There is no denying that a Disney holiday is a BIG holiday. No matter which resort you visit there is a lot to pack in. There is so much to pack in that you may feel a little overwhelmed at times during the planning process. If that happens and you feel like you have information overload from doing research, remember the Fairytale Holidays team is on hand to help you plan your perfect fairytale holiday. But even with their help, you probably have to consider the fact you won’t get everything done and that’s why my number one tip is always have each member of your party pick THREE must-dos. Then view everything else as extra. And while that is my number one tip, I’m here today to tell you why you shouldn’t skip out on Galaxy’s Edge, even if you’re not a Star Wars fan!
Galaxy’s Edge is a themed “land” at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park in Anaheim. From the moment you arrive, you’re transported to the village of Black Spire Outpost on the remote planet of Batuu. Like with everything in the Star Wars universe, there is a rich history surrounding Batuu. While you’re there as guests, Disney wants you to feel like you’re part of the story. And even if you aren’t a diehard Star Wars fan, I truly believe you can still enjoy it. So you really shouldn’t skip out on Galaxy’s Edge during your visit to Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort and here is why;
It’s Completely Immersive
You might be thinking “What does completely immersive mean?” because surely any Disney holiday is immersive on some level, right? Well, Galaxy’s Edge is another level on top of that. It takes you outside the Disney park experience and you’re supposed to feel like you’re in another world. This is becoming more popular with Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Avengers Campus at Disney’s California Adventure (and Disneyland Paris from Summer 2022). As of right now, Galaxy’s Edge is the most immersive of these lands. The cast members take on almost character roles and don’t really talk about the world outside Batuu and they certainly don’t acknowledge it.
Of course, it helps being a Star Wars fan. You have watched the movies and now you get to experience this rich universe for yourself. But it’s easy to get swept away in it even if you know nothing about Star Wars. Because at the end of the day, you visit Disney for a fantastical experience, and this is top-tier fantasy.
Galaxy’s Edge Has Some Insane Rides
With Galaxy’s Edge being relatively new in regards to the lifespan of both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, you of course expect the rides to be bigger and better than those built when the park first opened. But the two rides in Galaxy’s Edge are actually insane. I’m of course talking about level of enjoyment and the attention to details by the Imagineers. If you’re new to the Disney lingo, the Imagineers are the think tank behind everything Disney. Back to the two rides, these are Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance. I don’t want to ruin either too much because half the fun is experiencing them yourself first hand. But Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gives you a chance to fly the famed Millennium Falcon! You and five others (so perfect if you have a party of six, but don’t worry, just as fun when you’re paired with strangers) take on the roles of pilot, engineer and gunner. This really drives home the level of interaction. It’s like Star Tours, but Star Tours if it had eaten 12 Mickey Bars in row. You have to push buttons, steer, follow instructions. It can be stressful but exciting! Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run adds to the immersive feel of the land as it has a full backstory you come to understand while you queue.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the second ride at Galaxy’s Edge, and before it’s opening, Disney made some huge claims about it calling it the biggest and most immersive ride ever! And given this tops the favourite ride list for so many people, it sounds like they were right on the money. It really makes you feel like you’re in a Star Wars movie. It’s a trackless ride that races you through a Star Destroyer as you try to escape the First Order! I won’t spoil any more for you but there is no exaggeration when it comes to hearing just how good this ride is! I personally feel like even without being a Star Wars fan, you shouldn’t skip out on Galaxy’s Edge because then you’ll never get to experience the thrill of this ride.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is available on Genie+ and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is available as an individual Lightning Lane.
The Food is Top Tier
While my daughter loves Galaxy’s Edge for the immersive feel (she absolutely wants to join The Resistance and be part of the story) I’m here for the food. Galaxy’s Edge has some of the best food and if you’re not a Star Wars fan, you should visit purely to try the offerings.
