Disney’s Jedi Training at Hollywood Studios is a fun interactive Star Wars experience. On our last visit to Walt Disney World the kids trained to be a Jedi! Here are our best Jedi training academy tips. Jedi Training is currently closed at Walt Disney World. No announcement has been made on expected opening.
Jedi Training Academy at Hollywood Studios is open to all guests with an admission ticket. This is one of the kids favorite activities from our visit to Disney World and they are still talking about it.
If you have a Star Wars fan in the family I highly suggest you add Jedi Training Academy to your must see list. It is a mix of show and interactive experience that your entire family will enjoy!
What is Disney Jedi Training at Hollywood Studios
Jedi Training Academy is a 20 minute show that runs daily at Disney Hollywood Studios. It is a chance for kids to become Jedi’s and learn the way of the force. Typically they offer between 12-15 shows a day so you have a good chance of reserving a space to participate. From the Walt Disney World website:
Jedi Knights have assembled Force-sensitive children from throughout the galaxy to test their abilities.
Under the tutelage of the Jedi, the recruits learn how to use the Force—and their wit—to wield lightsabers. Now that the Empire has driven the Jedi to the distant corners of the galaxy, the training must proceed in secret at ancient Jedi temples.
But not even this precaution can shield the Jedi from the evil forces of the Dark Side for long. Soon, the temple opens and the students are challenged to use their new skills when they come face-to-face with their greatest fears—in the frightening form of notorious Star Wars villains!
How You Sign Up for Jedi Training
Sign up for Disney Jedi Training starts before the park opens. When we visited we didn’t know much about it and were standing in line at the gate about 30 minutes prior to park opening.
We always arrive early to the parks. There were many cast members walking around with signs about the Jedi Training Academy. We decided to sign up and have the kids participate.
We were escorted through a gate and into the park!! I love walking through the streets of any theme park when it feels like you have it all to yourself.
It is quiet and you have the chance to see things you don’t always notice in the rush of the day.
We always stay on-site and I think this helps us get to the parks earlier because we don’t have to worry about traffic and parking.
The sign up for the class is inside the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost which is between Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and the 50s Prime Time Café.
You and your kids(the kids signing up must be with you) will wait in line to sign up. The line can get long even before park opening. Make sure your kids that are participating are with you. You can’t sign up without them.
How you Prepare to Become at Jedi at Hollywood Studios
You will meet at the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost and check in at your appointed time. Then you are ready for your Disney Jedi training!
The kids all put on their Jedi robes and are given light sabers before the show. The Cast Members go over rules. I will be honest there was not much explanation on what to expect during this time. It is kind of learn as you go but it was very organized. They check to see that everyone that signed up is checked in.
Then you parade down to the show stage. This is next to the Star Tours attraction. Walking down the street dressed as a Jedi is so cool. All the kids walk in a line to the show.
People stop and move out of the way and take pictures. It is a really big deal and the Cast Members make it really special. You walk along side with them no need to worry about being separated.
What to Expect at Jedi Training Academy
I suggest having one person from your party arrive at the show and another go with the kids to prepare. It is best to secure a spot early, before the young Jedi arrive. Otherwise you will be in the back watching. It is standing room only but my husband arrived with our 3 year old and we were able to see.
The children walk on the stage and have a circle to stand on for the show. This is where the Cast Members really shine. They are so great with the kids. They help the shy ones and keep them entertained. It was really nice to see. Especially as a parent who is watching from the audience.
Parents are not allowed on the stage with the children and it is a relief to know your kids are in good care. (We were with them through the prep and walking to the show. You can always see them.)
During the Jedi Training show the young Jedi’s follow along on a story and each Jedi battles a character from Star Wars. On our visit it was Darth Vadar and the Inquisitor.
This was incredible and the kids couldn’t believe it. It was so fun. During the Jedi battle the instructors are on hand and they work great with the kids. Near the end of the show the group of kids use the force to push Kylo Ren off the stage.
