The Young Jedi at Disneyland - a Photo Story
Thursday, January 17, 2008 My company had its holiday party this past Sunday. Although this was due to scheduling conflicts and inclement weather (we get about 3 days of that per year), they couldn’t have picked a better day. Temperature was in the mid-70’s, not a cloud in the sky, and no holiday tourists. And the drive? Smooth all the way down. That never happens in LA.
CHAPTER 1: Worthy Apprentice
Waiting for the tram to take us to the park...
“Dad, can you give me a shoulder ride?”
“No, not yet. Why don’t you just sit on the fence?”
Not 10 seconds after this shot, I hear a *THUNK* followed by rustling. I look down. Marcus has tumbled butt-first into the bushes. I fumble for my camera as he fumbles for equilibrium. He’s back up before I can get a shot.
“Fury, do that again so I can get a picture!” (now you know the lengths I’ll go to entertain you all)
“No. Can I get a shoulder ride now?”
Some backstory: We went to Disneyland last year and caught the day’s final performance of Jedi Training Academy. In this show, they choose a bunch of kids from the audience and train them in the ways of the Jedi. Then, halfway through the lesson, Darth Vader and his cronies show up, and the kids get to use their newfound skills to battle Darth Vader and Darth Maul. Marcus wasn’t picked last time and was totally heartbroken.
“Ok, Fury, they have 3 more Jedi Academy shows today. So let’s hit that first. Navigate!... Um ... a little higher please.”
We make it to Jedi Academy 15 minutes before showtime. For good measure, Marcus has his hand raised before the Jedi masters are even on stage.
It works! My job as a parent is done for the day. Everything else that happens today is just gravy.
“Ok Younglings, ready? Activate! Strike the right leg, left leg, duck, right leg again left shoulder, head!”
Mid-lesson, guess who crashes the party?
If you ever want to see what a kid’s face looks like when he’s faced with the responsibility of saving the universe, just go to one performance of Jedi Academy. It is priceless.
Fury is given the task of battling Sith apprentice extraordinaire Darth Maul:
As you can see from the video, his 5 minutes of training is no match for Darth Sidious’ right hand man. But Marcus lives to fight another day and enjoy a post-battle PB&J.
[WARNING: Major Star Wars Geekage Ahead. I will not take offense if you skip ahead to then next chapter].
Like any good coach, I review his performance with him.
Jedi Dad: “So Fury, what happened out there? You kinda choked. Nervous?”
Padawan Fury: “Well, I kept thinking, why am I fighting Darth Maul??”
Jedi Dad: “What do you mean?”
Padawan Fury: “Well, by the time Darth Vader came along, Darth Maul was already dead. From two movies ago! Remember Obi-Wan killed him?”
The Star Wars geek in me wanted to raise him high Lion King style and shout “hey, did ya hear that folks? He’s totally right!! Even I didn’t pick that up!”
CHAPTER 2: Young Love
We finish up with lunch and try to decide what we’re riding next...
“How about Indiana Jones, Fury?”
“No, that’s scary.”
“No it’s not.”
“I don’t want that ball to chase us.”
[Talking out of my ass] “There’s no ball! Let’s ask mom. Mom, there’s no ball, right?”
[Mom speaking from experience] “Yes there is.”
Fine. Mickey’s Toontown it is. We trek over to Goofy’s Clubhouse. I let Fury down off my shoulders. He runs. To the bench. All that shoulder riding can get tiring.
“Hey look! The bald one. That’s my dad!”
Hey, I do this on purpose!
Let’s try the slide! Aren’t slides supposed to... slide?
It’s all good. Marcus finds a playmate. A girl in a Snow White dress. Ok, now he’s smiling. As “Dream Weaver” is playing in his head, it is suddenly interrupted by a mini riot caused by the arrival of Goofy himself.
Some frenzied running around and a high-five later, Marcus returns to Snow White... Snow White? Where are you? Dad! Where did my friend go? Dad, help me find her!!
Oh no, she’s crossed the sea of Goofy fanatics and is halfway to the kid coaster! I try to point her out to Marcus, but he can’t see above the swarm of kids in front of him. I do the only thing I can with the tools at my disposal. I go paparazzi. “I’ll email it to you Fury.”
Young love... so bittersweet... so fleeting. Ok, who wants ice cream!
“So Fury. Indiana Jones now?”
“I don’t wanna.”
“But it’ll be fun! I’ll protect you from the rock.”
