Star Wars Weekend Jedi Training question

[DisneyArk]

The DIS says this about Jedi Training...Obi-Wanna-Be’s will be chosen throughout the day. The lucky children selected will go to the “Jedi Training Academy” with a focus on lightsaber skills. Once they’ve honed their technique, they’ll be pitted against one of the evil Siths.

I'm confused about the phrase "throughout the day." I've read to arrive early to get signed up for this. So my question is, do they have a place to sign up for Jedi training or do they choose kids out of the audience right before each performance?

FYI, The reason I'm asking is because my sons want to do the pirate cruise and it's only available on Friday morning (during the week we're there). If they do that then we won't get to MGM until after lunch. We will be able to go back to MGM on Saturday, but I'm afraid the park will be much more crowded on the weekend.

Thanks so much for any help!! This is definitely a once in a lifetime Star Wars Weekend trip and I want to make the most of our time!

 

[bjakmom]

Last year the Jedi Training was held at 9:30, 10:20, 12:30, 1:20, 2:10, 3, 3:50, 4:40 and 6:30 - they pick the 'trainees' at the very beginning of the show - people lined up at the front rope as soon as the prior show was finished and waited - hoping to be picked. DNeph was luckily picked the first time we tried, but I was prepared to try for another show until he got 'in' - fighting Darth Maul (the other 1/2 of the kids fight Darth Vader) was a definite highlight of the trip for him !
The event you have to sign up for is the Padawan Mind Challenge (trivia game)- that took place at both noon and 6PM - but you had to sign up at 9AM.
Last year DNeph (8) and I spent most of Fri, Sat and Sun at SWW and had a blast - he got to see and be in everything and get pics and autographs with all of the characters. This year we're only going to spend one full day doing Star Wars (Fri) - well, maybe Sat morning, too, if he wants more!

 

[DisneyArk]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. My oldest DS will be 8 when we go and hopefully he'll have as much fun as your nephew had. I'm so excited just thinking about how much fun he will have at SWW.

Thanks

 

[QuickGold]

This page should be helpful: http://sww.mgmstudios.org/main/?q=node/11

 

[Bronte]

Thanks for the great info ... I love these boards.
We are going for the first time for Star Wars Weekend and my two DD's ages 10 & 13 really, really want to be 'trainees' ... we waited in line for seven hours to see the last movie that came out (at least DH and I did, kids came with the grandparents at 11:00 pm that night )
Bronte

 

[Master Grayson]

Be at the park at opening!! We've been to SWW the past 4 years get there before the park opens. There are stormtroopers ontop of the enterence to MGM doing a skit as well as Boba Fett . Go right to the SW area and hang out till the first show make sure your kids are standing by the rope to the left of the stage. We stand there and my DS7 & DS5 have been picked every year at the first show. As the park fills it gets harder to get picked.

 

[donnajon]

It tookl my DS8 3 tries to get picked. He was wearing his Anakin costume. They tend to pick the kids up front who make a big deal "pick me pick me" kind of thing. He had to get on his dad's shoulders and wave his arms in the air like crazy to get picked. But it was the highlight of his trip and he got a certificate naming him an official Padawan and a Star Wars figure.