Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – What You Need to Know
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the highly anticipated new land inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios is now open and inviting guests to live their own Star Wars adventures as they explore a remote planet full of unique sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and other immersive experiences. This is the largest and most technologically advanced single-themed land expansion ever in a Disney park. Here’s what you need to know about visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
1 – A Whole New World
When you walk into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you journey to the planet of Batuu an entirely new location in the Star Wars Universe. It will immediately feel familiar and yet new all at the same time. The land feels like Star Wars, yet because it’s a new location and not somewhere we’ve seen on the screen, it’s new and exciting.
Chris Beatty, Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering shares, “Our goal was to create a place so authentic – so real – that when our guests step inside, they feel like they’re in the movie. To do this, we had to partner with the team at Lucasfilm in bringing these films to life. Together, Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm have crafted a place that is going to amaze our guests – a place they’ve never seen before.”
The new land builds off decades of collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm Ltd., a global leader in film, television, and digital entertainment production, including the Star Wars franchise. The collaboration shows through brilliantly throughout the land. The design screams Star Wars and it’s very convincing.
Doug Chiang, Vice President and Executive Creative Director, Lucasfilm explains, “In designing the Star Wars universe, we don’t consider it science fiction or fantasy – we think of it more as a period piece, and we look at it almost from a documentary point of view. Star Wars design is grounded in reality, and we’re creating a place that is believable, authentic and real. Then we exaggerate that reality and add in a distinct visual vocabulary to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. For this land, we wanted to create something fresh and also timeless – just like our films.”
2 – Welcome to the Edge of Wild Space: Black Spire Outpost on Batuu
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is on the planet of Batuu, a far-flung destination along the galaxy’s Outer Rim, on the frontier of Wild Space – the uncharted region beyond all known star systems. The planet is home to Black Spire Outpost, an infamous port for smugglers, traders, and adventurers wishing to avoid any unnecessary … entanglements with the First Order.
When guests arrive at Black Spire Outpost, they come across aliens, droids and other inhabitants of this planet as they search for rare and unique goods, discover unusual food and drink, or join a crew seeking adventures. Along the way, guests may encounter some familiar faces, including Rey, Chewbacca or even Supreme Leader Kylo Ren and his Stormtroopers.
3 – Your Own Star Wars Story
The land is designed to be very immersive and encourages you to become part of the action as you explore the land. Carrie Beck, Vice President, Development, Lucasfilm explains that “when you have a film, it’s a closed experience. You get to the end and it’s over. At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it’s about being expansive over time; it has a richness of discovery and the idea of possibility. That platform is filled with narrative and play, so guests will want to come back over and over – and have a variety of experiences.”
Scott Trowbridge, Star Wars Portfolio Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering shares what this total immersion means for those who visit the land. “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge redefines what a Disney experience can be. It invites exploration and discovery, where we can become characters in the Star Wars galaxy. More and more, our guests want to lean into these stories; not just be a spectator. We’re giving them the opportunity to do just that in this land, with a new level of detail and immersion. This is an opportunity to play and engage with your friends and family in a shared experience that will forge lifelong memories.”
4 – Star Wars Adventures Come to Life in Two Thrilling Attractions
For more than four decades, fans of Star Wars films have imagined what it would be like to blast across the stars inside the Millennium Falcon or race through the halls of a Star Destroyer. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will feature two signature attractions that turn those dreams into reality.
In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, guests climb into the cockpit of “the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” for their own Star Wars adventures. They take the controls of the Falcon in one of three unique and critical roles as the ship hurtles through space. Some will be pilots, some gunners, and some engineers, creating multiple ways for guests to engage with the attraction in an experience that responds in real-time to the actions they take. Click here for everything you need to know about Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
A second attraction is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, one of the most ambitious, advanced and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering. It places guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance, including a face-off with Kylo Ren. Your journey takes you aboard a full-size transport shuttle and then into a nearby Star Destroyer on a harrowing and thrilling adventure that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. The ride is amazing and is one of, if not the best ride at any Disney Park. This one is a must-do! Click here for everything you need to know about Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
6 – A Diverse Menu of Food and Beverages Await
What does Blue or Green Milk actually taste like? That question and more is answered when guests visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and experience the new land’s expansive array of food and beverages. Guests walk through a bustling marketplace, where vendors offer various local delicacies, including an Outpost Mix of flavored popped grains from Kat Saka’s Kettle, a unique popcorn snack with a combination of sweet, savory and spicy flavors.
At Oga’s Cantina, even the blaster-bolt scorches on the walls tell a story. Here, guests gather to share their tales from around the galaxy as they enjoy exotic beverages served in unique vessels and listen to spirited musical entertainment provided by DJ R-3X, otherwise known as Rex, the former Starspeeder 3000 pilot droid from the original Star Tours. Rex re-invents himself as the cantina’s DJ, and he’s as quirky and talkative as ever.
