All Star Wars fans know that as of 2012, after being a monopoly of 20th Century Fox for 35 years, the rights to Star Wars, one of the most famous sagas of all time, are in the hands of Disney. Since that event that had a monumental impact in the world of cinema, two of the most recent movies, Star Wars – The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars – The Last Jedi (2017) and the spin-offs of the Star Wars Anthology (Solo and Rogue One) have been box office hits. However, as everyone knows, Disney doesn’t just produce movies, it also reaches its fans through other avenues. For instance, its theme parks in the US (and beyond) are immediately put in the spotlight as they wait for more and more futuristic and spectacular attractions to be unveiled. Today I want to tell you how a new planet from the Star Wars galaxy can be visited in California!
Contents
Star Wars Land in Disneyland: This Is How a Planet Is Born!
It must be said that Disneyland Los Angeles and Disney World Orlando took a long time to expand. Turning our attention to Disneyland for a moment, we certainly couldn’t be satisfied with just two attractions in the Star Tours section, The Adventures Continue and Star Wars Launch Bay, which opened in the Tomorrowland area in 2011 and 2015 respectively. A bit like Harry Potter in Universal Studios (in fact, this was the feared competitor of the Star Wars attractions), the Star Wars saga deserved more than just two rides. An entire section of the park was expected to faithfully recreate Star Wars imagery, in full Disney fashion.
Finally in 2015, when Star Wars Launch Bay opened, a 14-acre Star Wars-themed area was also announced. It took a while but we’re finally here! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, was inaugurated in 2019 in Disneyland Los Angeles. It is a new area of the park that houses Batuu, a remote frontier city on a planet on the outer edge of the galaxy. It has never been seen before in the movies released so far and it is destined to become a mecca for all fans of the saga!
The City of Batuu
You will enter the city of Batuu through the Resistance Forest, where there are plans to build another attraction that will be called Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Once you cross the forest, you will arrive at the market of Black Spire Outpost, the heart of Batuu. The design outpost and the city are based on classic Moroccan architecture.
In this incredible space, you can fully immerse yourself in a realistic Star Wars experience, made even more authentic by the presence of costumed characters. You can enter the lively restaurants and small clubs around the market while admiring the incredible details and trying to resist the temptation to buy all the themed gadgets in the shops (which I will list shortly).
The Two Rides of Galaxy’s Edge
Galaxy’s Edge rides are not the only reason, but they are definitely the main one, why tens of thousands of people have already stormed the planet of Batuu in the first days after it opened. The excitement was so great that at Disneyland they had to limit visits through a reservation system active from May 31 to June 23, 2019 (then after that admission is free). As anticipated, there are two attractions in this area: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
If you are like me and you were eager to see what Disney decided to put in the Star Wars section of Disneyland, you’ve probably already seen some preview photos of the full-sized Millennium Falcon parked at the foot of some buildings clinging to high cliffs on what we later found out was the planet Batuu. This ride lets you pilot the unforgettable spaceship of Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian on a top secret mission in hyperspace to answer the call of Hondo Ohnaka who is desperately looking for personnel (even without experience) to transport important goods through the most dangerous areas of the galaxy.
If you want some technical data, I can tell you that this is an interactive dark ride that looks more like a big video game than a classic 3D attraction. You and only you will be driving the ship, playing the best one of the roles that will be assigned during the presentation of the ride. The three roles are pilot, engineer, and gunner. Needless to say, the duration and type of mission will change each time, depending on your skills on board. Of course, in true Disney fashion, the interior of the ship, including the passageways and waiting areas, are built with great attention to minute details and offer the possibility to see the remarkable features of the Millennium Falcon from multiple perspectives.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the second attraction at Galaxy’s Edge. Visitors will witness a battle of the Resistance against the First Order at a very high level of technology. As the official site says, “fortunately, a covert team of Resistance fighters—including Rey and BB-8—is at the ready to give you a fighting chance to escape… and a chance for the Resistance to rise!”.
Watch the Shows and Meet the Characters
As you wander around Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll also find the replica of the TIE Echelon Shuttle. This is also the stage for a show whose protagonist is one of the most controversial and important characters of the saga made by Disney, Kylo Ren. Every 60 minutes, there is a short performance in which Ren announces that he has landed on Batuu by shuttle to look for Rey. After the performance, stormtroopers, generals, and the Supreme Leader of the First Order descend among the crowd to meet the audience and to take pictures.
