"Training" sign up tips

[mommymanda]

I never have luck finding info I want exact in searches, so I apologize if there is a thread somewhere already about this.

This years trip, I have one child wanting pirate training, one wanting the Jedi.

However if my research is correct you have to be at the parks for rope drop to sign up and hopefully get a space somewhere in that day?

We are not a rope drop family (i.e. all but myself stay in bed until at least 9am) so unless I get up early, rush to the park, sign them up than get back and wake the room they will not be doing it.

So I wanted to clarify...no FP+ or front desk sign up? First come, first serve at park early morning.

Just figure I will prep them for the choice of up early and maybe, or just not happening before we arrive.

Thanks.

 

[ajfd]

First come, first served. Child needs to be present at Jedi sign-up.

 

[minnie mum]

Yep. You AND the child need to be present at sign up. And unless you want to be in a 30-45 minute line, you'll want to be at the park gates close to 8:00 to be near the front of the line.

 

[Andyman33]

Anyone have reports on just showing up at 10? Are they usually booked all day by then?
"Saving time" by waiting 30-45 minutes prior to the opening is no different than waiting 30-45 minutes in a line to sign up by the way. However my question is more about the newer increased capacity and when it is actually completely booked

 

[Chevy]

Anyone have reports on just showing up at 10? Are they usually booked all day by then?
"Saving time" by waiting 30-45 minutes prior to the opening is no different than waiting 30-45 minutes in a line to sign up by the way. However my question is more about the newer increased capacity and when it is actually completely booked

check out this thread: http://www.disboards.com/threads/new-jta-procedure.3486009/page-5#post-55712018

A poster there says she showed up at 8:48 (for a 9 am opening), and waited in line for an hour to sign up. She was able to book a 2:40 time slot, but says they closed the line while she was waiting (so sometime before 10 it filled up).

I think it's going to depend on crowd levels when you go. If it's a must do for your family, you'll want to get there early.

 

[VeronicaZS]

We entered the park just after 9 on April 23 and headed straight for the line. When we got in line they said the wait was 45 min but it was actually just over an hour. They said we were running 30 shows with 20 kids each, 600 slots were available and they had someone counting kids who told us we were guaranteed a spot, we took the first opening at 2:10. You have to arrive 30 min before your start time at the sign up area to get suited up and march over to the stage. It was super cool. All the kids agreed that it was worth the wait in line. If you do it don't have them wear their hoods, I got a bunch of good photopass pictures (they have 2 photographers photographing each trial) but would have had so many more if their hoods were down and I could see their faces.

 

[minnie mum]

"Saving time" by waiting 30-45 minutes prior to the opening is no different than waiting 30-45 minutes in a line to sign up by the way.

In isolation, that's true. But waiting for 30-45 minutes before RD to be near the front of the sign up line means you're heading to your first attraction much sooner. Waiting 30-45 minutes in the sign up line means that by the time you get to your first attraction the standby lines will likely already be full and you'll be waiting even longer. Especially at HS, where there are precious few rides to start with. Of course if you are using a FP first thing, then you can gamble that you'll be finished sign up before your FP expires.

 

[Oswin]

My tip is that even if you aren't a rope drop family, make an exception and be there early enough to get in the front of the line for sign ups if your child really wants to do it. If you explain to your child that they have to be there early to sign up, that this is the only way they get to do it, and they say they don't want to get up early, then you know that it's not really that important to them.

 

[Cruisin Spartan]

My tip is that even if you aren't a rope drop family, make an exception and be there early enough to get in the front of the line for sign ups if your child really wants to do it. If you explain to your child that they have to be there early to sign up, that this is the only way they get to do it, and they say they don't want to get up early, then you know that it's not really that important to them.

My thoughts exactly. Kids are kids, but it seems like an important lesson in priorities to me. If they want to do it bad enough, they'll get up to do it. I know that on our last trip our almost 4yo was messing around in the morning instead of getting ready. We asked him if he wanted to get to do something (maybe meet a character). He said yes, and we explained that he needed to get ready NOW if that was going to happen. He stopped goofing around and got ready.

 

[mommymanda]

My tip is that even if you aren't a rope drop family, make an exception and be there early enough to get in the front of the line for sign ups if your child really wants to do it. If you explain to your child that they have to be there early to sign up, that this is the only way they get to do it, and they say they don't want to get up early, then you know that it's not really that important to them.

Yup this is my plan...my guess is they will decide it is not worth the early rise and not bother. We do tend to stay out late so I can't fully blame a 5 and 7 year old for not liking the early start...my 35 year old hubby on the other hand...

 

[Oswin]

Hey, if they decide they don't want to get up, that gives you time to relax around the resort in the morning and have more time to yourself!

 

[Minnie222]

Make it an exception for Jedi. YOU NEED to arrive early, about 45 minutes BEFORE rope drop to have the overall shortest wait for sign-up, get your desired time and to start the day.

We are not rope drop family, but even my children know they have to be super-early to get Jedi.
Arriving at Rope drop time is already very late and puts you in an hour wait for sign-up for what's left, while wasting previous early park hours.