Jedi Training on the Dream

[cheapster316]

I had done a lot of researching on this event before we cruised and only had vague ideas of what could happen. I had no clue how many kids would get picked, when it would happen, how to get picked. I had read they pick kids with closed toe shoes, no flip flops or sandals (kids wore sneakers). I had read they sometimes pick kids in Star Wars shirts (ok kids had on shirts and DD had Princes Leia buns). I also made a sign that said Today is my 8th Birthday, please pick me and my sister, that I hid in a bag to use if I thought we needed it. (We did not-yes I am that Mother). It was listed on the navigator for 11:15am. All it said was Jedi Training Trials of the Temple Walt Disney Theatre (Limited Availability). Our whole day was going to be planned around this. We went 1 hour early to get in line. I was worried that there would be lines on both entrances to the theatres. There were not, just on the side by the gift shop with the toys. There were 7 kids in front of us. Staff came out and said this is how we do it; we take the first 30 kids in line who can understand directions in English. If we determine that they can’t understand or do not want to be on stage, they will not get picked. I watched them carefully talk to the very young children to assess them. Finally, it was DS & DD’s turn. They answered the questions and they took their names and room numbers and sat them in the back row of the theatre. They said there would be audience participation (but there was none).

We filed into the theatre. The first few rows were blocked off. My kids were separated and they both came out in Jedi robes with light sabers. It is hard to find your kid on stage with 30 other kids in the same robe with the hood up but I found them. The staff were phenomenal. The guy playing the Jedi Leader was great. He had all the kids line up in front of the stage and they even had on the screen a little thing like in the movies, telling the story in a galaxy far away type thing. Eventually Darth Vader came out on stage in a loud sounding burst of smoke. DS ducked for cover and it was hysterical. He told me he was startled not scared. 1 by 1 the kids lined up and they did 3-4 practiced moves where each would defeat Darth Vader with their light saber and he would say different things. There are no words to describe it and my kids loved it. If you ask them about their favorite part of vacation they will both tell you fighting Darth Vader by light Saber. DS will also add on my 8th birthday while on a Disney cruise. My only complaint is there was no photo pass photographer to get pictures as mine were not close up. Overall it was the moment I think of when people ask how was your vacation. They were so excited to beat Vader on stage. DD was also excited to see back stage.
Later on we had certificates delivered to our room with their names acknowledging that they passed the trial of the temple.

 

[Alicatt]

Thank you for posting this! I was.curiousd My kids love star wars!

 

[Bethany10]

BIG thank you from this Star Wars loving house. I'd been wondering if we had to get tickets or what.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Sounds basically like how its done in Hollywood Studios. What day was this done on?

 

[kiapepito]

Is this also offered on the 5 day Dream cruises?

 

[4-everDisneyFan]

Was there an age limit?

 

[cheapster316]

This was on our Sea Day, Thursday 11:15-11:45.
I did a 4 night so I can't answer about a 5 night.
I looked in my navigator and did not see an age limit posted. I know with younger kids staff were definitely talking more to them probably to assess if they could understand and participate. I would say the kids ranged from 4-12 as a guesstimate.
My kids were 8 and 10 and there were definitely older kids doing it.

 

[Dug720]

Isn't the lower age limit 4 at Studios? I would imagine it would be the same on DCL.

 

[MSPeeler]

I believe the upper limit is 12.

Should be the same as Hollywood Studios which states:

"The Jedi Training Academy is a 20 minute interactive opportunity that allows young children from the ages of 4-12 to battle against the forces of the dark side in a light saber instruction demonstration. The children are referred to as Padawans, which is like a Star Wars term for apprentice."

 

[LSUfan4444]

@cheapster316....If you had to guess, what time do you think it was when they hit the 30 kid capacity?

You got in line about 11 am and there already 7 kids in front so I am guessing 10:30 would be the latest.

 

[Rabb it]

Very cool that it's not the random selection anymore!

 

[Lisa F]

Thanks for posting this. not cruising til February but it would be worth getting in line early for it.

 

[cheapster316]

I think most kids got in if not all. It was not crowded at all. They do very little to publicize it.
I would still get there as early as possible.