Disneyland’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge & What You Need to Know
I was lucky enough to experience Star Wars: Galaxy's edge in Disneyland during its soft opening/reservation system and got the skinny on everything you need to visit and what you’ll need to know once the park is open to the public on June 24, 2019!
You guys, words cannot express how amazing this new land is to a Star Wars fan. It was the coolest thing on the planet and I felt like I got to make my nerdy dreams come true as I wandered the village of Black Spire Outpost, on the wild frontier planet of Batuu, and could see the rising presence of the First Order and the Resistance.
That being said, I honestly thought the reservation system was sorta genius. Even though there was a lot of people, it never felt over crowded and I felt like I could truly enjoy the immersive experience.
Heads up, if you’re preparing for your next Disneyland trip be sure to download the Disneyland App in advance, setting up an account and linking your friends and family’s tickets before arriving, and be sure to enable push notifications! This might be important when getting your alert to pilot the Millenium Falcon ;) Visitors will need to book a Galaxy’s Edge virtual queue boarding pass via the App an order to get entry to the new land. This is similar tiered entry throughout the day as earlier visitors exit Star Wars Land. I’m hopeful this will mediate the intense crowds and will help make the experience easier to enjoy. Be sure to check out which places require reservations, too!
The immersive experience isn’t just in the visuals either. It feels like you’re not even in Disneyland anymore when you step inside. Cast members even talk different. Money is referred to as “credits” and ID’s are called “credentials”. The bathrooms are known as “refreshers” and water fountains are “hydrators”.
Stormtroopers wander the land approaching people asking about your allegiance, so be careful where you say, “May the force be with you.”
Also, did we go in themed costumes? You bet we did! It was my friend's bachelorette party and we went all out as a star wars crew. I tried for Han Solo but ended up being more of a rebel fighter.
Attractions:
Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run
This is of course the moment you’ll nerd out the hardest as you approach a life size version of the Millenium Falcon before entering the ride, giving the ultimate photo op. Riders will enter the ride queue through Ohnaka Transport Solutions, a shady shipping operation run by Hondo Ohnaka in Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu, the setting for Galaxy’s Edge.
Riders will receive their smuggling mission from an audio-animatronic Hondo, a dreadlocked space pirate with six tusk-like chin protrusions. His trusty droid R5P8 stands at the ready to fix failing equipment in the Command Center and keep the boss on schedule.
What I love about this ride is that before entering the Millenium Falcon you’re assigned your roles: Pilot, Gunner, or Engineer, and then your groups are released to freely wander the ship, perfect for photo ops in the famous chess room--but make it quick! They seem to go through boarding groups quickly, and I imagine when the park opens to the public they’ll only try to get this going faster.
What’s so cool about this ride, other than its amazing visuals is the ride experience where your roles actually matter. The cockpit’s 200 buttons, knobs and switches are fully functional and will directly impact each mission. They make clicking, beeping and chirping sounds when they are activated. Each pilot is assigned either left/right or up/down controls, gunners are given buttons where you need to shoot the cargo down, and engineers help detonate bombs. You’re even given a status report on how you did at the end.
Opening Later in 2019
Now Open: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
There’s a lot of buzz around this ride that is based in a makeshift rebel military outpost set up in a forest. Find out more about this upcoming ride [here].
Food & Drink
Oga’s Cantina
Reservations required
This popular spaceport cocktail bar is a must for any Star Wars fan who dreamed of listening to Moss Eisley and running into Han Solo. You need to make a reservation in advance! Reservations can be made for Oga’s (and Savi’s Workshop) beginning at 7 a.m. each day using the Disneyland app or at Disneyland.com/Cantina.
I loved this experience. I ordered an alcoholic “Fuzzy TaunTaun” and although it was $16 it was delicious and pretty strong. The guy behind the bar said “it’ll make you numb” when he served it to me and trying to be cool I replied, “That’s exactly what I’m looking for.” He laughed and walked away--Turns out, this drink does actually make you numb! The foam atop the beverage made my lips and mouth numb, adding a fun element to the experience.
They have a menu for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and being with a group of 8 we managed to taste nearly everything on the alcoholic side between us. Each person has a limit of 2 drinks. I guess that's so you don't wander Batuu and run into a storm trooper totally sloshed? haha.
