Star Wars Weekends

One of the coolest things your child can do at Star Wars Weekends is the Jedi Training Academy.  Now this used to exclusively happen only during SWW, but is now a regular event at the Disney Hollywood Studios.  Still, in this setting, unless your child is a regular Disney Visitor, I promise that this is one of the things your child is going to want to do most.  Once the schedule is out, we will see for sure, but there are usually about 5 sessions daily where the children have the opportunity to be selected for the Academy. 

This is very cool when you think of it.  You are chosen to come up on stage and be instructed by a Jedi Knight in the ways of the Jedi.  You are given a Jedi Robe and lightsaber (which must all be returned following the training) so that you may be taught several important, lifesaving moves.  These are the same important skills that any Jedi or Sith use in combat so it is important for these learners to pay close attention.  Of course the parents should be armed with either a camera or video camera, because you won’t want to miss this.

I remember when my daughter first participated in the JTA.  In 2005 she was just 6 years old and small for her age.  While she was very interested in what was going on, she was not wild about the idea of going up on stage.  Still after watching a session, she knew this was something she wanted to do.  So we made sure to get there well before the start of the next session, to get a good position.  It probably doesn’t hurt to watch one first to see how it works and to give you a better understanding of how to help your child be selected.  I’ve been told over the years to make sure that your child is either wearing something DISNEY or Star Wars related.  Still the biggest asset anyone can bring with them for this selection is enthusiasm.  They aren’t looking to select crazy, but they expect you to want to be there.  In my case I loaded my little girl on my shoulders and she waived her hands frantically, hooting and hollering.  Watching people be selected reminded me of those kids in school who would raise their hands, but be half way out of their seats going “oooh, ooh, oooh, me, me, me” when they knew they had the answer to the teacher question.  That is where you are at with this.

The key to remember here is that if you are not chosen, try, try again.  There is no way to guarantee that your child will be picked the first, second, third or fourth time you try.  Just remember that there are several time slots available and be patient.  When my daughter was finally chosen, she was so small up there with the group, but you could see in her eyes that she was excited to be up there.  She watched patiently as things were explained, and did her best to mimic the moves.  Each of the students go through the motions until the time comes when they are confronted by the Dark Side.  Then each gets their opportunity to fight either Darth Vader (who is now available all year round with this event) or Darth Maul.  Your child will not get to pick who they fight, but will each get their shot at one of the Sith Lords.  This is where their training is important, because they will have to fend off these magnificent villains.  Again, a better photo moment during weekends there may not be.  Poor Darth Vader, when he got to my little girl, really had to watch his shins.  Not that she was swinging for them, but she wasn’t in danger of reaching anything above his belt buckle, so he really needed his fancy footwork. 

In the end, everyone who is successful gets a certificate granting them the level of Padawan Learner, their first step into a larger world.  I think of everything at SWW, if I could be a child again, the first thing I would want to do is the JTA.  After all of the lightsaber battles my brother and I had growing up, I know for a fact that this would have been the most popular event in my home bar none.  So if you have a young Star Wars fan (or more), make time for this one.  It is especially magical during SWW.  I know my daughter has already told me she intends on doing it again this year.  At 9, Vader (or Maul) better watch out.  The Force is strong with this one!

-Colin