After years of waiting, one of the most highly anticipated additions to any Walt Disney World park is finally here: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
But, with so much to see and do on the planet of Batuu there are a lot of things to know before you head there.
We’ve gathered all the details on the attractions, restaurants, and shopping opportunities into 1 spot so you can study up before you go.
Here’s what you need to know…
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – everything you need to know before your first visit
This isn’t a small addition in any sense of the imagination.
Disney went BIG on this new land.
Details, backstory, and specs
Size: roughly 14 acres
Planet name & backstory: Batuu – a remote outpost that “was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes, but its prominence was bypassed by the rise of hyperspace travel.”
Now, visitors will find that Batuu is a thriving port for anybody that might want to avoid detection, like smugglers, rogue traders, or those that want to avoid the First Order.
The village guests will visit on Batuu is named “Black Spire Outpost“. The name comes from the geographical formations around it (like in the image below).
Disney says, “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.”
Immersion: When it was announced, Disney said that the entire land is an immersive experience “where choices guests make and performance at tasks in the attractions allow them to create a virtual profile that will then determine the interactions of the world around them.”
We haven’t seen that so much (yet!) BUT we can say without a doubt that this land is immersive.
Every single Cast Member is part of the story here – from what they wear to the words they use.
That along with the amazing details makes it very easy for you to feel as if you’re a part of the story.
Attractions
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Height requirement: 38″
FastPass+ available? Yes
This attraction puts guests at the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy – Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon.
Guests riding this attraction are assigned one of 3 unique flight crew roles (which is similar to how Mission: Space works if you are familiar with that attraction):
- Pilot. Probably the most popular and coveted position. The pilots have the most to do, the best view, and get to actually fly the Millennium Falcon.
- Gunner. Gunners sit directly behind the pilots and are in charge of firing the weapons.
- Engineer. This is probably the least desired role, and it also the role you’re most likely to get if you choose to ride the Single Rider Line (and some people also think its the least likely to cause motion sickness if that is something that concerns you). This role involves pushing buttons to repair damage to the ship.
Each person will receive a card with their assignment on it and guests can trade roles if they want to.
While you wait to board the ship you’ll be able to wander around, take photos, etc. Just be sure you listen carefully for your group color to be called.
In addition to the ride itself, the queue area (which is long to accommodate the expected crowds) provides guests with lots to look at as it acts as a prologue to the ride.
And, great news – most of it is covered and lots of it has air conditioning – a huge plus!
Guests will also be happy to know that they’ll also find some fun interactive elements that they’ll be able to access with the Play Disney app as they wait.
As for the story, Hondo (from the animated Star Wars shows) is the man in charge of recruiting some new smugglers to help move weapons and supplies to The Resistance.
And it is your crew’s job to get the goods to the people that need them.
But, unlike Mission: Space where the crew members’ roles and assignments don’t change the outcome of the attraction, that’s not true here.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has a much more “choose your own adventure” quality to it which means the things you do – or don’t do – will affect how the story plays out.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Height requirement: 40″
FastPass+ available? No
This attraction puts guests smack dab in the middle of the an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order and considering Disney has said that this new attraction is “one of the most advanced and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering” you can bet that it is amazing.
Truly.
Like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, this attraction has an expansive queue designed to hold the crowds and if you look down, you’ll see something that might look familiar: the tracks from the real R2-D2.
Love the Play Disney App? You can use it here to dive even deeper into the prologue of the story before you board the attraction.
Something (or, should we say, several somethings) else familiar is found on this attraction: Poe, Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren (all created with footage from the original actors).
This attraction involves being taken through several larger-than-life rooms with fun names like the “interrogation room” and the less scary sounding “cargo bay”.
Guests can expect to see X-wing fighters, Animatronic Stormtroopers, and TIE fighters.
This attraction has several stages – and depending on how fast things are moving once you enter the first room it can take anywhere from 15 to 30 or more minutes (although the actual “ride” experience is much shorter).
You start off being captured and Poe promising to return for help.
After that, the next part of the attraction has you boarding vehicles that utilize a trackless system that takes you through a hanger containing a couple iconic (and scary) AT-ATs before eventually bringing you to Kylo Ren.
Expect “jaw-dropping moments” and a complete “cinematic immersive experience.”
