During the days of Hurricane Dorian, I had the unexpected surprise of being able to go to Hollywood Studios to see the new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge land that opened up.
I had assumed it would be months (and maybe years) before I was able to go in without it being packed out, so I took advantage of the lower wait times and cloudy days around the hurricane to attend.
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Review:
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is the fictional planet Battu, a world inside the Star Wars universe that has been occupied by the First Order.
The cast members who work there all speak the lingo- greeting you with a “Bright Suns” instead of “Good Day”, and “Til the Spires!” as a goodbye.
They remain totally in character, and will discuss the local news and weather as in regards to the Star Wars universe.
If you go, be sure to take some time to ask their back story, and not just where the nearest bathroom is.
The CMs spend time on crafting their stories and answers.
There are grounded spaceships among the scenery, which looks like something right out of a Star Wars movie.
You may encounter Rey working on her ship, Kylo Ren surrounded by storm troopers, and you may even be stopped by a storm trooper and asked for your identification.
Money is referred to as credits, and you can even exchange your currency there for a credits card.
There is a marketplace full of shops where you can find “hand-crafted” toys, clothing to outfit you for your journey, exotic animals for sale, and unique snacks and drinks.
There are 2 places to eat, each offering different menus of exotic space food, a stand offering blue and green “milk”, and a snack cart offering sweet and spicy popcorn. Oga’s Cantina is the bar inside the land, but it does offer libations for all ages.
You can build your own droid, and watch it come to life, or you can build your own lightsabers and craft your own Jedi or Sith holocrons.
And finally, the biggest draw, is the Millenium Falcon itself. The Millenium Falcon Smuggler’s Run makes you a part of the crew flying the Falcon as you help Hondo capture coaxium and return it to the rebels.
If you are a Star Wars fan of any kind, this is a must do on your Disney trip. You become so immersed in the land that you forget that you are inside Hollywood Studios.
I spent several hours there, wandering around through the shops and eating snacks. The shops have unique gifts for anyone- not your normal Star Wars merch. There are tshirts and souvenir cups to be sure, but there are also replica costumes, jewelry made out of droid parts, scrolls and books, statues, and anything a die hard Star Wars fan would be excited by.
I couldn’t resist the plush dolls that were made to look like they were handwoven (I got the Asokha and Kylo dolls- I may be going back for more!) and was sucked in by the droid part jewelry. The build your own lightsaber is on my list someday, but it is pricey at $200 each.
I got the spicy and sweet popcorn at Kat Saka’s Kettle, and it is delicious. Lightly spicy and sweet like fruity pebbles, this is a must have. But be sure to try and eat it right away- it will go stale pretty quickly.
I had lunch at the Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, where I had the Endorian Tip-Yip, which was delicious. It was fried chicken served over a mix of mashed potatoes with veggies, and served with a green gravy. I got to try the blue “milk”, which was also very good.
It’s obviously not actually milk, but is closer to a slushy that tasted almost like fruity pebbles. It was very refreshing.
Oga’s Cantina is just like the cantina from A New Hope, where you can get non-alcoholic beverages along with your alcoholic ones, so it is family friendly- but be aware, it is 90% standing room.
As of right now there is a 2 drink and 45 minute limit, so you shouldn’t be seeing too many shenanigans there- and be sure to get a reservation, as that is all they are taking right now.
DJ-R3X is the DJ droid who spins tunes while you sip on your drink. I got the Fuzzy Tauntaun, which is one of the more popular drinks, and there are options for drinks that come with souvenir tumblers, such as the popular Cliff Dweller, which comes with a Porg mug. This is also a must do for any Star Wars fan.
I was lucky enough to be able to walk onto the Millenium Falcon Smuggler’s Run the first time that I rode it. There is a single rider line, so if you are okay with being possibly separated, this is your best option to avoid the many hour wait.
This is a fully immersive ride, where each person is essential to the success of the ride. Each person is assigned a role- pilot, co-pilot, gunner, or engineer- and then you are sent to queue in your group inside the Falcon itself.
There are some great picture moments here, but be quick- they tend to move you into the ride in a hurry. If you can, try to make sure the pilot is someone who can actually drive so you aren’t crashing into things the entire time.
A lot happens during the simulation, so be sure to pay attention to all the flashing lights and sounds around you. It is possible to fail your mission, so if you want to have the best experience, you need all hands on deck.
No one wants to hear that you failed Chewie and didn’t make him proud!
There really is so much to do and see while you are here, so be sure to factor in a decent chunk of time if you plan on visiting.
If you go during a busy month, remember that Toy Story Land is also right there, which draws plenty of its own crowds.
And if you are a heavy Star Wars fan, bring plenty of money to take part of all that this land offers.
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