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

The Major Problem with Galaxy’s Edge!

As we get closer and closer to the 2019 opening of Galaxy’s Edge, we are getting more details about the park expansion, and Galaxy’s Edge problem seems almost glaring.  The expansion of a park with an IP was fulfilled in Universal Studio’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It opened on June 13, 2010 and then Universal Studios Japan on July 15, 2014 and Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, 2016.  Located at Islands of Adventure in Orlando, two rides were re-themed for Harry Potter, it is separate from the other park areas.  It was immersive, you don’t get a Woody Woodpecker, Jaws, or E.T. anywhere in Hogsmeade.  There isn’t a single Universal Studios brand; Universal Studios t-shirts, postcards, magnets.  You might find them at the Jurassic Park or Transformers store.  It is merch that is sold at other outlets in the park, but it is exclusively Harry Potter merch.  The food isn’t Harry Potter Wand Cakes or Fluffy Burgers.  This would be the Disney approach with Darth Tamales and The Pastry Menace (which were sold in 2015 at Disneyland).  You can tell that Disney is specifically following in Wizarding World’s footsteps, but there is something they didn’t learn from it. 

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

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set in well known environments, the village of Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, and the expansion of Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida which opened on July 8, 2014. They were constructed under the supervision of the production designer, Stuart Craig, and supervising art director, Alan Gilmore, of the Harry Potter films.  An ambitious construction project to bring the detail of the film sets to a working theme park.  You are literally walking  in Hogsmeade; little corners, parts of the stores, food, and drink. So this leads us to Galaxy’s Edge.  It was announced that the setting of the park expansion is Batuu, a planet in the current setting of the Sequel Trilogy. It was dropped on a November 17, 2017.  The location was seen as one of the stops in the Star Tours attraction.  Here’s the major problem, Batuu is not familiar to me, Galaxy’s Edge does have Doug Chiang to help with it’s design, still I never saw it on film.  This is Disney’s version of what Star Wars is like, not actually Star Wars.  

It is like the Marvel comic books, officially canon, but not really Star Wars.  I don’t know if there will be space vampires and serial killer droids at Galaxy’s Edge, but if it is all something canon, it is still new. This was the problem with Star Tours at Hollywood Studios, they have an Ewok village with a full size AT-AT walker peeking out, next to a photo op with a speeder bike, and the Star Wars Galactic Outpost store which was themed to a Tatooine storefront.  It was a mish mash, cheap, and Disneyfied.  Now Galaxy’s Edge is going the opposite direction, new Star Wars, which is never been seen before.  If so, it misses the point of the Wizarding World, it gives guests the chance to walk through the world they only saw on screen.  Wizarding World would be disappointing if it took place in Zonko’s Dimension which we never saw in the movies.  Galaxy’s Edge is in Zonko’s Dimension.  I think the Disney Imagineers in response to the Wizarding World were like Warner Bros. DC movies, instead of releasing movies on individual heroes like Marvel, let’s all throw them in one movie, you see how that worked.  Without identification with a property, it’s difficult to be invested.  

Galaxy's Edge gate, photo by the author.

Galaxy’s Edge is the chance to walk a new world, which could be anything.  It is not Star Wars.  Batuu was introduced in the Timothy Zahn novel Thrawn: Alliances. This takes place in the Clone Wars with Anakin Skywalker and the pre-Star Wars: Rebels time with Thrawn.  So there is some time before we get the Sequel Trilogy-era Batuu.  Still, even if we get a glimpse of Batuu and Black Spire Outpost in Episode IX, or a scene set there, it will not be enough time to get a sense of it as a Star Wars place.  Plus, Episode IX will out, December 20th, after the opening of Galaxy’s Edge, said to be sometime in the summer.  If they show videos of characters in Galaxy’s Edge, a scouting log of the Resistance finding possible safe places, then that will be better.  Still, it would not be full immersion if it is a place that is new.  I would like a world like Tatooine, California feels like it has twin suns now, Felucia would be like Pandora at Animal Kingdom, or even Lothal from Star Wars: Rebels. These are worlds that may change in the Sequel Trilogy era, but have a connection to Star Warriors.  You can see in the press releases that Disney is already breaking canon, it is not formatted like an intercepted HoloNet transmission, and written up by Disney reps.  Disney really has to promote Galaxy’s Edge better, most likely there will be an opportunity for attendees of the Chicago Celebration on April 11th to the 15th, 2019, probably before Galaxy’s Edge opens.  I suspect JJ Abrams will have a Force for Change opportunity connected with Galaxy’s Edge, Episode IX may or may not premiere at Galaxy’s Edge.   I have a bad feeling that we will be seeing Chewbacca Churros soon.  

#GalaxysEdge, #WizardingWorldofHarryPotter, #Batuu, #BlackSpireOutpost

Galaxy's Edge in the Star Wars Canon!