A multi-purpose transport shuttle docked on top of a large hangar beckons guests into Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, a designated location for traveling food shuttles. Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs is in much demand for his culinary skills, so he moves from site to site in a modified Sienar-Chall Utilipede-Transport that becomes a mobile kitchen and restaurant. His travels across the galaxy allow him to fill his pantry with exotic ingredients he uses to make new and unusual dishes. He is proud to present Tuggs’ Grub, a “traveling diner for diners traveling,” inspired by dishes he created during his time working for Maz Kanata on Takodana.
Elsewhere in the market, Ronto Roasters draws attention with its large pod racing engine firing up a barbecue pit for mouth-watering Ronto Wraps. When hungry customers queue up to order, they encounter a former smelter droid, carefully turning the spit of meats. Guests can also choose from a variety of exotic non-alcoholic drinks like the Sour Sarlacc or Tatooine Sunset.
The Milk Stand offers two local favorites – Blue Milk and Green Milk. Blue Milk was first seen in “Star Wars: A New Hope” when Luke Skywalker sat down for a family meal. Green Milk was introduced in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” when Luke lived on the planet Ahch-To. Now, thirsty guests can order these colorful frozen drinks as they live their own Star Wars adventures.
7 – Take a Piece of the Star Wars Galaxy Home from a Vibrant Marketplace
Many discoveries just waiting to be made while wandering the lively marketplace of Black Spire Outpost, where guests encounter a robust collection of merchant shops and stalls filled with authentic Star Wars creations.
The Droid Depot invites guests to construct their own astromech droids. Patrons pick pieces and parts off a conveyor belt to build one of two core models (R-series or BB-series) and they can customize their droids with various parts and colors. These droids interact with elements throughout the land, enhancing guests’ adventures. Additional accessories can be added to further customize these new friends. In addition, the Droid Depot will offer pre-built droids, droid-inspired toys and apparel, and more.
At Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, guests have the opportunity to craft and customize their very own lightsabers. In this mystical experience, guests feel the Force as they build these elegant weapons from a more civilized age.
Inside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, guests find a selection of rare and mysterious items for sale representing different eras of the Star Wars galaxy, including holocrons, ancient Jedi and Sith artifacts, lightsabers and more. As they explore the nooks and crannies of the shop, guests also see Dok-Ondar at his desk as the large Ithorian checks his inventory and barks the occasional order at his assistants.
In addition to these special experiences, the Black Spire Outpost marketplace features the Creature Stall dedicated to the plethora of rare and fascinating creatures that populate the galaxy, as well as Black Spire Outfitters, showcasing the latest in galactically trendy apparel and accessories. The Toydarian Toymakerstall is full of toys and games crafted by a Toydarian (the flying alien species first seen in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace”). And all tourists visiting Batuu will want to make a stop at Jewels of Bith, offering “trinkets to treasure” and other accessories.
Guests can also demonstrate where their loyalties lie with the gear and accessories they purchase within the land. Resistance Supply is a “makeshift” location at the Resistance’s hidden command post, selling Resistance pins, badges, hats, and other accessories to help guests feel like part of the cause. First Order Cargo, meanwhile, is a temporary First Order storage dock near the marketplace. Easily identified by a never-before-seen First Order TIE echelon ship, the cargo location offers guests a chance to pledge their loyalty by purchasing pins, caps, gear, model ships, and more.
Click here for more information and photos of the merchandise found in Galaxy’s Edge.
8 – Play Disney Parks Mobile App Deepens Guest Engagement with the Land
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the first land within a Disney park designed to integrate with the Play Disney Parks mobile app. When guests choose to use the Play Disney Parks app in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they will be able to transform it into their very own Star Wars: Datapad. Using the app provides new opportunities for guests to engage with the land, such as translating a galactic language or learning what’s hidden inside crates and containers.
9 – Iconic Musical Score for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Music has been an integral part of Star Wars from the moment the iconic themes of Academy Award-winning® composer John Williams first introduced fans to this galaxy. The music for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge continues that tradition with a suite of all-new Williams-composed themes written especially for the land and its attractions. Along with a collection of original cantina songs created by composers and songwriters from around the globe, this new music will deepen guests’ connection to the land as Williams complements and builds upon the fanfares he created for the Star Wars films.
10 – Costume Guidelines Apply
When visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge you need to follow the Walt Disney World costume guidelines. Younglings aged 13 and under are welcome to wear costumes for their visit. Children may wear masks as long as they provide unobstructed peripheral vision at all times with openings that allow the eyes to be fully seen. Costumes and masks may not be worn by guests 14 and older (except when special event costume rules apply. Please see the Walt Disney World Resort rules for guest attire for more information.
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