We were planning this trip to So Cal for months and it was all about getting to Disneyland to be one of the first families to see Galaxy’s Edge. We were so lucky that the crowd levels were low for a brand new attraction! I had everything planned on what to see and do first, but in the end all that went out the window when the kids said “lets ride Millennium Falcon first”. Smart move listening to them! Smart move!
Let me tell you Galaxy’s Edge is huge, about 14 acres. It is the largest settlement on planet Batuu, set in the remote Black Spire Outpost, an infamous stop for smugglers, traders and travelers. The cast members here are in character and we had plenty of interaction with them throughout the day including a big scare from Chewie as he ran up from behind me and hugged me! Oh I wish I had a picture of that 🙂 We had plenty of wishes of ‘”Bright Suns” (hello) and “Good Journey”(goodbye). We also had a few run-ins with Stormtroopers too! It was so much fun, we all really enjoyed it. It is really big and we got turned around a few times but finally figured it out. Part of the fun is seeing and doing unplanned things for us, we like to have a general idea of what to do but usually end up improvising. Galaxy’s Edge has fantastic theming, every detail is amazing. You will forget you are at a Disney park. There is no sign of the mouse here at all. Even the soda and water bottles are themed; they are detonator bottles, cool right?
The marketplace was fun, lots of shops for Star Wars themed items, and fun interactions. It did seem a bit small considering the size of the area, so I am wondering what the feel will be once the crowds arrive. There is Savi’s Workshop where you can build your own lightsabers and Droid Depot where you can build your own droid. We didn’t experience these attractions this time, maybe next trip. We did have a few drinks at Oga’s Cantina which was so much fun, you can read that review here https://followthedempseys.com/star-wars-galaxys-edge-ogas-cantina-review/
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run was a blast! The line was a bit long maybe about an hour I think, not too bad. The deal is that Hondo borrows the Millennium Falcon from Chewbacca to go and heist some cargo. For each ride Hondo needs 6 travelers, 2 Pilots, 2 Gunners, and 2 Engineers. You are given a boarding pass that tells you your position. Once we got onboard, the cockpit of the Falcon is really cool with lots of buttons, switches and lights. My kids were lucky and were the Pilots (which looks like the hardest job) and we were the Gunners. The Engineers who were not with us said our score was pretty good…..so who knows maybe this is our destiny, lol. The Falcon is actually a real time video game not a pre-set determined ride, so if you keep going back you can improve your scores! We will definitely be back once they open the second ride in the land Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance(set to open January 2020).
There was so much to see here, the kids downloaded the Play Disney parks app that kept us entertained as well. On the Play app you can translate galactic languages, scan barcodes, hack into droids, and lots of other really cool interactive stuff. I highly recommend the Play app, but you will also need to download the Disneyland park app for using Max Pass(fast pass), for checking wait times, and mobile ordering of food/drinks for quick pick-up. This was a lifesaver! Fast pass was not available for Millennium Falcon while we were there in July. Once the crowds get bigger I was told they will be using a Boarding Pass system that will assign you a time you can enter the land, you will be able to get your pass via the Disneyland app or at the kiosks in the park. I think once Rise of the Resistance opens it will be more crowded.
We really enjoyed Galaxy’s Edge and will be returning, and will visit the Droid Dept, I mean everyone needs their own droid right? and Ronto Roasters for lunch, the grilled meats there smelled so delish!
Have you been to Galaxy’s Edge yet?? We’d love to hear about your experience!! Let me know if you have any questions about traveling with your teens and college kids.