It is interesting to hear details of Batuu and the Black Spire Outpost that trickled out before the opening of the Disney Park expansion lands.  Galaxy’s Edge is on the border of the Outer Rim and Wild Space.  We know that hyperspace routes have turned it into a smugglers’ refuge.  There was a peek at Batuu as one of the destinations of Star Tours starting on November 17, 2017.  The first story on Galaxy’s Edge was in the Marvel Comic Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  It was written by Ethan Sacks with art by Will Sliney.  Its first issue was published on April 24th.  The storyline of the comic book featured antiquities collector Dok-Ondar and the mercenaries of Kendoh’s group.  Dok-Ondar relates stories that involve familiar to us about characters like Greedo, Hondo Ohnaka, and Doctor Aphra.  The series is an overview of Galaxy’s Edge and there is a focus on Dok-Ondar and his shop the Den of Antiquities.  Then, we got the adventures of Hondo with the young Han Solo and Chewbacca in Star Wars: Pirate’s Price by Lou Anders in the Star Wars: Flight of the Falcon series.  This is the first encounter of Hondo Ohnaka and the Millennium Falcon.   The young readers book came out on January 8th.  You have a chance to fly the Falcon in Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run attraction and this is the back story.  

The Disneyland version of Galaxy’s Edge opened on May 31st.   A recent book was Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire by Delilah S. Dawson which was published on August 27th.  Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios brought guests to Black Spire Outpost on August 29th.  Black Spire deals with Vi Moradi who of course first appeared in Galaxy’s Edge in live action form.  She is a Resistance spy on D’Qar given orders by General Leia to establish a base on Batuu.  Vi Moradi is recovering from torture by the First Order under Captain Cardinal.  He was betrayed by Captain Phasma and Vi saved him and he recovered taking the identity of Archex on Cerea.  After the Hosnian Cataclysm from Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and Crait in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Vi is told to set up the Resistance Base at Black Spire Outpost.  A Resistance Base would mean that it should show up somewhere in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker!  It opens in theaters on December 20th.  I don’t know if there was filming at Disneyland or Disney World or reshoots.  Maybe the theme park is built on sets and visuals from The Rise of Skywalker (and vice versa).  The Galaxy's Edge story seems to be Kylo Ren and the First Order occupying Black Spire Outpost.  Rey appears in Galaxy’s Edge as a character, but not in the comic books or other stories.  Oga who owns Oga’s Cantina, Savi, proprietor of Savi’s Workshop, both are not seen yet at Galaxy’s Edge, but the Black Spire novel features both characters and gives some back story to the locations.  

Black Spire Outpost, a possible setting of Rise of Skywalker?, photo by the author. 

The time period of Galaxy’s Edge?  It seems to be between Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.  I think the roll out of the titles seem to give pieces to add to the story of the Star Wars films.  The Force Awakens had the Aftermath series by Chuck Wendig with the first novel that came out on September 4, 2015.  After the Battle of Endor, Norra Wexley works against the last of the Empire on Akiva with the New Republic slowly rebuilding the galaxy.   This leads to the Battle of Jakku.  Also released on the same day was Star Wars: The Lost Stars by Claudia Gray.  This had Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree from Jelucan who are woven throughout the Galactic Civil War until they end up on Jakku!  The comic book, Star Wars: Shattered Empires, was by Greg Rucka with art by Marco Checchetto, Angel Unzeta, and Emilio Laiso.  The first issue came out on September 9, 2015.  Then, there was Star Wars: Before the Awakening by Greg Rucka, published on December 18, 2015.  The release pattern of the Lucasfilm stories seem to be introducing Jakku like Batuu.  This is back story on the setting and some of the characters.  Will Rise of Skywalker show brief glimpses of Black Spire Outpost or have a few scenes there?  This would mean that if you visited Galaxy’s Edge before Rise of Skywalker, you got to experience the land before it truly became canon on film!  I would like Rey, Poe, or Finn eating a ronto wrap (or other food item) and maybe a blue milk!  I hope they don’t drink Coca-Cola thermal detonators or we see them on film.  We haven’t seen much food or drink closely in the Star Wars movies.  I’m not certain if Dok-Ondar, Oga, or Savi will appear as cameos or even show up in Rise of Skywalker.  DJ Rex?   It would be interesting if Vi Moradi or Hondo Ohnaka appear in it.  We know for certain Chewbacca is there from the trailer!  

#GalaxysEdge, #GalaxysEdgeBlackSpire, #ViMoradi, #TheRiseofSkwalker   

Promoting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to open at Disneyland in Summer 2019 and opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on fall 2019.  Construction on both parks started in April 2016 and there is some impressive drone fly overs.  The planet was identified as Batuu by Scott Trowbridge on November 17, 2017.  He also mentioned that the planet would be one of the stops for the Star Tours attraction.  At the Star Wars: Galactic Nights event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 27th, story editor, Margaret Kerrison, identified the village as Black Spire Outpost.  July 24th was the release of the Thrawn: Alliances book by Timothy Zahn which explored at Batuu. A look was shown of the Millennium Falcon attraction with the Target release of Solo: A Star Wars Story on Blu-Ray.  This was on September 25th of this year.  On November 17th, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek, made a presentation at D23’s Destination D.  The official names were revealed of the two attractions; Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.  Videos were shown of the two attractions as well as John Williams’s score for the park expansion. This brings us up to date with the promotion of Galaxy’s Edge.  Now let’s move onto suggestions for the promotion of Galaxy’s Edge. 

Transport for Rise of the Resistance?  D23 Expo, July 2017, photo by the author.  

