Although I’ve seen (most) of the principle Star Wars films, I don’t contemplate myself a fan. I don’t actually perceive the assorted affiliated films and exhibits, like Solo and the Clone Wars. So, when Galaxy’s Edge (sometimes called Star Wars Land earlier than it opened) opened at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, I puzzled if I’d get pleasure from it, or if it might be extra focused in direction of Star Wars superfans.
Would a non-fan like it? Would a Star Wars fan like it? Is it price visiting the Disney Parks to expertise it?
During a number of journeys to each Walt Disney World and Disneyland, I had the chance to spend fairly a little bit of time in Galaxy’s Edge. While I in all probability didn’t perceive all the nuances of the themed land, I do undoubtedly respect the eye to element and the immersive expertise of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – one thing I imagine that each non-fans and main followers will get pleasure from.
If you might be questioning whether or not you’ll love Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, right here’s what you want to know. You can nonetheless have a good time at Galaxy’s Edge with out having to observe all the films earlier than you go.
I’m a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel and have been on some complimentary press journeys at Walt Disney World, however all opinions are my very own. I visited Galaxy’s Edge at my very own expense for all of my visits.
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About Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World
Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019 at each Disneyland Resort (inside Disneyland Park) and at Walt Disney World (inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Disney Imagineers used painstaking consideration to element as they constructed this land. The two lands are similar. While my first go to was to the Walt Disney World location in Florida, I additionally visited Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland.
A brand new soundtrack to Galaxy’s Edge, written by authentic Star Wars composer John Williams, and carried out by the London Symphony Orchestra, is used within the two Star Wars-themed lands.
At WDW, Galaxy’s Edge is positioned between Toy Story Land and MuppetVision 3D in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. At Disneyland, it’s positioned in Disneyland Park, within the northwest nook, previous Critter Country and Frontierland. As you head into the land, you’ll instantly be transported to Black Spire Outpost, on the Planet Batuu.
This planet and its backstory, which was created for Galaxy’s Edge, is the place the occasions and actions on Star Wars land happen. So, even should you aren’t a fan of Star Wars films, you gained’t miss out on any specifics of Batuu.
Cast Members at Galaxy’s Edge are all residents and workers of Batuu. Ask for a restroom, and the solid member will direct you to the closest refresher, which is their identify for the lavatory. In addition to being immersive, Galaxy’s Edge is massive – the biggest single-theme land enlargement at Walt Disney World and contains points of interest, meals kiosks, quick-service meals areas, reward outlets, and extra.
Rides at Galaxy’s Edge
For me, a very powerful factor about any space of Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort is the rides. While Galaxy’s Edge does provide two separate rides, the land initially opened with one. A second trip, Star Wars Rise of the Resistance opened later that yr in each parks.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, was the primary trip that was opened together with the land. This trip lets company trip and pilot the well-known Millennium Falcon. Smugglers Run provides a standby line, a single-rider line, and a lightning lane (included in Genie+). Many Star Wars followers could dream of getting the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon, and that is their probability.
After you enter the principle space of the trip, you’ll be taught from Hondo Ohnaka about your mission to gather First Order coaxium. Then, a solid member offers you a card together with your position on the mission. There are three roles per car, with two company sharing every position.
In my opinion, the very best position is that of a pilot. Two pilots management the car – one strikes it left and proper whereas the opposite strikes it up and down. Other roles embody two gunners and two engineers.
Once you load on the car, you’ll take your seat and take a look at the controls you want to use. The trip itself contains jerky actions like drops and side-to-side actions. It’s a movement simulator, much like a flight simulator.
While I did benefit from the trip, I feel it’s a significantly better expertise when you have the chance to be a pilot. In the 3 times I’ve ridden it, I’ve had all three roles, and the pilot is the very best, whereas the engineer is my least favourite.
In addition, It’s a bit of awkward for the trip to accommodate six because you’ll nearly undoubtedly want one other social gathering or a single rider to fill your car. I discover it greatest that the solid members hand out the roles, so that you gained’t have to barter that. Keep in thoughts that in case you are driving as a single rider, you’ll in all probability be given the engineer position.
If you employ the Play Disney Parks app or are sporting a MagicBand+, there are some interactive parts which might be a part of the trip.
The second trip, Rise of the Resistance, is a trip like no different. Rise of the Resistance options the Star Wars characters you realize from current films, like Rey, Kylo Ren, Poe, and Finn. It contains holograms and runs for about quarter-hour. It’s not only a walk-through trip, a darkish trip, or a movement simulator. It is all of this stuff mixed for one expertise that’s in contrast to some other attraction.
In this trip, you’ll be positioned proper in the midst of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. You’ll trip in a transport ship, see Stormtroopers, get captured by Kylo Ren, trip in an escape pod, and extra. Even should you aren’t a Star Wars fan, you’ll in all probability love this attraction.
