October 2006 – November 2018
LOCATION
Tomorrowland – If you took the main path from Main Street USA, you’d find the Academy on your left, in front of the Tomorrowland Terrace. If you were coming from Fantasyland or if you took the Main Street USA path toward the Matterhorn, you’d find the Academy on your right, across from the Submarine Voyage.
BACKGROUND
After the success of Star Wars Weekends in Walt Disney World, Disneyland wanted to increase Star Wars’ presence in Tomorrowland. The previous show at Tomorrowland Terrace, Club Buzz, closed in 2006, making room for a Star Wars show. Just like in Walt Disney World, the Jedi Training Academy became the first audience participation show in Tomorrowland specifically targeted at young children.
The Jedi Training Academy captivated younger audiences, giving little ones to interact directly with the villains of the Star Wars universe. With its location in the center of Tomorrowland, the Academy drew huge crowds, making this show one of the most consistently popular in Disneyland.
EXPERIENCE
When the show began, a Jedi master named participants official Jedi trainees (padawans). The padawans learned how to use lightsabers, channel the force, and think like Jedi. Once they completed their training, the padawans tested their skills in a battle against stormtroopers, before an ultimate showdown with Darth Vader himself! Finally, the padawans graduated from the Academy, and headed back into Tomorrowland as newly minted Jedi.
CLOSURE
When Galaxy’s Edge neared its opening date, the padawans stopped appearing in Tomorrowland. Though there is currently no equivalent show in the new land, many fans are hoping it will one day return somewhere in Batuu!
TRIVIA
My original rating: The Training Academy is entertaining for the whole family – over-the-top exciting for kids and really adorable to watch for adults. The padawans usually take their training very seriously, and what could possibly beat a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader? My one complaint about the Jedi Training Academy is the complete lack of a viewing area. Unless you’re in the front row or are lucky enough to score an awesome table at the Tomorrowland Terrace, you really can’t see much of the action. But even so, the Jedi Training Academy is a heart-warming and entertaining live show. (★★★★☆)
Darth Maul occasionally appears alongside Darth Vader to fight the padawans.
Don’t forget to take your child’s certificate home; it recognizes their official status as a padawan and Academy graduate.