Interest of course is high for Galaxy’s Edge and  the promotions have a strong internet presence so Star Warriors who are unable to attend events can still take part in announcements.  I think one of the criteria is how Star Warriors can participate with Galaxy’s Edge if they are unable to go to the parks.  The answer of course is Walt Disney.  In order to promote Disneyland, he hosted Walt Disney’s Disneyland which first aired on October 27, 1954.  The park opened on July 17, 1955.  The suggestion is not to have a host preview the park, which is one possibility, but to have story segments. These will be two minute short segments that may run on StarWars.com, disney.com, the Disney Parks You Tube site, and the Disney Parks Blog.  The length of the segments are to make it small stories to be released every week or whatever schedule needed by Disney marketing.  I imagine the title of these segments will be Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge if this conflicts with the theme park, it can be Star Wars: Black Spire Outpost. Star Warriors can follow this story and possibly interact with it in Galaxy’s Edge.  This would enable Star Warriors who can’t physically enter Galaxy’s Edge to be a part of it. The story can be adapted into young reader books and comic books for merchandise locations outside of Galaxy’s Edge. It will be up to marketing if the characters appear in Galaxy’s Edge, but their adventures are intended to be part of quests that take part around Black Spire Outpost.      

Bust of an Ithorian, Oga?, D23 Expo, July 2017, photo by the author. 

The series follows two young characters, Kay, 15 years old and learning to be a pilot, Jai, 11 years old and interested in zoology.  Their ages make for a good range for the possible target audience for Galaxy’s Edge and makes for a good dynamic.  They live on an Outer Rim planet, close by Batuu, and their parents are leaving on an important trip to Batuu at night.  Kay hears this involves the Resistance and they have to keep it secret because of First Order agents.  Their children will safely follow them to Batuu.  The siblings watch as their parents’ shuttle leaves.  They board another shuttle at the landing port.  The pilot, a former miner, has the passengers strap in.  He warms up the engines and warns them that Black Spire Outpost is a rough place.  The shuttle lifts up and then breaks the atmosphere.  The pilot tells them to get ready and then the shuttle enters hyperspace.  This is episode 1.  The second episode has the shuttle landing at Black Spire Outpost.  Jai wants to explore the village, but Kay tells him to stay close, the pilot warned them.  Several mechanics walk past them.  Kay asks where they can find their parents. He tells them that it is a dangerous place to be lost, but try the Oga’s Cantina. Some aliens stumble out of the cantina.  The eyes of Kay and Jai look fearful.  They enter the cantina and see the DJ RX-24.  Jai bumps into a patron who waves him away.  Kay looks at the owner, Oga Garra, and orders some Moogan Tea.  This ends episode 2.  Each segment will lead to their parents, clues, found around Black Spire Outpost.  Guests could help Kay and Jai find the clues, a message board can be created for young guests to contact the characters and leave their findings.  Maybe this is texted on a phone app.  The point is to have interaction with Galaxy’s Edge even if you are not able to go to either park, but it will have more of an impact if you do go and interact with the story.  

#StarWarsGalaxysEdge, #BlackSpireOutpost, #Jai, #Kay 

Strolling Through the (Theme) Park One Day: Star Warrior’s Guide to Galaxy’s Edge!

Galaxy’s Edge had a dedication ceremony on May 30th, opened on May 31st to reservations, and will open to the public on June 24th at Disneyland.  It will open at Hollywood Studios on August 29th.  So for Star Warriors, the fans of Star Wars, Disney fans, and everyone else here are some considerations ro know before you go.  First, know that June to August 11th, is some of the busiest times for Disneyland.  

Hollywood Studios has more lighter guests at that time, but it might get more with the opening of Galaxy’s Edge.  The park expansion was announced by Bob Iger at the D23 Expo on August 15, 2015 during the Star Wars portion of the live action movies presentation.  Side note: D23 Expo returns to the Anaheim Convention Center on August 23 to 25th.  The theme park presentation might reveal what we will have in store for Galaxy’s Edge in the future.  I’ve tried to keep surprises for you to discover at Galaxy’s Edge.   

A-Wing fighter at the Resistance Base, Galaxy's Edge, photo by the author.

I was able to get a reservation for June 6th, initially it was for a group of five, but was changed to only one additional guest.  I submitted the other group members, but only one guest was added to my reservation.  I heard at Galaxy’s Edge that one group had four.  I’m not certain what is the current policy.  There are several groups that enter Galaxy’s Edge.  The reservation establishes when you start two hours before your reservation time.  This is at Star Wars: Launch Bay in Tomorrowland.  There is a queue to the side of the Launch Bay displays, winds past the cantina-like booths, to several cast members that enter your reservation into computers to get your group wrist bands.  

They are color coded which identifies your group.  Then, about one hour before your reservation, you gather at the Hungry Bear Restaurant.  It extended to the side of the Splash Mountain queue.  Next, it goes to the side of Hungry Bear by the river, and your wristband QR code is scanned.  The last queue area is right before the Resistance base, it has an aisle for guests who may be from the previous group.  There are cast members, residents of Black Spire Outpost?, who are there to answer guest questions.  Shout out to members of the Resistance; Thomas, Tina, and Brian!  The usual greeting is "Bright suns!"  