“No, Dad. N. O. NO."
“Fine...”
CHAPTER 3: Man, My Neck Hurts
Oh look! The Disney Parade! It happens to be going on right in front of the entrance to the “It’s a Small World” ride. This has caused a phenomenon rarely witnessed during the course of one’s natural lifetime: no line for a Disney ride!
“Fury, let’s go on this one.”
“But the parade’s not over.”
“We’ll never ever get another chance like this, let’s go!”
“Is it scary?”
“No, no it’s not at all scary!”
He doesn’t look convinced.
Our boat winds its way into a darkened tunnel. He really doesn’t look convinced.
See? It wasn’t bad at all! Just a little weird. They still have the ride in Christmas mode. Hearing Jingle Bells in January is kind of depressing.
Off to the Disney Railroad! We make our way back to Main St. USA. Quick parenting tip: when your kid is riding on your shoulders and you come upon a low awning, cease all forward motion and confirm that your kid actually heard you say “duck” before proceeding. You learn something everyday...
Waiting in line for the train. I can’t resist.
“Fury, after this, let’s go on the Indiana. Jo--”
*Whap* to the side of the face from atop my shoulders.
Time out. 5 minutes.
Somehow I feel that this constituted entrapment on my part (or temporary insanity). I feel so guilty.
By the time we finish with the train ride, it’s getting dark out. We have an hour to kill before we need to meet up with my co-workers for our holiday dinner at the Blue Bayou, I lift Marcus back onto my shoulders and we walk around some more. Marcus is fading fast. Like a mortally wounded outlaw clinging to his saddle, he slumps deeper and deeper with each step. He finally succumbs. How do I know? Drool on my ear.
Well tonight you will sleep, my young Jedi.
Reader Comments (25)
YAY! He finally got to do jedi academy! I was so bummed he didn't last time. Too cute. Padawan Fury, haha. BTW, while playing with him and his lightsabers once I called him a jedi and he said "actually no, I'm still a padawan right now, I'm not a jedi yet" Oh ok. :) And yes, he didn't deserve that time out jim!!! That was your fault! You deserved that slap >:( I'll forgive you though, you made me laugh with the oooh dreeeeam weaverr
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[d Bro] Like a true Jedi, he embodies humility. He also has a mean open handed palm strike.
Wow. I had no idea they would let kids battle the dark sith lords.
Can adults do that, too?
Man, I *so* want to be 5 again...
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[BusyDad] Thanks for visiting! Yeah, I was chompin at the bit to let Darth Maul pick on someone his own size! You want balance in the force? I got yer balance right here!
That was pretty great Jim. The video was very cool and that *whap* to the side of the head...you deserved that. :) I would have done the same thing (joking about the Indy Jones ride, not the whap). Thanks for sharing all of this!
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[BusyDad] Funny thing is I didn't realize how many times I bothered Fury with the Indy Jones thing until I started writing this. It wasn't even originally going to be included. I can be so annoying sometimes...
I love the Blue Bayou. I think it might be worth the drive and the price of admission just to sit and take in the distinctive water ride smell of the Pirates of the Caribbean.
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[BusyDad] You know when someone says something and you think "ooh yeah... that's SO true!"? That just happened. They DO have a distinctive smell. And I'll bet it really smells like crap, but because we've associated it with fun times since we were kids, we end up loving it.
I don't know man. Teaching the kid Jedi techniques is cool and all, but I fear that giving him those mind-trick skills might be dangerous. He could actually learn to use them. Maybe he won't be able to use them on you, but you can't say he won't be able to use them on teachers.
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[BusyDad] hahaha! "These aren't the droids we're looking for... and no homework tonight."
