Spring break is approaching so I thought I would share some tips on getting into the Jedi Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, FL. This interactive show is one of the most popular attractions at Hollywood Studios for young padawans. After two years of lackluster attempts at getting young Pork Chop on the roster, we finally took admission seriously during our trip to Disney World late last summer and the result of three days of attempts is that I learned a few things to share with you.
Day one: We lollygagged in the morning and didn’t get to the park until around 11:00 am. The time slots for the entire day were already filled!
Jedi Training Academy Tips
Tip#1 Get to the park about thirty minutes before opening.
The second day, we did get to the park at opening and we went straight to the Jedi Academy which is located near the ABC Studios to get our name on the list. Pork Chop was slated for late afternoon. We then went to the Midway Mania, arguably the most popular ride at the park, and the fast passes were already all given out for the day.
Tip #2 Divide and conquer
if you want to do both the Midway Mania and Jedi Academy. Keep in mind that the child that wants to participate in the Jedi Academy must be at the sign up. While one adult runs to the Jedi Academy once the park opens, the other (probably the faster one) should go to midway mania for fast passes.
Pork Chop was pretty excited about making the list on day two. When the time finally arrived we convened with the rest of the class and the padawans were robed and prepared. The class lined up and marched to the outdoor stage. As they arrived at the stage, a light drizzle began and the class was CANCELLED! We were routed to an area within the labyrinth of the Star Tours ride where they had a chance to get their photos taken with two storm troopers and Darth Vader and they were given a diploma for graduating through the Jedi training Academy. Pork Chop was most definitely not amused or pacified. He even told Darth Vader that he was supposed to be waterproof.
Tip #3 Check the hourly weather forecast
Disney World is in Florida, the land of daily afternoon rain storms. This happens more often in the early and mid-summer, which is also when I refuse to go to Disney World unless there are extenuating circumstances. The last time we went in the middle of summer was when my youngest brother in law, who was 13 at the time and had never been to Disney World, was visiting us for the summer while school was out. And that wasn’t even the “extenuating circumstance!” (He had never been to Disney World before.)
This trip was an early birthday present for Pork Chop so we were pretty determined to get him on that stage. He has been heavily influenced by the two Star Wars fans that spawned him and it was his only wish this trip. By the third day, we were tired of Hollywood Studios, to tell the truth. We got there early and got on the list for the Jedi Academy. This time we were much later in the day, actually in the early evening. This worked out perfectly. We left and enjoyed some time at another park and even an afternoon siesta at the Animal Kingdom Lodge before returning and finally getting to watch Pork Chop on the stage. Seeing the smile on my little boy’s face was worth the frustration of the past three days.
Tip #4 Get an early slot
if you are fortunate enough or crazy enough to be one of the first people into the park, or a later slot so that you can maximize the time you have while you wait your turn!
Hopefully, these Jedi Training Academy tips will save you some of the frustration we went through. We were lucky enough to have three days to devote to this one simple task. Most families don’t live close enough or come often enough for the trial and error method we employed. A little planning goes a long way when you are tackling the crowds and attraction restrictions at Disney.
Speaking of Star Wars, I highly recommend going in May/early June for the Stars Wars weekends. Though the crowds are crazy, if you get there in time for the motorcade it will be totally worth it!
Check out my packing guide for some tips for what to bring to the park! Do you have any Jedi Training Academy tips to share?
See what’s new at Disney World for 2018!
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Rabia @TheLiebers says
We didn’t even know this was an option until we were already in Florida and we really had no control over our schedule. My husband would have loved this (and so would the kids!!)
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Herchel says
Now you know for the next time :). We skipped it so many times because we hate to wake up early when we’re on vacation, especially when we stayed at the parks until close the night before!
Sandy Sandmeyer says
What an exciting time you guys must have had. STAR WARS! I have never been to the Studios, but I did go to Universal the year it opened. I’ve never been back. :O We avoid O-town like the plague due to the heat and the cost. I wish that Florida resident tickets were still available. $19.99 with a FL driver’s license. Those were the good old days.
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Herchel says
True. Now you can get three days for $129 as a resident. We do our best to cut costs when we go. (Not counting our light saber collection from the parks) we rarely but souvenirs and usually eat breakfast offsite, bring lunch, then have only dinner at the park.