.

 

[cats75252]

Is there an age limit for the kids to participate?

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Is there an age limit for the kids to participate?

DLR's website says that the training is for kids age 4-12. They don't check age, so as far as the older kids, it all depends on what age they look. My ds was chosen when we were there for his 12th birthday, but our family is petite. An 11 y.o. who is really tall might not get chosen because they look much older for their age.

 

[Brady's Mom]

A word about signs - they are NOT allowed in DL. Put the sign under something or folded up in a backpack or have it with you in an unobtrusive way. DS had a sign on one of our trips and it was not allowed through security - they made him throw it away.

They do work, though and are definitely worth using, especially if your child is a little shy or reserved.

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Make a sign - fold it up and stow it in backpack or pocket. We used a manila folder folded into quarters. Star Wars clothing also helps - ds was picked straight away, and all he did was jump, yell and wear a lego star wars shirt. oldest ds did not jump, look excited or wear shirt, and was not picked.Brought a sign next day and wore JTA shirt (from Star Traders store - purchased that morning) and was chosen right away also.