First up, there is Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. Styled like a hanger, the premise is you are getting your food from Tugg’s Grub, a travelling diner. It’s counter service so you go up and order, collect your food on a tray and take a seat. No reservation required. The menu is interesting, along with some Star Wars inspired names for dishes (Yobshrimp Noodle Salad with Moof Juice, anyone?) there are some flavours you’d never expect to see together but trust me, they actually work? I recommend the Fried Endorian Tip-yip which is crispy chicken served with roasted vegetable potato mash in herb gravy. They have some great specialty drinks and desserts too, my favourite is the Phattro as it’s sweet and refreshing. While everything at Docking Bay 7 is incredibly tasty, nothing comes close to Ronto Roasters for something to eat on the go. Situated in the Marketplace of the Black Spire Outpost you can’t miss the old pod racing engine (if you’re a fan anyway) now styled as a barbecue pit! And if you don’t really know what you’re looking for, you can’t miss the fantastic smell. The now famous Ronto Wrap is one of my favourite food items in the whole of the park. It’s tasty roasted pork and grilled pork sausage with peppercorn sauce and tangy slaw wrapped in pita, a little messy to eat, but trust me it’s worth it! The have some great veggie options as well as a chicken option too. And if you’re visiting Batuu in the morning, you can even grab breakfast.
If you’re looking for more of a snack while on the go, there is Kat Saka’s Kettle for some fantastically flavoured popcorn and a Milk Stand where you can try Blue or Green milk for yourself. I’ve tried both, and Blue wins hand down. Both options are plant based. Blue milk tastes sweeter and green milk is more citrus based. You can use mobile ordering for the three food places above. Yes, even just to get a Blue or Green Milk.
Finally, there is Oga’s Cantina. And yes, I think you should make a reservation for it. Even though it is a bar but don’t worry, families are welcome. For me, Oga’s Cantina is the epitome of Star Wars. The design and aesthetic, the atmosphere and the drinks are just perfect. A little backstory for you to really get you in the mood;
Run by the boss of the Black Spire Outpost underworld, Oga Garra, Oga’s Cantina is an establishment that attracts some of the most interesting and disreputable characters in the galaxy. Very little is known about Oga herself. She’s not usually at the Cantina, preferring to collect payments remotely, and most of the locals have never laid eyes on her before. Her patrons come from across the galaxy to sample the famous concoctions offered here. These beverages are created with unique ingredients using “otherworldly” methods.
This is part of the reason why Galaxy’s Edge is a must visit, there is so much thought behind everything you can experience! There is a plethora of drinks available both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, as well as a few snacks like the five-blossom bread and the Batuu bits. A quick tip, book to go in the middle of the day as it’s cool and dark, the perfect place to escape the sun for a while. And that alone could be a reason why you shouldn’t skip out on Galaxy’s Edge.
There Are Some Great Character Encounters
Encounters is a great way to describe how you meet and interact with the characters in Galaxy’s Edge. Most people are used to the line up, get a photo or an autograph, and move on. The character stays in the same place and you know where to find them. That’s not the case in Galaxy’s Edge. Galaxy’s Edge has what is referred to as “roaming” characters. The characters are part of the world of Batuu so they move around, and interact with each other and with their surroundings. There have been regular sightings of Kylo Ren and the Storm Troopers, Rey, Vi Moradi, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and recently at Disneyland, Boba Fett and Fennec Shand. Newer characters have also been seen including Grogu, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka! You’ll get the chance to stop and interact with the characters and get a few photos before they move on. It’s a completely different experience and a great reason why you shouldn’t skip out on Galaxy’s Edge.
Every now and then you may see them putting on a little performance. By Kylo Ren’s ship you’ll catch him berating the First Order and in the Resistance Camp you’ll catch Chewbacca and Vi Moradi fixing up an X-Wing. Rey sometimes sends children on missions and the Storm Troopers might try and recruit you to the First Order. Or, they might discover you’re a spy with the Resistance! When you visit Batuu, you become part of the story.
And Even the Merchandise is Fun
The shops are completely different from the sort you’ll find in the rest of the parks. They’re authentic and fit into the world of Star Wars. You won’t find a “Walt Disney World” keychain here! The shops in the Marketplace sell what feel like “Star Wars world” items. There is a creature shop where you could adopt a Loth Cat or a Wampa. A toy shop and even a clothes shop. And while you might feel like a lot of this doesn’t have any “real world” application, that’s okay! Because you can get regular Star Wars merchandise in the Droid Depot shop!
So, if you are worrying about doing everything while on your Disney holiday, the easiest way is to decide what parts of the parks you want to skip. Especially if this isn’t a one off holiday and you already know you’ll be back (trust me, it happens a lot with Disney). But I hope I’ve convinced you why you shouldn’t skip out on Galaxy’s Edge, because you’ll truly feel like you’re in a galaxy far far away.
