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All About Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney – Go Informed Podcast Episode 045

August 6, 2019
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Millenium Falcon at Disneyland Galaxy's Edge

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Episode 45: Our Trip to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney

On our recent visit to Disney’s new Star Wars Land we discovered a ton of things to love. And guess what? IT WASN’T CROWDED! This episode and post are all about what to expect when you visit Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland or Disney World, and why you should go see it now.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 45. Click the Play button to listen to the episode for lots more detail about this topic.

Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire Outpost Tips and Information

The First Order end of Black Spire Outpost includes a life-size TIE fighter.

The official name for Disney’s Star Wars Land is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Black Spire Outpost. That’s quite a mouthful. The reason it has this name is that the place you are visiting is supposed to be a distant outpost on the edge of the galaxy. Both the First Order and the rebels have homes here in the village of Black Spire Outpost.

Black Spire Outpost is one of the largest lands in any Disney park. Be sure to allow lots of time to wander around and check out the nooks and crannies. In many ways, this land reminded me of the World Showcase at Epcot. There is a sense of authenticity and a feeling that you could really live in this village.

'If Epcot had a Star Wars pavilion, Galaxy's Edge would be it.' ~ MavenClick To Tweet

Don’t Leave Home Without the Play Disney Parks App

There are a ton of interactive elements throughout this land, even on the rides, and they all work via the Play Disney Parks app. Make sure you download the app before you get there, and be sure your phone has a full charge – we found the app drained our batteries like crazy. You may even want to bring along an external power source for your phone.

Scan the bar codes on the cargo boxes around Black Spire Outpost to steal treasure for your side.

Here’s some video of Luna using the Play Disney Parks app to translate what’s on the coaster we got in the Cantina:

My Personal Highlight: The Cantina

The Cantina was my highlight in Galaxy’s Edge. It really does feel like you’ve stepped into that first Star Wars movie. Be sure to find out how to make a reservation so you get the chance to see it.

Here’s some video inside the Cantina, be sure to turn the sound on:

A few of the unusual drink offerings at the Star Wars Cantina in Galaxy's Edge — A few of the unusual drink offerings at the Star Wars Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge

Check with Disney for Current Reservation Information

Reservations are strongly recommended for some of the attractions in Galaxy’s Edge – especially the Cantina and the Lightsaber Workshop. The best source for current information about how and when to get these reservations is Disney.

Shopping in Galaxy’s Edge is an Attraction too

In Galaxy’s Edge you won’t find a single thing with Mickey Mouse, or even the Star Wars logo. Much like in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this is meant to be an authentic experience that takes you into the story.

There are some very unique experiences inside the shops here at Black Spire Outpost. You can build your own droid or even a very life-like light saber. For serious Star Wars fans, these opportunities might outshine anything else in the land. If you want to hear more about this, Lou Mongello’s description about building a light saber pretty much says it all.

Be sure to double-check with Disney before you go to find out if you need a reservation for these activities.

Star Wars Coke bottles at Galaxy's Edge — Of course there’s Coca-Cola at the edge of the universe! The packaging is just a little different, and the label is not in English (or any other earth language).

Here’s what it looks like inside the Droid Depot:

Some of the decor at Dok-Ondor's Den of Antiquities — Some of the decor at Dok-Ondor’s Den of Antiquities

The Marketplace in Black Spire Outpost is beautifully detailed, reminiscent of a Moroccan open-air market.

The Rebel End of Town

The rebel end of Black Spire Outpost will soon be home to the amazing Rise of the Resistance ride. But don’t miss it now. This is where you’re likely to encounter Rey, and you’ll see lots of cool rebel hardware like landspeeders and an X-wing fighter.

This end of the land will also be home to a lush forest, once the landscape truly takes shape.

Sheltered by trees and shrubs, you'll find a life-size X-wing fighter in the rebel end of Black Spire Outpost. — Sheltered by trees and shrubs, you’ll find a life-size X-wing fighter in the rebel end of Black Spire Outpost.

The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Ride

The Millennium Falcon ride literally puts you in the cockpit of the most iconic movie spacecraft of all time. For this reason alone I think everyone should ride it.

And Disney has given us lots of other fun reasons to ride and re-ride Smugglers Run, beginning with the wonderful interactive queue.

The queue for the Millennium Falcon ride includes breathtaking views of the Millennium Falcon.

Once you get through the queue, you’ll be escorted into the Falcon itself. You’ll wait with just a handful of other guests and explore the deck where Chewbacca and the gang hang out. Yes, you can sit at the table with that Star Wars chessboard!

Inside the Millennium Falcon queue you'll get up close to an engine under repair. — Inside the Millennium Falcon queue you’ll get up close to an engine under repair.

Entering the cockpit is pretty surreal. It’s like you’ve taken the place of Han, Chewy, Rey, or Leia. You’ll be randomly assigned a seat.

Up front are the pilots. If you sit in the right hand seat you get to put the Falcon into hyperdrive!!

Behind the pilots are the gunners and engineers. Gunners and engineers basically hit buttons on the walls, pilots have the sensation of flying the craft.

The ride itself is like a really immersive video game combined with the Star Tours ride. We thought it was a lot of fun and not too intense. If you ride more than once you’ll have the chance to try different positions – cast members assign the seats randomly but it’s OK to switch around.

Rise of the Resistance

I was there for opening day of Rise of the Resistance at Disney World. Listen to episode 47 for a full report about the attraction, and the excitement of opening day.

Our Encounter with the Stormtroopers

Go Now and Beat the Crowds

I was totally wrong on episode 43 when I said you should wait to see Star Wars Land. So far the crowds have been totally manageable. Book your trip now and go see this incredible new addition at Disneyland and Disney World.