Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando on August 29, 2019 – a few months behind the Disneyland version on the west coast. Both lands are nearly identical and contain the same quick-service eateries, retail outlets, and attractions:
Restaurants / Bars / Eateries:
- Oga’s Cantina – light snacks and beverages including alcohol
- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – the land’s main quick service restaurant
- Ronto Roasters – snacks and jerky
- Kat Saka’s Kettle – popcorn
- Milk Stand – blue or green plant-based beverages with our without alcohol
Shops:
- Savi’s Workshop – a build-you-own lightsabre shop
- Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
- Mubo’s Droid Depot – a build-your-own droid shop
- Bina’s Creature Stall
- Toydarian Toyshop
- First Order Cargo
- Resistance Supply
- Black Spire Outfitters
Attractions:
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – now open, guests pilot the iconic spacecraft
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – a dark ride opening at Disney World in December 2019 and Disneyland in January 2020.
I recently had the opportunity to visit the fictional planet of Batuu during a passholder preview of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. My time wandering this strange new world was interesting – especially as someone who has never, ever, seen a single Star Wars movie!
With my luck, just as I entered the park, the Florida sunshine turned to liquid and it started to rain. With everyone heading to the indoor shops and the Smugglers Run ride, I decided to get wet instead and walk around taking in the views.
My initial observation was, “hey they did a great job on the theming, but why is there so much empty space?” There was a ton of empty space, from the walkways leading in from Grand Avenue and near the yet-to-be-opened exit/entrance to Toy Story Land. Perhaps this is being held for crowd control, stroller parking, or future use?
My second observation was, “this is a shopping destination.” Yep, there I said it. The land only has one ride right now, with a second coming later this year (see above). The one-year-old neighboring Toy Story Land has three rides and is much smaller. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has more shopping locations than attractions and food/beverage outlets combined.
Star Wars fans will have every opportunity to purchase plenty of merch from toys and clothing to $99 build-your-own droids and $200 build-your-own lightsabres. Both of those stores had lines out the doors and some even required reservations.
Ca-ching!
Oga’s Cantina, the planet’s favorite bar has a two-drink and time limit to keep the line moving and the crowds watered. During my preview, there were no reservations available, however, there was an 80-minute stand-by wait.
No thanks.
I did partake in one snack that has taken Instagram by storm – the famous Blue Milk available in both non-alcoholic and alcoholic varieties. This plant-based beverage, with the consistency of glue, was made famous in the movies and the Milk Stand had a line 30-deep. While it wasn’t my cup of tea, it’s one of those things you had to do when visiting Batuu.
The highlight of the two hours I spend wandering this strange new world was checking out Smugglers Run. The standby line was 50 minutes, but I took the single-rider entrance and was on in about 30.
The queue for the ride was very non-descript, plain, and devoid of much theming other than exposed “wires” and “junction boxes.” The theming was taken up a notch once you’re grouped to board the Falcon. It’s here where you feel (literally, because the floor is similar to the floor of an airport jetbridge) like you’re getting ready to board a spacecraft.
More on the ride itself in another post! But let’s just say it was pretty damn cool.
Check out these photos and a full walk-around video of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge before it opens on August 29th.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbAxiI8ZEr8[/embedyt]