Learn more about how the virtual queue works or check out our 7 tips for Rise of the Resistance.
Characters
The characters here are free roaming, meaning, there isn’t a queue for them like the other characters at Disney World.
Instead, they move around the entire land freely, interacting with each other and guests.
Stormtroopers
The March of the First Order made its final appearance outside of Galaxy’s Edge on July 6, 2019, and you can now find the Stormtroopers on Batuu.
Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren will also be seen at the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu where he “interrogates the locals, seeking to find any Resistance sympathizers.”
Chewbacca
The Resistance is also represented with appearances from everybody’s favorite Wookie: Chewbacca.
He is there helping to establish a temporary base and rounding up recruits for The Resistance.
Vi Moradi
Vi Moradi is a Resistance spy working under the orders of General Organa and you’ll find her sharing some of the tricks of the trade with guests visiting the Black Spire Outpost.
Rey
Rey may also be spotted. Look for her in the wooded outskirts of the village or up around Ronto Roasters.
Dining
Even though there are several spots to grab a bite to eat, there isn’t a ton of seating.
For shortest waits, consider dining during off hours.
Another important note is that Oga’s Cantina requires reservations so make sure you do that ahead of time if you’d like to toss back a few on Batuu.
Oga’s Cantina (reservation recommended)
Unique musical entertainment (provided by RX-24, the former StarSpeeder 3000 droid pilot from Star Tours) and amazing concoctions “created with exotic ingredients using “otherworldly” methods” await visitors to this notorious local watering hole.
Described by Disney as:
“Run by an intriguing alien proprietor, Oga Garra, the cantina adheres to a strict code of conduct that tries to keep its unruly patrons in check. But with a history of being a smugglers’ safe haven and a popular stopping point for those seeking to avoid the authorities, you can bet that the cantina has a story or two to tell.”
Several Star Wars-themed alcoholic beverages are available including: 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.
And, exclusive to the Walt Disney World version, the Rodian Ration which is a combination of vodka, sour apple liqueur, Sprite, and green apple popping pearls.
For guests under the age of 21 (or those not interested in the alcoholic ones) there is a selection of non-alcoholic beverages to choose from including: Black Spire Brew, Blue Bantha, Carbon Freeze, Cliff Dweller, Hyperdrive Punch It!, Jabba Juice, Moogan Tea, and Tarine Tea.
If you want to grab a drink here, though, you’ll need to make a reservation online.
The music here is super catchy and lots of fun, and Disney has made it available to stream ahead of a full release of all 18 tracks.
Read more about Oga’s Cantina at Disney World.
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo*
This multi-purpose transport shuttle dock provides guests with food and drink options, all, of course, with a Star Wars story behind them.
At Docking Bay 7, “Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has converted his modified Sienar-Chall Utilipede-Transport into a popular mobile kitchen and restaurant.”
This is a “quick service” type restaurant albeit with a heavily-themed menu with a wide selection of items.
Entree’s here include:
- Beef Pot Roast, featuring beef pot roast with cavatelli pasta, kale, and mushrooms
- Fried Chicken, a decadent chicken dish with roasted vegetable mash and herb gravy
- Smoked Pork Ribs, featuring smoked country sticky pork ribs with blueberry corn muffin and cabbage slaw
- Shrimp Noodle Salad, a marinated noodle salad with chilled shrimp.
Dessert options include:
- Oi-Oi Puff, a raspberry crème puff with passion fruit mousse
- Batuu-bon, which is a chocolate cake with white chocolate mouse and coffee custard
Children’s menu has 3 options:
- Fried Chicken, which is fried chicken with macaroni and cheese
- Shrimp Noodle Salad, a chilled shrimp with vegetables and rice noodle salad (with sweet orange dressing)
- Veggie Dippers, which is a black beam hummus serviced with chilled dipping vegetables and multigrain crisps
The seating here is primarily inside (in the air conditioning!) with a few tables outside.
Check out the menu on the Disney World website.
Ronto Roasters*
Serving primarily sandwiches and a few drinks, the menu here isn’t as expansive as the one for Docking Bay 7.
But, despite the short menu, the theming (which looks as if the meat is being roasted on engines) makes this a fun place to grab a bite to eat.
Choices here include the Turkey Jerkey and the Ronto Wrap which is a wrap filled with grilled sausage and roasted pork.
