Star Wars Weekend question

[DenverDad]

Hi - I've read a lot of the info about Star Wars Weekend, but I still had 2 questions.

1. For the Padawan Mind Challenge, it says that kids under 12 can do it. My son, who's 7, is extremely excited about this and I was wondering if just a certain number of kids get picked to do this or if every kid under 12 who wants to is allowed to enter?

2. For the Jedi Training Academy - same question as above - are only certain kids picked for it or is everyone who wants to allowed to do it?

Thanks for any answers - I really don't want to get my son all excited only to have it not happen due to not being picked.

 

[moethorne]

I don't know about the mind challenge but for the Jedi training they pick around 10 kids form the audience. I think they try and pick randomly different ages and girls and boys. It was actually heartbreaking to see some kid who were not chosen. Some were crying and moved away with their parents. The stage is quite small so they can not have everyone.I

I forgot to say that they do the show a couple of times a day so if you go more than once, it's outside so you don't have to stay after the kids are pick, you may have a better chance of getting chosen.

 

[DenverDad]

Thanks for the info - I'll make sure to let him know the chances... he does a lot better with things if he knows he probably won't be chosen for something.

Does anyone know about the Padawan Mind Challenge? Oh, also I forgot to add before - Do the kids for the Jedi Academy wear a cape and carry lightsabers around the park (so do they bring those from their hotels/resorts) or are they given those things by Disney if they're one of the chosen ones?

 

[Disney1976]

Thanks for the info - I'll make sure to let him know the chances... he does a lot better with things if he knows he probably won't be chosen for something.

Does anyone know about the Padawan Mind Challenge? Oh, also I forgot to add before - Do the kids for the Jedi Academy wear a cape and carry lightsabers around the park (so do they bring those from their hotels/resorts) or are they given those things by Disney if they're one of the chosen ones?

I don't know about the mind challenge either, sorry, but as far as the cape and lightsaber, those are provided by Disney if they are chosen, and then returned at the completion of their "training." No need to bring your own from the resort, nor would I -never know if someone would walk off with it when you put it down, etc.

 

[2Kds2K9]

The kids are given capes and lasers for the Jedi Training Session only. They are just props for that "show". My DS was one of the "chosen ones" and it was the highlight of the weekend. We could have left right then and there and he would have been fine. Also, at that time, they were given a Star Wars figurine. I think that was due to the movie coming out that year.

Enjoy. Your DS will be over the moon all weekend.

Leigh

 

[JuliaK+3]

DS3 and DS5 are looking forward to the Star Wars weekend also. I made the mistake of watching the Jedi Training on Youtube.com and now they want to do it even more.

not sure about the Padawan challenge but evemn my 3 yr old could ace that. They're addicts.

I'm too new to post links but if you go to youtube and do a search for Disney Star Wars Weekend, you'll get a ton of clips including the parades.

 

[livndisney]

Hi - I've read a lot of the info about Star Wars Weekend, but I still had 2 questions.

1. For the Padawan Mind Challenge, it says that kids under 12 can do it. My son, who's 7, is extremely excited about this and I was wondering if just a certain number of kids get picked to do this or if every kid under 12 who wants to is allowed to enter?

2. For the Jedi Training Academy - same question as above - are only certain kids picked for it or is everyone who wants to allowed to do it?

Thanks for any answers - I really don't want to get my son all excited only to have it not happen due to not being picked.

I just wanted to say-WOW what a great parent!

We live in Orlando and spend A LOT of time in the parks and I am always amazed at the number of parents you see arguing, pushing and shoving so their little "angel" can be "chosen" for something. Nevermind the joy in just being at WDW and watching the show LOL.

It is VERY nice to see a parent who accepts going in that they may not be chosen and is willing to prepare their child for that.

Also, if your son wants to wear a cape around the park, I have seen lots of kids roaming around in costumes at Star Wars weekends. If he has a cape he would not be out of place to wear it. Last year I saw girls dressed in Leia costumes and lots of Anakin costumes. (They must have been SOOO hot).

 

[DenverDad]

I just wanted to say-WOW what a great parent!

Thanks for the compliment

I don't know about Disney, but the sad thing is that it's usually the pushy parents who end up getting their way on things.

 

[DenverDad]

Well, I called Disney about the Padawan Mind Challenge. The person wasn't very helpful, but they thought that it was more of a group question - so a whole bunch of kids get asked a question and someone gets called on to answer it. If anyone has more first hand knowledge about how this actually gets played out, please let me know - thanks -

 

[MightyMom]

The Jedi Mind Challenge is an event your child has to pre register for. You'll have to stand in line as soon as the park opens. Race over to the Star Wars section and find out which line is for the parade... and which is for the mind challenge. The lines are usually between Indiana Jones and Star Tours.