You see the Resistance X-Wing, some people were amazed at the engine sounds, and there are several merchandise kiosks.  I was unable to see what they offered in terms of merch.  Wandering around is Rey and Chewbacca, they were celebrities like rock stars, followed around by guests.  Once the group is given entry, there is a crowd that heads to Black Spire Outpost.  Cast members block off entry at what is the entrance of the Market.  Then, you can enter towards the First Order base entrance.  

Here Kylo Ren wanders around, but there are mostly stormtroopers.  This is the Galaxy’s Edge entrance by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  Now here is the other consideration, there are highly popular areas in Galaxy’s Edge that also need reservations.  The reservations run out fast for the four hour time so that may be your first place to go if you are interested.  There is Savi’s Workshop and Oga’s Cantina.  Only one person is needed to make a reservation so you can divide up your group.  You may want to see both places, but note that you must purchase the $199 lightsaber to enter Savi’s Workshop.  There was also a queue for Droid Depot, but unfortunately, I never entered it.  

Lighsabers at Savi's Workshop, photo by the author.

Savi’s Workshop, the queue ends at a counter where you select your lightsaber style, there are four, and purchase it.  You are given a pin to wear and a color-coded card.  The time for your group is given to you and there is a separate queue area with seats.  Once your group time is up, you enter the darkened room of the workshop.  There is a long, rounded table which you find your section; I think there is space for about sixteen Force-sensitives.  It is a show similar to Ollivander’s at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, except it is for everyone not one volunteer.  

The other important part is that you get to build your lightsaber.  The three assistants, called Gatherers, are incredibly helpful in helping you construct your saber.  Shout outs to Gatherer Adam and Sam!  Oga’s Cantina has a return time that is notified by cell phone messages.  There is also a queue to the side of the building before you enter the cantina.  It is a large, darkened room with booths right out of A New Hope.  There are tables around the curved bar where you can order alchololic drinks and drinks like lemonade or snacks.  Also, there to provide music is DJ Rex, he of course is the former droid pilot in the original Star Tours.  

Let’s get to food, drinks, and snacks.  First, of course is Blue Milk at the Milk Stand, it needs a more distinctive name.  This is across from the First Order Cargo shop.  Blue Milk is delicious!  It is made with coconut milk with fruit flavors which is refreshing on a hot day.  The cost is about $8 and worth it.  A drawback is that it is iconic, yet served in a cup, I think it should be in a collectible bottle similar to Harry Potter’s butterbeer.  There were Coco Cola thermo detonators at the Resistance Base and at the Market by Savi’s Workshop, but I don’t like its Star Wars theming. 

 Kat Settle’s Kettle offers popcorn and you can buy a collectble mouse droid container, about $20.  It is around the corner from Ronto’s Roasters.  It is a showcase having a podracer engine cooking a ronto.  I bought a Ronto Wrap and a non-alcholholic Tatooine Sunset.  The wrap was in a pita with pork like a hot dog, yummy, and the Tatooine Sunset was a tea, lemonade, with melon and blue berry flavors.  Shout out to Anthony!  I did see Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, but passed up it’s menu, maybe next time.  I like the Galaxy’s Edge food and drink offerings, they are different, it seems less exotic than the offerings at Pandora: The World of Avatar at Walt Disney’s World’s Animal Kingdom.  I didn't get to Kat Saka's Kettle, long line, but had my Ronto Wrap on the table next to it.    

    

Dok-Ondar at Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities, photo by the author.

There are also some shops to cover including Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.  There is a large statue of a female Jedi where you queue to enter Dok-Ondar’s den.  You enter the den which is filled with so many creatures, weapons, and artifacts that you can really just look around the shop.  I bought a holocron, $49.99 and kyber crystals, $12.99 in small capsules.  You can place the kyber crystals into the holocron for a message!  There is a button on top that activates the voices.  Of course, there is Dok-Ondar himself, who is in a cage, busy at work.  He is featured in the Galaxy’s Edge comic book.  It is the most fun place I went to at Galaxy’s Edge.  Shout out to Natalie!  

Then, there is the Creature Stall in the Market, I really wanted a Puffer Pig.  There isn't animation or creature sounds from parts of the store like what is in Harry Potter at Universal parks so it is just rows of stuffies.  I ended up a Krykna Spider, $19.99, it is of course based on a Ralph McQuarrie design for Dagobah.  It showed up in Star Wars: Rebels.  The best part is that it skitters, once I saw that, I bought it.  All of your creature purchases come in large boxes like carrying cases.  This is something that is not at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  The Kowakian Monkey Lizards are on the side of the shop. I would like to have seen a Womp Rat or a Dianoga.  I did not get to Toydarian Toymaker which was across from the Creature Stall.  

I hope this gives you good ideas about what to expect at Galaxy’s Edge.  There was some signage, but I was mostly confused about locations there.  The cast members are there to help you.  There are some wrinkles to be worked out, “patience you must have”, cast members are working out their characters, and service is being smoothed out.  I didn't get too much interactivity with the cast members, there weren't too many hints of an ongoing story such as that of Knott's Berry Farm's Ghost Town Alive! or a Renaissance Faire.  Also, there didn't seem to be any missions to search for things like the map quests at Walt Disney World.  

