StudiosNetwork
Disney's Hollywood Studios Information Guide

Jedi Training Academy

Location: Echo Lake, next to Star Tours
Ride Type: Live show

Yoda invites children to begin their training to become a Jedi Knight and along the way battle Darth Vader himself and prove him or herself as a Jedi.
Ride Overview
Our Rating(Out of 5):
Presentation
The set is straight out of Return of the Jedi and is about as believable a set without having CG characters next to you.
4.5
Guest Appeal
For kids, it's wonderful and something they'll be begging to do (over and over). The show is amusing and fun for adults to watch as well.
4
Disney World Veteran Rating
A classic example of what Disney Magic is all about...suspending disbelief and letting every kid act out their dream of being a Jedi Knight.
4.5
Teen Rating
Too old to participate and maybe a little too cool to really enjoy.
3
Lasting Appeal
Most kids who participate often come back wanting more
4
OVERALL RATING(not an average)
Studio EarsStudio EarsStudio EarsStudio Ears
Share your opinion in our Attractions Forum!

Fastpass: N/A
Expected Wait: 20 Minutes
When to go: First show or after the parade
Full Description: One of the most popular attractions during Star Wars Weekends, Disney made Jedi Training Academy a pemanent attraction and offers the opportunity for kids to enlist with the Jedi Order and become a Jedi padawan (that's Star War-ese for Jedi-in-training). Children are selected before the show begins by the Jedi Master. The kids go up on stage and are given robes and plastic lightsabers (same kind you see at any toy store.)

The "Jedi Master" has a script that he seemed to follow very closely each show. Mostly he says things that
Yoda said during the movies. He teaches the kids a series of moves with the lightsaber ("block high," "duck," "cut low") and they learn them in a specific order. They run through it a few times, until they all have it down.

Darth Vader comes out and then the Jedi Master informs Vader that the kids wont join. Vader then duels with each kid, as the Master calls out moves to perform, just in case the child has forgotten. When all of them are done, the Master announces that Vader has been defeated and the Sith Lord marches off in a huff. Then the kids all get certificates.
Comments: If you've been to Star Wars Weekends in the past, then you'll know this is a highlight of the event and because of how well it's pulled off, Disney made it permanent. It's fun for the kids because they get to go up and fight Darth Vader. There are plenty of adults who would love to do that.

In terms of how old your child should be if they want to participate, anyone under 4 will not understand and any child over 8 or so will find it boring and stupid. If you feel your child might or might not be interested, have them watch the show first and ask them if it's something they'd be interested in. If your child wants to volunteer, try for the first show or two in the morning or after the afternoon parade. Those ought to be the least crowded times to sneak in. Also, to volunteer, the Jedi Master wants energy, so make sure your kid is jumping up and down and showing a lot of enthusiasm.

The Jedi Master is quite good and can "go with the flow" well when a kid misses a move or freaks out and doesn't want to particiapte.

What's your opinion on this ride? Voice it in our Rides and Attractions Forum!
Other Pictures

 
Questions or concerns can be sent to the webmaster at webmaster@studioscentral.com
Studios Central is in no way shape or form related to The Walt Disney Company, nor is it in anyway shape or form part of, or associated with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Company.
Some parts are Copyright © The Walt Disney Co.
No parts of this site are to be reproduced without permission.
Page last updated: 12/14/07