Is Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Just for Die-hard Fans?

[x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/4″ style=”padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 1px; “][x_text class=”center-text “]by Danny de la Cruz[/x_text][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”3/4″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]There’s been so much said about the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland in California and the upcoming opening on August 29 at Disney World in Orlando. But I think that the million dollar question is, if you’re not a die-hard Star Wars fan, is it worth rushing out to see?

Regardless of what you’ve heard so far about attendance levels for Galaxy’s Edge in California, set that aside. Actually, if it’s less crowded, you’ll have more of the amazing land to explore for yourself. But here’s my prediction, this won’t be the case for Galaxy’s Edge in Orlando which is set to officially open on August 29–get ready for the crowds.

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I was fortunate enough to snag a coveted passholder preview ticket to Batuu, the planet for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Each ticket gives the passholder a four-hour window to explore, but despite the short window, I jumped at the chance to go. With each ticket, you get the opportunity to ride the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run attraction. For those even luckier, there were limited slots to experience Oga’s Cantina or Savi’s Workshop. I wasn’t lucky enough to snag either of those experiences, but since I’m returning shortly after the official opening, I’ve already booked my reservations to sip on some galactic drinks and build a light saber.

24 hours in Disney World

Even though I packed my bags for a 24-hour galactic trip to explore Galaxy’s Edge, it was well worth it. I was blown away. And just to clarify–I am not a die-hard Star Wars fan. That title goes to my brother. I’ve watched all the films but that’s it.

I flew in the day prior and had a chance to run around Disney World in the evening before turning in to get a good night sleep for my adventure. The next day, I arrived around 8:30 am to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to check in for my 9 am timeslot. To my surprise, cast members were already letting people in. Since I only had a four-hour window, my strategy was to head straight to the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run attraction and experience it first; I was concerned about eating up my time in a long line for one ride. To this day, riding Pandora: Flight of Passage, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom a few months after it opened in 2017 and the accompanying 3+ hour wait still haunts me. Never again–although that ride is so worth it.

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Once I made it into the tunnel, the transition from Hollywood Studios to Batuu, everything changed from the terrain, the greenery, the sounds–I was no longer at Disney. So many details caught my eye along the meandering path, but I was on a mission to get on the Millennium Falcon. I eventually found my way to the end of the line which was estimated at 40 minutes. As the line wove through the streets of Batuu, there was just so much to see at every turn. Cast members dressed in their Batuu garb were greeting guests with “Bright Suns”–the local phrase for good morning.

Piloting the Millennium Falcon

As the line continued past the Milk Stand, I eventually found my way to the Millennium Falcon parked in front of the towering Black Spires of Batuu. There wasn’t much time for photos since the line quickly moved into the hanger. As the line wove through the hanger and up to higher levels, there was so much to see. But the line moved quickly and I eventually found myself in a staging room with a Hondo Ohnaka animatronic who would give us instructions on our mission. From that room, I was assigned to a group of six and ended up being the pilot for our adventure.

After a few minutes of wandering around the interior of the Millennium Falcon, our group was called and we were marched into the cockpit with our assigned roles. I was the left pilot and would maneuver the Falcon left and right with a joystick. My co-pilot would handle the up and down direction. Seated behind me were the gunners who would blast things along the way and behind them were the engineers who would trouble shoot and make repairs. Our six-person crew quickly blasted off.

If you’re familiar with Star Tours at Hollywood Studios, this was my expectations walking into Smuggler’s Run. But Smuggler’s Run is more intimate with just six people in the cockpit and interactive given the task each person is assigned. I wasn’t just a passive passenger, but I had a role to play and crashing the ship was not an option.

About seven minutes later, I walked off feeling exhilarated. It was incredible!

One thing to note about the 40-minute wait time–it actually felt fast, maybe too fast to enjoy the level of detailing that went into the queue and the Millennium Falcon. Part of me wished it were longer to let it all soak in.

With the ride under my belt, I had time to properly explore the rest of the land. Somehow I ended up at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and decided to grab some breakfast at this counter-service dining location. I ordered a kid’s meal just to sample a dish–the Bright Suns Morning with a delicious egg-like muffin, a cinnamon-style pastry and fried purple potatoes. The adult version includes a pork sausage.

I also had the chance to sample the Blue Milk at the Milk Stand and on this very hot day, this refreshing, slushy drink hit the spot. It’s really hard to explain the flavor, but I really enjoyed this beverage and can’t wait to have it again. All I can say is that you’ll have to try it for yourself.

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From there, I wandered into the market area with shops selling alien creature toys, Star Wars attire, and other souvenirs. I also passed by Ronto Roasters for the famed wraps, but held off since I just had finished breakfast.

Beyond the market and after wandering around, I checked out the Droid Depot where you can create a robot like BB8 by customizing the parts and colors of your droid. I also stumbled into Dok-Ondar’s Den of antiquities where you’ll find a Dok-Ondar animatronic behind a caged work area in the back. I also discovered the locations for Savi’s workshop where one can create a light saber and saw the long lines for Oga’s Cantina for some galactic drinks and snacks. I’d have to save these two experiences for my return visit.

And while exploring the land, Storm Troopers would patrol the area, Rey would pop up here and there and even Kylo Ren made an appearance. And of course, there was Chewbacca. What I enjoyed about the characters is that they aren’t positioned as permanent meet and greets–instead they wander the land and create spontaneous interactions with guests. You just never know what will happen if you encounter them. There were other characters interacting in the park, but alas, I had no idea who they were.

During my time in Batuu, I reboarded Smuggler’s Run by hopping into the single rider line. This was only a 20-minute wait so it moved really fast. This time around, I ended up as a gunner and was happy to just enjoy the ride–less pressure than being a pilot.

A few things to note if you decide to go into the single-rider line: you have no choice in your role on the six-person flight crew–you’re basically a “filler” to complete a group of six. You will also miss out on all the theming if you get into this line since it’s basically in a long hallway and stairs leading to the upper level where you merge with the regular line.

The Verdict

Although there was so much more to experience at Galaxy’s Edge, I would have to save those other activities for my return visit after the land officially opens on August 29. The experience that Disney has created is mind blowing! The level of detail and theming makes you forget that you’re in Orlando and you completely forget that you’re even on a Disney property. Even if you’re not a big Star Wars fan, it doesn’t matter. The big question is do you go immediately after the land opens or do you wait until the second ride, Rise of the Resistance, opens December 5, 2019? Regardless of when you decide to go, you will not be disappointed! Pack your bags to jet off to a galaxy far, far away and get ready to fully immerse yourself into the incredible world of Batuu.

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