Oh! MY! WORD! My BOYS WOULD GIVE AWAY THEIR DS'S For Jedi Academy. I didn't even know it exisited. We were at Disneyworld last March (weeks b4 hubby's surgery and resulting problems, so possibly our last trip, too) and I didn't see anything like it there - or at MGM, which is where I would THINK it would be in FL. I ramble. I think my kids would actually freak out at any Darth coming out regardless. Your day just brings back memories to one of the BEST TRIPS/VACATIONS OF MY LIFE. Oh how tired they were each evening! I convinced my then 5 year old to ride Everest. There are many references to a Yedi as you wait in line. I think it is just something to pass the "waiting in line" time an
d assure Gavin that is just decoration. Ummm. Not so much. 1/3 through the ride, the track ahead of you is out due to the YEDI breaking it and you shoot backwards at twice the speed you came in through a pitch black tunnel, some cold air and dry ice effects. Then you go forward again and a HUGE YEDI SNOWMONSTER looks like it is coming for you just as you descend the cliffhanger hill. It was a great roller-coaster, but it pretty much tainted the rest of the rides for Gavin. The whole ride I was thinking it was pretty intense for a 45 inch minimum, but just tried to hold Gavin around the arms and giggle like it was funny. He didn't buy it and kept asking when it was going to be over. Oh the things
we will do for our kidsthey do for us.-----
[BusyDad] Angie - even I got all pumped up when the stormtroopers busted in followed by Darth Vader strolling behind them. I cannot imagine the adrenaline rush that it translates to for a 5 year old! That part about you holding Gavin and trying to make light of this ride that's giving him a full-on heart attack rings so true. I have made futile attempts like that for many a thing that ended up being way too intense for my kid. Yeah, it never works. Then you feel like the crappiest parent in the world for traumatizing them. That happened with Space Mountain our last trip out. This time, Fury wouldn't even ride the kids' coaster at Mickey's Toontown!
That's so cool!
I wanna go to Disney World!
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[BusyDad] We're really spoiled down here in SoCal.
What a great day! Great company outing. My wife and I are working for the wrong companies. I didn't make it to Disney World until I was 26. I so want to go back!
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[BusyDad] You'd have a blast with the kiddos, especially when they're young enough to still believe in the characters. It was just hilarious watching the kids go nuts over Goofy and being seriously determined to put a hurtin on Vader.
He is just too cute for words! I loved those pictures! And I had to say the same thing about Darth Maul... he was killed a LONG time before Darth Vader came around. Back when Anakin was that annoying little child tagging along Princess Amidala's robes. ((Yeah... I've seen all the movies... my husband reads all the books, and feels the need to keep me updated on how things work out for each character. I know every little bit of backstory. It's a bit obscene.))
But seriously... I have the force. I do. Be afraid.
You know... I've never been to any of the Disney themeparks. The only themepark I've been to is up here, a place called Silverwood, which is somehow tied in--VERY distantly--to Six Flags, but isn't NEARLY as big or busy as anything like that.
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[BusyDad] Oh, we have to talk Star Wars sometime. I was a Star Wars fan when I was younger, but now that Fury is into it, we've got the encyclopedias, the offshoot stories, the guides, the comics - everything. Fury will be the first one to fill you in on how Chewbacca dies later (saving kids from a planet about to blow up) or how Han Solo and Leah get married.
Haha! You lost me at the part 'bout the lil one fallin in the bush...too funny, dude. Dang not having the camera ready. Sounds like BD had just as good of a time as lil one. PeaceOut. HD.
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[BusyDad] I so wish I caught that. I should have bribed him to re-create it. I'd give up some editorial integrity points for a pic like that.
Okay, I am ashamed to admit how many spills or falls I have asked my son to create again for me to capture on film.. though he never ever does it.. :)
I heart that last picture.. it is the sign of a GREAT day.
And why didn't you totally do a Jedi mind trick on Fury to get him on the Indiana Jones ride?
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[BusyDad] You know how many America's Funniest Home Videos moments I've missed out on because I didn't have my camera by my side on standby? Our kids just don't understand. One successful re-creation could pay for their college education. And about the Jedi mind trick... I was a bad apprentice - I quit Jedi lessons after I learned how to pour myself a whiskey without using my hands.
Oh how fun!! And what a smart boy to pick up on the Star Wars timeline. Hey my daughter got to go up and dance in the Playhouse Disney show with Bear. But I think Fury's experience is much cooler!!
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[BusyDad] Oh this one had long-lasting effects. He can't wait to frame his official Padawan graduation certificate they gave him afterwards. Talk about something to brag to your buddies about! "Yeah cub scouts, that's cute. I'm a certified Jedi apprentice."
The sleeping pic is priceless. And what could be better than a kid in a pumpkin?? Now, if only you had run after Snow White for your poor kid, to get her phone number. Poor Fury.
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[BusyDad] My mom loves when he falls asleep up there. She calls it the "Koala bear". He's been doing it since he was one. He was also 30 pounds lighter back then. I have a really strong neck now.
I think it's time I got Fury his own little black book. They're teaching phone numbers at school now. That's one way to prove to him that school is not useless.
...the force is strong with him...his medichlorian count is exceptionally high...
