We had security issues with our Jedi signs - unexpected ending

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

Just got back from a week long Disneyland trip. We were traveling with two kids who have done the Jedi Training Academy before and wanted to do it again. I brought along the same exact signs we've used on at least 5 different trips, 11 x 14 thin fluorescent poster boards with images of Star Wars characters on each, security checkers have seen them in the past and I never heard a peep or had any issues until this recent trip.

I had them in a padded envelope and out in the open, never had a reason to hide them before, she asked what I had in there and then asked to see them when I said what they were. She looked them over and gave me a few "Hmmms". Checker said she use to work the Jedi Training Academy and said they and Disney have a policy against bringing in signs on material other than regular paper. Her decision was "No" but since I had used them before without any issue she called over a supervisor and the sup also decided "No". She clearly told me that the problem wasn't the size (which really isn't that big compared to larger signs you see others with at the Academy) the issue was that it was on poster board. She said I could bring in a regular 8.5 x 11 paper as long as it was standard paper and not any other material.

One of our padawans was celebrating a birthday that day so we weren't going to give up that easily, we walked out of the sight, hid them and went through the Monorail security check instead without any issues. But later what was a little unnerving is that we were the only party with signs, no other kids had signs which I have never seen before so I wonder if Disney is cracking down on signs . Both kids were chosen, we had a "still too small" 3 year old yet huge Star Wars fan who was able to lure Darth Maul over to us with one of the signs - he didn't cry but wasn't too happy about his close encounter with Darth Maul.

Now for the unexpected twist and ending, when the show was over one of the Jedi CMs came over to us - and of course we all immediately thought we were going to be lectured about bringing signs to the show, but instead she asked if we would like Darth Vader and Darth Maul to autograph our signs !!! We said "YES" yet wondered if it was a trick to confiscate the signs . But sure enough she came back out with our signs safe and sound, and autographed .

So take that cranky security checker !!!!!!!!

​

 

[tiffntwins]

Well, that turned out really,really well. How awesome!

 

[MAMACARLA]

Very cool!

Do you have a link to those pictures? - I would love to print those out for my boys too!! - I'll try to do it on properly-sized paper though!

Thanks
Carla

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

Very cool!

Do you have a link to those pictures? - I would love to print those out for my boys too!! - I'll try to do it on properly-sized paper though!

Thanks
Carla

Thanks . I have the image files on a different computer but I'll grab them and post them online. If I forget please feel free to remind me . Or if you'd like you can PM me your email address and I can email them directly to you.

 

[Disney Dreams]

You certainly got lucky! A few times over. Maybe you should have bought a lottery ticket that night!

- Dreams

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh that is very cool!!!!! I love it!!!! I guess you won't be using those anymore.

 

[robinb]

Meh. I'm glad your birthday boy got picked but I prefer the way WDW does it. It's much fairer to all the kids who don't have fancy signs or outfits.

 

[Hound 109]

Meh. I'm glad your birthday boy got picked but I prefer the way WDW does it. It's much fairer to all the kids who don't have fancy signs or outfits.

I heard WDW was going to remove FP machines.....to make it "much fairer" to the guests who don't know how use or work the FP process.

 

[robinb]

I heard WDW was going to remove FP machines.....to make it "much fairer" to the guests who don't know how use or work the FP process.

A couple of years ago when my DD patiently waited in the sun after one show for the next show so she could be in the front and have half a chance of being selected. Minutes before the show was to start a full-costumed "padawan" was pushed forward through the crowd by his father and stood right next to her. Three guesses who was picked and your first two don't count. It's too bad you were not there to comfort her and explain how the selection process really works .

 

[skiingfast]

Meh. I'm glad your birthday boy got picked but I prefer the way WDW does it. It's much fairer to all the kids who don't have fancy signs or outfits.

ITA. The OP seems proud of how she cheated the system to violate Disney procedures.

