Jedi Training Question....

[goofyernmost]

I'm going with my 10 year old grandson to DHS on April 1, 2012. He is a Star Wars expert, knows all the characters, where they came from, what they did and how they all fit into the saga.

I think that getting him to be part of the Star Wars: Jedi Training Academy would be really fun for him. Has anyone had their kid be part of that and if so, how. It says 15 kids or so can register, but how exactly is that done. The Disney website is pretty vague about it all.

Can anyone give me a clue as to how this all works?

 

[Robo]

I'm going with my 10 year old grandson to DHS on April 1, 2012. He is a Star Wars expert, knows all the characters, where they came from, what they did and how they all fit into the saga.

I think that getting him to be part of the Star Wars: Jedi Training Academy would be really fun for him. Has anyone had their kid be part of that and if so, how. It says 15 kids or so can register, but how exactly is that done. The Disney website is pretty vague about it all.

Can anyone give me a clue as to how this all works?

Arrive well before park opening time.
When you get inside, take the child with you to the sign-up area.**

You'll get a time for the child to return to the Jedi stage and participate.

**Sign-ups will be either just past Hollywood & Vine Restaurant, or at the Sounds Dangerous entrance, or at the Jedi Stage. Look for the sign-up area in that order until you find it.

 

[cancersucks]

Just like Robo said

We were there in May at RD. Went directly to sign up, and waited for about 30 minutes. I think our DS was in the 11:00 ish show. Gave us a time to come back and wait again for the actual show. It wasn't hot while we were there, but it is in the sun. Probley the hottest we were our whole trip, so you might want to get in an AM show.

Also, if you are doing the photopass, they took some GREAT pics. We had them added to our card (at the photo building) before we left the park for the day. Also had some great boarders on the when we uploaded our pics. We have a great one of our son fighting Darth Vader that is priceless.

 

[GreenDog]

Two things - 1) my kids did this in August and are still talking about it. It was pretty cool. 2) Go straight to sign ups at rope drop. The shows fill fast. We split up at RD. I went to TSM for fast passes and my wife took the kids to the sign up. Your children have to be with the adult that is signing them up. They'll assign you a show to participate in and away you go.

 

[MK2010]

Exactly as they said above. We cannot emphasize enought the need to head straight to sign ups at rope drop. My kids wore their Star Wars costumes. Sign up was at the Star Wars stage (right next to Star Tours) for us. Also, if he wants to practice ahead of time there are videos on youtube. The routine doesn't change much!

 

[LilGMom]

I'm going with my 10 year old grandson to DHS on April 1, 2012. He is a Star Wars expert, knows all the characters, where they came from, what they did and how they all fit into the saga.

I think that getting him to be part of the Star Wars: Jedi Training Academy would be really fun for him. Has anyone had their kid be part of that and if so, how. It says 15 kids or so can register, but how exactly is that done. The Disney website is pretty vague about it all.

Can anyone give me a clue as to how this all works?

Yep, what has already been said. If your grandson is a SW fan he will really love the Jedi Training. Even just watching the show is great for SW fans. There are multiple shows during the day so if you get there early there shouldn't be a problem getting into one of the shows. Important info: Your grandson MUST be with you in the sign-up line in order to get signed up.

 

[jecskc]

My kids loved doing this !! And we have done it several times. I have some photos in my trip report in my signature, the chipmunk one. If he is a Star Wars fan, he will definitely love it. I hope you have a fun trip !!

 

[shannonstar]

If you are going during a time with large crowds, I would consider an alternative strategy.

My son (9) really wanted to do Jedi Training Academy. So, we got an early ADR at H&V. We were inside the park by 8:00am and then finished by 8:30. The food was good (who doesn't love Mickey Waffles?) and the coffee was fresh. We didn't really interact with the characters, but they didn't seem to mind.

We got to be at an alternative rope to be at that was much closer to the sign up which was inside Sounds Dangerous.
Best part was that while he and I went and signed up, we sent another person in the party to get FPs for Toy Story. They were back in time to watch the show and we got on TSM right after the show and Star Tours.

 

[distherapy]

Easywdw.com is reporting that there is no more DHS rope drop, which may make things a little less frantic, but I'll still plan to be there 45 minutes or so before official park opening.

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...-procedure-what-you-can-expect-to-see-and-do/

 

[goofyernmost]

I am so glad I asked. The Disney site didn't even hint to the things that needed to happen in this case. I took the advice of someone concerning making an ADR for Breakfast at H&V for 8:05. That should give us a little jump on those at the gate. They may not have a rope drop but they won't be allowing anyone in before 9 AM.

Thanks everyone for the info. I think the kid will love this.

 

[Robo]

That should give us a little jump on those at the gate. They may not have a rope drop but they won't be allowing anyone in before 9 AM.

