New procedure for choosing kids for Jedi Training Academy??

[happymom52003]

Forgive me if there has already been a thread about this, but I don't remember seeing anything about it. I have friends who went to WDW last week and they said instead of the Jedi Master randomly choosing kids to participate in the Jedi Training Academy, you had to stand in line and sign up. And you had to stay in line...it was not a fast pass type of system or a "sign up and come back later" type of thing. My friends waited two hours for their son to do this!! Is this a new system? If so how long have they been doing this?

 

[mousefan1972]

Yep, I did read about this change some time ago on another disney discussion forum. Here's a recent thread about it:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2397985&highlight=jedi+training

 

[durangojim]

Been this way since at least November. I think it works out better than the random way though.

 

[armyfamilyof5]

I think it's a great idea to do it the new way, last time we were at WDW my 8 year old twins sat on the ground in front of the rope for 45 minutes to only have a woman come and thrust her two much older boys in front of them, one actually stepped on my daughter. I was disppointed when they were chosen and my little ones were not, the younger of the two turned back to the mom and said, "wow, I got picked again"...... This way seems more fair to me, which is just my opinion, not trying to start any bickering.:lookaroun

 

[Master Yoda]

I think it's a great idea to do it the new way, last time we were at WDW my 8 year old twins sat on the ground in front of the rope for 45 minutes to only have a woman come and thrust her two much older boys in front of them, one actually stepped on my daughter. I was disppointed when they were chosen and my little ones were not, the younger of the two turned back to the mom and said, "wow, I got picked again"...... This way seems more fair to me, which is just my opinion, not trying to start any bickering.:lookaroun

It is kind of the way all of these things go. Disney tries to do something special, random and fun and a few less than desirable people screw it up for everyone else. This is one of the reasons why character meet n greets are in the current line up, hug and shove format vs characters wandering the parks. It is more efficient and fair but quite a bit less magical.

 

[happymom52003]

I don't like the idea of it at all. The Jedi coming out and picking kids added to the excitement. Yes, both my kids have been chosen...but we also had times when they were not chosen...took a couple of tries before the first time they got to do it. Sure they were a little upset when they were not chosen, but they got over it quickly because that is just part of life...and it made it even more special when they finally did get picked. I agree with Master Yoda...I think alot of the magic is taken away by doing it this way.

If they are going to do it this way, they should at least do it in a way where you don't have to waste all that time waiting. They should at least have sign ups like they do for the Padawan Mind Challenge during SWW so you can enjoy the park and come back when it is your show time.

 

[erstwo]

Yep. I waited in line for an hour and a half for DS to do this in November. DS had to "be present" a half hour before the show, so we waited another 30 minutes for the show to start. Total waiting time 2 hours.
We timed it perfectly though. DD was asleep in the stroller, DH & DS rode TSMM, and we got to watch the entire Block Party Parade go by (their exit gate is right there next to the Jedi Academy.

Honestly, I'm glad they changed it. As Master Yoda said, some ruined it for all. People just sent their kids up if he even pointed in their general direction, whether they were chosen or not (and what are they going to do once they are up there? Say "No, sorry. Go back down.":shrug: That would make some crazy parents really angry.

 

[stlbobby]

I think it also has to do with the experience getting so popular. I think this and the Pirate Academy were envisioned as small diversions, but the Jedi Academy has turned into a serious draw. People plan their DHS day and even their vacation around participating in this one event, and if it is all random it can ruin the day or week, but if they know they can get in even if it means waiting for hours they can make the choice. They won't feel cheated.

I would hope Disney develops a pass system so people can at least get out and enjoy the parks while they wait. Give them a hard time and if they miss it the CM starts picking kids from the audience.

 

[happymom52003]

It will be interesting to see how this new system works during SWW when there is an even higher demand for the Training Academy, and alot more congestion in that area. Hopefully by then they will have switched to a system that is similar to how they do the Padawan Mind Challenge.

 

[erstwo]

During Star Wars Weekends they bring in an additional villain (Darth Mol?/ Darth Maul?) nearly doubling the number of kids they can bring "onstage" (they actually fight the extra villain in a roped off area on the ground.)
So I don't really see it being a problem. They'll just have double the number of parents waiting in the roped off line.

ETA - But you are right, SWW might be the moment when the you-know-what hits the fan.

 

[FiveDozenEggs]

Seems fair. Now if they'd only let people in their 20's become Jedi trainees....