Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Worth a Spot on Your WDW Bucket List

In 2019, Hollywood Studios introduced a new area at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, allowing visitors to taste life on the planet Batuu.

While Walt Disney World unveiled one of its most ambitious hotel ventures yet with Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, you don't have to drop $6,000 for an incredible Star Wars adventure if you're planning on visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

(Even though two nights aboard the lavish starcruiser Halcyon may be a memorable experience. It does, after all, allow its guests to live out their wildest Star Wars dreams in a fully immersive hotel.) 

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What is in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge?

The expansive section of Hollywood Studios park in Florida has a lot to see and do, including the rides Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

There are also areas to get food and drinks and plenty of shopping opportunities. Build your own droid at the Droid Depot and head to Savi's Workshop to build a lightsaber.

Rides ate Galaxy's Edge: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Both rides are fully-immersive and utilize state-of-the-art technology that you won't find on other Walt Disney World attractions. Rise of the Resistance is a thrilling experience that takes you through multiple stages and unforgettable locations.

Storm Troopers lined up in the Rise of the Resistance attraction at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disney World.

If you have the time, Smuggler's Run is a ride to experience again and again because it's always a little bit different every time you help smuggle the coaxium.

Given their popularity, it's almost a guarantee that you will wait in line for a significant amount of time to get on both of these rides. But rest assured that Disney budgeted this into their construction of Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.

Thankfully, both rides offer an enjoyable queue experience. They take you through the hidden Resistance Base and the Ohnaka Transport Solutions, where the Falcon is docked.

In addition to getting an opportunity to pilot the Millennium Falcon or escape from the First Order, you can also book an unforgettable experience at Savi's Workshop. There you can build your very own lightsaber (for around $200) or create your very own custom droid at the Droid Depot (for approximately $90).

If you have to choose which experience you can fit into your Star Wars Galaxy's Edge adventure, we would suggest spending the extra money to build your lightsaber. Reservations for both of these experiences open up 60 days in advance, so make sure to make your decision early.

Don't forget to pack these Florida Essentials
Travel Poncho
The Bug Bite Thing
Stasher “Go” Bag
Half Gallon Stasher Bag
Sun Bum Travel Pack
Sweatblock Wipes
Collapsable BPA-Free Water bottle
Washable Cooling Towels
Travel Rain Poncho
Travel Umbrella
Reusable Round Water Bottle
Reusable Flat Water Bottle
Rechargeable, Portable Handheld Fan
SPF Sunscreen Lip Balm
Reef Safe Sunscreen
Sunglasses

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge: The Food, Drink, and Shops

Like most areas in the park, you will also find a delicious offering of foods to sample during your adventure to Batuu.

For casual dining, you can sit outside and enjoy a Ronto Wrap at Ronto Roasters or sit down for a more substantial meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, which offers some ridiculously delicious desserts as well.

Oga's Cantina

Oga's Cantina usually requires reservations. Space is limited and the experience is geared towards adult visitors. It is, after all, a cantina, but not the Mexican kind you may be thinking of. It's one of the few places in the park where you can order alcoholic drinks no matter the time of day.

You can book your restaurant reservations 60 days in advance, and it is worth setting the alarm on your phone to do so.

If you want to experience a less raucous cantina, reservations are available after the park's closing hours. The cool thing about going after the park closes is that you can then exit through a practically empty Batuu on your way out.

Of course, children of the 80s will resist quoting the original Star Wars movie (Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) but get ready for lots of “This place can be a little rough” comments.

Black Spire for Blue Milk

While visiting the Black Spire, you can also sample the infamous Blue Milk from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. It comes in two varieties: green and blue. You can also spike your drink with alcohol if you are so inclined.

Kat Saka's Kettle Outpost Mix

Like the Mantell Mix featured in Star Wars: The Bad Batch, you can pick up Outpost Mix from Kat Saka's Kettle.

Star War's Galaxy's Edge Souvenirs and Keepsakes

It wouldn't be Walt Disney World without a collection of shops to pick up souvenirs and in-world memorabilia. In Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, you can visit:

  • Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities for holocrons and kyber crystals to change the colors of your lightsaber
  • Droid Depot for add-ons for your build-a-droid
  • First Order Cargo for all of your First Order apparel
  • Resistance Supply for all of your heroic souvenirs
  • Wearable apparel, adorable plush dolls, porgs, toys, and fashionable jewelry at the Creature Stalls, Black Spire Outfitters, and The Jewels of Bith
  • The Black Spire Outpost has been smartly designed to cater to serious Star Wars fans and Walt Disney World guests with a passing interest in the franchise.

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge: All the Extra Details that Disney Excels At

Star Wars Greetings

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge is also very dedicated to sticking to the storyline, so you will have to learn some specific lingo to get around. For example, “Bright suns” and “Bright moons” are greetings, depending on the time of day. “Til the Spire,” and “May the Spires keep you,” are typical goodbyes.

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge Restrooms

If you're looking for the restroom, ask for the “refresher,” and  if you're looking for a water fountain, ask for the “hydrator.”

Other Lingo to Know within this Area of Hollywood Studios

When purchasing something, you'll be using “credits,” not money. And that handy little device in your hand is a “datapad,” not a cellphone.

While waiting in line, a cast member might ask you where you're from — don't be surprised if they've never heard of Idaho or Milwaukee. They may even ask you which part of the galaxy those planets are located in!

Since Star Wars Galaxy's Edge first opened, things have changed with how the character performers interact with guests. Before the pandemic, they were much more involved with the day-to-day experience—with Rey and Vi Moradi enlisting young visitors to help them spy on the First Order or escape from Kylo Ren's clutches.

You may still find Chewbacca wandering around alongside Rey or Vi Moradi playing lookout as Kylo Ren, First Order officers, and the Stormtroopers march through the market, but it's not quite as involved as it once was. Hopefully that changes again soon!

Budgeting for a Star Wars Galaxy's Edge Visit

There's plenty to see and do without shelling out extra money (this part of Hollywood Studios is included with a park ticket). But if you can budget to visit Savi's Workshop for a lightsaber and make a pit stop at the Droid Depot you do get the whole experience Star Wars Galaxy's Edge was intended for.

If you're looking for ways to save money to afford a lightsaber or perhaps want multi-day park tickets to have multiple days soaking up Star WArs, think about booking your hotel accommodations differently.

For example, did you know that you can book an Orlando resort, even on-property high-end Disney ones, by renting from a timeshare owner and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars off your stay?

You can also use Marriott points to stay somewhere like the Swan Reserve by Disney's BoardWalk.

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge is Fun for All

If you're making your very first trip to Florida to visit Star WarsGalaxy's Edge, be sure to also stop by another Star Wars staple at the park.

You'll want to also go to Star Tours — The Adventure Continues. It's outside the Batuu area of the park, but it is an absolute must-visit for casual and die-hard Star Wars fans. Believe it or not, it originally opened in 1987 in Disneyland, long before Disney officially purchased the franchise! Then it opened at Walt Disney World.

You are bound to have an epic adventure when you visit Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. (And prepare well in advance with the ultimate year-round Disney World packing list.)

This new area of the park shines as one of the best places to visit in the U.S. for Star Wars and amusement park fans alike. 

Until you're on Planet, May the spires keep you.

This post originally appeared on Savoteur.

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