First Impressions of Star Wars Land at Disney World
Bright suns! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World is now open. We arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios just before 4 a.m., and were inside the blockbuster new land shortly thereafter. Suffice to say, it’s already been a fun (and long!) first day, but we wanted to share some photos and offer first impressions now that we’ve spent some time in both versions. Before we get going, we should caution that 95% (or more) of Star Wars Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is identical to “Batuu West.”
Accordingly, if you’ve already read our reviews from that version, you already know (most of) what we have to say about Walt Disney World’s Star Wars Land. We aren’t going to retread the tens of thousands of words we’ve already written, so if you’re looking for reviews of substance, check out our Review of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: A Land Like No Other. If you want a nuts and bolts primer, read our Star Wars Land Info & Galaxy’s Edge Guide or consult the following:
- Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run Review
- Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo Review
- Oga’s Cantina Review
- Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities Review
- Savi’s Workshop for Handbuilt Lightsabers Review
- Droid Depot Build-A-Droid Review
We’ll also warn you that what follows here is mostly assorted geekery, including how things differ in Batuu East, good and puzzling design decisions, and various things to expect from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you’re expecting big revelations about the Walt Disney World version of Galaxy’s Edge, you’re going to be disappointed…
One thing we will not be doing is re-reviewing the land or discussing the decision to utilize an original planet over existing settings from Star Wars films, and how that might’ve contributed to why it wasn’t an immediate smash hit at Disneyland.
I do think this is potentially an interesting topic, but one for December or later. However, it’s premature and the debate around this has already become exhausting. I see little reason to revisit this topic until late this year or early next; until then, it’s just endless back and forth speculation.
Another thing we won’t be doing is talking crowds. It’s absolutely packed in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge right now–considerably busier than what we’ve ever seen at Batuu West–but it’s also the first morning of the first day. This always happens with new attractions and lands they day they open at Walt Disney World.
What will be interesting is to see whether the current 300 minute posted wait for Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run is normal or whether it settles into a more ‘average’ range in a week or so. (Although with Hurricane Dorian approaching Florida, it could be a weird week for crowds/wait times.)
One thing I do think is interesting about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the design difference between the two coasts…
In John Hench’s Designing Disney, the Imagineering legend discusses color choices for the various parks in California, Florida, Tokyo, etc., and how the different skies and sunlight play a role. Most notably, he discusses how Florida’s deep blue sky have led to warmer color choices. Although his analysis was retrospective, I think the same could be fairly applied to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The Disneyland version version is monochrome, which gives it an uninviting quality. The ornate details and grandiose landscape make it compelling and interesting, nonetheless, but it doesn’t have that welcoming and reassuring quality that Disney’s best, romanticized environments possess.
Batuu at Disney’s Hollywood Studios presents a partial correction to this. It’s further assisted by the adjacent Toy Story Land with its poppy colors and whimsical sensibility, which offers a surprisingly nice contrast to Galaxy’s Edge. On the other side, a richly-themed Muppets land next door to Galaxy’s Edge would’ve been the perfect bookend. Alas!
The warmer, deeper, and more varied color palette used on Batuu in Walt Disney World was a wise move. This is a step in the right direction, and I’d be willing to bet that over time, more splashes of color are added to both versions of Batuu. Simply put, Batuu East looks better and is more visually appealing. That’s right, for once Walt Disney World is getting the better version of something!
In several areas, the layout of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been tweaked and condensed in Florida. This is an ironic twist, as Disneyland is short on space and Walt Disney World has the “blessing of size,” but it’s evident in several spots. Most notably, the long approach from Critter Country leading into the Resistance Forest is gone.
Even though, you’re going from Downtown Los Angeles to Resistance Forest, which are two disparate environments, I think the condensed layout works better. Perhaps I’ll think differently when Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is open and this area is overflowing with people. For now, I prefer the tighter staging of Florida’s version.
