Jedi Training on a Crowd Level 3

[zKatze]

I'd love some input on strategy for Jedi Training in late January. This is my son's only "must do" item on our Disney list.

Our current plan is to go to the park on a crowd level 3 day (Monday 1/23) with a park opening of 9AM. I plan on being there for rope drop, if not in advance with an ADR at Hollywood & Vine. I currently have a reservation for 8AM.

I've read threads here about them turning people away by 10AM (even as early as 9:30). Does anyone know if that's typically during busier times/higher crowd levels...or if that's pretty much the rule regardless.

I'd rather not do the Character Breakfast in the park, but if it helps us secure a slot for training I will keep it. The last report I saw (on NOV 6) was that they were still letting ADR sign-up early in most cases. Can anyone confirm that?

Anyone other helpful hints for us?

 

[Number Six]

Get there 30-45 mins before park open and go straight to sign up. You'll be fine.

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

You don't need the breakfast. We did Jedi training yesterday without breakfast (crowd level 10). We arrived at 8:10 for 9am opening. Got into parks (with all other guests) shortly after arriving and headed to sign ups. Waited about 30 minutes and could have signed up for any show except the first one which was full. They also gave us fastpasses for any ride at any time that day.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Whether the crowd level is a 10 or a 3, there are only 40-50 spots per session, and they tend to offer the same number of sessions through the day in either case. The wild card is how many kids are showing up. You end up with a convention of Jedi-obsessed Boy Scout troops or homeschoolers on your 3 day, it may impact you more than a usual crowd on an 8 day, KWIM?

So I think you need to rope drop. But I don't think you need to do breakfast unless you want to. Be near the front of the tapstiles for rope drop; best bet is to be on the far left near Guest Relations. Try not to be behind a family with multiple kids, because they always have issues with the finger scan. Walk briskly to sign up.

We were there on a day I think TP eventually called a 7. We were able to get first show using this approach.

 

[zKatze]

Thanks for the feedback! =)

 

[DaisyD3]

I would get there as early as people suggest and you are able. We were there on a day that was a 5, I think and I had heard being there by rope drop was sufficient. We arrived by maybe five or ten of nine and was at sign up by 904 and the sign up line was already closed! Neither of my kids seemed too crushed and seemed satisfied viewing the march the kids make and a watching a few of the duels! My youngest also got to hold one of the light sabers during the March of the First Order which I think made up for it not working out with the Jedi training!

 

[Mac30188]

Aside from the obvious desire to get a spot, the line itself can be a long, slow moving affair. Early arrival will minimize pain.

 

[GillianP1301]

I was there on a crowd level 2 or 3 day in August and sent to the sign up desk at about 3pm and there was no line up at the signing a spot left in the 5:00pm show and several spots left for the shows after that.

Conversely, I have also done the PPO ADR and been the first in line for signup and gotten the pick of any show I wanted.

I would not recommend the former approach unless it is not a must do for you. If it is a must do, then either sue the PPO ADR strategy or just be at the turnstiles 20 minutes or so before opening and you'll be fine.

 

[Amelia :)]

Not trying to be negative, but a crowd level 3 doesn't mean anything anymore. We went to Mk on an apparent crowd level 4 day... and TP says it was actually a 9! If it's an absolute must do, treat it as though you are going on a ridiculously busy day and get there really early

 

[DavidNYC]

If you're there at rope drop on a crowd 3 you're fine. Lot more availability with the new format. Last time we were there we were still seeing sign ups open after 10 (although those were for the end of day shows by that point). But particularly if you want an earlier show, get there 30 minutes before drop to be a bit closer to the front.

Don't know if they're hoping to fight Darth Vader or 7th Sister but unless they've changed it, when they show up for the show there will be two lines they'll line up on. The left hand side one (if you're facing the way to walk to the show) is 7th Sister and right side is Vader.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not trying to be negative, but a crowd level 3 doesn't mean anything anymore. We went to Mk on an apparent crowd level 4 day... and TP says it was actually a 9! If it's an absolute must do, treat it as though you are going on a ridiculously busy day and get there really early

Yes, that's the problem. The OP might be expecting a level 3, but it really seems to be hard to predict any more.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Even if it is a level 3, if your level 3 is strong on smaller kids, it doesn't matter a bit for something like JTA. JTA is more impacted by crowd mix than crowd level.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

We did Jedi training last week and bought early morning magic tickets to be sure we got in. I have drama queen children so I leave nothing to chance.

If it is a Must Do for you then keep the ADR and get there as early as possible. Then you can have your choice of times to fit into your schedule.

 

[Amelia :)]

We did Jedi training last week and bought early morning magic tickets to be sure we got in. I have drama queen children so I leave nothing to chance.

If it is a Must Do for you then keep the ADR and get there as early as possible. Then you can have your choice of times to fit into your schedule.

We did EMM, it was fantastic, signed up in about two minutes, and was still given the fastpass for later on in the day. Would highly recommend the event as a whole, and especially to those wanting to guarantee a Jedi training spot.

 

[tcufrog]

I wish they would offer fast passes for the Jedi Training.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There's a reason they don't, and I wouldn't expect to ever see FP+ for Jedi. They're more likely to make it a paid upgrade than a FP experience.

 

[Amelia :)]

If they offered fastpass people staying offsite would not stand a chance of being able to do it.

 

[Number Six]

I wish they would offer fast passes for the Jedi Training.

There's a reason they don't, and I wouldn't expect to ever see FP+ for Jedi. They're more likely to make it a paid upgrade than a FP experience.

Because there is an age requirement.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Because there is an age requirement.

I think that's part of it. But probably only part.

The rest of it has to do with a concept of "skin in the game." I would love to see the stats on "FP+ booked but not used." I suspect it plays a role. If you did it with FP+, you'd have issues with Return Time Arrival and all sorts of stuff, and trying to take standby would be rough. When people have to get there, sign up, and commit day-of, the compliance with actually showing up and putting the kid in the robe is undoubtedly higher.

 

[Number Six]

I think that's part of it. But probably only part.

The rest of it has to do with a concept of "skin in the game." I would love to see the stats on "FP+ booked but not used." I suspect it plays a role. If you did it with FP+, you'd have issues with Return Time Arrival and all sorts of stuff, and trying to take standby would be rough. When people have to get there, sign up, and commit day-of, the compliance with actually showing up and putting the kid in the robe is undoubtedly higher.

I think the age requirement is by far the major part. There are FPs available for several other shows and they don't seem too concerned about no shows. The sign up is because of the age requirement and Disney removed much of the "skin in the game" when they chose to move to advance FP booking.