A First Timer's Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019 in Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Orlando. The theme park inspired by the 1977 film and subsequent sequels is set inside Hollywood Studios, taking the place of the former Streets of America area.

Set on 14 acres, the park is located in the village of the Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu. The planet was previously mentioned on the Star Tours ride, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Thrawn: Alliances, a Star Wars book.

Ships and droids are set up throughout the space, and signs are in a fictional language. It includes attractions, shops, rides, and restaurants. Even the products are in the script.

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Get your Walt Disney World tickets for entry into the parks or hire a Walt Disney World Private Guide to help you see as much as possible.

The Star Wars Experiences

The Star Wars-themed experiences aren’t limited just to Galaxy’s Edge. On Hollywood Boulevard, there’s A Galaxy Far, Far Away, a live-action show featuring notable characters from the recent films. You might see Stormtroopers, Kylon Ren, Boba Fett, and Chewbacca.

In the Animation Courtyard, the Star Wars Launch Bay has a store as well as exhibits from the films. There’s even a theater that screens a short documentary on the series.

Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple is in Echo Lake near Star Tours. The live-action show brings children ages 4-12 in as young padawans, donning robes and getting lightsaber training from a Jedi master.

Inside Galaxy’s Edge, you can wander through the market, where you can get your cards read by one of the vendors. Get up close to the Millennium Falcon and meet the Stormtroopers that roam the outpost. Enjoy photo ops with your favorite characters like BB-8, Darth Vader, and Chewbacca, which can be booked in advance.

Once darkness falls, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular is a light show at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. There are optional add-on experiences like a dessert bar and viewing area that can be booked in advance.

Rides at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Set in the Echo Lake area, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is one of the longest-running rides at the park and is a simulator of the space ships from the Star Wars films.

It predates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and replaced the original Star Tours from 1987. It now incorporates elements from the newer films.

The first ride to open is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, a simulation ride where different visitors play the parts of roles on the ship, including pilot and engineer on a mission for Chewbacca and friends. Your experience depends entirely on how well you fly. If the single rider lane is available, be sure to take that option.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opened in December 2019 and is considered to be one of the most impressive rides in the world. It brings guests on a thrilling trip behind the scenes with the First Order, including a photo op with the Stormtroopers.

A Note on Wait Times and Fast Passes: Currently, you probably won’t be able to find a Fast Pass for Rise of the Resistance. Instead, there’s a virtual queue where you save a spot in line. Sign up using the My Disney Experience app as soon as possible because spots run out. The Disney Tourist blog has even more tips.

Food and Drink in Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has unique food options throughout the day, including some funky dishes and creative renaming of Disney park favorites.

Ronto Roasters is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, selling sausage and pork wraps. Milk Stand has funky blue and green milk. At Kat Saka’s Kettle, indulge in sweet and savory colored popcorn.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo has breakfast, lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages. The menu includes fried chicken, pork ribs, and pot roast with an intergalactic spin.

Make reservations before going to Oga’s Cantina (online or through the app) or expect to wait in line. Visitors are limited to 45 minutes and must remain in their designated spot while inside the cantina. Drinks are expensive, but funky and add to the ambiance.

Where to Shop in Galaxy’s Edge

The Star Wars area of Hollywood Studios is great for purchasing souvenirs, especially for fans of the series. There are items here not found anywhere else.

Visit Mubo’s Droid Depot inside the market to create your own droid or Savi’s Workshop to assemble a lightsaber. You can make reservations for both to avoid wait times.

Browse for Jedi and Sith artifacts and lightsabers at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. Bina’s Creature Stall has plush versions of the wacky creatures from the films. Toydarian Toyshop has toys and collectibles. First Order Cargo and Resistance Supply also sells souvenirs.

Star Wars Launch Bay in the Animation Courtyard sells even more Star Wars gear, including collector’s items like rare Leia mouse ears and Skywalker Vineyards wines. There’s also the Star Wars Galactic Outpost at Disney Springs.

The Best Ticket Types and Additional Information

Storm Troopers at Galaxy's Edge — Stormtroopers at Galaxy’s Edge

Get your Walt Disney World tickets for entry into Disney’s Hollywood Studios or hire a Walt Disney World Private Guide to help you see as much as possible.

If you have a Magic Band, you can connect it to your Fast Passes as well as your Photo Pass from the rides around the park.

Disney offers one free Fast Pass per day, but you get additional ones for staying at one of the on-site hotels. Once you’ve used that one, you can add others at one of the kiosks around the park or on the app.

Download the official My Disney Experience app to change your Fast Pass choices, get directions to attractions, and order meals for pickup.

Most people go straight to Galaxy’s Edge upon entering Hollywood Studios, but it’s fairly calm in the evening hours. If you’re staying at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, you can easily walk from the hotels and be ready to go through security upon opening.

What to Wear to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Fans will enjoy dressing up in Star Wars-inspired gear for their trip to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World. Put together a Disneybound outfit in the style of Princess Leia, a Stormtrooper, or even Chewbacca. You can also order items in advance, like t-shirts, lightsabers, and mouse ears.

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