Details About What to Expect With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

We’re getting closer and closer to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge‘s official debut. With a summer 2019 debut at Disneyland and a fall 2019 debut in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the excitement to learn more about these two new lands is palpable. Tonight, we were able to find out a little bit more about what to expect when Guests step inside the planet of Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost.

For those who have been living under a rock, Batuu is an infamous port for explorers, smugglers, and traders who want to fly under the radar. The planet is found on the outer rim of Wild Space. Disney chose to create Batuu because it allows all to be on an empty playing field – from the ultimate Star Wars fan to the complete novice who is experiencing this world for the first time. The land allows for a blank slate, as everyone is starting from square one.

As the story goes, in their efforts to defeat the First Order, the Resistance has temporarily set up shop in an abandoned, ancient base encircled by forests, mountains, and rivers here on the outskirts of Black Spire Outpost. Throughout the land in both parks, fans may see some familiar faces, including Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, BB-8, and Chewbacca, oh and they may even even find themselves in a face-off with the First Order.

Guests will enter the land from one of three entrance points to Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland; Critter Country, Fantasyland, or Frontierland. There will be two entrance points at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. When entering, short enclosed passageways between lands are there to be designed to compress and then expand the views of visitors. Much like the entrance to Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom do, as Guests travel under the train station and see that first look of Main Street and the castle.

According to reports, the land itself feels extremely lived in. The story takes place in the present moment; not the first six trilogies. When you step inside the land, and see the Millennium Falcon it’s bound to give you chills. Oh and this will be a great spot for Instagram photos, with plenty of spots available for those selfies.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is split into two sections. The first is the woodsy Resistance Forest, where the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction is located, and the second is the Black Spire Outpost, the main trading port on planet Batuu. Markets are themed so in depth, that Imagineers went to Marrakech and Istanbul and modeled them after what they saw in those countries.

Guests who enter this land will hear music from the famed composer John Williams has created original musical themes especially for the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land and its attractions.

Let’s get to the attractions, shall we?

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Attractions

 

 

In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Guests will climb into the cockpit of the famed ship to take control of it.

“Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a level of guest participation in a ride that we haven’t done,” says Robin Reardon, portfolio executive producer, Walt Disney Imagineering. “When you step into that cockpit as the only flight crew of the only Millennium Falcon for the day that’s going on that mission, that’s a pretty amazing leap in terms of storytelling from the very beginning. And the payoff and participatory nature of the experience are, so far, unparalleled.”

The Hollywood Reporter shares that the line to get on the ride will take guests higher and higher above that Falcon until they believe they are boarding it. There will be plenty of opportunities to explore and take photos within the ship’s main guest quarters. As you enter the maintenance bay, you pass into the queue inside Ohnaka’s Transport Solutions. Climbing gantries through a working shipping and machine shop, all while getting views of the Falcon from every angle.

In the attraction, the plot involves helping space pirate leader featured in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Hondo Ohnaka (who appears in the queue as one of the park’s most advanced animatronics ever, only behind the Na’vi shaman in Pandora). Hondo has bargained with Chewbacca to use the Millennium Falcon to smuggle goods but he needs a flight crew. All the Guests in the cockpit will be responsible for how smoothly the Falcon completes its mission, but never fear, it always completes it’s mission. You won’t fail outright and be done with the attraction after like 30 seconds. You will come through either pristine or more battered, depending on your efficiency. And the people of Black Spire Outpost will react to your team’s performance flying the Falcon.

According to reports, Hondo has 51 total functions, including 10 in his head alone. He also has a speaker in his chest to provide directional sound, and there’s a bend in his knee, creating the illusion that Hondo can walk. Hondo won’t be the only A1000 at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge though. Take a look at the incredibly lifelike Hondo AA in real life. I am floored:

When you get to the attraction, the doors open, and boom, you are on the Millennium Falcon. The cockpit is exact down to every last detail. There are six seats (for two pilots, two gunners and two flight engineers) and all the buttons and levers work. While waiting in line, Guests will be handed boarding cards (likely to signify which position you’ll be in) and you’ll move to the waiting cockpit.

Each cockpit has its own real‑time rendering system for a multi‑projection feedback hub across five screens that completely surround the cockpit seamlessly. Any decision you make as a member of the crew has to result in an action on screen. It’s all done in real-time, so none of the major stuff is pre-rendered.

Every button inside the cockpit has a light up ring which will indicate which of them you need to press on the ride. The toggles have small LED indicators built into one end that also indicate when they need to be put into action.

Oh and if you’re looking to ride the attraction “quicker”, there will be a single rider line.

 

The second attraction is going to be Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. This is slated to be one of the most advanced and immersive experiences ever for the theme parks and has been described as like experiencing four rides in one. The story goes that as new recruits to the Resistance, Guests will join a climactic battle against the First Order, including a run-in with Kylo Ren. Their journey will take them inside a full-size starship and aboard a nearby Star Destroyer.