There are hints of the Resistance and First Order, but there really isn’t a store for supplies for the smugglers who seem to be a big part of the Falcon ride.  The entertainment offerings are minimal, there is a First Order searches for the Resistance offering, but I didn’t see it and there doesn’t seem to be times for it.  The theming is excellent, not to the extent of being on another planet, still very hot, there needs to be more tarps or places with shade.  We will cover the Millennium Falcon attraction soon!  There were a few shops that I did not visit so I do expect a return trip to Batuu.    

DJ Rex at Oga's Cantina, photo by the author.

#GalaxysEdge, #Disneyland, #StarWarsLaunchBay, #SavisWorkshop.     

The Future of Galaxy’s Edge!

It is interesting to see Galaxy’s Edge before it opens to the public on June 24th.  There is excitment on visiting Black Spire Outpost, but it doesn’t seem like what was described in the website, D23 Expo, and in the press.  First, there was supposed to be droids wandering around Black Spire Outpost.  I saw a vacuum cleaner-type droid wander around the entire floor of the Galaxy’s Edge pavilion at D23 Expo.  If there is difficulty in having the droids interact with guests, they can have overhead platforms for them to travel on, and beep down at guests.  

There is another point, you can hear ships pass overhead, but I didn’t notice conversations in the upper levels like in New Orleans Square.  Then, I remember aliens and didn’t see any outside of Chewbacca.  I would like to see a Rodian like Greedo, Abednedos like Ello Asty, especially at the Resistance Base, and of course Teek.  I want a Teek stuffie, a Teek toy that you can maybe wind-up and have run, and take a pic with Teek. If it is too difficult to have aliens walking around in the heat, have a random window open up, and an alien to peek out.  I would like to see Teek out in the edges of Galaxy’s Edge running past outcroppings.   

A droid next to a Rise of the Resistance screen?, D23 Expo, 2017, photo by the author.

So, this brings us to the Smugglers, they are the faction that doesn’t have a presence like the First Order and the Resistance, but are somehow central with Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.  I think they need characters to wander around Black Spire Outpost and give hints to guests like, “I hear Hondo Ohnaka needs a crew” or “If you have damaged the Falcon, there might be a bounty on you.”  As mentioned before, I think there should be a store to sell clothing and other merchandise to directly tie into Smuggler’s Run.  

I can imagine graphics showing parts of a starship, toys of the Falcon and the Corona-class armed frigate (basically a flying saucer) like the Acushnet used by Hondo Ohnaka’s pirates.  As I mentioned before I would like to see “I flew the Millennium Falcon” t-shirts promoted by Hondo Ohnaka, gold dice replicas, vests, and even a Hondo Ohnaka action figure.  Galaxy’s Edge needs to be more interactivity like quests and missions.  I would like it if guests report in to the Smuggler’s area to be sent to the cantina which authorizes Hondo to get the cargo (I would like Maz Kanata to be a part of it), next go on Smuggler’s Run, and then they have to scan (take a pic) of their result to finish the mission.  Maybe to get a special Sabaac chip!   

Instruments on display at D23 Expo, 2017, photo by the author.

Speaking of bounties, I think there should be a fourth faction considering that The Mandalorian series will be coming to Disney Plus on November 12th.  I imagine a shooting gallery with blaster rifles like the Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition.  There can be animated figures and even animated graphics like probe droids that maybe can explode if you hit them right.  This can even be set in Classic Trilogy setting like Tatooine or even Hoth.  It seems like Galaxy’s Edge doesn’t sell guns and that’s fine, but you can have guests practice with fixed blasters in the shooting gallery.  The Bounty Hunter section can also include buying helmets, including replica helmets, armor, gauntlets, pins, and t-shirts showing The Mandalorian.  

You can get a mission from the Bounty Hunter section which is a bounty that you have to check at the cantina, and find your bounty at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.  Lastly, Galaxy’s Edge lacks any kind of musical entertainment.  This is a hallmark of Star Wars with the Cantina Band, the Max Rebo Band, and Shag Kava, the band at Maz Kanata’s castle.  It seemed like there were instruments displayed at D23 Expo.  I think it would make sense somewhere at the Market or by the Millennium Falcon.  This can be an alien, audio-animatronic, or even a human singer, also there can be a band that is on a screen.  It can even be a holo-transmission of a performance.  I would like the band to play classic tunes, basically music from all of the other bands, also “Life Day” and “Nub Yub (Ewok Celebration Song)”!  It will be fascinating to see how Galaxy’s Edge will develop from this point.     

#GalaxysEdge, #Teek, #BountyHunter, #CantinaBand, #Disneyland

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge #3 Review!

We have been following the stories of Dok-Ondar, who seems more talkative than he is now at Galaxy’s Edge, offering a peek at Black Spire Outpost during the Age of Rebellion.  The issue features a cover by Tommy Lee Edwards which has Hondo Ohnaka, an important character in Galaxy’s Edge, full with stolen goods, clinging to a tree overlooking Black Spire Outpost.  The artwork showing Batuu gives an incredible vision of it that you don’t get wandering around at street level.  Ethan Sacks and Will Sliney, the writer and artist team, continue the Galaxy’s Edge story.  It opens with the bounty hunter Reme on the run at Merchant’s Row.  One towns person is carrying a glass of blue milk next to the Milk Stand, this is across from the First Order base.  Blasters fire and there is an unfortunate victim, he may never have another taste of blue milk!  Stormtroopers are trying to arrest Remex, blasting a target really doesn’t keep someone around to arrest, then he slips into a cargo hatch.  One stormtrooper gets hit from his return fire.  They find a woman in an orange robe.  They leave and he shapeshifts back to his normal form. 

