You don’t have to visit a galaxy far, far away to live out your Star Wars dreams. A trip to Walt Disney World Resort will certainly fulfill your galactic fandom. In true Disney fashion, the attractions and entertainment are so well-done that even non-Star Wars fans will enjoy! Home to the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s Hollywood Studios serves as the home base for immersing yourself in the epic saga.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Opened in August of 2019, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the newest land in all of Walt Disney World. The 14-acre area should be any Star Wars fan’s first stop as it transports guests to the village of Black Spire Outpost on Batuu—a remote trading planet that acts as one of the last stops before Wild Space. The detailing is amazing, and the cast members at the shops, eateries and attractions remain in character as galactic residents – making for a truly immersive experience. On top of that, iconic Star Wars characters including Chewbacca, Rey and Storm Troopers wander the area freely. As unscheduled appearances, sightings of these revered figures, and terrifying in the case of the Storm Troopers who are patrolling for rebel spies, are a delightful surprise!
Stormtroopers on patrol for rebel spies
Galaxy’s Edge is home to two of the most popular attractions in any of Disney’s theme parks. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gives guests the opportunity to live out their fantasies by piloting Han Solo’s vehicle that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. Whether you’re assigned the role of pilot, engineer or gunner, your job is critical to the success of the mission! Millennium Falcon is eligible for FastPass+ selection.
Millennium Falcon at night
The newest ride to open in the land, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance allows guests to join the Resistance in a raging battle against the First Order. The multi-platform attraction is unlike any other attraction in Walt Disney World Resort and is a must-do, for Star Wars and non-Star Wars fans alike. Although Rise of the Resistance does not offer FastPass+, Disney uses a virtual queue system. Upon entering Hollywood Studios, guests secure a boarding number using the My Disney Experience app to ride Rise of the Resistance. Be sure to enable notifications as the app will notify you when it’s time to board.
Speaking of mobile apps, the Play Disney Parks app unlocks fun activities to enjoy as you wait in attraction queues and interactive features to explore Galaxy’s Edge on a deeper level. Don’t forget to download the app before you head to Walt Disney World.
Let’s not forget about shopping. You can’t leave Batuu without a souvenir to take back to your home planet.
At Savi’s Workshop, guests can build a custom lightsaber in a hidden workshop. The experience area is limited to one builder and one guest, one of whom must be at least 14 years of age. The cost is $199 plus tax which includes the lightsaber and carrying case, and guests are limited to one lightsaber per experience.
Take home this adorable droid after designing and building it at Droid Depot.
At Droid Depot, guests can design and assemble a custom droid of the BB-series unit or R-series unit. After selecting from various components, your droid will be paired with a remote control and activated as you watch it come to life. The droid itself is $99 plus tax and includes a carry box. Personality chips and other accessories are available for additional purchase. Like at Savi’s Workshop, the experience area is limited to one builder and one guest, one of whom must be at least 14 years of age.
Reservations for both Savi’s Workshop and Droid Depot are highly recommended and can be made up to 180 days in advance. A credit card number is required to book either of the experiences with payment due upon arrival.
Looking for a more budget-friendly souvenir? Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge features a number of shops where you can acquire Star Wars-themed plush toys, art, collectibles, clothing and other merchandise.
Galactic critters ready to come home with you
All that strolling, shopping and riding attractions is sure to leave you a bit parched and hungry. At Milk Stand, you’ll find snacks and drinks including Luke Skywalker’s favorite beverage, Blue Milk, made from the milk of giant, hairy female manthas – or a plant-based blend of coconut and rice milk with fruity elements and served frozen. At Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, you’ll find more substantial offerings to start your day like the Bright Suns Breakfast Platter – egg, sausage, potato hash and cinnamon roll – and the Roasted Endorian Chicken Salad, a refreshing, healthy option to keep your stamina going throughout the day.
No visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is complete without a stop at Oga’s Cantina, Batuu’s local watering hole. Oga’s Cantina is the place to be for out-of-this world cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic for the kids in your group. The drinks are amazing, but the star of the infamous watering hole is droid DJ R-3X, a former Starspeeder 3000 pilot, who drops galactic beats.
Droid RX-24 serves as Oga Cantina’s DJ
Attractions, Characters + Entertainment Beyond Galaxy’s Edge
You’ll find additional Star Wars attractions, entertainment and characters beyond the walls of Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Exclusively for kids, Jedi Training:Trials of the Temple gives the opportunity to train with the Force and defeat the Dark Side. Younglings ages 4-12 must register to participate. As there is limited availability, you want to secure a spot upon arrival at Hollywood Studios. Visit Indiana Jones Outpost where your soon-to-be Jedi answers a few questions. You’ll receive a time to receive training and fight one of the many Star Wars villains.
Taking on the bad guys during Jedi Training
Located in Echo Lake, Star Tours places guests on a Starspeeder 1000 to travel through hyperspace on a thrilling 3D space flight. The fun starts when the ship is intercepted by Imperial forces looking for a rebel spy, who could be you!
You’ll encouter C-3PO as you wait to board Star Tours.
Star Wars Launch Bay located in Animation Courtyard is the site of one of our favorite meet and greets. Here you can meet beloved Star Wars characters like BB-8, the most devoted droid, and Chewbacca, Han Solo’s right-hand Wookie. And one of the most frightening of Star Wars characters, Darth Vader. Try to resist his alluring dark side while meeting Anakin Skywalker, Darth’s alter ego. We dare you!
To end your perfect day exploring all things Star Wars, be sure to catch one of Hollywood Studios’ nighttime shows, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. The 14-minute fireworks extravaganza features John Williams’ riveting musical score, state-of-the-art projection effects and lighting and lasers. The show takes place on select nights.
Coming Soon
In February of 2020, Disney announced that reservations will open in late 2020 for the new Star Wars hotel, Galactic Starcruiser. Scheduled to open in 2021, the Starcruiser will be a hotel unlike any other. Guests will check in for a two-day, two-night vacation where guests play a part in an interactive story, traveling to another galaxy and taking an excursion to the planet of Batuu using an exclusive transport straight into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Read more about Starcruiser here.
A rendering of the entrance into Galactic Starcruiser