They were all delicious drinks, but I am partial to the Fuzzy TaunTaun. Each drink offers its own unique experience, so you can’t go wrong.
Something to note: you can get a limited edition Porg ceramic mug from the non-alcoholic side. The drink is called “Cliff Dweller” and costs $32. You can also get a ceramic Endor mug when you order the alcoholic “Yub Nub” for $45. And last but not least, when you order the “Rancor Beer Flight” you get the ceramic souvenir board with four tooth cups for $75. They give you a clean, boxed version once you’ve completed any of these beverages (that you’ll have to carry with you throughout the park).
The atmosphere was beyond cool and DJ’d by “DJ Rex” a humorous robot that sits above the crowd. They also have wine, beer, and cider on tap.
Milk Stand
Everyone was waiting for this one. You can for sure get blue or green milk, made famous by Luke Skywalker. In theory the blue milk is supposed to be the blue milk produced by female batha’s on Tatooine, and green milk is from female thala-sirens on the planet Ahch-To (thanks again wooki-pedia). But don’t worry, these drinks are made from plant based flavors:
Blue Milk: Coconut and Rice Milks with flavors of Dragon Fruit, Pineapple, Lime, and Watermelon
Green Milk: Coconut and Rice Milks with flavors of Mandarin Orange, Passion Fruit, Grapefruit, and Orange Blossom
I liked the blue milk better because it’s sweeter. The green milk was good but tastes earthier. Also, this is the first time I received a paper straw from Disneyland. Seems they're starting the straw switch, which I’m happy to see.
Ronto Roasters
Nerd quiz? Do you remember what a ronto is in the Star Wars movie? Ronto’s were four-legged saurian herbivores native to the desert world of Tatooine (Thanks wookie-pedia)
That being said you can get a “Ronto Wrap” which is just a grilled sausage and roasted pork wrap. It was very delicious, but for $12 it felt more like a glorified hot dog. It’s still fun to experience this restaurant with a giant roaster in the center, and like i said, it did taste good!
Soda Stands
How awesome is this? Soda’s, albeit $5.50 each, are really cool looking, served in “reclaimed thermal detonator packaging.” The unique packaging have Aurebesh writing on them, the common alien written-language found all over the Star Wars Universe.
Merchandise
Savi’s Workshop - Hand Built Lightsabers
Reservations Required
The rumors are true--you can build your own custom lightsaber (for $200). I didn’t do this experience but I’ve heard so much about it. You will need to make a reservation on the app or at Disneyland.com/SavisWorkshop. A Savi’s Workshop reservation is good for a lightsaber builder and two guests. You’ll need to make a non-refundable full deposit in advance in order to make a reservation for the $200 lightsaber-building experience.
Droid Depot
As far as I know you won’t need to make a reservation for this experience when it opens to the public (all it says is: “The Droid Depot experience is subject to availability and reservations may be required”). It’s $100 to custom build your droid, and this just looks like the coolest experience ever. Me and my boyfriend decided next time we go we’re going to build a custom droid to match our living room, haha. Along with customizing your own R-2 or BB-8 unit, you can also give it its own personality chip that will react to certain locations around the park.
Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
Rare and unique artifacts collected by a legendary antiquities dealer and this was such a cool shop to explore! I swear, Disney Imagineers didn’t miss a thing creating this land, you may even run into Dok-Ondar! With this shop you’ll see rarer type collectibles including kyber crystals, jedi temple stones, etc. When I went they only let small groups in at a time to make sure it’s not overly crowded, and I assume they’ll continue to do this. If you get a chance to explore this shop, it’s a fun thing to see and take pictures, like this wall of creatures.
Toydarian Toymaker
I popped into this shop out of curiosity and walked away buying a hilarious artists articulated mannequin of General Akbar for my boyfriend, and he loves it. As I was looking to purchase it a cast member appeared over my shoulder to whisper “It’s a trap,” and I was sold. Lot’s of fun toys and stuffed creatures to be found in this cute shop.
So, are you ready to explore a galaxy far, far away? I hope you have as much fun as I did in this incredible new land at Disneyland. The nerd in me wanted to tear up at the sight of the Millenium Falcon--but's that's just me! Drop your questions and favorite Disneyland tips in the comments!
