Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge -Disney World

*Disney graciously provided us with tickets to Disney World (and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World). All opinions and thoughts are my own

Updated 03/2022

If you love all things Star Wars, then Hollywood Studios is the park for you! In addition to Star Tours and Star Wars Launch Bay, this park has added an entire Star Wars-themed land – Galaxy’s Edge. Even if you are not the world’s biggest Star Wars fan, you will probably still enjoy Galaxy’s Edge. I love it here, and so does my whole family. So, what do you need to know? Read on, my friend…

P.S. You might want to make a sandwich or grab a cup of coffee. We have a lot of ground to cover and I took 8 million pictures!

How do I get there?

Okay, all you have to do is head to Disney World in Florida. Then, make your way to Hollywood Studios. Once in the park, walk to the back of the park. Head left (from the front of HS) and you can find the entrance of Galaxy’s Edge right past Muppets Vision 3D on Grand Avenue. If you go right (again, from the front of HS), you’ll find the entrance right after you pass Alien Swirl Saucers in Toy Story Land.

If you download the My Disney Experience APP, you can find a map of Hollywood Studios (see screenshot below). Here, you can see a map of the whole park and the two entrances to Galaxy’s Edge.

Now That We’re Here…Where in the Universe Are We?!?

From the very second you set foot into Galaxy’s Edge, you know you’re in another world. But, where exactly? Galaxy’s Edge takes place on the remote planet of Batuu. It is located around the borders of the Outer Rim and Wild Space. And, exactly when are we?! In Star Wars terms, we were some time in the year between the events seen in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker movies.

In Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll find yourself at Black Spire Outpost. It is the largest settlement on the planet of Batuu and is a hotspot for smugglers, traders, droids, and explorers. It’s also a great hiding spot for those who want to avoid the First Order. Shortly after entering Galaxy’s Edge, the sights and sounds make you realize that you are now a fellow space traveler, exploring this land.

The spires located here are actually the petrified remains of huge, ancient trees. Now, the Resistance has created a hideout here among the spires and ancient ruins. The Resistance and the First Order have both arrived on the planet, looking for a mysterious treasure.

While here, you’ll notice that the local language here is Aurebesh. Many signs and labels (even the water bottles) are in this language.

So, now that we know where and when we are, what should we do?

What to Do In Galaxy’s Edge:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Best experience in all of Disney World – hands down
• Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run – Be a pilot, gunrunner, or engineer on the Millenium Falcon
• Droid Depot – Create your own droid, costs extra $100+, reservations hightly recommended
• Savi’s Workshop – Build your own custom lightsaber, extra cost $200+, must make reservations
• Oga’s Cantina – Batuu’s local watering hole – unique cocktails and music by DJ Rex
• Docking Bay 7 Food and Cantina – Comfort food with an out-of-this-world flair
• Milk Stand – Try Blue and/or Green Milk
• Ronto Roasters – An exotic meat stand (it’s actually roasted pork and sausage)
• Kat Saka’s Kettle – POPCORN! Sweet, spicy and colorful!
• Dok-Ondars Den of Antiquities – Sith Holocron & Jedi artifacts
• Black Spire Outfitters – Batuu “tailor”, Star Wars apparel including robes
• First Order Cargo – If you’d rather join the First Order, get your Storm Trooper gear here
• Resistance Supply – Resistance gear, apparel, and accessories
• Creature Stall – Shop for and take home a critter or creature from another world.
• Toydarian Toymaker – Get your mini stuffed Star Wars character here – even mini stuffed Wookies!

Pictures from Galaxy’s Edge:

With this land/experience covering 14 acres, there is plenty to see and discover here. There are also several spots where you can sit, take a load off, take in the details and wait for characters to appear.

While there are signs and maps (and your My Experience APP) to guide you, Galaxy’s Edge is a great place to get lost in. The details are incredible!

Galaxy’s Edge at Night

As amazing as Galaxy’s Edge is during the day, it is absolutely gorgeous at night.

Rise of the Resistance

So, here you are, deep in the forests outside Black Spire Outpost. The Resistance is organizing a secret mission and is gathering recruits (aka you). Of course, the First Order is not happy about this and the fighting adventure ensues.

