Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is now open at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Trekaroo was among the first to see and experience Galaxy’s Edge, and we want to pass our inside scoop on to you! Here are our best Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge tips. Read these before you transport your family to planet Batuu.
Good to know: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Disney World is going to be identical to Disneyland’s version (minus one fewer entrance to the land) so these tips are helpful for both parks.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Tips
1.No Reservations are Needed to Enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. But There are Some Very Important Things You Need to Know to Access the Land.
View of Galaxy’s Edge from the top of the Millennium Falcon | Photo by Katie Bodell
No reservations are needed to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! Guests will begin using a virtual queue to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge which will be accessed via the Disney Parks app. There will be a dedicated module on the main page titled “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge- Status and Access”.
Once guests sign up to gain access, they will be assigned a ‘boarding group” to visit the land. Your boarding group assignment is attached to your park ticket electronically. You will receive a push notification when it is your boarding group’s turn to enter the land.
If you are not electronically inclined, there will be some locations within Disneyland Park that you can visit to be assigned a boarding group.There will be signs in the park that show boarding group status updates.
Due to their tremendous popularity and limited capacity, reservations are required to enter Oga’s Cantina and Savi’s Workshop. You can book your reservation beginning at 7am on the day of your visit with a valid credit card. If you have a reservation to enter Oga’s or Savi’s, you will not need to join a boarding group to enter the land. You will need to “participate” in the experience (aka: buy a drink or light saber).
2. If You Are Over 14, Leave Your Star Wars Costumes at Home.
Rey & Trekaroo Editor Sharlene in her favorite Star Wars shirt | Photo by Katie Bodell
Disney policy states that park visitors ages 14 and up may not wear costumes inside the parks. This relatively new rule was created to help improve security. Disney does, however, encourage you to dress in gear inspired by your favorite Star Wars character. So leave that Kylo Ren mask at home but wear that Princess Leia-inspired dress and your hair in side buns, if that makes sense. Young kids should absolutely come in costume!
3. Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is Actually Really Big!
A Wing | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
I mean, Disney did tell us the new Star Wars land was going to be 14 acres in size, but they really have packed quite a bit of fun into those 14 acres! Spindly mountain spires soar over 100 feet into the air. There so many interesting shops to explore as you wander around corners and through marketplaces. It is a place to eat things from across the galaxy with names that conjure up memories from movies past.
Cast Members are residents of Batuu, with their own backstories and personalized wardrobes. There are several full-size air ships to pose near, including an A-wing, Transporter, and the Millennium Falcon.Of course, we can’t forget the rides. 2 rides push the limits of technology and immerse park-goers into the world of Star Wars like never before.
4. There Are 2 Rides in Galaxy’s Edge, But Only 1 is Open Right Now.
The Millennium Falcon | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
Yes, it is kind of a bummer than Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance won’t open until December 5th, 2019 at Disney World and January 17, 2020 at Disneyland. Thankfully there is still PLENTY to keep visitors occupied in the meantime. Luckily, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a great ride that definitely lives up to the hype.
Riders will enjoy this fully immersive attraction where they get to either be a pilot, engineer, or gunner on the fastest ship in the galaxy. Your performance in the role assigned to you will effect the rides ultimate outcome. It is exhilarating and so much fun!
5. Heading Straight to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is Not Always the Best Strategy.
Millennium Falcon Lounge | Photo by Katie Bodell
When your boarding group enters Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (or you enter during your reservation window), you will likely fill compelled to ride Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run first. This is a good idea if you are close to the front of the line to enter Galaxy’s Edge. If you are not, you might end up spending a good chunk of your time in Galaxy’s Edge waiting in line.
I would suggest exploring some of the other parts of Batuu first, and keeping an eye on the wait time using the Disneyland App. When it dips down lower than say, 45 minutes, make a run for it!
If you want to try to ride the ride a second time, you might want to consider using the Single Rider line. You won’t be able to ride with members in your group, which is part of the fun, but it could cut your wait time in half.
