Disney’s $1 Billion Star Wars Land Is Open For Business
Disney’s Star Wars Land: Galaxy's Edge has officially opened at 6 A.M. on May 31st at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The Star Wars Land reportedly cost Disney $1 billion dollars to make and is one of the largest expansions in Disney history.
The park is built over 14 acres of land and features two rides (though only one is currently up and running) and has more than a dozen shops and restaurants. According to Disney parks chairman Bob Chapek "It's the most immersive land we've ever built," and hopefully it'll live up to the hype.
Opening Day
It was publicly known that if you didn’t have a reservation for Galaxy’s Edge, there was no point in showing up on Friday as you would have no chance of getting in. Reservations are required to enter the park between May 31st and June 23, 2019, but starting June 24 it will be open to the public.
Guests who reserve their spots are assigned four-hour windows during which they can explore the attraction. Guests are given wristbands that indicate what times they’re allowed in the park and will be escorted out by employees dressed as Imperial stormtroopers once their allotted time is over.
The Famous Flight
Smuggler’s Run is one of two rides at Galaxy’s Edge, but is the only ride currently open, with the second expected to open later in 2019. Smuggler’s Run recreates the experience of piloting the infamous Millennium Falcon spacecraft from the film franchise.
Each vehicle seats six people and is an interactive ride so guests have the opportunity to pilot the ship, use blasters to defend the spacecraft, or play the role of flight engineer. Many who have already ridden the ride prior to opening day are recommending you ride it twice because you’ll be too awestruck the first time to fully appreciate it.
Droids And Lightsabers
While in the park, you’ll have the opportunity to design your own lightsaber, as well as customize your own droid, if you choose to. The Droid Depot lets you customize a remote-controlled mini BB unit or R2 astromech, and the process costs $99 USD before tax.
At Savi’s Workshop, you have a lightsaber-building experience which involves everything from choosing a style to assembling the parts you want for your lightsaber, as well as choosing your kyber crystal. The lightsaber experience costs $200 USD before tax and takes approximately 3 hours to complete.
The Best In Galactic Dining
All of the food and drink is designed to be part of the experience of the planet Batuu. One major part of the excitement around the food and drink is that Galaxy’s Edge is the first land at Disneyland to serve alcoholic drinks, in addition to the kid-friendly ones.
Two main locations for food and drink within Galaxy's Edge are Oga's Cantina, and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. The park also has a location called 'The Milk Stand' which features the Green Milk and Blue Milk that Luke Skywalker drank in the film franchise.
Is It Worth The Money?
Including entrance, attractions, all the souvenirs you're probably going to buy, never mind the food and drink, it will cost you a pretty penny to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, but so far every review has been a rave. Disney definitely didn't disappoint here.
An identical park will be opening at Disney World in Orlando on August 29, 2019. The Millennium Falcon ride will be open that date but it is unknown if the second will be completed by that time.
