Jedi Training Fiasco (SP???)

[kjasmin]

Hi All,

Took my family down to WDW during Star Wars Weekend this year since my son (6) is a big fan. Saw the parade characters, and actors! My issue: I have is with the Jedi Training facility and how they run it. I knew going in that there is a strong chance that he will not get picked however, they should really find a better way to select kids. I took him to 3 different sessions. Got passed on the first one, he was almost selected on the second until a parent pushed his kid through (I would never do that!) and got passed up on the 3rd. Which he was in tears by this time. Very heart breaking. Was told by CM that if we come in first thing for the earliest one the next morning, he may have a better chance.

So we woke up early got to the park early and got in line, not to many people there, and waited! THEN the crowd grew to a point that the rope was getting pushed forward. None of the CMs stopped the pushing. This is both by kids and there parents! Since my boy is small, he got stuck and started to panic! I just reached in and grabbed him and left. Will never do that again. I am just needed to vent. Anyone else run into this same situation?

 

[bumbershoot]

How do you think they could change the way they choose the kids?


To me, and know that I have a 4 year old who waited 40 minutes at Disneyland for the training, only to suddenly have to use the restroom as soon as they had the kids all stand up to cheer (which meant we had to go and couldn't go back), if child is going to get upset over not being picked, then maybe it's a good idea they aren't picked. I mean, they are singling out kids to stand all on their own, learn routines, and then fight a bad guy. You don't want a kid who will get upset easily, ya know?

And considering how upset DS got when we had to leave for the bathroom, I knew in retrospect that he was too young still. (then again, hubby and I were close to tears too, LOL, so obviously WE weren't mature enough either!)

I don't mean to be rude against kids who get upset, but since it's a very independent sort of thing, I wouldn't want a kiddo of mine who is prone to being upset up there. (and that includes me...as a kid I would have LOVED to do that sort of thing, but would never have put myself forward to do it...and if somehow picked, I would have frozen and probably cried...I wouldn't have been a good candidate though I would have loved it if I could do it privately)

 

[LadyOmega]

Sorry that you had an upsetting experience. That's not an unusual experience at Jedi training - there are many many kids who have tried many many more times than that, and have still never been picked. Better luck to you guys next time!

 

[vicki_c]

We went to the first show, got there before any one else so we were in the front row, and both my kids got picked. They didn't do a lot of jumping around or yelling or anything, just raised their hands.

I agree, I'm not sure what better way you would have them do it - a FP or lottery system?

I think it's important that the kids be prepared that it's a fun thing to watch, whether you participate or not, and be very clear that it's pretty unlikely they will be picked due to the number of kids there. If my kids had not been picked, we wouldn't have returned to multiple shows to see if they got picked, just accepted it and moved on to something more fun. I think the multiple attempts and not getting picked would be more upsetting than just trying once.

 

[Moonpie]

Sorry that happened to you and your son. I hope he still had a good time. Things like this can turn into positive life lessons...we don't always get picked, but we can cheer for others that did, and we can still have fun.

 

[The Three Cabs]

I had read on these boards that getting there early was the key and to have the kids make a sign or wear some sort of Star Wars clothing. We did all three and both of my boys were chosen. They didn't get crazy jumping up and down or screaming "pick me" just held up signs that said things like "The force is strong with this one" They were excited to get to do it. Last time we visited I asked them not to volunteer again since they had a turn and lots of other kids would probably love the same experience.

 

[sunlover13]

I think they should do a first-come, first-serve kind of like the Jr. Chef cookie baking thing at Epcot. Just my opinion.

Last time we visited I asked them not to volunteer again since they had a turn and lots of other kids would probably love the same experience.

That was very nice of you.

 

[meowmarie]

Last time we visited I asked them not to volunteer again since they had a turn and lots of other kids would probably love the same experience.

Thank you for being a responsible parent and teaching your kids good manners!

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm very careful to explain to my kids that with these sorts of things (Jedi, Pirates, Belle, Miyuki, Woody's round-up, Festival, etc.) "there's a chance that you might get picked, but there will be a lot of kids there, so don't count on it---we're there to watch the show, being in it just extra."

Kids being kids, sometimes that works to quell disappointement, and sometimes it doesn't. However, someone will be left out no matter what they do to choose.

And, while first-come first-served sounds nice, inevitably that leads to either (a) all of the spots going away the first thing in the morning or (b) having to line up for hours to get a turn. That doesn't sound like much of an improvement to me.

Because my kids have been to the parks several times now, they realize that sometimes cool things happen to them, and sometimes cool things happen to other people, and that's still fun to watch.

 

[luv2plan]

My kids also made signs & we were there early, in the front row. Both boys were picked. Their signs read "Max Skywalker" & "Gray Skywalker".

The host even commented..."relatives of Master Luke must join the training academy"

Best of Luck to anyone else reading this post. : )

 

[joshsmom]

Because my kids have been to the parks several times now, they realize that sometimes cool things happen to them, and sometimes cool things happen to other people, and that's still fun to watch.

Awesome philosophy!!

 

[disnut8]

I'm sorry to the OP but if you knew going in there that there was a strong possibility that your child wasn't going to be picked, why was he that upset?

We took our granddaughter to Disney World and explained to her that while some kids would be able to be in the parades or ride with Mickey or whatever, if she was chosen, she should be extremely happen but not to expect it to happen. Even with the height restrictions because she was close. She made all of them but every time she did, she beamed because she did something she might not have been able to do.

