Jedi Training Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

by Aug 30, 2017

If you ask my 9-year old son about his favorite memory from our Walt Disney World® vacations, he always answers with a resounding “Jedi Training!!” (Every. Single. Time). My family has been to Walt Disney World® multiple times and this experience is still at the top of his “Must Do” list. Samuel is what I would consider a big Star Wars fan, which has propelled me into learning much more about the Galaxy, Far, Far Away then I ever imagined. With a Star Wars fan, I know that we absolutely cannot miss a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® on our Walt Disney World® vacations- including this incredible, FREE experience with Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. You read that right. Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple has absolutely no additional cost to it besides your park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

What is Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple?

Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple is an interactive experience that will put your child in the middle of the Star Wars action. This is a live action show that takes place on the stage to the left of the entrance to the Star Tours®– The Adventures Continue Attraction. The Padawans (Jedi children in training), decked out in their authentic robes, will be taught by real Jedi the art of using the force and fighting with a light saber (no worries here, Padawans only practice with plastic lightsabers). After learning essential lightsaber techniques, a few surprise guests will interrupt the training session, which can include Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, and Seventh Sister (a villain from the Disney Channel show, Star Wars Rebels). At this point in the show, all the Padawans will have the opportunity to individually battle either Darth Vader or Seventh Sister – showing off their new lightsaber skills. In the end, the light side of the Force always wins and the Padawans will help protect everyone from the dark side. (I wasn’t kidding when I said I’ve gotten up to speed on these Star Wars terms)

Registration Process

Having been a part of the Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple experience several times, the process for registering Samuel for the show has changed over the years, but here’s the most up to date information and tips I can offer you.

I’ve come to find my motto for this is, “Hurry up and Wait”. The earlier you can get in line for this, the shorter the line will be. In my experience, Disney’s Hollywood Studios® often opens the gates to the park 30 minutes before the park is actually scheduled to open. For example, if the park is scheduled to open at 9 am according to the posted park hours, the park will actually open at 8:30 am. This is even true for Extra Magic Hours Benefit mornings (so we’re talking an early wake up call here). After going through security and ticketing (build in time for this when figuring when to arrive), you’ll enter the park on Hollywood Blvd. Cast Members will not allow you to enter into the other parts of the park beyond Hollywood Blvd. before the park officially opens. However, keep to the left (you’ll see Echo Lake) and you will find a line forming behind a Cast Member holding up a sign for “Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple”. Here’s when the waiting will start.

Once park opening takes place, the Cast Member with the sign will slowly walk the line towards the Indiana Jones Spectacular pavilion. For the most part, everyone stays in line and acts civilized but the occasional guest confuses this experience with “Black Friday” shopping and will try to cut the line. Thank goodness the Cast Members do not tolerate this behavior and will handle it accordingly. You will then enter a queue to the left of the Indiana Jones Spectacular pavilion and wait your turn to sign up your child for a show time. The queue is well shaded and wheelchair/stroller/scooter accessible. Cue more waiting.

Eventually you and your child will arrive to the signup area where you’ll be greeted by a Cast Member with a tablet. The Cast Member will ask your child how old he or she is and ask if they’re comfortable getting up on stage in front of a crowd. Note the Cast Member is asking the child – so this means your child is REQUIRED to be with you to answer these questions. Next up is the extensive Star Wars knowledge test that you as an adult must pass (just kidding!). The Cast Member will work with you to find the best show time that will work with your already scheduled plans for the day (aka Dining and Disney FastPass+ Reservations). You will then be given a paper pass to hold onto as your golden ticket. It will include what time to return to check in for your child’s showtime. This pass is printed on receipt like paper, so definitely put it somewhere safe (not a sweaty pocket).

It’s Showtime!

You will be asked to return with your Padawan 30 minutes prior to your show time to the same place you signed up. You do not want to be late for this or you’ll lose the show spot. Once checked in, a robe will be assigned for the show (you cannot wear your own). Padawans are sat in two rows on the ground and then given show time instructions. Once they’re ready, the Cast Members will walk the Padawans in two lines to the show stage. One parent must walk with the group to be awkwardly embarrassed for safety reasons, as the children chant “Here come the Jedi!” through the crowds. At this point, one of the adults in our group has already gone ahead to stake out a spot in front of the stage. One line of children will be lead up onto the taller stage, and one line will stay down below at a lower stage. Great news for guests with Memory Maker (the Disney Photopass+ Service product), a Disney Photopass+ photographer is at every show taking great photos of the group and individual photos of each child. After the show, make sure to grab a card from the photographer in order to download your pictures (they aren’t downloaded automatically to your account). I love the pictures the Disney Photopass+ photographer takes, but I also like to take a few with my own camera too (and videos). The show lasts about 20 minutes. After the show is over, the robes will be collected and your newly trained Jedi will be dismissed to you from the stage.

Things to keep in mind

  • Arrive early! It’s first come, first serve for show spots and availability is limited.
  • You can only sign up the day of.
  • Your child must be between the ages of 4 and 12 to participate.
  • All children that want to participate must be with you at time of registration.
  • Stop by a Disney Photopass+ Service Center in any of the parks to select the pictures you want off the Photopass® card from the photographer, otherwise you’re going to end up with every picture from the show.

Our next big family trip is coming up this holiday season, so if anything changes to these procedures, I’ll let you know! Plus the dark side beware because our 4 year old daughter is dying to jump in on the action.

Has your Padawan battled the dark side before? I would love to hear about your experience!

 

 

Amanda Powell

Amanda Powell

Senior Travel Planner

Amanda is a senior travel planner with Key to the World Travel. Contact her today using the links below to plan your next vacation!
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