Thanks everyone for the info. I think the kid will love this.

Sorry to tell you this, but DHS has been opening, unannounced, to all guests at approx. 8:30AM on days when the published opening time is 9AM.

If that continues, you may want to drop your ADR or, if possible, have another adult in your party hold your table in the restaurant while you and the child go sign up (at about 8:30) for a later Jedi show, then you can return to finish your breakfast.

But, the more I think about it, I'd drop the ADR altogether, regardless.
The meals there are overpriced and the reviews of the food are less-than-good.

You'd also be missing getting to TSM while other guests where lining up and grabbing the FP's ... during your so-so breakfast.

 

[1girln3boys]

here's a video of my boys doing it last summer. They both had a blast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enNiv6_0QLI&feature=youtu.be

 

[goofyernmost]

Wow...Thanks Robo...very good thing to know. I shall indeed reconsider.

 

[shannonstar]

I always ask for the check right away so we can be in and out by 8:30. Even if it opens early, you should still be able to make it in plenty of time.

However, I have not been there for this new rope drop. My last trip was the first week in August.

 

[Robo]

I always ask for the check right away so we can be in and out by 8:30. Even if it opens early, you should still be able to make it in plenty of time.

However, I have not been there for this new rope drop. My last trip was the first week in August.

You're saying that you pay $$$** for a character breakfast that you finish in 20 minutes?



**Adults: $30.88; Children (3 - 9) $17.03 includes tax NOT gratuity.
Seasonal (including Holiday) Pricing May Apply During the Year.

( http://allears.net/menu/menu_hvb.htm )

 

[GoHerbie]

If you skip the $$$ character breakfast you can still meet some of the characters over near Disney animation. 3 wks ago our DD met Jake and Handy Manny - for free!

Our first visit to HS was a half day totally focused on Star Wars: Got DD signed up for 10:10 Jedi academy, rode Star Tours standby, watched a Jedi show, then watched our DD's Jedi show, rode Star Tours fast pass, Tatooine traders store, rode Star Traders, left park. We saved the Toy Story rush and all other HS activities for a few days later.

On that trip we rode Star Tours a total of 5 times and that wasn't enough. it's awesome and you feel like you're in the movie.

For the advertised 9am opening the turnstiles opened around 840am, and DD had her Jedi signup slip around 855am, and there was a mini rope drop at 9am for the mini rush to Star Tours.

Jedi academy holds at least 15 students - per each show. In addition to a group fighting Vader on stage, another group of kids fought Darth Maul on the ground.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I would arrive at least 45 minutes BEFORE park opening. Just in case the park opens earlier like Robo said. Signups for Jedi Training were being taken well before rope drop. We went to signup before the rope was dropped on the other side (where most people are headed to Toy Story).

The first training show is about 20 minutes after park opening. Signups for that show was done and the kids held with a cast member just past the 50s prime time restaurant. Others were allowed to move forward to sign-up at the old "Sounds Dangerously" attraction. Cast members were holding signs that said "Jedi Training" and waving guests on. I suppose the rope on that side is somewhere just past there.

Awesome experience for DS6. He loved it. The photopass photographer took a lot of great pictures during the training.

 

[Robo]

I would arrive at least 45 minutes BEFORE park opening. Just in case the park opens earlier like Robo said. Signups for Jedi Training were being taken well before rope drop. We went to signup before the rope was dropped on the other side (where most people are headed to Toy Story).

Rope Drop has been eliminated at Epcot, DHS and DAK, at least as of this time.

 

[goofyernmost]

Although I understand that this erratic opening is a reality...I have to admit that I do not understand the logic. If you advertise that park opening is at 9:00 why would you open before then.

For example...I stated that I had made ADR's at H&V so I could be closer to the sign up area when the park opened. Now I am told that if I were to actually do that I would jeopardize my chances of getting not only the Jedi signup but also decrease my chances of having a member of my party pick up Fastpasses to Toy Story. That is one hell of a penalty for spending $120.00 for a couple of eggs and a foam head visit.

With strong rules at opening (i.e. 9:00 opening happening at 9:00) I would have a slightly, very slightly, better chance at both and that is why I would have spent that much. So, lack of decision will cost Disney $120.00...on the plus side I will gain $120.00. Well, maybe not gain, but I will still have it and not them.

 

[shannonstar]

You're saying that you pay $$$** for a character breakfast that you finish in 20 minutes?



**Adults: $30.88; Children (3 - 9) $17.03 includes tax NOT gratuity.
Seasonal (including Holiday) Pricing May Apply During the Year.

( http://allears.net/menu/menu_hvb.htm )

Of course not, I always go during free dining.
And the last time we were there (August 2011) it was us and two other families. We got lots of character interaction and plenty of time to eat. As a teacher, I am too used to short meal times anyway.