If you’re hoping to make the trek all the way out to a galaxy far far away this summer, be sure to plan ahead in order to get the full galactic experience possible. No one wants to find themselves heading home only to realize that they never made their custom lightsaber because they were distracted by the smell of a delicious space snack instead! Oh no!
Disneyland’s Anaheim resort officially opened its doors to the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge park on May 31st, 2019. A select number of fans already have one of the coveted reserved tickets (while others have a designated spot with a reservation at a Disneyland Resort hotel between 5/31/2019 - 6/23/2019) but — for all of the fans who didn’t manage to get a reservation — you aren’t going to be left out in the Hoth cold. If visiting Star Wars Land is a dream come true, then start planning ahead because the grand public opening is June 24th, 2019 and everyone (even those from the Dark Side) will be invited. Whether you are heading down to Disneyland this month or just planning ahead, here are a few tips to make your experience the best one possible.
Plan or Do Not Plan. There is No Try
As soon as you head through the park gates, you will be transported to a galaxy far away with the sounds of the lively marketplace, the smells of the mouthwatering food stalls, and the spirited new music by John Williams (the composer of the original Star Wars score). The bustling market square — located in the village of Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu — is bursting with exotic wares, exciting adventures, and old friends like Chewbacca, Rey, and R2-D2, as well as, shifty smugglers, colorful locals, and the menacing First Order. The long-forgotten planet of Batuu is everything you could possibly have imagined and — if you are anything like us — you are going to try to do everything all at once! But... because you can’t exactly eat Fried Endorian Tip-Yip, drink Blue Milk, build a lightsaber, and ALSO ride the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run all at the same time (at least not without getting very sick), you’ll need to plan accordingly. Whether you only have a 4-hour window to be on Batuu, or you have all day, you’ll want to be sure to do all of your favorite things. Here are a few of our suggestions:
1) Don’t rush to the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction (everyone rushes there first which could mean a longer wait for you)!
2) Think about if you’d rather be a pilot, an engineer, or a gunner while flying the Millennium Falcon (if you want to be the pilot then stand towards the left side of the room during the ride’s opening dialogue).
3) Come hungry so you have room to try everything from Ronto Roasters, Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, and Kat Saka’s Kettle Shop! You’ll want to eat everything from Fried Endorian Tip-Yip (a rectangle-shaped fried chicken concoction) to the red and purple kettle corn!
4) Dress to impress and mingle with scoundrels, smugglers, and rebels at Oga’s Cantina (plus, enjoy a taste of the only alcoholic drink in the entire park with a Jedi Mind Trick, Bloody Rancor, or a Yub Nub)!
5) Enjoy a glass of Jabba Juice on us while you’re there (just try not to think about the “eggs”, aka tapioca balls, in your drink that belong to that creepy frog-like alien in a glass tank behind the bar...).
6) If you’re looking for something non-alcoholic, then take a trip down to the Milk Stand for the infamous Blue and Green Milk blend.
7) Eat during the “off” times to avoid the crowds.
8) Try the “virtual queue” for Oga’s Cantina and get a text when it’s your turn to dine!
9) Order food or drinks in advance from all of the best spots in Batuu via the Disneyland app.
10) Savi’s Workshop only allows 14 people in at once, so plan ahead if you want to build your very own lightsaber (with 120,000 possible combinations).
11) Try collecting all of the unique coasters and specialty mugs from the different vendors.
12) Download the Galaxy’s Edge game and translate all of the Aurebesh (alien language) throughout the park.
13) Keep your eyes peeled for the Easter eggs hidden in the park (was that an Indiana Jones Easter Egg we just saw...?)
14) Go to the Droid Depot to try your hand at making one of the 280,000 unique combinations of droid and go home with a new best friend!
15) Don’t miss out on Dok-Ondar’s Den Of Antiquities where you can see a baby sarlacc (and, yes, it’s still terrifying as a baby.) a life-sized wampa, and more secret treasures.
16) Find all of the porg nests hidden in the Millennium Falcon tour!
17) Engage with the locals by greeting them with “Bright Suns” and learn about each cast member's unique story.
18) Try a drink from one of the vendors and check out the specialty Star Wars packaging on some of your favorite sodas.
19) Come ready with “credits” (or money) to be able to get a custom lightsaber, tasty food, and unique souvenirs from Toydarian Toymaker (because you will want to buy it all).
20) The Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction is opening later this year, so be sure to make another trip back!
It’s time to channel your inner Jedi and use the Force to make your visit to Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge resort the best one possible! Jump in your own hunk of junk, grab some sunscreen, and put on an awesome Fifth Sun Star Wars t-shirt because you are heading home to a galaxy far away this summer.
