Jedi Training Help!

[CandCMommy]

This will be my 9yr old nephews first trip to DL and since he is a HUGE Star Wars fan I was wondering if anyone has any tips/suggestions as to what we could do to help get him picked for the Jedi Training Academy. Although we have AP's we've never actually sat and watched the show (our DS's are too little). Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[samkj]

Two of our kids were picked when we went a couple weeks ago. My advice have a sign (ours read "I want to be a JEDI!", wear Star Wars apparrel (DS had a bright yellow SW shirt and a Jedi Training Academy hat) have a sign, look really excited, have a sign, and be prepared to wait for a couple shows oh and did I mention a sign?? When we went every child who had a sign was picked, even my DD who only grabbed the sign after her brother was one of the first picked. Also those in Jedi/Star Wars attire seemed to be picked. Good luck! This was the highlight of our kids trip. DS wasn't picked last time we went in Feb, so this time we were prepared and ready to wait it out for multiple shows if necessary.

PS-HAVE A SIGN!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I also recommend using a sign for the Jedi Training Academy.

I brought a sheet of yellow poster-board (sometimes called "oak tag") and wrote "THE FORCE IS STRONG IN THIS ONE!" with an arrow pointing downward. The poster-board can be folded over twice and carried in a backpack.

I held the sign over my son's head, and he was selected first! My son also wore a Star Wars tee-shirt, but I think the sign made the difference.

May the Force be with you!

 

[samkj]

Our sign was writen on the back of the coloring page we got in the Reindeer Roundup area. It doesn't need to be fancy, just easily visible! I meant to do something like SS Columbia mentioned, but in the excitement leading up to our trip I completely forgot!

 

[SILLYANDI]

Being AP holders also (and huge star wars fans) I can tell you that all it takes is enthusiasm and alot of energy. At least one of my kids has been picked at every show (every bi-monthly visit) we have been to. They jump up and down and make silly faces. No signs or shirts or costumes (alothough I'm sure those won't hurt)
I think the fact that they participate in the pre-show and get a conversation going with the CM's before the show, a very "excited" conversation with lots of smiles and hand gestures, sometimes a good Star Wars joke). Basically, all of my kids act like they had way too much sugar. Most of the time more than one gets picked, even standing next to each other.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... all it takes is enthusiasm and alot of energy ...

Agreed. A huge amount of enthusiasm helps too!

 

[DangerMouse]

Definitely make a sign! Each of my three kids had their own sign. My dds said "Padewan Princess" and "Why oh Why oh Why, Can't I be a Jedi?". My ds had a pair of yoda ears cut out of construction paper with a thought bubble that said "Young Jedi, I am!" He was the first kid picked, and got to fight both Darth Vader and Darth Maul!

We were at the second show of the day and they were the only kids in the audience with signs. They were very easy for the Jedi Master to identify and were chosen quickly and easily.

 

[samkj]

Being AP holders also (and huge star wars fans) I can tell you that all it takes is enthusiasm and alot of energy. At least one of my kids has been picked at every show (every bi-monthly visit) we have been to. They jump up and down and make silly faces. No signs or shirts or costumes (alothough I'm sure those won't hurt)
I think the fact that they participate in the pre-show and get a conversation going with the CM's before the show, a very "excited" conversation with lots of smiles and hand gestures, sometimes a good Star Wars joke). Basically, all of my kids act like they had way too much sugar. Most of the time more than one gets picked, even standing next to each other.

I agree too, but I know my kids well enough to know they are more on the quiet side around strangers, so the conversations would never happen.

got to fight both Darth Vader and Darth Maul!

I've never seen anyone fight both Vader and Maul. What a special treat for your son!

 

[Phalene]

I agree too, but I know my kids well enough to know they are more on the quiet side around strangers, so the conversations would never happen.

My son is like that too, so I was concerned that he wouldn't be chosen. He didn't have a sign, but was wearing his Obi-Wan costume. He was chosen about 1/2-3/4 of the way through the selection.

 

[godalejunior]

We had a sign last January at the first show and were the only ones that did so. I would recommend the first show of the day or the one right after that. I also noticed that the Master would pick children that were in bright clothing that stood out from the others....Jedi apparel was picked as well. I saw some children bring their own lightsabers and wave them as well. I think it is important to be at the front right at the rope as much as possible too. This makes the child more visible.

 

[abookworm]

We never used a sign and I certainly wouldn't want to worry about carrying one around. That's just me.
We went last March and it was moderately crowded. We watched the first time to see how it all worked which was good since my DD decided "no way" and my son was more than ready and helped him get excited.

