One of the most anticipated theme park lands ever is finally here and complete at Walt Disney World and Disneyland! Journey to an all-new land in a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, featuring incredible attractions, adventurous encounters, and immersive theming to take guests right into the Star Wars universe. Check out my top 5 things to do at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Experience Rise of the Resistance
Let’s start with the big one! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World and Disneyland is finally complete with the opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance! Join the Resistance in an epic battle against the First Order on this exciting new ride.
With the First Order desperate to extinguish the spark of the Resistance, the mission is bound to have unexpected twists and turns. When your transport is captured by an imposing First Order Star Destroyer filled with legions of stormtroopers—and even Kylo Ren!—you’re going to need all the help you can get. Fortunately, a covert team of Resistance fighters—including Rey and BB-8—is at the ready to give you a fighting chance to escape… and a chance for the Resistance to rise.
Unlike anything else at the Disney theme parks, Rise of the Resistance features multiple ride systems and incredibly immersive, larger-than-life theming to immerse guests in the Star Wars universe.The attraction is currently operating Boarding Groups in order for guests to ride, which can be reserved once in the park through the My Disney Experience app (or the Disneyland app). Boarding Groups are currently required to ride, and Rise of the Resistance is not running a stand-by queue.
Pilot the Millennium Falcon
One of the most iconic locations of the Star Wars universe isn’t a place – it’s a ship. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run takes you inside the Millennium Falcon on a smuggling mission from Hondo Ohnaka (with reluctant permission from Chewbacca). Guests can take one of three jobs on the Falcon – pilot, gunner, or engineer. My tip is to try for pilot if you can get it, or at least gunner.
After you get assigned your role on the Falcon, you may have a couple minutes before heading to the cockpit – this is the perfect chance to get a picture by the holochess table! Once your group is called, you’ll head to the Falcon’s cockpit to begin your mission. Your decisions while you’re on the Falcon affect the outcome of your mission, and your experience changes depending upon your performance.
Grab a Drink at the Cantina
Another iconic location that all of us wanted to see long before Galaxy’s Edge came to be is the cantina, and Black Spire Outpost has its own version of this hive of scum and villainy. Oga’s Cantina serves up unusual libations throughout the day, and some light snacks – keep in mind that it doesn’t serve full meals. Reservations are highly recommended in order to enter the Cantina. Seating is very limited, so a reservation doesn’t guarantee you a seat. Be sure to pay a visit to DJ Rex.
Build Your Custom Lightsaber
If you really want to go full Star Wars nerd, then you don’t want to miss the chance to build your own custom lightsaber at Galaxy’s Edge! Guests can pay a visit to Savi’s Workshop to build a lightsaber in a guided interactive ceremony. The cost isn’t anything to sneeze at – about $212 after tax – but for hardcore Star Wars fans looking for a unique, intimate experiences that gives you a high quality, custom souvenir to bring home from your adventure on Batuu, then this is for you. Reservations are highly recommended.
You can check out more details on Savi’s Workshop in my report on my experience here.
Keep an Eye Out for Heroes and Villains
One of the fun things about exploring Black Spire Outpost is that it feels like you’ve strolled into a real location in the Star Wars universe, and that includes seeing some familiar characters walking around. In the areas around the Millennium Falcon and Rise of the Resistance, keep an eye out for Rey, Chewbacca, and Vi Moradi, a Resistance fighter unique to Black Spire Outpost. Beyond the Millennium Falcon, the Empire has a stronger presence, and you can spot Stormtrooopers, Imperial officers, and Kylo Ren.
Please note that the characters in Black Spire Outpost roam around, but do not have set meeting places and may not stop for photos. If you’re looking to get a posed photo, you’ll need to visit the Star Wars Launch Bay elsewhere in Hollywood Studios.
Bonus: Take Home a Unique Piece of Batuu
There are a lot of cool souvenirs in Black Spire Outpost, ranging from custom lightsabers and droids to plush toys of unusual alien lifeforms. One of my favorite unique souvenirs available here is (technically) free!
The Batuuan Spira is available at the Droid Depot. The Spira is the currency of Batuu – but functionally, it’s a Disney gift card that you can load with a balance and use throughout the parks. The Spira makes a cool souvenir – it’s real metal, it’s unique, and it’s easy to pack! You do need to load the Spira with a minimum of $100 in order to get it. But, if you’re already planning to purchase items in Black Spire Outpost (especially a lightsaber), you can load the money you’re already planning on spending onto it, and have a Spira to take home!