A long, long time ago (well, today, and yesterday, and tomorrow and every day after that) in a galaxy far, far away (actually right next to Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), children between the ages of 4 and 12 are given the opportunity to hone their lightsaber skills at Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple!

This unique Star Wars show occurs multiple times a day (times listed on every park map and the My Disney Experience app) and it’s quite the experience for young Padawans.

To get some advice on how your kid is sure to be a part of Jedi Training, I’ve teamed up with my good friend Janel (@wdw_mom on Instagram!) to bring you some tips and tricks to find out if your kid has what it takes to be part of the Rebel Alliance!



Show up before park opening

While the rest of the crowds head to Toy Story Mania and the Sunset Boulevard attractions, keep to your left at rope drop towards the Jedi Training sign up location (next to the Indiana Jones themed gift shop neighboring 50’s Prime Time Cafe). Slots for this show fill up FAST (usually within the first hour), and it’s easier to guarantee your little ones a show spot the earlier you are to sign up.

Note from Shannon: Park opening applies even on mornings that Hollywood Studios has Extra Magic Hours (meaning you’ll need to be there when EMH begins to sign up).

Disney World has often been allowing people to sign up before park opening! If you’re early and people haven’t started entering the turnstiles yet, look for signs near the turnstiles that might allow you to sign up. If they’ve started allowing people through the turnstiles but the park isn’t fully open yet, look for signs pointing to the sign up area.

Keep your party together

Every child wanting to be a part of this experience MUST be present at the check in time. You will be given a selection of times available, and your budding Jedi will be asked a series of questions regarding their eligibility to participate (can they listen to direction? Can they answer simple questions? How old are they?).

Don’t be late for Jedi Training

Arrive back to the check in area at least 30 minutes before the show’s scheduled time. At this time, each child will be fitted for their Jedi robes and be given a pin with their name on it. You must stay with your child during this time.

Send other people ahead

If you’re traveling with more adults, send other members of your party ahead to the viewing area while you stay with your kid during this time. That way, you can see all the fun go down without having to worry about having a good spot in the crowd.

Make good use of PhotoPass

Have Memory Maker/PhotoPass download access? Let PhotoPass do the work for you!

Each parent is given a PhotoPass card and the photographers do an excellent job of capturing every frame. This allows you to live in the moment, cheering your son or daughter as they battle with Darth Vader without ever having to pull out the camera.

Jedi Training Academy is not to be missed for those Star Wars fans in your family. You may even hear them saying they want to do it all over again!

Hope these tips will help for when your kids are ready to join the Resistance. May the Force be with You!