Is Jedi Training Academy a good idea?

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Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Matt Hochberg

Recently it’s come to light that Disney will be adding the Jedi Training Academy as a permanent, year round attraction at the Disney-MGM Studios and it’s left me quite perplexed as to whether or not this is a good idea or not.  Generally, I’m always a proponent of something new in the park because it’s something we didn’t have before and something new can get you more for the dollar you spent to get into the park.  But let me take an opportunity to examine the good and the bad of the Jedi Training Academy.

Let’s start with the good about Jedi Training Academy.  As I mentioned before, it’s something new and that’s good.  Better yet, nothing is being removed prior so this is something else that’s new to do.  It will perform around 8 times per day, so there will be plenty of opportunity to see it and in the Studios, flexibility with shows is important if you want to see them all along with working in the attractions.

For a lot of families, a major benefit of Jedi Training Academy will be something for the kids to do, especially for the boys, which are generally left out of the juvenile attraction equation.  There are plenty of girls, who enjoy Jedi Training Academy, but generally speaking boys really enjoy it and it’s something else to do with the kids.  For many families, it’s important to have enough for the kids to do and it’s also why many families skip the Studios, citing not enough for the kids to do.  Jedi Training Academy will address that need for the park.

If you haven’t seen Jedi Training Academy, it’s a really fun attraction and although it’s just for kids, it’s very entertaining for adults to watch these kids perform.  Additionally, the theme of the stage is going to be the base on Endor from Return of the Jedi where the rebels attacked at the end of the film.  Although I’m hoping the Ewok forest remains incorporated into the new theme, I’m excited to see what Disney and Lucas come up with.

Earlier in the article I mentioned that I’m perplexed and here is why I’m not sure Jedi Training Academy is going to be so great.  First and foremost, having Jedi Training Academy year-round really diminishes the value of Star Wars Weekends since there’s one less unique attraction at Star Wars Weekends.  This is more of a problem because of the removal of other unique attractions from Star Wars Weekends such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It! and the adult trivia which was not brought back in 2007 (for quite a dumb reason, might I add).  Unless Disney adds some new stuff in 2008, I’m going to be hard pressed to recommend Star Wars Weekends as much as I have in the past.

Another key issue for me is does the Studios really need to invest money into a small time attraction like Jedi Training Academy?  Many folks these days think the Studios needs a shot in the arm, akin to the 5 year period between 1994-1999 when the Studios added Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n Roller Coaster.  Toy Story Mania may be a first step but more is needed.  Clearly Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show hasn’t been the crowd pleaser many expected or wanted. Instead we have a marginally popular show that many folks note as “once is enough”.  So although Jedi Training Academy helps the young kid age group, by in large the majority of those coming to the park wont be able to experience the attraction.  With the recent tendency of new attractions being attractions the whole family can enjoy (see Soarin’, Toy Story Mania, Laugh Floor Comedy Club, et al), Jedi Training Academy does not meet that criteria.

I can’t fully make up my mind until the attraction opens up and I can see how it is, but I haven’t been able to fully jump onto one bandwagon or another.  I’ll admit I’m leaning towards being in favor of the Jedi Training Academy coming to the Studios, but not without reservations.  Given that Jedi Training Academy has been a permanent attraction in Disneyland for some time now and the general warm reception it’s received on the west coast, I’m willing to accept Jedi Training Academy to the Studios and look forward to its opening so I can evaluate what the newest addition to the park is like.