A word of caution about the scare factor. Seeing Darth Vadar and Kylo Ren up close can be a scary encounter for a lot of children. The Cast Members are really great about reading your child and they are prepared for many situations. Near the end of the show my daughter was a little concerned about being on stage with Kylo Ren. She stayed in the back and everything went smoothly.
At the beginning of the show you are given a special code for your Disney PhotoPass that will give you access to all the photos taken by the professional photographer. We didn’t purchase the package but the pictures were great.
I was able to take pictures on my own too. The PhotoPass code is different then if you have purchased the Memory Maker but during the time we visited the pictures were included in it. You only needed a different code to access them.
Jedi Training Academy Tips
- Your child must be in line with you when you sign up. Don’t send them to play while a parent waits…you will not be allowed to make reservations.
- Your child must be between the ages of 4-12. My son was 2 weeks shy of being 4 and he was a no go. There are no exceptions to this rule. (Don’t worry…we promised him his very own light saber and all was good!)
- Reservations are first come first serve, and on busy days there is limited availability. It you are interested in participating I suggest you arrive early to pick your time.
- Take a look at your daily FastPass reservations for the day and choose a time that does not conflict with your itinerary.
- You must arrive 20-30 minutes prior to show time to participate and prepare.
- Jedi Training Academy is included with your park admission ticket.
I would highly recommend participating in Disney Jedi Training Academy. It is fun for any Star Wars fan and made the kids feel like a real Jedi.
Want to Learn More about Planning a Walt Disney World Family Vacation:
- 7 Reasons We Stay On-Site at Walt Disney World
- Take a Day Off From the Parks: How to Spend a Rest Day at Walt Disney World
- Breakfast & Characters: Our ‘Ohana Character Breakfast Review
Subscribe to my mailing list and receive a Vacation Planning Itinerary Worksheet to help you plan your next family vacation.
*I do my best to bring you the most updated information but please check the website before finalizing plans.
Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.
This is such a cool part of the park experience! Cannot wait until my kids are old enough!
It really is!! We did it again on Tuesday and it was my youngest first time participating. So much fun and pure Disney Magic!!
Do you think 30 minutes early to the parks is plenty of time to get a slot for this? We are going on a non peak timeframe (late January) and I’m nervous about getting in – this is the big thing my son wants to do. Were you there at a peak time or non-peak time?
Hi! We were there during the last week of February/first week of March. It was not during a break week but the crowds were likely busier then they will be during your visit unless you are there during the holiday weekend. If you have an exact time you are planning to do the Jedi Training arrive 45-60 minutes before. If your daily schedule is flexible you should be able to get a time during the day. They have many shows running daily. I am so excited for you guys!! Your son is going to love it!! My youngest son can’t wait to go back because he is old enough now!
I didn’t realize this was included w park admission! We aren’t even into Star Wars but will keep this in mind for next disney trip!
My son did this when we were at Disney in August – such a fun thing for kids to do!
What a magical experience for any star wars fan. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thanks! It was really fun!
That’s great to hear! I love visiting Disney it is so much fun!
Thanks for reading!
It was! My little guy is finally old enough so we have to go back!
Disney is so much fun! My daughter loved the Jedi Academy too!
We went to Hollywood studios last month and we saw the Jedi training.It looks so cool and fun watching the kids. I wish my 8 years old son would have joined though.
Maybe next time! Watching is fun too!
I’m not a big fan of star wars, but this look super fun! cool post!
It was really cool for the kids. Even if you are not a fan…its pretty cool to battle Darth Vadar!
This is so cool! I wish my son were old enough for it!
I am sure it will be around for a while. Hopefully when he gets older you can do it!
Thank you! Hopefully one day!!
This looks so fun! We are huge Disney fans in our family and big Star Wars fans as well!
You would love it! Even if your kids are older or you do not have children, the show is really fun to watch.
This sounds sooo cool!! My son will be 4 next month and he would love it. We’re hoping to do Disney in the summer.
This would be perfect for him. I felt bad for my littlest one but he took it really well. It is so fun!