There is another good show here featuring Chewbacca. You’ll see him trying to get the X-Wing fighter up and running again. Also in this case, there will be the possibility to get close to Chewbacca and take a picture with him, and the same goes for Rey who, although she may be a bit difficult to find, actually is in Batuu as stated by Kylo Ren!
Shops and DIY Stores
There is no shortage of “traditional” souvenir and gift shops, but the shops have a Star Wars theme and are set up with attention to every single detail:
- Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities: A mysterious and obscure shop that sells antiques, old objects of moderate value from different planets that date back to different eras.
- Black Spire Outfitters: A clothing store for those who want to dress in Batuu fashion or simply for those who want a casual Star Wars-style outfit to show off when they return home.
- First Order Cargo: A clothing and souvenir shop, designed for those who are fascinated by the dark side.
- Resistance Supply is the place to go if you are ready to join the Resistance and want the right clothing and weaponry. You’ll find this shop near the Resistance Forest.
- Creature Stall: Young and old alike who have always been fascinated by the bizarre and monstrous creatures that inhabit the galaxy should head to this toy store.
- Toydarian Toymaker: Another bazaar that sells toys, figurines, and handmade souvenirs. Those who don’t want to leave Batuu without buying a small Wookiee stuffed animal should come here.
In addition to browsing the shelves of these shops, you’ll have the chance to have a truly unprecedented experience. Did you ever think you could assemble a droid or lightsaber with your own hands? At Disneyland, you can make that dream come true:
- Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers: If having a lightsaber all to yourself isn’t enough for you, maybe it’s because you’d like one that’s customized and, above all, you’d like Yoda’s blessing. Well, enter Savi’s secret workshop, where you’ll find some busy “Gatherers” who will help you assemble your lightsaber, which is available for purchase only with Yoda’s approval. Please note: This workshop experience requires a reservation. The lines are long!
- Droid Depot: It would be nice to have a droid at your service! If you’ve thought about it at least once, all you have to do when you find yourself in Batuu is follow the tracks of a droid on the ground and they will lead you to the Droid Depot, a workshop where the shelves and conveyor belts are overflowing with spare parts. They’re all there at your disposal so you can build your very own droid to take home!
Bars and Restaurants
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge not only features spaceships, space stations, deserts, and alien forests. Here Star Wars fans can go to shady places, such as the dive bars and wine cellars where gangsters, bounty hunters, and thugs hang out and drink. Most of the places to eat in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are just that, and you can’t leave Disneyland without trying at least one:
- Oga‘s Cantina: I don’t recommend doing anything rash at Oga’s Cantina, since it has a tough crowd. If you’ve been wanting to sit at the filthy counter of a Star Wars cantina, come here for a drink to refresh you on your galactic raids, while listening to the tunes selected by DJ-droid R-3X.
- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo: While walking through the streets of Batuu, it’s hard not to notice a cargo ship (with the dates of the first movies of the saga written on it) on top of the building of Docking Bay 7, where you will find the main fast food restaurant of the area.
- Milk Stand: If you’re not afraid to taste milk with different colors, you can head to the Milk Stand. The two types that are served are Green Milk and Blue Milk. Both varieties have a fairly creamy consistency, unlike the more liquid drink seen in the movies “A New Hope” and “The Last Jedi”.
- Ronto Roasters: Meat is also a staple in Batuu. Ronto is a native creature of Tatooine that spends the day grilling sausages and steaks. Come here and try some meat if you want to recharge after driving the Falcon.
- Kat Saka’s Kettle: In this eclectic eatery, you can buy street food, even sweet popcorn with strange fruity flavors. The Coke and water bottles are great collectors’ items!
Where is Galaxy’s Edge?
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is located inside Disneyland Park, in the northwest area of the park, so you won’t be able to see it if you’ve chosen to visit Disney California Adventure Park (the other Disney park in California). By using a map, you can find your way to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge from Critter Country, Frontierland, or Fantasyland. I recommend entering the Star Wars area from Critter Country, so that you enter Batuu gradually by first passing through a forest with ancient ruins.
Tickets
A common question: do I need a separate ticket for Galaxy’s Edge? No! Since it is in Disneyland Park, you don’t need to buy separate tickets to visit Galaxy’s Edge. Also, as mentioned above, starting in June 2019, reservations will no longer be required and access will be free for all – except for attractions that require reservations (like Savi’s Workshop).
To see what different types of tickets are available and to find out where to buy them at a discounted price, please read my in-depth guide on Disneyland tickets.
I’m so excited for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge! I can’t wait to check out the rides, attractions, and shows. I’m also looking forward to shopping and dining at the various restaurants.