I'm a positive person, very positive but I think that's because I set my expectations low and then if anything beyond that happens, I'm happy. I view it as layers of a cake. Disney World is the cake. "Routine" special things like getting our room request is the icing. More than that like getting an upgrade are the sprinkles. Then you can have whipped cream and even a cherry on top.

Start with the cake. Build up. Kind of like life.

 

[kjasmin]

I'm sorry to the OP but if you knew going in there that there was a strong possibility that your child wasn't going to be picked, why was he that upset?

It was not the selection process that upset him, because he knew and understood that he may not get picked. He actually enjoyed the show and he ended up meeting his favorite character Anaykin Skywalker later.

It was the heat... It was this kid that came right before the selection process and cut in front and got picked right away... I should really say it affected me more because some Parents will do whatever it takes including breaking the rules. That is not how I raise my son.

But you are right, no 6 year old should get upset. It is life!!!

Thanks all... Like I said I was venting.

 

[eliza61]

It was the heat... It was this kid that came right before the selection process and cut in front and got picked right away... I should really say it affected me more because some Parents will do whatever it takes including breaking the rules. That is not how I raise my son.But you are right, no 6 year old should get upset. It is life!!!

Thanks all... Like I said I was venting.

Stick to that. There is absolutely no use in getting upset. Seriously. One thing I have learned is that you can't enforce morality or manners. Yes it would be nice if every one followed the rules. We wouldn't have line jumpers, pool hoppers or folks who smoke in their rooms but you have no control over that. The only thing you do have control over is the lessons you teach your son. Disney can change that system 1000 times and there are going to be people who try and beat the system.

When I took my nephews, I ask them what they wanted to do if they didn't get pick and I also told them we were giving it 1 shot and 1 shot only. This way their were no "maybe you'll get pick later" and no huge disappointments.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I'm like the others. I'm not sure how you would like the process to be changed.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm like the others. I'm not sure how you would like the process to be changed.

1) Yep.
2) Too many kids and not enough slots.
3) It will remain such.
4) Unfortunately, parents either hype kids or allow the kids to get hyped.
5) Then, the kids get disappointed.
6) Either do not try to get picked or don't let the kids get hyped.

 

[inkkognito]

1) Yep.
2) Too many kids and not enough slots.
3) It will remain such.
4) Unfortunately, parents either hype kids or allow the kids to get hyped.
5) Then, the kids get disappointed.
6) Either do not try to get picked or don't let the kids get hyped.

I think we're seeing a side effect of the trend in society so nicely spotlighted in "The Incredibles" in which many parents, and even schools and other institutions, push the idea that every kid is special. You have everyone telling you "You're great! You're special! You're wonderful!" to build up your esteem. Then you get in a real-world situation where only a few can be special, and BOOM! Kids need more opportunities to learn to accept failure, not a society where Dodge Ball is banned in many schools because it makes some of them "feel bad" and sports teams where everyone gets the same trophy, win or lose.

/soapbox

 

[vicki_c]

I think we're seeing a side effect of the trend in society so nicely spotlighted in "The Incredibles" in which many parents, and even schools and other institutions, push the idea that every kid is special. You have everyone telling you "You're great! You're special! You're wonderful!" to build up your esteem. Then you get in a real-world situation where only a few can be special, and BOOM! Kids need more opportunities to learn to accept failure, not a society where Dodge Ball is banned in many schools because it makes some of them "feel bad" and sports teams where everyone gets the same trophy, win or lose.

/soapbox

I agree 100%. It drives me nuts that my kids have a "trophy" from every single season of soccer they have played in the local community league! I don't say anything to them about it, but I think "Geez, when did just showing up earn you a trophy?"

Do we all live in Lake Wobegon -- where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average?

 

[meway]

OP, I am sorry that your perseverance didn't pay off. We were there in February and got to the Jedi training area about 30 minutes before showtime. The CM told my kids (1st ones there) to sit on the strip of carpet next to the arena and wave their hands like crazy when they ask for volunteers. Thankfully, both were chosen, but I was left feeling terrible seeing the disappointed faces of the children who weren't chosen. And, yes, I saw a lot of parents pushing their kids in front of mine, and such. (I imagine it's 10x worse during the busy season.) I agree there needs to be a better system of selection; I just don't have any ideas as to what it could be. My best advice for anybody who wants to particpate would be to get there super-early and have your child dressed in something Star Wars if he/she is a big fan. I also like the sign idea.

It is a great show to watch. We'll probably watch it again when we go in September. Anyone who's a Star Wars fan loves to see Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers.

 

[bjakmom]

I have a suggestion for how they can pick the kids - just like they did for the kid's to participate in the MK parade that made stops along the way and the kids were pre-picked to go out in the street and dance, etc. with the characters (can't remember which parade this was - DD is almost 29 and it was her high school grad trip) - anyway - the CMs gave out stickers as we were lined up along the parade route and then pulled the kids with the stickers on when it was time. This way CMs could give out stickers (which you put on your shirt to show you were chosen) to those kids that arrive early for the show. That way they could include siblings, etc. Just a thought - I watched a dad push his little daughter under the rope and tell her to "just get up there" when she was NOT picked for the training - the last little boy picked was then sent back when they had too many up there - she slipped in - adorable little girl - idiot dad!!

My DNeph got picked to battle Darth Maul his first SWW year, Darth Vader the next and he also chose not to raise his hand last year so another kid could get a chance. (He wasn't quite as generous with forgoing the padawan trivia challenge each year - that one he really wanted to win !)

I just think that if the kid's are already pre-selected by CMs as they line up, perhaps the other 'not chosen as everyone jumps and pushes' kids would have more fun watching them in the show.