He is caught in an alley by a tall alien and slammed against a wall in a chokehold.  This is Varg who works for Dok-Ondar!  Then, we get a one and a half page spread of Oga’s Cantina.  This is an overhead shot, again not something you can see at ground level, there are Jedi, droids, and some familiar aliens.  Remex enters right by the booth next to the DJ station.  This is correct from what I saw besides the aliens and droids.  He meets his boss, Kendoh, there to ask about leaving Batuu.  She wants to sell the relic and pay off their debts.  It looks like there is betrayals on betrayals as we move along with this story.  There is also an insert of DJ Rex, he of course is the pilot droid (canon from Star Wars: Rebels), from Star Tours.  The business and the characters bring a good story for the place, but I didn’t see any signs that Galaxy’s Edge has such things yet.  Kendoh meets with an Ikototch fortune teller, same species as the horned Jedi Master, Saesee Tiin.  The fortune teller has cleared her for her boss in the next booth, Hondo Ohnaka!  He of course is the bad penny showing up in Star Wars: Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels, and now Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run!  Hondo loves to tell stories, he brings one up about the Guardians of the Whills, watching him on hologram is Dok-Ondar.  Kendoh is looking for a pilot who can help them escape.  

Dok-Ondar at Galaxy's Edge, has he found his peace?, photo by the author.

It is Jedha, the setting of Rogue One, and a guardian in samurai-type armor is knocked out by a sonic weapon used by Hondo.  Dok-Ondar takes off his hood, eager for the relic, then they are ambushed by monks using blasters.  I think they are on stun blasts, but they are red in color, not blue.  Still, Hondo fires back, and wounds a monk’s arm.  While they are struggling, Dok-Ondar sees a crystal sculpture, he says carved by a lightsaber.  He explains that his parents on Ithor were killed for a relic.  Dok-Ondar searches for relics to connect with his parents, an interesting character motivation.  The monk smacks around Hondo while Dok-Ondar uses a laser torch to free the sculpture from kyber crystal.  It causes a cave-in and Dok-Ondar then uses a lightsaber to cut the sculpture free.  Again, the nature of lightsabers are not understood by comics writers, you can hold one, but to use it for any kind of work is difficult, but the energy makes it light and the blade cuts like a heavy weapon.  They run into another guardian whom you probably may know from Rogue One.  Hondo sees the relic taken by Kendoh and her gang.  It is connected to a mysterious fan favorite character!  Great action and design by Sliney.  An important issue showing more areas of Galaxy’s Edge, develops Dok-Ondar’s character, and tells its own story!  

Four Lightsabers out of Five! 

#StarWarsGalaxysEdge, #HondoOhnaka, #DokOndar, #Jedha 

May the Fourth Be With You/Free Comic Book Day 2019!

It has been four years since May the Fourth kicked off with Force Awakens.  At least I was aware of it with Force Awakens.  Steadily, there has been less and less events and product out for Star Warriors.  This year, I decided to go to Downtown Disney since I heard there was a line last year.  No line this time.  I went at the about the opening, most stores were closed, and saw World of Disney was open.  The surprising thing was no promo of anything Star Wars.  There was a section behind the Marvel toys and shirts, but it was standard Star Wars fare.  I asked around and went to the register, there was a May the Fourth Be With You pin with a stormtrooper, nice.  Still, I was told there was another pin and shirts offered at the theme parks.  I then went to Wonderground Gallery and saw the “Fuzzball” by Kristen Tercek postcard and the “Sisters of the Force” painting by Ashley Taylor.  I bought the postcard as my Chewbacca item and then went to check on Galaxy’s Edge.  Kristen Tercek's website is at: http://www.cuddlyrigormortis.com/shopping. 

Back stage for Galaxy's Edge, today, photo by the author.

I actually didn’t check out Galaxy’s Edge until about 2017 and it started construction on April 2016.  This was when the building for the Rise of the Resistance attraction (which is delayed until “later this year”) that had the skeletal structures up and the black spires were just construction towers and two skyscraper cranes hung above them.  Then, in 2018, there was hints of the black spires with construction rigging around them, the buildings had walls and the squarish boxes were painted red with only one construction crane.  Now, it looks like the Black Spires were completed, the back stage area still has gaps behind the spires which can be seen from the Mickey and Friends parking structure.  It was interesting to see the progression.  I’ve seen it from the parking area, walking past it on the street, and from the top deck of the Mark Twain on stage.  Galaxy’s Edge opens to the public on June 24th.  Reservations begin on May 30th to June 23rd.  I have a reservation for June 6th and hope to do extensive coverage in the four hours for my party.  

Galaxy's Edge, June 2018, photo by the author. 