6. Definitely Snag that Oga’s Cantina Reservation. The Place is Hopping!
Jedi Mind Trick & Fuzzy Tauntaun | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
When you step into Oga’s Cantina you truly feel like you have stepped into a Star Wars film. The energy is fun thanks to the upbeat. music of DJ R-3X, Drinks are creative and delicious. Since the cantina is such a popular Star Wars tradition and the only place inside Disneyland where you can purchase alcoholic drinks, so I imagine those reservations will be booked up right after 7am each day.
Once you do get in, you will have 45 minutes to enjoy the cantina. You can get purchase a minimum of 1 drink and a maximum of 2 drinks per person during this time period. We recommend the margarita-inspired “The Outer Rim”, bubbly “Bespin Fizz”, citrusy blue “Jedi Mind Trick” and the “Fuzzy Tauntaun” with tingly, lip numbing “buzzz” foam.
7. Speaking of Drinks- We Like the Blue Milk Better Than the Green.
Green Milk and Blue Milk | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
Any Star Wars fan worth half their salt knows that Luke Skywalker has an affinity for colored milks. These milks are said to have some from mysterious creatures from across the galaxy but in Disneyland, they are vegan and taste nothing like a normal cup of moo juice.
While you can get Blue Milk and Green Milk at a couple of spots in Batuu, the best way to enjoy them is as they come at the Milk Stand. These vegan drinks (made from coconut and rice milk) are sweet slushies with distinctly different flavors. Blue Milk is tropical and sweet, a bit reminiscent of a bubble gum flavor. The Green Milk is very floral with citrus undertones. Blue Milk was more popular with our group than green but there is only way to find out if your brood agrees.
8. You Can Build Your Own Lightsaber, But It Will Come at a Cost
Outside of Savi’s Workshop | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
The build-your-own lightsaber experience at Savi’s Workshop is quickly become one of the most popular experiences in Galaxy’s Edge for diehard Star Wars fans. The experience is akin to the Harry Potter wand experience at Universal Studios but the only way you will experience it is if you purchase a $200 lightsaber in advance. Savi’s might hard to find since it isn’t clearly labeled, but you will find it next to Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.
These lightsabers are not the plastic toys you can find on Amazon or at The Star Trader in Tomorrowland. The handles are made of metal, they contain the kyber crystal of your choice, and there several options for customization.
Given their cost and quality, they are probably not ideal for small children. Remember, you must have a reservation to enter Savi’s Workshop.
Good to know: You may bring one additional person inside with you to share the experience when you purchase a lightsaber.
9. For Half the Cost of a Lightsaber You Can Build Your Own Droid
BB and R-Series Droids | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
We got a kick out of how fun and interactive the build-your-own droid experience is at Droid Depot. For $100, builders can choose to create their very own R-series or BB-series droid. Parts can be picked off a conveyor belt and there are said to be over 200,000 possible combinations. After parts are selected, customers are taken through and the building and activation process. The resulting droids can interact with the land which is pretty cool!
Check out Trekaroos’ full guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
10. Character Experiences Tend to Be More Spontaneous in Batuu
Stormtroopers and the General on the move | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
One of the things we loved about Galaxy’s Edge was how the characters mingled among park visitors. We saw Chewbacca gather a group of people to try to hide him from the First Order and Vi Moradi sneaking through Black Sprire Outpost Marketplace trying to recruit spies.
Rey walked among the crowds posing for pictures near the Mellinnium Falcon and Kylo Ren marched through with his small army of Strom Troopers. We enjoyed those experiences so much more than waiting in line to take a picture with a character.
11. The Black Spire Outpost Marketplace is Filled With Interesting Stalls
Black Spire Outpost Marketplace | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
We were incredibly impressed with the architecture and Moroccan-inspired vibe of Black Spire Outpost’s marketplace. It felt like we were strolling through a marketplace that has been around for centuries.
The Toydarian Toymaker stall features adorable stuffed versions of your favorite Star Wars characters. Next door, you can shop all the latest Batuuan fashions (and score a lightsaber belt) at Black Spire Oufitters. Fans for cooling off in the Battuan heat and all your favorite Batuu souvenirs can be found at Jewels of Bith. Kat Saka’s Kettle sells its spin on kettle corn. The vibrantly-colored snack is sweet, salty, and savory. It really quite tasty and hard to stop eating.