 

[Hound 109]

A couple of years ago when my DD patiently waited in the sun after one show for the next show so she could be in the front and have half a chance of being selected. Minutes before the show was to start a full-costumed "padawan" was pushed forward through the crowd by his father and stood right next to her. Three guesses who was picked and your first two don't count. It's too bad you were not there to comfort her and explain how the selection process really works .

A father pushing a youngster to the front (in front of others) is WAY out of line & is being rude. (& it's a form of line cutting)

If i wanted my kid to participate in JTA, i wouldn't bother with a full costume....I'd write something on an 8 X 11 manilla folder, fold it up, stick it in my pocket & give it to him prior to the show starting. I haven't haven't ever had to explain anything because he has always been picked.

 

[robinb]

Sure the father was rude. But what are you going to do? Tell the kid to step back and give my DD some room? He's just a kid the same as my DD and they both want the same thing.

I haven't haven't ever had to explain anything because he has always been picked.

Goody for you. My DD really wanted to do it that year was never picked and she tried 2-3 times to no avail. The queue at WDW is really a better way to do things for ALL kids. Not just those with "pick me!" signs or expensive costumes. Unfortunately, at almost 11 she probably thinks she's too old for it this next trip even though I think they allows kids as old as 12.

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

ITA. The OP seems proud of how she cheated the system to violate Disney procedures.

Well proud that things worked out that day considering the Jedi Training Academy is all the kids could talk about since arriving. As for cheating the system and violating Disney procedures, keep in mind that out of the previous trips where the signs were used this was the very first time anyone had said anything about my signs or even explained that policies existed. How was I to know there were any policies at all when with the exception of that day you would normally see kids dressed up and others holding signs larger than mine. They were excited about the show, we were upset that this was the first time we had ever had issues, of course we were going to smuggle them in.

As for others being upset and not feeling that signs or costumes are fair, I can understand your point of view, but signs and costumes are what many websites and others recommend to increase their child's chances of being selected so yes it's a little aggressive but probably something you will continue to see unless Disneyland starts to enforce a policy at the actual show itself.

If your child has had trouble being selected without any prop help - don't blame the audience member, blame the Jedi who's picking the kids. If you want to be fair, try the show without any props and if you're still having trouble then why not consider a sign, funky hat, or costume for a little help?

 

[Nonsuch]

If you want to be fair, try the show without any props and if you're still having trouble then why not consider a sign, funky hat, or costume for a little help?

I suggest using the Force

 

[Desert Dwellers]

If the kid next to you is getting picked, just wave your hand and say, "These are not the kids you are looking for."

 

[Mary09]

I'm curious what is the issue with posterboard?

 

[CrazyDuck]

I'm thinking they picked your kids because they felt sorry for them because they don't have eyes or noses!

 

[Dizneydaz]

If the kid next to you is getting picked, just wave your hand and say, "These are not the kids you are looking for."

My suggestion on how to get picked without signs, costumes, etc.........Come to Disneyland! My DD (now 10) has been picked 2 out of the 3 times we have tried. The hint we got from one of our Disney friends (PP photog) was to keep jumping up and down. They want the kids with high energy. It's worked for us. The 2nd time she got picked she jumped up and down during the whole picking process-it worked, she was the last one picked. Seemed like she was jumping for over 5 minutes.

Look how short the robe is they gave her!

 

[Michaella]

DS is desperate to do this!!!

We can be at DL everyday for 9 days when we come over.. I promised him we can keep going to the show until he gets picked.. I will give him everyone's tips.. thanks!

 

[lozzypop]

I have to admit that my daughter has an inbuilt advantage when it comes to being selected for these types of thing. We have never had to use a sign or a costume.

Although my daughter is only eight, she is about 4' 10" and she has true auburn hair. When we went to JTA (just the one time) she was passed over on the first sweep but I told her to jump up and down when the Jedi Master came back our way and sure enough she was picked. She has been picked to ask questions in Turtle Talk with Crush too - every single time.

Is she just lucky or is it the red hair? Probably a bit of both.