Bright suns!
If you didn’t know, that’s how the residents on Batuu greet each other. You know Batuu, the remote planet that’s home to the Black Spire Outpost. If you’d prefer, you can just call it the new Star Wars land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.
A Disney Cast Member offered to bring me as his +1 and I got a chance to see the land shortly after it opened. Previews are exactly that, a time when park operations get a chance to see how things go with a crowd of people. Disney was able to limit the number of guests by making Cast Members sign up for a time online. The slots filled up quickly but we managed to get an afternoon entry time and a reservation at Oga’s Cantina. The other special option was a visit to Savi’s Workshop, which I’ll get to later.
Even if you only got an entry time to Galaxy’s Edge without any extras, everyone seemed to be having a great time. There are still some kinks to work out but here are my thoughts after my visit.
Walking through the park, nothing seemed to be different until we turned the corner by Star Tours. Next to MuppetVision 3-D, where there had previously been a wall was an open entryway (blocked by umbrellas and trees).
After getting our credentials scanned, we were given our ticket to enter the cantina and allowed to enter Batuu.
We entered the land through the path at the bottom of the map. All of the locations on the guide were open. The empty space at the front of the land is where the second ride, Rise of the Resistance, will be when it opens on December 5, 2019.
We spent our time walking around as we had about an hour to wait before our reservation at Oga’s.
Just entering the land, I can’t explain the giddiness of my 8-year-old self as I walked up to a full-size X-wing fighter.
We made our way to the back of the land through the marketplace. Here’s where you can find your generic Star Wars and Galaxy’s Edge merchandise.
Then it appeared, as if from out of nowhere.
I was able to get this selfie because just before we arrived, a torrential summer downpour just finished so the viewing point was rather empty. Later in the evening, this area was occupied by a Disney PhotoPass photographer and there was a line of people waiting for a picture. While I was wanting to go on the ride, there was no time; our Cantina reservation time was quickly approaching.
Due to the crowds, guests at Oga’s Cantina were limited to ordering two rounds of drinks and could stay for only 45 minutes.
My first thought was how much it reminded me of the Scum and Villainy Cantina in Los Angeles. Except they don’t have the former droid pilot from Star Tours as a DJ. Don’t worry, he’s still getting used to his programming. (Hehehehe)
Here’s a look at the drinks that are available:
PC: Tony C.
As well as the non-alcoholic options:
I started with a Yub Nub (Shout out to those furry Endorians) and my friend tried the Jabba Juice. “Under the shadow of the spire!” (Cheers!)
For my second round, I tried the Toniray wine. I never had teal colored wine before and I would have poured some out for all those on Alderaan who aren’t with us anymore but at these prices, I just drank to their memory.
After the drinks, it was time for the main event, Smugglers Run. Maybe trying to fly a starship after two drinks isn’t the most advisable course of action but when on Batuu.
Now here’s where I might disappoint some people. I think it’s best to go into a ride without any preconceptions so I’m not going to spoil any of the details about it. I’ll just say that the queue and the pre-show are as good as the ride.
I managed to go on the ride three times and each one was different. Try to get to go on with people who actually care about the ride if you can and the pilots definitely get a better view than anyone else.
After our flights, we worked up an appetite so we headed to the large restaurant of the land, Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.
The food was a step above typical theme park food court fare, but so are the prices.
We spent the rest of our time looking around at all of the details. There are several stores in the Black Spire Outpost selling various wares.
- Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities is worth taking a look around for all of the memorabilia
- First Order Cargo is your home if you’re into the Dark Side
- Droid Depot is where you can get build your own custom Astromech Unit (for a price) and pick up other droid related goodies
- Savi’s Workshop – Travel to Black Spire Outpost, where a group known as the “Gatherers” ushers you into a covert workshop packed with unusual parts, whimsical pieces and miscellaneous memorabilia collected from the far reaches of the galaxy. This is the place where you can build your own lightsaber. It’s not cheap, as the starting price is $200. Only those making a purchase can enter and only can bring one guest. I’m not to that point but it looks like they make the purchase quite the experience.
PC: “A friend”
When we visited, only those who were able to secure invitations were able to enter and I noticed plenty of people walking around Batuu with $200 boxes. We’ll have to see how demand holds up for the experience once the “first adopters” all get their fill.
Around this time, an unusual weather pattern was forming around Batuu. In other words, an early evening thunderstorm was looming and my friend and I decided it was time for us to head for the exit.
As we got to our cars in the parking lot, the skies opened up. Seeing Star Wars land was nice but not so nice that we were willing to walk around soaking wet for the rest of the evening.
Final Thoughts
So what do I think about Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge? It’s Freakin’ AWESOME!!!! That’s from the kid who saw Star Wars fourteen times in the movie theater. This was a time when there were only two screens and I had to wait for the totally full theater to empty so we could be let into another fully packed house.
I had all the Star Wars action figures in my Darth Vader shaped carrying case. I even dressed up as a Jawa for Halloween.
You’re gonna tell that kid that getting to pilot the Millenium Falcon isn’t the coolest thing in the world? Didn’t think so.
But now that I’ve been, what do I think? For those who are Star Wars fans, this is EVERYTHING! Build a lightsaber. Make your own droid. Drink the blue milk. I anticipate this will be a huge draw for a long time.
I’m looking forward to the opening of the second ride as it will round out the land a bit. Only having one attraction gives it limited appeal. However, the level of detail built into Batuu is amazing. Everywhere you look, there’s a theme. It truly reminds me of walking around Tokyo DisneySea. It’s that good.
That’s not even mentioning the Stormtroopers wandering around questioning visitors and Chewbacca hiding from them while working on the Falcon.
I imagine we’ll make a few more runs to Batuu while it’s still fresh. We have a visit planned soon and I think Sharon’s going to post her thoughts as a non-Star Wars geek.
Til the spire. (Safe returns)
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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