Hi guys! Here is the final post of my Disney World blog posts! This is your all inclusive guide to the new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge! In a galaxy far far away…
This is the newest area of the Disney parks in Florida, so naturally it gets very busy very quickly. That being said, it was completely worth it! If you follow this guide you can ensure that you will have plenty of time to see and do everything this amazing land has to offer. To get here, enter Hollywood Studios and walk up the main boulevard until you reach the Hollywood Theatre. Turn right and you will walk through Andy’s backyard (aka Toy Story Land) to reach Batuu or you can turn left and enter the other side.
Obviously, there is so much to do, so let’s talk about the two new rides first.
1. Star Wars Rise of the Resistance
I went about a week after the ride opened for the first time. That meant that the only way to get on the ride was to get what’s called a boarding pass. To do this, you need the My Disney Experience app. I talk about the app extensively in my other blog posts but make sure you download the app before your trip.
As soon as you scan into the park, log onto the app and on the home screen there will be an option to join a boarding group. These go fast! Less than an hour after official park opening, all boarding passes were given out.
We arrived over an hour before park opening and got one of the earliest boarding groups. However, if you get a later group, don’t worry about heading to a different park or home for a nap while you wait for your boarding group to be called. You have a two hour time window once your group begins boarding to return to the ride.
The ride itself if a fully immersive experience throughout its entirety. You and your fellow resistance recruits get caught by the first order and you have to try and escape! I won’t say too much, but this is the first ride at a Disney park in the United States to utilize trackless technology. If you only do one thing at this park, this is it.
2. Smugglers Run
The other ride in the new area is Smugglers’ Run. Board the Milennium Falcon and get ready to fly! To me, this was just another version of Star Tours, and unless you are in the pilot’s seat, you really don’t have as great of an experience. Still very fun to board the Falcon, though! Utilize the single rider line to skip the wait.
Galactic Eats:
There are so many things to try foodwise in Galaxy’s Edge. Be prepared to open your pocketbooks, though, because this area has a high price tag compared to some other things throughout WDW.
1. Oga’s Cantina: This was my favorite place here! They serve only drinks, both alcoholic and non. We tried the Blue Milk, the Bespin Fizz, and the Yub Nub. Loved all of them, and the Bespin Fizz comes with a cloud topping and sparkles galore! Make sure you make your reservations in advance as this place books up fast. Listen as DJ Rex (anyone recognize him?) plays the biggest hits from across the galaxy. You may hear some familiar tunes…This is a timed experience with a strict two drink limit per person, so look at the menu on the Disney app ahead of time so you are ready to order and you can just enjoy your 45 minutes inside the cantina.
2. Drink like Luke: Blue milk. That’s it. Find it at the Milk Stand or Oga’s. There are also Coke beverages served in specialty containers, so check that out!
3. Ronto’s Roasters: This is one of two quick service restaurants in Galaxy’s Edge, and one of the few places that serves breakfast at Hollywood Studios. We tried several of the different wraps and found them yummy and satisfying!
4. Docking Bay 7: This is the other quick service restaurant with a much more expansive menu than Ronto’s, so it is a great place to go for several different options.
5. Kat Saka’s Kettle: This small stand in the main marketplace serves a few different kinds of popcorn. We tried the sweet and sour mixture, and while it was good it wasn’t something I would need to eat over and over again. Definitely worth a try, though.
Shop and Wander
Galaxy’s Edge is the largest single land expansion at Walt Disney World to date, so take time to explore it! The Imagineers have outdone themselves and it really feels like you have been uprooted into the Star Wars Universe. Characters like Chewbacca, stormtroopers, Kylo Ren, and Rey frequently walk freely around the area unlike other areas of the Disney parks, so it truly is an immersive experience.
There are plenty of shops where you can get all the Jedi gear you want! You can make a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, build your own little droid at the Droid Depot or adopt a pet at the Creature Stall. That being said, I was definitely underwhelmed with some of the merchandise. I was hoping for some Mandalorian stuff (Baby Yoda all the way), but they did have Porgs that sit on your shoulder!
For you Star Wars fans, there are hidden Easter eggs everywhere that harken back to the movies that started it all. Above Docking Bay 7, take a look at the numbers on the shipping containers. These reference the release dates of the original three movies. For a little wink at the newer movies, look for some Porg nests and destruction as you wait in line for Smugglers’ Run. I’ll let you guys find some other ones on your own!
There it is, everything you need to know about Galaxy’s Edge. Overall I really enjoyed it, even if it didn’t live up to some of the hype surrounding it. I hope you all get the chance to explore it soon!
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