Jedi Training Academy 2.0

[Ausdaddy]

Take it for what it's worth. Star Tours Live has a rumor about a refurb of the training academy taking over Sounds Dangerous and featuring a yoda animatronic complete with Lightsaber. I would be surprised, but stranger things have happened.

It's supposedly Dagobah themed with the following details:

"Taking over the aging, seasonal attraction Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carey, Jedi Training Academy would continue training young padawans, but in a much more elaborate set themed to the Dagobah swamp from Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The highlight would be an advanced, interactive Yoda audio-animatronic -- complete with Lightsaber -- who would play an integral part in seriously exciting new show in Hollywood Studios......


With Yoda, we’ve heard WDI is kicking around how he would be able to make an entrance, move around the stage, and interact with the padawans and show pieces. Unlike the plastic “training” Lightsabers used by the current Jedi trainers and padawans, Yoda would be able hold a realistic-looking Lightsaber thanks to laser and lighting effects. We’ve heard him compared to the Wall-E Living Character Initiative animatronic, as well as the first free-roving audio-animatronic from WDI, Lucky the Dinosaur. We also hear something about Yoda’s facial features/talking controls being like the Remy Experience in Epcot. While the Yoda animatronic seems to be very early in the process, we believe skeleton mock-ups have been made and are being tested in WDI’s labs.

In addition to adding Yoda, we hear WDI is considering lots of changes to the show building currently holding Sounds Dangerous. Inside, the Dagobah set would possibly include “multi-level temple ruins,” updated projection technology, and special lighting/laser elements. Seats from Sounds Dangerous would be removed and the stage extended for the training action to take place. By bringing the Academy experience indoors, Imagineers will presumably have the ability to pull off some great effects and produce a much higher quality show. Other than a grand entrance by Darth Vader, the current Academy only solely on the Jedi and padawans for entertainment."

 

[devoy1701]

could be interesting. Would be a good step into transforming that entire side of the park to be George Lucas themed/Star Wars themed.

 

[DocMcHulk]

That's a very interesting idea/rumor. I am not a Star Wars fan, but I think that would be an excellent addition to the area. And frankly, anything that replaces Sounds Dangerous is an improvement to the park.

There's plenty of room behind Backlot Express and Indy to add another Star Wars attraction or two.

 

[Master Yoda]

Sound like a good bit of wishful thinking but I would love to see is happen. Jedi training is insanely popular but its current location makes it a nightmare. There is zero shade, no elevated seating and it bottlenecks an already cramped walk way.

 

[Neverland]

Definitely very cool, if it happens. Sounds Dangerous has been stale for a decade, is always deserted, and a number of the headphones don't even work.

 

[stewdog1]

This does sound like a great idea. Also another idea I would like would be a Star Wars themed Toy Story Mania. Just think you are in an X-wing, blowing up tie fighters, death stars, ewoks, etc. And as you go from section to section it could be like you are flying through hyperspace.

 

[DocMcHulk]

Sorry to bust your bubble, but I just talked to a bus driver who told me they heard Sounds Dangerous will be replaced with "You've Won a Home Stereo system... and a new car! with Drew Carey"

 

[bgraham34]

Sorry to bust your bubble, but I just talked to a bus driver who told me they heard Sounds Dangerous will be replaced with "You've Won a Home Stereo system... and a new car! with Drew Carey"

Thats just too good to be true. Disney doesn't give anything out for free.

 

[FigmentJedi]

The Phineas and Ferb attraction idea sounded cool for the Sounds Dangerous space, but this would work just as well. Turning that area into Lucasland would definitely be a good idea.

 

[erasure fan1]

Its a great idea, not going to get my hopes up, but its a great idea.

 

[redshoesrock]

I would be cautiously optimistic, as something like this makes a reasonable amount of sense. You'd be able to bump the Jedi Training Academy up to a full-fledged "attraction" which would please the "more stuff to do" crowd, you already have the actors and costumes, and you have a built-in audience that practically guarantees its success.

