The official opening date for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is May 31 in Disneyland. The Walt Disney World version at Hollywood Studios will open on August 29. Both opening dates are much earlier than expected, however one thing will be missing. Here is a recap of all Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge news including the latest information.
When Galaxy’s Edge opens at both Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios it will be down one attraction. Guests will finally get to experience flight in the Millennium Falcon in the highly anticipated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. However the much more mysterious, attraction, Rise of the Resistance will not open with the rest of the land. Even worse, there is no official opening date scheduled.
The rest of Galaxy’s Edge will open including the latest in guest immersion and technology in attractions, dining, shopping, and basic guest interaction. For the first few weeks after opening in Disneyland, guests will only have access to Galaxy’s Edge by making advance online reservations. However, there will be no additional fee. So far no such system is in place for the Disney World location. On the contrary, the land will be available on a first come/first served basis just as Pandora and Toy Story Land.
Black Spire Outpost
If you have not followed the Galaxy’s Edge news, the new Star Wars themed area in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World will be set in a new place, created for the parks that is now a canonical location in the Star Wars universe. Black Spire is an outpost on the planet Batuu on the edge of the galaxy. It is a trafficking hub and a haven for lowlifes and those wishing not to be found. So, a happy place. Welcome.
All joking aside, this will be Disney’s most immersive land to date. They have pulled out all the stops including hiring John Williams to compose a special score, just for the theme parks. High end shopping opportunities build on the type of merchandise in Pandora, and restaurants feature exotic other worldly cuisine with familiar flavors, but strange names.
Attractions
Millenium Falcon Smugglers Run is the only thing most guests were certain about from the beginning. We always new it was a chance to pilot the Millennium Falcon. The ride seats six and not everyone is a pilot. Rather everyone in the crew has a job to do. This ride uses technology developed at LucasFilm to create a seamless real time experience with an option to fail. Unlike Mission:Space, where all missions turn out the same, this adventure could end disastrously and your reputation in Black Spire is on the line.
Most of the promotional material for Star Wars land seems to be taken from footage of this Rise of the Resistance which has no opening date yet. This is a huge blow to fans who want to experience the multi-layered attraction. There will apparently many stages and vehicle changes throughout the 38 minute experience. part of which will include a trackless dark ride portion on board a Star Destroyer.
Dining
The dining in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will be no less exciting than the attractions. You will finally get to live out your Star Wars Cantina fantasy at Oga’s Cantina, where a droid DJ keeps the atmosphere lively. There will also be a Milk bar where you have your choice of a blue or green milkshake.
On Loading Dock 7 you can enjoy the gourmet intergalactic cuisine of Strono “Cookie” Tuggs. The dishes named for the flora and fauna of Star Wars Lore, come together in beautifully strange presentations. Entrees are beef, pork, chicken, fish and vegetarian but you can play along.
One of the big hits is going to be Ronto Roasters. This counter service option will serve Ronto Wraps which look like street tacos, and jerky.
Shopping
There will be three unique shopping experience in addition to Black Sire Outfitters, Toydarian Toymaker and Dok-Ondar’s “Den of Antiquities”. You will be able to build your own high end lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, in a hidden location within the marketplace. You will also be able to build a droid of your own in either R2 or BB-8 fashion at the Droid Depot.
If you would rather find a creature to take home with you, the Creature Stall has cackling Kowakian monkey lizards to adopt. These experiences dot the marketplace filled with more traditional merchandise
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