When we decided to try to get picked we arrived just a little early-only about 5 min to be sure we were up front. My son jumped up and down the whole time with his hand raised high. They want enthusiasm. My son was picked about 5th or so. He was 8 and looked his age just FYI.

Also be sure the child is at the front of the rope-they pick these kids first just to save time so they don't have kids having to weave thru the crowd. Remember, they are trying to stick to a timetable.

They also are not going to pick "big kids" meaning kids that look older than about 10 or so. They lean heavily towards the 5-7 ages IMO. I don't think they want anyone clobbering Darth

Good luck!

 

[CandCMommy]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Did I mention this is a SURPRISE trip for my nephew? He thinks they are coming to Salt Lake to visit us. Boy won't he be surprised. I'd just hate for him to not get picked because he's 9. We'll definitely make some signs and I'll tell my brother to bring some of his Star Wars clothes.

 

[karibritt01]

We went on SWW this summer to WDW, and we were near the back of the crowd. I had DS9 put on a Darth Vader helmet and cape,wave a light saber. and my DH held him on his shoulders. The Jedi Master chose the "menacing kid in the very back." It made DS's weekend!

 

[Hound 109]

Being AP holders also (and huge star wars fans) I can tell you that all it takes is enthusiasm and alot of energy. At least one of my kids has been picked at every show (every bi-monthly visit) we have been to. They jump up and down and make silly faces. No signs or shirts or costumes (alothough I'm sure those won't hurt)
I think the fact that they participate in the pre-show and get a conversation going with the CM's before the show, a very "excited" conversation with lots of smiles and hand gestures, sometimes a good Star Wars joke). Basically, all of my kids act like they had way too much sugar. Most of the time more than one gets picked, even standing next to each other.

Although enthusiasm & energy is good, the two times we went, there were at least 60-80 kids vying for 20-25 spots. Lots of enthusiastic kids weren't picked.

I have read dozens of posts & (along with first hand experience) the 20 + posters that I have read about who had signs....all got picked....& normally early in the picking. I also agree with those who said that anything that makes it easier for the master jedi to "pick you"...... will help.

My DS was "the boy in the orange shirt with the sign". Since there were only 4 kids with signs (and all got picked).... it was easy for the assistants to identify him & pull him out. I'm not saying it's a sure thing.....but I am saying that i haven't heard of a kid who is holding a sign..... NOT being picked.

Here is a link that discusses the Jedi experience in further detail:

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

Also, I would google up Disneyland Jedi, & click on one of the dozens of You Tube videos.... that will also give a feel for what to expect.

For those who like Rock Music, check out the "Darth Maul Rocks" video on "you tube".

May the force be with him.


hound -

 

[Hound 109]

Here's a you tube (not the best) that shows from the beginning of the show. (the Picking of the Jedi applicants begins at the one minute mark)

I don't think schmoozing with a CM would help much. But being unique & easy to pick out..... is more important (imo).

Good luck!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSqBU2UBCPg&feature=related

 

[CandCMommy]

Thanks Hound 109! He's sure to get chosen with all your great tips!

 

[samkj]

We never used a sign and I certainly wouldn't want to worry about carrying one around. That's just me.

I didn't carry one around, it was a simple 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper I had left over in my purse from elsewhere in the park that I wrote on with a pen about 20 minutes before the show started. The people next to us used postcard size pieces of paper that said "ME" and all three were picked.

 

[zacharybsmom]

They also are not going to pick "big kids" meaning kids that look older than about 10 or so. They lean heavily towards the 5-7 ages IMO. I don't think they want anyone clobbering Darth


OH NO!!! My 12 year old son has talked about nothing but this since he found out about our Christmas trip. Has ANYONE had an older child picked for Jedi training?

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

They also are not going to pick "big kids" meaning kids that look older than about 10 or so. They lean heavily towards the 5-7 ages IMO. I don't think they want anyone clobbering Darth


OH NO!!! My 12 year old son has talked about nothing but this since he found out about our Christmas trip. Has ANYONE had an older child picked for Jedi training?

My DD is 10, almost 11 and got picked last month. There were several boys bigger than she is. If I could figure out how to post pictures in here I'd show ya! Anyway, these boys were probably 11 or 12.

We didn't use a sign or anything. In fact, it was our first time watching the show, surprisingly! My DD is just the kind of kid who always gets picked. She gets picked for Turtle Talk with Crush every time we go there, too. Geesh! Some kids just have luck, I tell ya.

 

[tink too]

I can't wait to see this show! Don't know if DD would want to participate or not, I guess we'll have to wait and see. BUT I am pretty short AND I would promise not to knock either of the Darth's over - maybe I could train to be a Jedi if she doesn't want to?