Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

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Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
GalaxyEdge.jpg
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is set on the planet Batuu .
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Theme Star Wars
Opening date August 29, 2019
Number of Attractions Two

Sunset Boulevard is a land inside Disney's Hollywood Studios. Star War's Galaxy's Edge is a land in Disney's Hollywood Studios

History

Early Plans

Early on in the develop of a Star Wars Land, Imagineers began working on a concept for Disney's Hollywood Studios that would have set the land in Tatooine during the time of the original Star Wars trilogy [1]. This incarnation of the land would have incorporated Star Tours, and would have also housed Mos Eisley's Cantina[1]. In addition to a different setting, this early version of Star Wars Land would also have been built in a different location. Instead of being built over The Streets of America and the Studio Backlot attraction, the Tatooine version of Star Wars Land was originally going to be constructed on the location that currently houses Echo Lake, with the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular lot being the heart of the new land[1].

Although development on the Tatooine Star Wars Land was moving ahead, President of Lucasfilms Kathleen Kennedy sat down with Disney CEO Bob Iger to discuss the project. Kennedy felt that the land would be better served by being set during the current Star Wars trilogy, thus allowing Disney to update the land as the Star Wars story continued [1]. Following Kennedy's intervention, plans for Tatooine were scrapped.

Announcement and Creation

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge was initially announced on August 15, 2015 and the D23 Expo, [2]. At this time, Disney CEO Bob Iger stated that two new attractions would be included in the land, one that allowed guest to fly in the Millennium Falcon, and a second attraction that would put guests in the middle of a climatic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

While no time table for the construction of the new Star Wars Land was initially given, on April 14, 2016, the Disney Parks Blog posted a video which featured the land's official groundbreaking [3]. By this time, it was also confirmed that the land would be built on the former site of Disney's Hollywood Studio's Backlot Tour attraction. As construction progressed throughout 2016 and early 2017, Disney had still not given a timeline for when Star Wars Land would officially open. This changed on February 7, 2017, when Iger announced that the land would be opening in 2019 [4]. Subsequently, on July 15, 2017, the land was officially named Star Wars Galaxy's Edge [5].

As progress on the land continued throughout 2018 and 2019, Disney slowly began to release more details about the immersive elements of Star War's Galaxy's Edge. In February 2019, Disney showcased the Audio Animatronic technology that would help bring the characters of Galaxy's Edge to life. Showcased at this time were the Hondo Ohnaka animatronic from Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, Nien Nunb from Rise of the Resistance, and illusions to Rex (located in Oga's canteen) and Dok, who mans the desk in her Den of Antiquities [6]. Also in February, Disney released photos of the X-Wing starfighter that would be found in the land, and announced that guests would be able to build their own lightsabers and droids within the Dark Spire Outpost Marketplace [7].

While Disneyland's version of Galaxy Edge opened on May 31, 2019 [8], the East Coast version did not officially open until August 29, 2019 (although various previews had been held in the preceding months) [9]. When the land opened, only one of its two planned attractions was operational- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The land's second attraction, Rise of the Resistance, opened to guests on December 5, 2019 [10].

Description

An X-Wing fighter parked in the Resistance Forest

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is set on the planet Batuu, and is broken up into two distinct sections, Resistance Forest and the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace.

The first area that guests enter when arriving at Star War's Galaxy Edge, is the Resistance Forest. Here, the Resistance has created a makeshift base in the "Old Outpost" section of Batuu, outside of the Black Spire Outpost. In the forest, guests can see an A-Wing fighter, and even Poe's X-Wing fighter. Also found this section of the land, is the Resistance Supply shop and the Rise of the Resistance attraction. Resistance heroes such as Ray and Chewbacca also interact with guests within the Resistance Forest

Continuing forward, guests enter the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace. In this bustling commerce area, guests can find Droid Depot, Savi's Workshop, Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities, and First Order Cargo, as well as smaller stalls such as The Creature Stall, Toydarian Toymaker, and Black Spire Outfitters. The Black Spire Outpost Marketplace is also home to Ronto Roasters, where guests can get a quick service meal.

The main dining offering in Galaxy's Edge is found at Docking Bay 7. This counter service restaurant is housed within a multi-purpose transport shuttle that's docked on top of a large hanger. Inside, guess can find the restaurant, run by Chef Strono "Cookie" Tuggs, who describes it as a “traveling diner for diners traveling”.

Another point of interest in the Black Spire Outpost Markeplace, is the infamous Oga's Cantina. This cantina is described as a place, "where bounty hunters, smugglers, rogue traders, and weary travelers of all ages come together to refuel, enjoy music, and conduct meetings—no questions asked." The bar features both alcoholic and non-alcoholic concoctions, as well as the musical stylings of DJ R-3X (also known as REX), the Starspeeder 30000 pilot droid who first appeared in Star Tours.