Next, I headed over for my rounds of the comic book stores for Free Comic Book Day.   My usual pattern is to either take a trip and go to comic book stores with events like signings or try to travel a bit and shop at stores in a relatively close distance.  I chose the latter and of course plans fall apart.  My usual comic shop was lively, slowly became crowded, but offered five free comics.  There is usually a limit, which of course you have to ask or see a sign, and this store had a whole table of free comics.  Sometimes, which I saw later, there is an offering of six or so comics.  Of course, I had the comics that saw on the Free Comic Book Day website, but I realized that I have to have a checklist.  Part of the fun of FCBD is finding new comics that you may not have tried.  Still, you have to pick up your favorites.  Stores can offer five, three, or even one free comic.  It is really up to the retailer and not the companies.  Also, two stores had stamps and stickers on their free comics to promote their stores, there is a section on the free comics to do so, I like them untouched, not to sell, but to keep in my collection.  

Galaxy's Edge, Force Friday, 2017, photo by the author.

The most important part of Free Comic Book Day is of course the kids.  Stores can’t thrive unless there are new readers.  The other part of FCBD are the sales especially the dollar books.  If kids are not able to go, it’s key to look out for free comics that might interest them.  I really go through the dollar comics not to just find issues I’m looking for, but the comic books I may have passed up and would try, just like the free comics.  There are also the sales which again made me think I would buy that comic for that price.  The free comics that seem to be emphasized were DC’s Year of the Villain (which was also priced at 25 cents) and Avengers FCBD #1.  I picked up the free comics for Stranger Things, Doctor Who, and Star Wars Adventures. The surprises for me were not ones that I focused on; Ignition, the new line from Humanoids, I just read the most pages from it even though I’m super tired, and Bloodshot (which has a preview of the Fallen World).  I have not gone through all of the comics, but these are the standouts.  The Free Comic Fever struck me so ended up traveling miles and hours to different stores.  This was a long, exhausting day, it will take me some time to go through my stacks of comics, but it was in its own way fun.  

Free comics table, photo by the author.

#StarWarsDay, #WondergroundGallery, #GalaxysEdge, #FreeComicBookDay

Video Game Review: Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge!

At Downtown Disney, there were banners for the VR Experience from Meta Quest 2, Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge.  This was a game platform created by ILMxLAB for Oculus Quest in 2020.  I had previously played Lightsaber Dojo which was from Vader Immortal (2019).  It of course connects to Galaxy’s Edge, the park expansion, that opened at Disneyland on May 31, 2019.  The VR Experience is at the former ESPN Zone.  It has a large stand that features Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge across from the building.  It is open until January 5, 2022.  The doors of the building has promotions for The Book of Boba Fett which previously up promoting Disney shows.  On that note, there is a photo op for the upcoming Boba Fett series, out on December 29th, next to the Star Wars Trading Post store.  It is the throne that Boba Fett sits on complete with Rancor head ornaments.   

                                                                     Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge, Downtown Disney, photo by the author.

There is a large, trapezoid overhang hanging over the entrace, several cast members are there to ask questions and sign you up.  It is an iPad with a QR code which is basically a form to sign.  You are led past a wall ad of Meta Quest 2 before you lined up to the side.  It is a short wait, about 15 minutes or so, before you go to the eight or more glass rooms.  They have the promo artwork from the game, a table for santizing supplies, and the controllers.  You hold out your arms for the cast member to attach the two white controllers in your hands.  Then, you slip on the head visor, regular Oculus devices.  If you are not familiar with them, there is a small joystick for movement, the under button grabs items.  The forward trigger is used for your blaster.  Also, it provides 3D sound.  

When you get the right set up, you start the game, this was at Oga’s Cantina.  The difference of course is that it is empty and a few aliens are there.  There is the bartender, Seezelslak, who is voiced by Bobby Moynihan.  He was provided voices for Star Wars: Resistance.  He is an Azumel, a species with multiple eyes, six, but looks like a cousin to Ree Yees from Jabba’s Palace.  They appeared in the video game, Star Wars: Force Arena (2017) and also Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) where Argus Panox was at the sabaac game.  There are some sabaac cards on a table, I could move them around, but I was more interested in the ronto wrap that was on the bar table.  Azumel is angry at someone and then chases out a porg around the bar.  He introduces himself and then Mubo enters, voiced by Matthew Wood, he is known for voicing General Grievous and several voices in Lego Star Wars Terrifying Tales.  

                                                                         Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge, Downtown Disney, photo by the author.

Mubo has googles on his forehead and owns the Droid Depot at Black Spire Outpost.  He is a blue Utai, the short humanoids with telescoping, black eyes from Utapau in Revenge of the Sith (2005). He is interested in you finding “the cargo.”  The floating droid R00-8Y, sprays pink mist at you, Mubo says it’s odor neutrailzer.  He sends to you coordinates for the crash site with the “special packages.”  You had previously tangled with the Guavian Death Gang and they are after the cargo too.  Mubo wants you to find them in the Batuu wilds outside of the outpost.  Mubo leaves and Seezelslak offers a drink so he can tell a story.  He mentions a Jedi Padawan and her “little green friend”, Yoda.  Sleezelslak wants you to find ingredients on your quest to complete the drink.  Next, you reach Three Suns Overlook which shows a canyon, the rocky spires, and Black Spire Outpost below you.  I had difficulty moving around and couldn’t find the crate of blasters.  So no combat for me.  Still, I was able to fill out a survey to get a water bottle and poster.   

Three Lightsabers out of Five!  