Disney claims that this ride is the biggest and most immersive Disney Parks attraction ever built…and they were RIGHT!! This is absolutely my favorite ride at all of Disney World! No spoilers from me, just do it. Wait in the line, I don’t care how long it is. Pay for the Individual Lightning Land, it’s worth every penny!

What About Wait Times and Individual Lightning Lanes?

On our last trip, the wait times in the standby line were up to 2 hours. We purchased the Individual Lightning Lane for Rise and it was $15 per person (price as of 2/2022). I recommend booking this as early as possible – at 7 a.m. if you are staying on property OR as soon as you enter the park if not staying on property.

P.S. The entrance to Rise of the Resistance is closer to Galaxy’s Edge’s entrance next to Grand Avenue/Muppets 3D.

Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

If you’ve always wanted to fly Han Solo’s “rust bucket” Millenium Falcom, well, now you can! You and five others can fly it (as pilots), fire its cannons (as gun runners), and/or manage its controls (as engineers). This is a completely immersive hands-on experience.

So, what’s the story behind Smuggler’s Run? Space pirate Hondo Ohnaka (from “Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels”) has made a deal with Chewbacca for use of the Falcon. He will be the one leading you on a secret mission. It is your job to bring back the goods as you travel through hyperspace.

Before you board, you’ll walk through a full-size replica of the Millennium Falcon. It’s one of those rides where the line is almost as cool as the attraction itself. In my opinion, you should experience the standby line at least once. And, then you could always join the single rider line or make a Lightning Lane through the Genie+ to avoid the line.

Each cockpit holds 6 people, and everyone is assigned a role:

• Pilots 2 – The pilot in the left chair controls moving left to right, while the right-side pilot moves the ship up and down.  The ride uses real-time video technology that actually responds to the way you use the cockpit controls.
• Gunners 2- Shoots lasers and guns
• Engineers 2 – Repairs any damage to the ship

You could probably trade roles (you are given a card with your job on it) but I wanted to avoid fighting amongst the kids. I told them, “You get what you get, and you don’t pitch a fit.” I ended up being an engineer, my daughter was a pilot, and my son was a gunner. My daughter loved flying the ship and my son loved shooting at stuff. I honestly didn’t know what I was doing.

My 12-year-old son rides this ride about 1,000 times when we go to Disney World. He gets in the single rider line so he doesn’t have to wait long to ride. He gets assigned as an engineer almost every time he uses the single rider line. If he wants to get a pilot role or gunner, his best bet is to get in the stand-by line.

I think people will keep coming back to this ride to improve their skills (we crashed A LOT!) and to try the different jobs on the ship.

There is a lot of motion, flying, and crashing in this ride and it honestly made me “car sick”. So… as much fun as it was, I don’t think I could handle it again because of the motion sickness. My kids, however, could ride this ALL. DAY. LONG.

Character Interactions

One of my favorite things about Galaxy’s Edge is the Characters. Each one has his/her own personality and backstory. And, they have been trained to stay in character and how to interact with guests.

You may have read THIS POST about our first visit to Galaxy’s Edge in 2019. A lot has changed (in the world AND at Disney World) and one thing that has changed is how the characters interact with guests. In 2019, the Stormtroopers, Chewy, and Kylo Ren would walk right up to guests and talk with them (always in character, of course). Now, with social distancing being a priority, characters keep their distance but they still interact with guests.

Savi’s Workshop

This secret workshop (hidden from the First Order) is where you, along with the assistance of the Gatherers, can build your own custom lightsaber. You can choose from a variety of kyber crystals and saber parts from around the galaxy. Before entering the workshop, guests must find the symbol (it’s on the front of the workshop) and tell the secret phrase to the Gatherers.

Once inside the workshop, you’ll find a Builder’s Table. Savi’s Scrapyard can hold up to 14 builders at a time. This is very – VERY – popular and you need to make an appointment for this activity. Reservations at Savi’s Workshop can be made 60 days prior to check-in through the My Disney Experience website or app. You can ask to be put on the waiting list in case there is a cancellation, but it is very unlikely that there will be one. Your reservation to Savi’s Workshop will be for one builder and one guest, and at least one of the guests needs to be 14 years or older. 