Currently, Rise of the Resistance has an individual lightning lane – you possibly can pay further to undergo this line. It’s completely price it if you wish to trip, as a result of it could actually actually allow you to save time and make sure you get a possibility to expertise it.
Food at Star Wars Land
After rides, meals is the subsequent necessary factor to me in any land at Walt Disney World. Galaxy’s Edge doesn’t have a sit-down desk service restaurant, however they do have numerous completely different meals choices.
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is the principle fast service location. It provides indoor and outside seating, in addition to cellular ordering. Menu objects embody ribs and rooster. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There’s additionally Ronto Roasters, positioned within the Marketplace. This is extra of a kiosk, with very restricted seating. Menu objects right here embody rooster and pork wraps and jerky.
Oga’s Cantina is the one place in Galaxy’s Edge that gives reservations. Ogas is a bar, with each alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
I visited Ogas on my first journey to Galaxy’s Edge and had a lot enjoyable. I’d undoubtedly advocate making a reservation. Even should you don’t need to plan for any day ingesting, there are many enjoyable nonalcoholic choices out there. The drinks are all fun-looking, and scrumptious.
When you might be seated, chances are you’ll be positioned at a desk with different company, or at a standing location. Be ready to face. As you get pleasure from your beverage, you’ll be handled to music from DJ R3X.
On my first go to, I used to be given a spot at a shared desk. On our second go to, we got a standing-room house with a shared desk. It is a bit of awkward to share a desk in case you are with a smaller group, however it’s such a enjoyable place to go to.
In addition to those two spots, there are a number of kiosks positioned all through Galaxy’s Edge. These embody the notorious Blue Milk stand, the place you may get Blue or Green milk, both with or with out alcohol. While I didn’t love the alcoholic blue milk I attempted, it’s one thing most Star Wars followers will need to have at the least as soon as.
Shops at Galaxy’s Edge
Any Star Wars fan will love the assorted procuring experiences positioned all through Galaxy’s Edge. Two of those experiences, the Droid Depot and Savi’s Workshop (for creating your individual lightsaber), provide advance reservations.
These are extremely really helpful, and every reservation covers one particular person making the merchandise and one observing. You’ll want one reservation for every one who needs to make a droid or lightsaber, and same-day reservations are generally out there.
The Droid Depot makes use of a conveyer belt the place you’ll be capable of select the elements of your droid. You’ll then carry it to be activated. Once activated, these droids can work together with parts of Galaxy’s Edge.
They are available a field, or the Droid Depot additionally sells enjoyable backpacks that may maintain them. I noticed so many children carrying them on the airplane once I left Florida.
At Savi’s Workshop, you’ll be capable of select from varied themes to construct your lightsaber. These are completely different from those provided exterior of Star Tours. While I didn’t construct one, I did discuss to a visitor at Oga’s who had simply constructed his personal. It appeared to be a enjoyable, once-in-a-lifetime expertise for a Star Wars fan.
It’s necessary to know that each of those aren’t low cost experiences. Therefore, I feel they’re greatest for a real Star Wars fan who will cherish these souvenirs.
There are different outlets in Galaxy’s Edge, together with the Creature Stall, Black Spire Outfitters, Jewels of Bith, Toydarian Toymaker, Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, First Order Cargo, and Resistance Supply. If you’ve received a Star Wars-obsessed child, you’ll need to set a finances earlier than visiting the land to appropriately set expectations. Otherwise, you might spend numerous your trip finances right here!
Other Things at Galaxy’s Edge
While you might be at Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll discover some widespread Star Wars characters strolling across the outpost. These embody Rey, Kylo Ren, the Stormtroopers, and Chewbacca.
Seeing the Stormtroopers is particularly enjoyable as a result of they interrogate random company, asking what facet they’re on. It actually provides to the immersive expertise at Star Wars Land. Walt Disney Imagineering actually did a unbelievable job with this space.
So, what’s going to you like and what gained’t you like? I really feel that each one company, Star Wars followers or not, will respect the unbelievable theming all through the land. Rise of the Resistance is known as a standout attraction. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a good trip for Star Wars followers, however those that don’t love the Star Wars story could not respect it as a lot.
I do love visiting Oga’s Canteen, and I feel the short service meals is fairly good. The merchandise choice is nice as effectively – once more, particularly for followers.
More Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
There are some further Star Wars experiences that existed at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort earlier than the opening of Galaxy’s Edge. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, can also be open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This 3D journey is positioned exterior Galaxy’s Edge nevertheless it’s nonetheless price driving. On the West Coast, it’s positioned in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park.
If you’re a enormous fan, chances are you’ll need to complement your go to with a keep on the Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser, which not too long ago opened. This is a completely completely different expertise and is a splurge, however it might be an amazing choice for main Star Wars followers. It features a one-day ticket to Disney’s Hollywood Studios so you possibly can expertise Galaxy’s Edge.
More Resources: Want to know extra about Disney World rides? Click right here to learn all of our posts about Disney rides and points of interest.