#StarWarsTales, #TalesFromTheGalaxysEdge, #ExploreWithQuest, #DowntownDisney, #Seezelslak, #BobbyMoynihan, #Mubo, #MatthewWood. 

Strolling Through the (Theme) Park One Day: Star Wars Launch Bay!

Galaxy's Edge from the Mark Twain, photo by the author.

Thursday, I spent most of the morning at DCA with Pixar Pier. The sun was coming down and there is little shade at DCA. It was noon when I headed over to Disneyland. My foot steps were at trudging speed. I was looking for a place to eat and ended up at French Market with it’s refreshing Mint Julep. From there, I went down to Country Bear Restaurant which had a great view of Galaxy’s Edge, the opposite of the parking structure, but of course I saw the Mark Twain riverboat which is of course elevated. When I rounded the Rivers of America, the Mark Twain was about to depart, so I went up the stairs to reach the top level. This was more relaxing than trying to get a good shot at the parking structure. 

Pine trees block most of the view from the left edge, but some of the spires peek out. Some taller spires with construction platforms are behind the bridge of the railroad. Also, a large domed building possibly the Cantina. Place names were revealed for Galaxy’s Edge, it looks the Ancient Ruins will be at the far left of the park, the entrance across from Big Thunder Mountain in Disneyland, this will enable a transition from Frontierland to Galaxy’s Edge. The description says, “Remains of an ancient settlement. Perfect hideout for the Resistance.” I think the Resistance base is to the side and X-Wings and an A-Wing to the right from what I remember from the D23 diorama. This is the site of the Stormtrooper Battle Escape attraction. There is a road that is called Savi’s Path. I think this leads to the Surabat River Valley, the map says, “Navigate with caution. Treacherous turns!”

The path though leads away from the valley. This goes to Black Spire Station with the advice, “Salju will help you find the part you need.” It looks like droids are there to repair speeders or ships. It looks like Savi’s Path reaches the Saka Homestead that notes “Find blue milk at Bantha Tracks in the marketplace.” I think this is where the petting zoo is found. Central to the village is the Cantina, it is a large, dome-like building which is below a landed starship and caves. DJ Rex can be found there. The guide points out, "Local watering hole. Try the Blurrgfire.” 

Millennium Falcon model at Star Wars: Launch Bay, photo by the author.

It also leads to Smuggler’s Alley. There is a mass of buildings, but I think next is Docking Bay 7, “Food and Cargo – Food freighters come and go with tasty fare”, and to the right is the next entrance, which is next to Fantasyland in Disneyland, and Docking Bay 9 with the warning, “Stay clear! First Order troopers spotted…” which also leads to Merchant Row. At the far end is the Spaceport, “Hondo’s base of operations. He’s always in need of a crew.” The Millennium Falcon is there so this must be where the attraction queues up. 

Star Wars Launch Bay is in Tomorrowland. I was headed there to meet Rey. There are two showcase displays with Rogue One replaced by Last Jedi. Nothing from Solo. On the left hand side is a First Order display. There is the First Order Fleet Gunner Helmet, a model of the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer from Last Jedi, and below it is a model of Kylo Ren’s TIE Silencer. In the center is the large model of the First Order TIE fighter and below it is a Canto Bight Police Pistol. To the right is the model of the AT-M6 and above it is prop of the Praetorian Guard Whip. 

On the right hand display is the Resistance with a small model of the Resistance Bomber and the prop of Poe’s Blaster Pistol above it is a medium sized model of the Millennium Falcon. Next to it is a small Resistance Ski Speeder model and below it is the prop of Rose Tico’s Medallion. The other side has a Resistance A-Wing Pilot Helmet with a prop of Resistance Blaster Rifle. The helmets are weak with uniforms with the previous movies. The next room is a screen with three benches to show a video featuring Kathleen Kennedy saying how much she and everyone at Lucasfilm loves Star Wars. Rian Johnson heads over to the Galaxy’s Edge construction site and Dave Filoni talks about concluding Star Wars: Rebels.

Rey character at the Rey Meet and Greet, photo by the author.

The next sections had Slave-I, Clone Wars ships, a Rebel section with the Tantive IV and Ghost models with a X-Wing pilot uniform. The Imperial section has Krennic’s shuttle, Kylo Ren’s shuttle, Star Destroyer and TIE fighter models. There are four meet and greets now. It was just two characters before. New for me was Rey with Chewbacca on the other side. There were Jedi lightsaber and pilot helmet displays. There is a tactical screen in the rocky temple-like setting. Rey looks spot on even comparing her to Daisy Ridley photos. The reason why is that characters that are not covered have to have approval. I’m not certain if that is studio or actor approval. 

She has her staff and was completely charming, but I was worried about my cell phone. I like the Chewie meet and greet, Darth Vader and Kylo Ren are up there too, but Rey was cool. This was a must for me since it was February when I last went to the Launch Bay. Nothing for Solo. It may be like Last Jedi that the cycle goes for a half year to bring new film displays. Launch Bay is worth it just for the character meet and greets. I recommend the Max Pass for ease of having the Photo Pass photos and downloading them. I hope everyone likes the Galaxy’s Edge photos from Hungry Bear and Mark Twain.

#Disneyland, #GalaxysEdge, #StarWarsLaunchBay, #Rey