The attraction is slated to be “one of the most complex things we have ever done,” Reardon promises. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is replete with “experiential, jaw-dropping, how-did-they-do-that? moments.”

Adds John Larena, executive creative director, Walt Disney Imagineering, “We have had wonderful cooperation with Lucasfilm, coordinating shoots with [the actors’] shoots. Turns out, they’re fans, as well. We’re thrilled to get them on a ride, and they’re thrilled to be on a ride. Fitting this within the framework of the movies is very important.” And since the stars mostly film in front of façades on set, “To see it all around is amazing for them.”

Tech Crunch shares that Guests will enter the attraction and advance to sections that are ‘laser cut’ through rock as they would be by an army trying to make due in natural and unnatural caverns. Rooms that will be seen along the way are piled high with equipment of medical, utilitarian and military origin. There is an armory with blasters and pilots uniforms in cages. The FastPass and Standby lines will merge in a communications hub. Inside the queue there will be a low stone bench cut into a big section of the middle of it, allowing a place for families and kids to rest. (Yikes! This attraction’s queue is going to take FOREVER if there’s a bench and a stopping point!)

From there, Guests in groups of about 50 will head into a briefing room that will feature an animatronic BB-8 that interacts with a video of Rey. Poe will be your escort on the mission, however, so Guests will make your way across a landing pad as Poe’s X-Wing warms up to your right. You’ll then board a U-Wing transport ship, experience a simulated takeoff and flight, facilitated by Nien Nunb and Poe and commence with everyone standing troop transport style. You are quickly captured and pulled aboard a Star Destroyer.

Then, through some ride magic, your door opens to what is one of the most stunning ride reveals – a full size Star Destroyer hangar bay. This absolutely has the feeling of leaving Batuu and being on an actual Star Destroyer.

In this area, there will be a bunch of action taking place on a 100-foot screen. Fifty Stormtroopers, mostly stationary but a few animatronic, will greet you, as well a full-size First Order TIE on the wall, docked and ready to go.

You will then be split up into groups of 16 by First Order officers and led down the corridors to a holding cell the spitting image of the one Poe Dameron was held in. At this point, you have an encounter with Kylo Ren and your adventure continues. That’s only part of the the experience. Then there’s the vehicle portion which features encounters with more First Order troops, AT-ATs and more!

The ride itself is partially completed on foot but mostly done in a trackless vehicle that will take guests around the Star Destroyer as they try to make their escape.

 

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Dining

Of course, Guests who visit this new land found in Galaxy’s Edge are going to be hungry, right? Guests can make a stop at Oga’s Cantina. The establishment is run by an alien proprietor, Oga Garra and Guests are invited to share enjoy exotic beverages served in unique vessels. Alcoholic options will include Bespin Fizz, Bloody Rancor, Dagobah Slug Slinger, Fuzzy Tauntaun, Jedi Mind Trick, Jet Juice, The Outer Rim, Spriran Caf, T-16 Skyhopper, and Yub Nub. Those looking for non-alcoholic libations can enjoy Black Spire Brew, Blue Bantha, Carbon Freeze, Cliff Dweller, Hyperdrive Punch It!, Jabba Juice, Moogan Tea, and Tarine Tea; and provisions include a Cantina mix.

 

Guests will even find Oga lurking in the shadows and DJ R-3X—formerly known as Captain Rex, the Starspeeder 3000 pilot droid from Star Tours will now call Oga’s Cantina his home.

If you want a meal, you an head over to the quick service dining location, Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. This is a multi-purpose transport shuttle docked atop a large hangar for traveling food shuttles. That’s where Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has converted his modified Sienar-Chall Utilipede-Transport into a popular mobile kitchen and restaurant. His travels across the galaxy allow him to fill his pantry with exotic ingredients, and he’s proud to present Tuggs’ Grub, a “traveling diner for diners traveling,” inspired by dishes he created during his time working for Maz Kanata on Takodana.

Entrées include the Braised Shaak Roast, featuring beef pot roast with cavatelli pasta, kale, and mushrooms; the Fried Endorian Tip-Yip, a decadent chicken dish with roasted vegetable mash and herb gravy; the Felucian Garden Spread, a plant-based kefta “meatball” dish with herb hummus and tomato-cucumber relish with pita bread; the Ithorian Garden Loaf, a plant-based “meatloaf” dish served with roasted vegetable mash, seasonal vegetables, and mushroom sauce; the Smoked Kaadu Ribs, featuring smoked country sticky pork ribs with blueberry corn muffin and cabbage slaw; the Oven-roasted Burra Fish, featuring Dijon-crusted sustainable fish with mixed greens, roasted vegetables, quinoa, and pumpkin seeds with a creamy green curry ranch dressing; the Oven-roasted Tip Yip, featuring roasted chicken with mixed greens, roasted vegetables, quinoa, and pumpkin seeds with a creamy green curry ranch dressing; and the Yobshrimp Noodle Salad, a marinated noodle salad with chilled shrimp.