Good work Jedi BusyDad!
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[BusyDad] Thanks! I will tell the young padawan what you said. It will make his day. I'm just afraid that he'll start trying to "force choke" his schoolyard rivals.
Did you say Jedi Academy? Oh, man. :) I think that my favorite photo is the one where he's stuck mid-slide... It speaks volumes. :)
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[BusyDad] It's not the Jedi Temple, but as a satellite campus, it's not half bad. I love that slide pic too - it totally screams "I thought Disney was supposed to be fun." Well, I have an answer for that: MAYBE if you rode Indiana Jones Adventure it WOULD be! Yeah, still bitter I never got to ride that...
Fury is just too cute! Loved the pics. Great post!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Tanya! I'm glad that day turned out so "bloggable."
I loved this post!!!! Wow, you are a GREAT busydad, and my son would KILL to attend Jedi Academy. If I mention this exists at Disneyland he'll probably whine until we get him there. We have about a dozen light sabers in the house, and he's bugging me for the Wii saber...even though we've been busy hunting down a Wii without much success.
What an awesome day...it's great that you captured it all here. It's days like these that re-affirm why being a parent is all good.
And your little guy is just adorable.
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[BusyDad] Thanks Karen :) and glad you stopped by! The first time we discovered Jedi Academy we had no idea it existed, I thought they'd teach the kids a few sword tricks and call it a show. When the stormtroopers and Darth Vader busted in, think I jumped around with as much unbridled excitement as any kid there. Being a parent is awesome - especially if you've still got some kid left in you.
Man, I'm jealous! What was that blue thing above your heads? Was it...gasp...the sky?! I can't quite remember what a blue sky looks like. It's gray here, a LOT, and the high tomorrow is supposed to be 13. Sigh...
That picture with Fury holding your hand put a big, fat lump in my throat.
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[BusyDad] 13??? Yikes. Living in CA has made me soft. The sun has baked all the Boston out of me. That was mom's hand, but just as touching (perhaps more, actually). He was probably thinking some crazy globe would start chasing us or something.
I had no idea Disney had a Jedi Academy. I suspect it is a money making scheme, but who cares if it makes the little ones happy? Isn't that the whole theme and purpose of Disney? Fury looks like a natural. My boys would have demanded the double-sided light-sabers.
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[BusyDad] If your kids like Star Wars, this is totally worth the $6 pretzels and $10 burgers. Well... I'm saying that because my company paid for the park tickets. What are they now, like $95 each?? Nuts!
Great story and photos... ah, reminds me of our visit in 2005. I want to go back so badly (and ride Indy again; even though that ride did a real job on my poor neck). And as a fellow Star Wars geek (I have been to Skywalker Ranch!) I am impressed with your son's thorough knowledge of the Star Wars universe! May The Force Be With Him... ;)
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[BusyDad] Well it's consolation that the Indy ride does a number on your neck. After walking around for 6 hours with Fury on my neck, that would have sealed my fate. Skywalker ranch??? COOOL!! Thanks for visiting my site!
So much fun for a young Jedi!
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[BusyDad] And an old one!
That is absolutely fantastic. I am a total Star Wars nut, though my son doesn't like my telling that to too many people anymore. He was totally into it when he was around Fury's age and now...I'm so sorry to say he...well...distances himself from it a bit. I'm not really sure why.
Anyway...he would've loved that experience. IMHO, there's no way the Indian Jones could beat the Star Wars experience! I'm so glad you guys had such a great time. And I bet the head's fine now right?
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[BusyDad] You stay proud of your Star Wars heritage! A healthy respect for the force is important in any family. My head's good, thanks. No lasting damage.
Hey was Yoda anywhere to be found?
Really cool. I haven't been to Disneyland...have been to WDW in Florida a couple of times. Can't wait to take the girls there.
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[BusyDad] Isn't the Florida one the bigger one? No matter, there's crazy amounts of fun stuff here in SoCal. And no mosquitoes! That's all I remember about FL.
I loved this post. It was as if I was there with ya.. Hope you didn't leave any bruises on the poor jedi !!!
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[BusyDad] I think trying to control 30 kids with lightsabers is harder than fighting the Empire.
Ooooh FUN! We have never been to the Jedi Academy but next time for sure! Think maybe if we got our boys together, mine could convince yours that Indiana Jones is ok? He loves it. We could totally rock it.
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[BusyDad] A little peer pressure never hurt anyone!