There is some seating available here (covered but not air-conditioned), as well as a counter where you can stand and eat.
Milk Stand*
What would anything Star Wars-themed be without blue milk?!
The Milk Stand offers 2 local favorites: Blue Milk (a la “A New Hope”) and Green Milk (like the stuff Luke drinks in “The Last Jedi”).
And, exclusive to the Hollywood Studios version, if you like you can even order your milk with alcohol (Blue Milk Cooler with rum or a Green Milk Cooler with tequila).
There isn’t any seating here, but there are a few tables nearby that you can use while standing (no chairs).
Kat Saka’s Kettle
Of course, what would any land in the parks be without popcorn and you can find a colorful option for that here.
No seating here, but there are a few tables nearby at Ronto Roasters.
*Dining locations that offer Mobile Ordering
PhotoPass
There are several PhotoPass opportunities that you’ll want to take advantage of, like this Magic Shot with a Porg (we recommend keeping your eyes open for a better picture):
This one in front of the Millennium Falcon:
This fun (and NEW!) “Tiny World” Magic Shot:
And Super Zoom shots like this one:
Read more about how Memory Maker works.
Shopping
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge also has several unique shops with a wide array of items available for guests.
Droid Depot
This is the go-to spot for guests wanting to create their own droid to take home (both R-series and BB-series options are available).
These aren’t just toys to look at, though.
There are a variety of computer chips and accessories that bring the droids to life making them a truly unique souvenir.
If you don’t feel like making your own, pre-built droids will also be available.
Interested in making your own droid? You’ll need to make a reservation online.
Want to learn more? Check out our Complete guide to Droid Depot.
Savi’s Workshop
Ever wanted your very own Lightsaber?
Well, if so, you are in luck because at Savi’s Workshop you’ll be able to build one from scratch with the assistance of Gatherers which Disney describes as “a secretive group of people who have dedicated their lives to restoring balance in the galaxy by passing on their knowledge of Jedi lore and the Force.”
And, no need to worry if you’re feeling the Dark Side pulling you – you’ll be able to embrace it when you choose your Kyber crystal (the heart of the Lightsaber).
You’ll have 4 options to choose from:”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).”
Savi’s is by reservation only (which you can make online).
Good news for people flying – the TSA has said that Lightsabers are safe to bring along as either carry-on OR in your checked luggage.
Check out our Complete Guide to Savi’s Workshop.
Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
This is the go-to place for unique souvenirs and items representing different eras of the Star Wars galaxy.
First Order Cargo
This spot provides tourists with the “chance to pledge their loyalty to the First Order by purchasing caps, gear, model ships, pins, and more.”
Resistance Supply
Here you can find hats, pins, and other accessories to show your support of the cause.
Market Stalls
In addition to the shops there are also several “market stalls” where guests can purchase items to bring back to Earth.
- Toydarian Toymaker (toys)
- Creature Stall (critters you can take home with you)
- Black Spire Outfitters (clothes)
- The Jewels of Birth (accessories)
Are costumes allowed?
Just like with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney encourages “bounding” but not full costumes that could be mistaken for Disney Cast Members or characters.
Just what is Disney Bounding, you ask?
Disney Bounding means using a majority of “regular” clothing items to put together ensembles that resemble popular Disney (or in this case, Star Wars) characters.
It lets fans represent their favorite heroes or villains without causing issues that would pop up if guests looked too much like the “real thing”.
When planning what to wear, Disney states that these things are NOT allowed:
- All robes or military-style attire
- Masks, face paint, elaborate headwear, blasters or holsters (lightsabers are allowed) or hard items such as body armor, helmets or kneepads
- Full character suits
Check out this Disney Parks Blog post for more information on what clothing items are (and are not) allowed.
Play Disney Parks mobile app
Nearly every person in the parks these days has a phone and Disney has a fun way for you to use yours while visiting Batuu.
Once logging into the Play Disney Parks app you can access the Star Wars: Datapad to do all sorts of fun things like:
- Translate a variety of languages from across the galaxy—including Aurebesh signs throughout Black Spire Outpost.
- Scan objects all around the spaceport to discover precious cargo.
- Tune and decrypt communications sent by the planet’s many residents.
- Use the Star Wars: Datapad to hack into—and interact with—select devices, control panels and droids.