Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Battle Plans!

Strategizing is of course key for a high traffic, early opening of a theme park area and attractions. I’ve been to the opening of Car’s Land and the re-opening of Star Tours. So what is the best plan? It is up to you. Remember that you check in at Star Wars Hangar Bay in Tomorrowland. You get your wristbands there. You can check-in two hours before your Galaxy's Edge time. It is There are two entrances to Galaxy’s Edge, one by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the former Big Thunder Ranch (which had delicious bbq by the way), and the other right at the exit of Fantasyland, by the Red Rose Taverne. The first entrance is close to the Resistance base, Resistance Supply, and there is a path that leads into Black Spire Outpost. I see this as getting the most of the story of Galaxy’s Edge.

Entrance to D23 Expo Galaxy's Edge preview, 2017, photo by the author.

The other, Fantasyland adjacent, entrance leads directly into Black Spire Outpost. This would be the route to go directly to the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run attraction. The Rise of the Resistance attraction opens later in the year. The shops I’ve been hearing have a three hour wait time. You have four hours to explore Galaxy’s Edge! This may be exaggerated since Galaxy’s Edge has not opened. Still, I saw a queue that stayed over night to get the exclusive pins at the El Capitan Theatre the next day! There are a number of “shoppers” who buy items to of course sell on ebay. If your focus is getting those items go directly to the store.

Most of them will be in Black Spire Outpost. I plan on going at a later date to buy merch, but I do want to get a glimpse into the stores; Savi’s Workshop (lightsabers) and the Droid Depot. There is no store that stands out to me at this time. I want to buy a shirt and maybe a pin, but there is also a Galaxy’s Edge merch area at Star Wars Launch Bay. Of course, the other highlight of Galaxy’s Edge is the food and drink. Oga’s Cantina is basically a bar with snacks. Plus, there is DJ Rex. I'm told this has a queue longer than the Falcon ride.  So this will be saved for last with staying in the queue and having the stormtroopers kick me out.  The other is Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or Ronto's Roasters.  It looks like Kat Saka's Kettle is for snacks and the Milk Stand has of course the blue milk most people are going to try.  Most likely at the two hour mark.

Galaxy's Edge model at Star Wars: Launch Bay, Disneyland, 2018, photo by the author.

It may be interesting to see what Galaxy’s Edge specific merch is at Resistance Supply and First Order Cargo. I think Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities will have some audio-animatronic figure of the proprietor and part of the Galaxy’s Edge comic book. Possibly like Ollivanders at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. By the way, that land will be my standard against Galaxy’s Edge. Seeing the approval of George Lucas and Mark Hamill for Galaxy’s Edge at the dedication ceremony last night is good, but it is a high standard that Universal Studios set. Again, Batuu is not a Star Wars world we have seen before, so we are not walking into the world of a movie. Still, of course the anticipation of walking into a Star Wars world, not Tatooine or Endor, is just too compelling. 

So this brings us to the Millennium Falcon. I expect heavy lines (obviously) for this attraction, but if you start off your Galaxy’s Edge time stuck in a queue, not fun. The other factor is the overlap of times.  The first and last part of your reservation time will be filled with people with other wristbands.  I'm told it is a 60-75 min. wait at those times.  The Falcon ride has a 20-30 min. wait, so my estimate would be towards the middle of your reservation time.  It is the highlight of my planned Galaxy’s Edge time. I have a reservation for June 6th so my plan is to share with everyone so you will have an enjoyable time there. I have not stepped foot into Galaxy's Edge so plans are subject to change. If you are going in the summer, a crowd calendar says it will be crowded, but June 26-27th, Wed. and Thr., July 2-3rd, Tue. and Wed., are good.  Busiest days are mid-June to August 22nd.  What are your plans? What are you most likely going to hit when you enter Galaxy’s Edge?

#StarWarsGalaxysEdge, #Disneyland, #Batuu, #BlackSpireOutpost