Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has an opening date!

Hey Thrill Seekers,

We now have opening dates for the most anticipated land in a Disney park everrrr!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening on the 29th August 2019 at Hollywood Studios Orlando (and 31st May at the California park) A lot sooner than we expected to be honest!

Disney have said that the lands are debuting early due to ‘high guest interest’ however there are a few differences with this opening than past debuts (such as Toy Story Land and Pandora).. Disney are opening Galaxy’s Edge in what they’re calling ‘phases’.
On opening day of ‘phase 1’ guests will be able to experience Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run, try out all the food and drink and shop til they drop in the merchant stalls. It won’t be until phase 2 though that guests will be able to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance which is opening ‘later this year’ do you think this is a good idea by Disney or is ‘the most ambitious, immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined that will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance and will blur the lines between fantasy and reality.’ just not going to be ready for the opening dates?

If you’re planning on visiting the Disneyland park for the opening in May, on top of your valid theme park admission you will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability to access the land. Information on how to make a reservation will be available at a later date.
Guests staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels during these dates will receive a designated reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest); valid theme park admission is required.

But more importantly, a reservation will not be offered or required to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Walt Disney World Resort at this time. At the moment all you’ll need is your admission and you’ll have to bear in mind that capacity is limited. I can already picture peeps camping outside days before the opening!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios WILL be available during extra magic hours though. During Extra Magic Hours guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can spend extra time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios enjoying select attractions.  Details will also be available at a later date.

Here are some tips that Disney have shared to help with planning..

Park Admission: Regular theme park admission is required to enter Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There will not be a separate ticket for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.   To visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park between May 31 and June 23, 2019, guests will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land.  We’ll share information on how to make a reservation at a later date.

Land Entry: Because we anticipate galactic excitement during the opening months this year, we are planning ahead to deliver the best possible experiences for our guests.  Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be open during normal park operating hours. It will not be included in Extra Magic Hour or Magic Morning at Disneyland Park.  It will be available during Extra Magic Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Attractions: For your vacation planning purposes, please be aware that Disney FASTPASS service, including access via Disney MaxPass, (at Disneyland park) and Disney FastPass+ service (at Disney’s Hollywood Studios) will not initially be offered at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. We will continually evaluate our operations and services in order to help provide a great guest experience.

Planning: You should also note that vacation packages, park tickets and Disney Resort hotel stays do not guarantee access to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  The land —including participation in its experiences—will be subject to capacity restraints and other restrictions.

In a post by Attractions Magazine it looks as though the height requirements have been released too – ‘Height requirements for both rides were also released. At Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, guests must be 38 inches or taller to ride. Once it opens, guests must be 40 inches or taller to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.’

Check out this new video for more details:

Now we have an opening date you better get planning!! 😉

Smiles Included,

Abby

More details arise about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Hey Thrill Seekers,

We’re calmly (not really) anticipating the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s edge in Hollywood Studios and there’s a
lot we already know about Galaxy’s edge but lots of new – what may seem small – details seem to be popping up that are getting us even more excited.

The name of the planet is Batuu which was mentioned in last years Solo: A Star Wars Story. My guess is that they went with this planet because it is not widely known which allows room for all guests to feel included with the story no matter how much Star Wars knowledge you have.
We also know the name of the village – Black Spire Outpost:
The largest settlement on the planet Batuu, Black Spire Outpost is an infamous stop for traders, adventurers, and smugglers traveling around the Outer Rim and Wild Space. Off the beaten path, this outpost has become a haven for the galaxy’s most colorful — and notorious — characters. Widely known for the petrified remains of its once towering ancient trees, the spires now stand guard across the river valleys and plains and have long captured the imagination of travelers to this planet. To the first settlers, these petrified spires became more than just landmarks; they became the heart of the outpost itself.

Some cool new things we have found out include a shop that will feature customisable droids which can be designed by guests through an interactive experience. It is said that the droids will then react in ways that reflect their design. For example if you design a droid to be afraid of something and that something comes near it will signal fear. There is also rumours that droids owned by members of the same group may recognise each other when near – these sound expensive right?
Another shop will be run by Dok-Ondar who is a collector (mentioned in Solo) and it sounds like this character will be an animatronic in his own booth where guests will be able to interact with him, maybe for a bit of bartering on prices? 😉
As well as these two shops will be the outdoor market which is one of the exotic market places of Batuu where you can find in-universe toys and souvenirs which are said to be exclusive. Imagineers want this part to be ‘romantic and ancient’ and have visited various marketplaces in Instanbul and Morocco for inspiration! The stall in the image below is run by a “Toydarian”(who sells toys) which Trowbridge has said was introduced in Episode I: The Pantom Menace” on Tatooine. Apparently there will also be a pod-racing engine at the market that will be used to roast meat!

Lets not forget the two rides Milennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance:

In Smuggler’s Run a pirate named Hondo Ohnaka has made a deal with Chewbacca for the use of the Millennium Falcon. Guests will fly in teams of 6 and their actions will affect the experience within the whole of Galaxy’s Edge. The attraction entrance sounds like it will be subtle so that it doesn’t stand out or become an eyesore in the immersive land. This ride will
“place guests behind the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy in one of three unique flight crew roles.”

In Rise of the Resistance guests will be put in the middle of an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order. It sounds as like there will be 2 parts to this attraction with 2 different ride vehicles, firstly a shuttle to the battle ship and then (see below) a 6 person vehicle with a droid at the front which we think will be a lot like Transformers over at Universal. Groups of guests might even be “captured” ordered along by the enemy, before making their escape aboard a trackless troop transport. Maybe that’s where you will be taken from one ride vehicle to the other?

Also, we know that Oga’s Cantina  will serve  yummy food and drink to bounty hunters, pilots, smugglers, locals, galactic travellers and you when it opens next year.
Oga’s Cantina is the kind of establishment that attracts some of the most interesting and disreputable characters in the galaxy. And you never know when a stormtrooper or a familiar face will show up. Patrons of the cantina come from across the galaxy to sample the famous concoctions created with exotic ingredients using “otherworldly” methods, served in unique vessels. With choices for kids and libations for adults, the cantina will make for a great stop!

I didn’t think we could get any more excited about Galacy’s Edge set to open in fall this year but i think it’s safe to say that we can!!

Smiles Included,

Abby