12. There Lots of Unique Critters at the Creature Stall, But the Loth-cat Stole Our Hearts.
Loth Cat | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
Our favorite stall in the Black Sprire Outpost Marketplace was the Creature Stall. Natives of the planet Lothal, Loth-cats are adorable little creatures that can be both sweet and salty. Pet them where they like to be pet and you will hear purrs and coos of approval. Pull their tails and they will quickly let you know you have made them angry. Take one home for about $45.
The Kowakian Monkey-Lizard ($70) is another solid purchase at the Creature Stall. These little puppets sit on your shoulder with a magnet. You can have him turn his head, open and close his mouth, and laugh hysterically. He reminds me an awful lot of the banshee I picked up in Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
13. The Play Disney Parks App Allows You to Interact with Galaxy’s Edge
Play Disney Parks App | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
Disney really wants a guest’s experience in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to be about more than just the rides. They have added quite a bit of technology to the visitor experience via their Play Disney Parks mobile app. As a matter of fact, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the first land in any Disney park to fully integrate the app.
The Disney mobile PLAY app will activate your galactic data pad as soon as you enter planet Batuu. Choose to be a Smuggler, member of the Resistance, and loyal to the First Order, and have a different experience on each visit. As you do different things inside the land you will earn galactic credits and digital rewards such as ship schematics and star maps.
Using the app, users will be able to hack into blinking door panels and other scenic elements. They can interact with droids and scan the contents of cargo containers. Users can continue to play spy by translating written languages such as Aurebesh and eavesdrop into character conversations by tapping into satellites.
There is also a multiplayer game going on inside the land several times a day– “Outpost Control”. Use the app to choose to join the First Order or the Resistance and then compete with your team to hack door panels. Whoever hacks the majority of the panels first, wins!
Tip: Bring backup phone batteries when visiting Disneyland Resort. Batteries tend to drain quickly while inside the parks and you don’t want to miss out on any of the fun!
14. Bring an Appetite
Ronto Wrap | Photo by Sharlene Eanrshaw
One of our favorite things to do when visiting a Disney Park is eat! Thankfully, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge has plenty of new food items to satisfy our appetites. One of their signature items is the Ronto Wrap found at Ronto Roasters. This portable pita is filled with roasted pork, pork sausage, and slaw topped with a peppercorn sauce. Turkey jerky, a breakfast wrap, and specialty beverages are sold at this stand as well.
The main dining establishment in Batuu is Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. This quick service restaurant serves up a variety of interesting food items from across the galaxy. The Smoked Kaadu Ribs, Yobshrimp Salad, and Fried Endorian Tip-Yip (square chicken anyone?) are sure to become Star Wars land favorites. They even serve Meiloorun Juice from the Star Wars Rebels animated series.
Bonus Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Tip: Skip the line and be sure to use mobile ordering to speed up the dining process at Docking Bay 7, Ronto Roasters, and The Milk Stand. Mobile Ordering can be accessed via the Disney App.
15. There are Lots of “Easter Eggs” – So Be on the Look Out!
Relics outside of Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities | Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw
Disney has hidden many nods to the various Star Wars books, movies, and animated series in Star Wars: Glaxay’s Edge. Look down at the ground and you will see R2-D2 tracks. The mural on the wall of Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities is similar to one seen in Chancellor Palpatine’s office in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Dok-Ondar even got his hands on the Ark the Covenant from Indiana Jones!
That podracer being turned at Ronto Roasters look familiar? Probably because it is similar to what Anakin flew in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. There are 3 containers above Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. They each have a different number on them which represents the years the original trilogy was release- 77, 80, and 83.
Keep your eyes open and you are sure to see several nods to Star Wars culture throughout the land. While there isn’t any obvious nod to classic Disney culture, we did spot a Hidden Mickey on the building housing Ronto Roasters!
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