My son was probably the 10th in line.... we were at a disadvantage because DS is in a wheelchair and those kids and parents ran faster than I could roll him.

He did participate in the challenge....and made it to the final round. Although he admitted that he guessed on the last question because he had no idea what they were talking about!

 

[MightyMom]

Sorry... I hit send before I was finished.

As far as HOW it happens..... The kids.... probably about 20ish are all given paddles. A black and gold one. The kids are asked multiple choice questions. Who ever is wrong is asked to step aside...... which the kids didn't really mind because Luke Skywalker was keeping them company.

There was no clear "winner". There were 4 kids who got the final question correct..... they were all the older kids.

I hope that helps.

My DS also particpated in the Jedi Training Academy. The robes and training sabers were provided for use during the event. The kids were given diplomas and a little goodie bag after the event. That was the most fun for my DS who didn't think he would be able to participate because of his wheelchair. (We didn't see a ramp to get up on stage initially)

 

[Terry36]

MightyMom - Are the Jedi Mind questions about SW?

 

[MightyMom]

yes, the questions are all about Star Wars.

The first few questions are very easy....... none of the kids get the wrong answer. The questions get progressively harder. I couldn't answer ANY of them.... but then again.... I know next to nothing about Star Wars.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

My son did the mind challenge. Like Mighty Mom we registered for it first thing. The last question is tough. I thought my DS knew everything, but it got him. I think only two people were left after his game.

We didn't get picked for the Jedi training academy, but my DS still had to stay and watch it. I had already told him the odds so he was fine. I will say I was disgusted by the parents who pushed their kids to front and center. I don't think it really matters. When we were there the picker got kids from all over.

Have fun! My DS wants to go again, but we are doing MNSSHP instead this year!

 

[JuliaK+3]

I didn't realize the mind challenge was so comepetitive. Maybe we'll skip it since my boys are only 5 and 3. Hopefully they forget about it.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I didn't realize the mind challenge was so comepetitive. Maybe we'll skip it since my boys are only 5 and 3. Hopefully they forget about it.

The first questions are easy. I'm guessing they don't want the game to last forever so they do some hard ones to get a lot of kids out at once. Your 5 year old would probably be fine. My youngest is now 3, and I don't know if he would get the concept of turning your paddles to the correct color.

 

[MightyMom]

We were watching the video from the Jedi Mind Challenge when my son participated. It seemed like the younger kids were just waiting to see what paddle the older kids held up. The first few questions are really simple if you know even the slightest bit about Star Wars.... even "I" couldnt' get those questions wrong and I know next to nothing. (just ask my boys)

I didn't realize the mind challenge was so comepetitive. Maybe we'll skip it since my boys are only 5 and 3. Hopefully they forget about it.

 

[MJAJmom]

My 5YO was picked for the Jedi Academy and LOVED it!! The place were the kids sit is marked off with tape, the stage is set in a V-shape. We arrived 15-20min early to get a spot up front, plus we came to the very first show at 9:55am. My son wore his Darth Maul shirt and I prepped him to raise his hand and jump/act excited to get picked. The kids/parents were all well behaved, I didn't see any pushing (crowd level at HS was light) .The master Jedi chose 12 kids, including 2 girls. He walked from one end to the other, picking about 6 kids, then walked it again picking another 6 kids. The kids got onstage and got a lightsaber and brown jedi robe. They practiced some lightsaber moves as a group. Then the dark side music played and Darth Vader came out of the doors, complete with fog! Each kid got to fight Darth Vader by themselves, the Master Jedi tells them where to hit. It was really awesome!! Then they get a certificate.

 

[JuliaK+3]

I can post links now

Jedi Academy:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eEMVlI82_6k



This is for disneyland but I believe it's the same thing as WDW. I'm secretly hoping neither of my kids gets picked because if one gets picked, then we'll have to go to each and every show until the other gets picked. Not for my kids sake but so Mommy can have pics of both of her kids fighting Darth Vader.

 

[JuliaK+3]

We were watching the video from the Jedi Mind Challenge when my son participated. It seemed like the younger kids were just waiting to see what paddle the older kids held up. The first few questions are really simple if you know even the slightest bit about Star Wars.... even "I" couldnt' get those questions wrong and I know next to nothing. (just ask my boys)

I quizzed DS3 and DS5 about Star Wars and they both knew pretty much everything I know. It can't hurt to sign them up for it I guess. Do they get anything for participating? Not that the experience isn't enough....