Courtesy of Disney
Get ready for a visit to a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened to the public on May 31 at the Disneyland Park in California and it will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on August 29. At 14 acres, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the largest, single-themed land for a Disney Park. And they’ve put all that space to good use filling the incredible area with rides, restaurants and characters galore. Read on for the can’t miss experiences when visiting Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu – the setting for your story in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
1/10 Make the Jump to Lightspeed on the Millennium Falcon
Photo by David Parfitt
“Punch it, Chewie!” Who hasn’t wanted to fly the Millennium Falcon after seeing it on screen? Now you, your family and friends assume the controls as pilot, gunner and engineer on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run to help Chewbacca complete a mission in order to get parts to repair the ship.
Bonus: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be the second attraction in the land when it opens later in 2019. This ride is billed as the “most ambitious ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering,” and pits families in the middle of a battle between the Resistance and First Order that includes a face-to-face meeting with Kylo Ren.
2/10 Catch DJ-R3X Set at Oga’s Cantina
Photo by Dave Parfitt
One of the most popular locations in Galaxy’s Edge is Oga’s Cantina, so make sure to stop by to get a reservation as soon as you enter the land (they will call you back when it’s time to enter). Once inside, grab a drink like a Fuzzy Tauntaun (alcoholic) or Carbon Freeze (non-alcoholic), and listen to DJ-R3X spin the best tunes in the Outer Rim. If DJ-R3X looks and sounds familiar, it was the original pilot droid for the StarSpeeder in the Star Tours attraction.
3/10 Sample Cuisine from across the Galaxy
Photo by Dave Parfitt
Food and drink throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge play a role in the immersion. We’ve seen Luke Skywalker drink both Blue and Green Milk on screen, and now we can taste it for ourselves at the Milk Stand. Ronto Roasters serves up a delicious wrap meticulously cooked by a smelter droid under a podracing engine. While “Cookie” Tuggs transport shuttle serves as an intragalactic “food truck” stocking Docking Bay 7 with exotic ingredients for hearty lunch and dinners like Kaadu Ribs (pork), Shaak Roast (pot roast), and fried Endorian Tip-yip (chicken).
4/10 Adopt a Loth-Cat at the Creature Stall
Photo by Dave Parfitt
Adorable Loth-Cats, Porgs, Wampas, Tauntauns and more are all available for adoption at the Creature Stall in the Marketplace. So many delightful creatures from the Star Wars films and animated television shows have been brought to life. You can even have your own Kowakian Monkey-Lizard to sit on your shoulder and cackle just like Jabba the Hutt’s pet, Salacious Crumb.
5/10 Barter with Dok-Ondar for Rare Items
Photo by Dave Parfitt
Dok-Ondar is a legendary antiquities dealer as mysterious as the objects he collects. The Ithorian (aka, Hammerhead) has a shop packed with unique artifacts and collectibles and is open to negotiations – although he can be a little temperamental. In addition to Legacy Lightsabers, Kyber Crystals, Holocrons and jewelry, visitors will find a treasure-trove of “Easter eggs” from the Star Wars Universe.
6/10 Meet-up with Star Wars friends Chewbacca, Rey, Kylo Ren
Courtesy of Disney
More and more heroes of the Resistance and agents of the First Order are showing up at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Residents of Batuu have spotted Millennium Falcon co-pilot Chewbacca as well as Force-sensitive Resistance fighter Rey. Recently Supreme Leader Kylo Ren landed with a garrison of Stormtroopers to hunt for Rey as well as a mysterious spy known as Vi Moradi.
7/10 Meet the locals of Black Spire Outpost on Batuu
Photo by Dave Parfitt
Speaking of meeting up with Star Wars friends, the locals of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge all have interesting stories to share about how they ended up on Black Spire Outpost. Some are wanna-be Resistance fighters, others are mechanics, and there are merchants of course – take the time to talk with the residents of Batuu. It will help enrich your Star Wars experience in Galaxy’s Edge.
8/10 Help the Resistance (or First Order) Control Black Spire Outpost
Courtesy of Disney
Download the FREE Play Disney Parks app to transform your mobile device into a Star Wars: Datapad. There you can interact with panels and elements within Galaxy’s Edge to support the Resistance or First Order in a game called “Outpost Control.” The faction that controls the majority of the interactive door panels wins the game as well as earning a reputation and Galactic Credits for your personal profile.
9/10 Build a Droid inside Droid Depot
Photo by Dave Parfitt
R2-D2 and BB-8 are not only astromech droids, but loyal companions to Luke, Poe and Rey. Families can build and customize their own R- or BB-unit at the Droid Depot. Pick out your own pieces from the conveyor belt to create your droid and bring the remote controlled unit to life in the activation station. The experience starts at approximately $100 and optional accessories such as personality chips are an additional charge. Your custom Droid will interact with other astromech droids within Black Spire Outpost via Bluetooth technology.
10/10 Craft a Lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop
Courtesy of Disney
Hidden away in a back-alley of Batuu is Savi’s Workshop where master craftsmen guide guests through the ancient process of constructing a lightsaber. The intimate, interactive experience starts at $200, takes approximately 20 minutes and is full of legends, lore and history of the Jedi, Sith and the Force.
By Dave Parfitt