 

[RandySavage]

It sounds too good to be true (and the autonomous robotic Yoda interacting with guests free of handlers/realistic light saber puts it somewhat over the top with respect to believability)...

...BUT my hat's off to the armchair imagineer who came up with the idea. It's a really neat concept to put the theater to better use and expand the area into a true Lucas Land.

 

[NoChesterHester]

This is a meaty rumor. Very significant if true. While I love the rumors board it isn't usual that I get really excited about a blue sky rumor. The possibility of the Jedi Training Academy upgrade such as this is a huge deal. I absolutely love this idea.

Star Wars is a global franchise. It is THE biggest franchise Disney has in the parks right now. It is the ONLY franchise that can compete from a market share perspective with Potter. This makes total sense.

Now imagine if they actually extended this to its logical conclusion. Want some big merchandise dollars TDO? Build the Mos Eisley Cantina. Build this rumored attraction. Do more. Add another Star Wars attraction, even a walk through of something would work. Make a Star Wars type "land."

This could help with the overall direction of the Studios... The entrance and Sunset Boulevard become focused as the stylized Hollywood of yesteryear. The rest of the park becomes themed as specific franchise movie "lands":

Pixar Place emerges...
Muppet Studios
Star Wars
Indy

If a realistic ten year plan was put into place with this sort of focus the Studios could be absolutely my favorite park.

 

[ShookieJones]

i think this an amazing idea. Obviously its just a rumour,but honestly the popularity of the jedi training as it stands, and as another poster mentioned, its awkward location alone would seem to give this rumour some legs.

Not to mention there is no single ride and/ or attraction in all of wdw that suxx worse than sounds dangerous, so even if they took half an afternoon, put up a couple of star wars banners for "theming" and moved the training into sounds dangerous it would be an awesome upgrade!

 

[CuriousDeGeo]

A Star Wars themed area would be incredible. I think it is the only real franchise that could compete with Harry Potter, and Disney already has a great relationship with Lucas. I don't know what plans are, but I know that I would not be the only person who would love to spend time in the Mos Eisley Cantina, ride an X-Wing, or walk through Naboo.

 

[WDWFigment]

From what I understand, the intel is solid here, it's only a question of what stage the plans are in.

 

[imagineer boy]

I always thought a small puppet or animatronic Yoda would've been perfect for the show instead of just hearing his voice.

 

[Figments Friend]

Agree totally, but Disney probably wanted to avoid having to staff another puppeteer position. Not sure if it is true, but for years i was told that Casting is always looking for puppeteers because it is one of the most difficult roles to fill, or at least keep staffed.

I personally would love to see Jedi Academy grow into something bigger. I always enjoyed the small stage version currantly running, but can totally see the problems its popularity has created. Moving it into a larger venue ( and a indoor one at that) is genius and completely logical. Not only can you better control the crowd, and get performers and audience members out of the sun, you also have the chance to add some nice effects and enhancements in-house. Absolutely awesome!!

The AA Yoda....wow..! This would be amazing to see happen if WDI can work out the bugs previous Living Characters have had. Not a easy task, but i am sure in this theatre enviroment something could be worked out that insured Yoda was always stage ready at any moment.

Fantastic things to consider....thanks for sharing this!

 

[imagineer boy]

Heck, how about move the acadamy to the Sounds Dangerous theater? With or without Yoda I think its inevidable.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I applaud anything Star Wars coming to the parks.


This does remind me of the elaborate princess meet and greets of the original FLE. I am not sure I enjoy Disney going into that direction. Whether it is colouring birthday cards for Cinderella to Talking with Turtles to Yoda puppets bouncing about, I am not big on these 'quality time with celebes you know!'- experiences.


Any stage that recreates Dagobah would be awesome though. I'll spend some time in between shows there to check it out.