Since Savi’s Workshop is supposed to be a secret, guests can find it difficult to find. It is actually located between Droid Depot and Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities (across from Ronto Roasters).

Cost and Reservations

The cost of building a lightsaber is $219.99 plus tax. When you book the reservation, you will put a credit card on file. Once you arrive at Savi’s, you will actually pay before entering and building your lightsaber.  So be prepared to supply a payment before entering the workshop itself, as well as show a reservation/confirmation number and an ID.

How it works:

First, you will pick a theme for your Lightsaber:

• Peace and Justice
• Power and Control
• Elemental Nature
• Protection and Defense

You are also given a box with parts that they can choose from to customize your lightsaber. Each box of parts includes:

• 2 Emitters (pick 1)
• 4 Sleeves (pick 2)
• 2 Pommel Caps (pick 1)
• 1 Hilt
• 2 sets of Activation Plates and Switches (pick 1 set)

Next, you choose from red, blue, green, and violet kyber crystals.

Finally, you are given a padded carrying case for your lightsaber after the building experience. For additional accessories for your lightsaber, head over to Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.

Droid Depot

We built droids at Droid Depot on the last day of our Disney trip. It was one of the highlights of our vacation and it was the perfect way to end our trip. You can see more information and photos from our experience at Droid Depot HERE.

In the above photos, you can see merchandise and caged droids that are located at Droid Depot. Looking at the photo on the right, you can see some of the Trade Federation droids. In Episode 1, Trade Federation Leaders (including Nute Gunray) sent their battle droids to Naboo. Now they can be seen at Droid Depot.

Where to Eat & Drink at Galaxy’s Edge

Oga’s Cantina

If exploring Batuu has made your throat dry, you might want to head over to this local watering hole. They offer special cocktails, beer, wine, ciders, non-alcoholic beverages, and a couple of appetizer snacks. DJ Rex will be playing your favorite alien tunes while you enjoy the atmosphere at Oga’s.

Please know that this cantina is mostly standing room only. There is a one-drink per person drink minimum and a two-drink per person maximum at Oga’s Cantina. Guests will be limited to 45 minutes in the Cantina. Guests must be 21 years of age or over to drink alcohol and a valid photo ID is required.

What should you try?

If you’re in the mood for alcohol…

Try the Jedi Mind Trick – it’s Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit and Rose Vodka, John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum, Bols Blue Curaçao, White Grape Juice, Lime Juice, and Grapefruit Bitters- YUM!

If you prefer to avoid alcohol…

Try the Jabba Juice – it’s Simply® Orange with Pineapple, Kiwi, Cantaloupe, and Blueberry Popping Pearls

If you’re a coffee-lover…

Try the Black Spire Brew – it’s Cold Brew Joffrey’s Coffee®, Honey, Falernum, Passion Fruit, and Citrus

See Oga’s Cantina menu HERE.

Reservations for Oga’s Cantina

Reservations are highly recommended (which means: you probably have zero chance of getting in without a reservation). Check availability HERE (click on the blue rectangle that says CHECK AVAILABILITY). You will be required to put a credit on file for your reservation. You can cancel your reservation 24 hours before your reservation. If not canceled and you are a no-show, you will be charged $10 per person.

Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo

This quick-service restaurant serves comfort food with exotic twists. For example, you can order Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs. They are Pork Ribs (with Tangy BBQ Sauce) and served with Blueberry Corn Muffin and Red Cabbage Slaw.

There are also more tame options for the kiddos and picky eaters. For example, the Fried Endorian Chicken Tip Yip is Crispy Chicken served with House-Made Macaroni & Cheese and Roasted Vegetables (pictured below).

Reviews seem to be mixed on this restaurant. People love that there is adequate seating here and the flavors of the food. Some feel that the portions should be bigger.

I highly recommend using Mobile ordering here by using the My Disney Experience APP.

See the full menu for Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo HERE.