For dessert you can choose from a raspberry crème puff with passion fruit mousse, and chocolate cake with white chocolate mouse and coffee custard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo has two children’s menu options: fried chicken with macaroni and cheese; and chilled shrimp with vegetables and rice noodle salad (with sweet orange dressing).

Beverages include the non-alcoholic options of the Phattro and Moof Juice.

Meanwhile, Ronto Roasters’ large podracing engine will be firing up a barbecue pit for mouth-watering sandwiches. When customers line up to order, they will encounter a former smelter droid, carefully turning the spit of meats. Items include the Meiloorun Juice, the Turkey Jerky, and the Ronto Wrap filled with spiced grilled sausage and roasted pork. Guests will also be able to choose from a variety of non-alcoholic drinks, like the Sour Sarlacc or Tatooine Sunset.

 

Of course, there will be the opportunity to grab either a blue milk or a green milk at the Milk Stand in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. to figure out how each one of these drinks should taste, the team visited Lucasfilm to get ideas for the ingredients. The teams brainstormed what these two beverages would taste like and they landed on the fact that both should be plant-based dairy drinks with bases made from things like coconut and almond milk combined with berry, melon and other tropical flavors.

Guests wishing to have a quick snack can stop and pick up the Outpost Mix, a popcorn snack combining savory, spicy, and sweet flavors at Kat Saka’s Kettle.

 

Shopping in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

The Droid Depot in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is located in the market and invites Guests to pick parts and pieces off a conveyor belt, then build and customize their astromech droids (R-series or BB-series); the droids are capable of interacting with elements in the land, responding to guests’ behaviors. Additional programming chips and accessories can be added to the droids to further customize their abilities.

The Droid Depot will also offer guests pre-built droids, including a C-3PO and a Rex who will happily play whatever music you have on your smartphone through an intergalactic Bluetooth connection. The shop also offers droid-inspired products and much more.

 

Over at Savi’s Workshop, Guests are given the opportunity to draw upon the Force as they build their own elegant lightsaber. At the heart of every saber is a kyber crystal, and during a guided tour, each guest will have four options to choose from for their own lightsaber: Peace Justice (modeled after Jedi from the Republic era); Power Control (a nod to the Sith); Elemental Nature (harnessing air, earth, fire, and water); and Defense (shrouded in mystery).

The story goes that Savi is a scrapper who has been collecting little pieces of lightsabers throughout the galaxy for years in hopes that one day, a true hero would come to his shop with the ability to actually put them together. Spoiler alert, that hero is you (and the 13 other people who can do the experience at the same time. Hello incredibly long waits. You thought the wait to get your vary own banshee was long…think again.)

Inside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, visitors will find a selection of mysterious and rare items for sale representing different eras of the Star Wars galaxy, including ancient Jedi and Sith artifacts, holocrons, lightsabers, and more. As they explore the two-story shop’s nooks and crannies, they will find Dok at his desk, checking his inventory, taking calls, and barking orders at his assistants.

Guests who venture to the Creature Stall will find some fascinating and unusual beasts from all across the galaxy, ranging from the friendly (porgs, tauntauns) to the not-so-friendly (rathtars, wampas).

Nearby, you’ll find the Toydarian Toymaker stall, offering items crafted by its namesake alien. It peddles artisan-style plush characters, wood and tin toys, and instruments.

Resistance Supply will sell badges, hats, pins, and other accessories to help guests feel like part of the cause.

On the flip side, First Order Cargo is a temporary storage dock located near the market. Easily identified by a never-before-seen First Order TIE echelon, it gives interstellar tourists a chance to pledge their loyalty to the First Order by purchasing caps, gear, model ships, pins, and more.

One thing you won’t find in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be “evergreen” Star Wars products. Everything was created specifically for Galaxy’s Edge. Or, as Brad puts it, “We’re giving today’s consumers an experience only we can deliver.” Items reflect the stories of yore, as they’ve been told throughout Black Spire Outpost. With a vast array of innovative goods, he adds, “[There are] many levels of discovery.”

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Costumes

The costumes found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be unlike anything we’ve seen before. Each will be well themed and they can be mixed and matched to fit the character you are interacting with.

 

Play Disney Parks App

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the first land designed to integrate with the one-of-a-kind app and offers interactive adventures and experiences that bring surrounding environments to life at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Guests will be able to complete these experiences thanks to the new Play Disney Parks app.

When you enter the land, the Play Disney Parks app switches over to a Star Wars mode, allowing you access to several tools including Scan, Translate, Tune and Jobs. Through these, and dozens of bluetooth beacons located throughout Batuu, you can activate droids, download schematics from hacking ships, download secret messages from door panels and listen to transmissions from three factions inclined the First Order, the Resistance and the Smugglers. You can also translate some of the alien languages that are spoken or written throughout the land.

You can choose to complete jobs wit the app and there is an over-arching game that allows you to use scannable to try to tilt the balance from the Resistance to the First Order throughout your visit all while rewarding you with digital collectibles. There are even missions to complete in the app during ride queues.

 

 

 

 

Who else is excited to venture to lightspeed and travel to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?