The final locale in Galaxy's Edge is the Millennium Falcon. Parked near Docking Bay 5, the Falcon is home to the attraction Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run. According to Galaxy Edge's backstory, "following the events of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Chewbacca brought the Falcon to Black Spire Outpost for repairs at this spaceport on the edge of the galaxy. In exchange for some much-needed replacement parts, Chewie is loaning the Falcon to Hondo Ohnaka, a smuggler who is now making good use of the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs." On Smugglers Run, guests are given the opportunity to board the Falcon, where they are charged by Hondo Ohnaka with a mission to "collect", and return with, precious cargo. In order to complete their job, guests are broken up into six member teams, and each guests is given a role to play. On the attraction, there are two pilots, two gunners, and two engineers, all of whom must complete their tasks in order for the heist to be successful.

Attractions

Chewbacca in front of the Millennium Falcon.

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run- On this attraction, guests board the infamous Millennium Falcon, where they are given a mission by Hondo Ohnaka to steal, and return with, precious cargo. While on the attraction, guests are broken up into six person teams, with each individual given a role to play. Aboard the ship, there are two pilots, two gunners, and two engineers, all of whom must complete their tasks in order for the heist to be successful. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run is set in the time period following the events of the Star Wars film The Last Jedi, as Chewbacca has taken the Falcon to the Black Spire Outpost and loaned it to Hondo Ohnaka in exchange for parts.

Rise of the Resistance- On this attraction, guests will join the Resistance and take on the First Order. Rise of the Resistance officially opened on December 5, 2019.

Dining

Oga's Cantina- This infamous bar is described as a place where bounty hunters, smugglers, rogue traders, and weary travelers of all ages come together to refuel. The Cantina serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and also features music from DJ R-3X (the Starspeeder pilot guests met on the original incarnation of Star Tours). Unlike most bars on Disney property, Oga's Cantina accepts reservations.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo- This counter service restaurant is housed inside a large hanger in the Black Spire Outpost. Here, guests can taste the dishes of Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs, who perfected his craft as he traveled throughout the galaxy. Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo's menu consists of familiar American dishes, though they are presented in a "unique" way.

Ronto Roasters- This quick service stand is located within the Black Spire Outpost, and offers its signature "Ronto Wrap". While at the stand, guests can see a droid in the pit who cooking up Rontos, a creature native to Tatooine. Ronto Wraps are handheld snacks which consists of grilled sausage and roasted pork. In addition to the wraps, Ronto Roasters also features a breakfast menu.

Milk Stand- Also found in the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace, this stand sells blue and green milk.

Kat Saka’s Kettle- This stand sells flavored popcorn and Galaxy’s Edge exclusive Coca-Cola beverage bottles.

Shopping

The various droids that guests can create at Droid Depot.

Droid Depot- Found in the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace, this shop allows guests to build their own R2 or BB droid. A custom droid at Droid Depot costs $100 plus any modifications.

Savi's Workshop- In this shop, guests are guided by the Gatherers through the experience of creating their own lightsaber. Savi's Workshop takes guests in 14 person groups and costs $200.

Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities- Dok-Ondar's store features rare artifacts, jewelry and even relics from the ancient history of both the Sith and the Jedi. Inside the Den of Antiquities, guests can haggle with Dok-Ondar himself, who can always be found behind his desk.

Black Spire Outfitters- As its name suggests, this store sells all kinds of Star Wars clothing.

First Order Cargo- Found near the First Orders's shuttle at Docking Bay 9, this post sells First Order gear and other Star Wars merchandise.

Resistance Supply- Located in the Resistance Forest, this store sells Star Wars apparel, souvenirs and other merchandise.

Creature Stall- Located in the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace, this shop sells Star Wars plush and toys.

Toydaruab Toymaker- Also found in the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace, this small shopping locations sells toys.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • In the Resistance Outpost, guests can find droid tacks on the ground.
  • Near the X-Wing, guests can find a group of weathered Power Droids.
  • When guests drink out of the Marketplaces's water fountains, they may see the eye of a Dianoga pop out of the water tank above them.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 WDW Radio #585- Untold Stories of Walt Disney World with Former VP Dan Cockerell, WDW Radio, 27 Apr. 2020.
  2. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/08/star-wars-themed-lands-coming-to-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-resorts/
  3. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/star-wars-land/news/14apr2016-disney-celebrates-official-groundbreaking-on-star-wars-lands-in-both-disneyland-and-disneys-hollywood-studios.htm
  4. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/star-wars-land/news/07feb2017-star-wars-land-to-open-in-2019.htm
  5. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/star-wars-galaxys-edge-announced-as-name-for-star-wars-lands-at-disney-parks/
  6. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/star-wars-land/news/28feb2019-new-a-1000-audio-animatronics-to-bring-the-characters-of-star-wars-galaxys-edge-to-life.htm
  7. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/star-wars-land/gallery/22feb2018-x-wing-starfighter-under-development-for-star-wars-galaxy's-edge/32260.htm
  8. https://www.ocregister.com/2019/05/31/star-wars-galaxys-edge-is-opening-today-and-heres-what-disneyland-guests-have-to-say/
  9. https://wdwnews.com/releases/star-wars-galaxys-edge-makes-highly-anticipated-debut-at-disneys-hollywood-studios-on-aug-29-2019-at-walt-disney-world-resort/
  10. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-the-resistance-opening-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/