Ronto’s Roasters

This quick-service restaurant is worth a visit, even if it’s just for a walk-through (see photo below). Here you can watch an engine (hanging from the ceiling) heating up a spit of meats. A droid grills a large Ronto an animal from Tatooine – a delicious animal perfect for roasting. Don’t worry, the “exotic meats” served here are actually grilled sausage and roasted pork. It’s a great place to grab a wrap and specialty drink and explore the shops next door. There is limited seating inside and outside of this hotspot.

Ronto’s Roasters is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most of the food offerings are pita wraps, specialty pork rinds, fruit salad (plant-based), and overnight oats with fruit. The menu also offers alcoholic beverages, plant-based food options, and allergy-friendly food options. This is a quick-service restaurant and I highly recommend using Mobile Ordering on the My Disney Experience APP.

If you’re in the mood for an alcoholic drink, you might want to try the Coruscant Cooler. It’s made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, Cranberry, Lime Juice.

Or, if you prefer a refreshing drink without alcohol, you’ll enjoy the Tatooine Sunset. To me, it’s like a fruity twist on an Arnold Palmer. It’s made with Gold Peak® Unsweetened Tea and Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade with Melon and Blueberry.

See the full menu for Ronto’s Roasters HERE.

Unique Coke Products

Coke products are available throughout Batuu in the form of a thermal detonator! It’s a throwback to the famous scene in Star Wars when Princess Leia showed up to Jabba the Hutt’s palace in a bounty hunter’s uniform. In an effort to save Hans Solo, Princess Leia brings a detonator to threaten Jabba the Hut.

Kat Saka’s Kettle

Here, you can get colorful sweet kettle corn, sweet and spicy popcorn, and something to drink.

Milk Stand

The Milk Stand is where you can try Blue & Green Milk. It’s the milk that Luke Skywalker made famous in Star Wars IV: A New Hope.

Okay, I was honestly concerned about trying this… Milk?!? …On a hot day at a theme park??! But, then, I found out through some research that these drinks are plant-based. They are made from semi-frozen coconut milk, rice milk, and fruit. The Blue Milk is flavored with dragon fruit, lime, pineapple, and watermelon and is sweet. Green Milk contains passion fruit, mandarin orange, grapefruit, and orange blossom and is more citrusy.

I honestly loved the Blue Milk. It was like a fruit smoothie!

Shopping

Okay, so you’ve grabbed your Ronto Wrap and a bag of Green Grains and you are ready to do some shopping! What’s available?

There are shopping spots through Galaxy’s Edge/Batuu and there is also the Star Wars version of a mini-mall. It is attached to Ronto Roasters.

First Order Cargo

So…you’ve decided to join the Dark Side? Here’s where you can get your gear!

Creature Stall

Want to take home an exotic pet from Batuu? This is where you want to shop!

Toydarian Toymaker

This market stall offers toys, plush, art & collectibles from the planet of Batuu. You can also purchase handcrafted items in this fun workshop at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. This is where you want to get your Wookie Doll!!

Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities

If you’re in the market for unique galactic artifacts, you want to check out this shop of mysterious items collected by a legendary antiquities dealer.

Resistance Supply

If you need a Jedi robe and/or any other Resistance apparel or accessories, this is where you want to shop.

OOoooh…Can I dress up in a Star Wars costume?

Disney World guests 13 years old and younger may wear costumes and masks (as long as they do obstruct the view). Costumes may NOT be worn by guests 14 years or older. Some guests prefer to dress similar to a character by using regular clothing, which is called Disney Bounding. If you’re looking to wear something like Hans Solo, you could wear black pants or a black skirt, an off-white shirt, and a brown vest – then you’re Disney Bounding but not wearing a costume. I’ve even seen girls in Princess Leia’s hair buns!

But what if I buy a robe or costume at the park or at Galaxy’s Edge? Sorry, no robes either.

What is the Disney Play APP?

You can download the Play Disney Parks APP. This APP lets you scan codes, play mini-games, and translate signs. It’s fun at any Disney Park and has special games for Galaxy’s Edge. You can also use it to translate the Aurebesh language signs all over Batuu.

If you have been to Galaxy’s Edge, what was your favorite part? Any tips for first-timers? If you haven’t been, what is something you are looking forward to doing there?

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