There is also one fewer entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World, which means you have an awkward dead end on the First Order side. That’s about the only downside to the differences between the coasts. On balance, I’d still say Walt Disney World comes out ahead. It’s not a huge advantage, as again, the two lands are ~95% clones.
Other layout tweaks were made throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at DHS, but these will be imperceptible to most guests.
One adaptation that was not made is to account for differences in weather between California and Florida. After Toy Story Land was lambasted for this last year, you think Disney would’ve scrambled to address any such issues with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Apparently not.
The blame for this is often laid at the feet of California-centric Imagineering, but I have no clue whether that’s true. When it comes to Toy Story Land, there are (uncorroborated) tales of Operations (in Florida) fighting to cut a lot of things that would’ve served as shade or shelter. There’s also the reality that those California folks have managed to successfully design for the rain and snow of Paris and Tokyo.
Whatever the cause, it’s baffling that more shade and shelter wasn’t built into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The shade part of this isn’t as big of a problem, but there are still plenty of umbrellas set up throughout the land.
Shelter is more perplexing, as putting a concealed glass ceiling above the marketplace would’ve been such an easy fix.
This is hardly a revolutionary idea. Imagineering built exactly this for similar environments at Casbah Food Court at Tokyo DisneySea and the Morocco pavilion in Epcot. Let’s not forget: Star Wars Land is Space Morocco!
Shade and shelter are operational realities, and some degree of ‘umbrella action’ is going to happen regardless, but why the land wasn’t designed for this is a bit disappointing.
One of the biggest intangibles of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the characters that inhabit the land. In addition to doing little skits (fixing ships, battling, etc.) there’s an overarching storyline of Galaxy’s Edge that unfolds in the streets around guests.
The idea is that the First Order, Stormtroopers, and Kylo Ren are constantly in search of Rey, Chewbecca, and the Resistance. In the simplest possible terms, it’s like a constant game of hide and seek, with guests placed in the middle (it’s way cooler than that sounds).
There has been a lot of fear online about how these free-roaming characters would translate to Walt Disney World. I find this to be justifiable because, frankly, guests at Walt Disney World have no chill.
Free roaming characters are a staple of the Disneyland experience, and all (literally) of the park’s best moments with characters unfold in an organic and spontaneous manner as characters like Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, or the Evil Queen wander the park.
The ‘culture’ around characters is very different at Walt Disney World. Recently, I saw Prince John and Friar Tuck walking around Main Street in Magic Kingdom after they finished their last set.
A couple was sitting down playing checkers when the characters “interrupted” them to offer strategic advice. It was a sweet, natural interaction and was something special–both for the guest playing checkers and onlookers.
That is, until another guest tried to corner the characters for a posed photo, at which point Prince John and Friar Tuck bailed, and the guest became irate with a nearby attendant.
I’ve seen similar versions of this same scenario play out many times. Last year during Incredible Tomorrowland Expo at Magic Kingdom, I saw free-roaming characters cornered over by the restrooms on multiple occasions. (Don’t ask why I’m spending so much time by the restrooms!) This usually ends with characters rushing backstage and a yelling guest.
I’m not totally sure what drives this. It could be planning obsessives who have to get the perfectly-posed photo, it could be all of the online resources devoted to character tracking, it could be the Florida heat & humidity pushing everyone to the brink.
All I know is that Disneyland guests are generally more laid back, and this is doubly so when it comes to character encounters. This is too bad for Walt Disney World, as free roaming characters add a ton to the atmosphere of the park.
Thankfully, the Star Wars characters are free roaming in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (for now) just as they were in Disneyland, and guests seem to be reacting well (for now) to this approach. I really hope things remain this way, and guests can stay cool when it comes to the roaming characters, because they’re such an essential component of Galaxy’s Edge.
Perhaps I’m too much of an optimist, but I’d love for Walt Disney World guests to see just how superior of an approach this is to staged/posed meet & greets. It’d be great if all character encounters trended in this direction.
I don’t think this is as unrealistic as it might sound. Younger generations prefer organic experiences and photos/videos that appear candid.
Plus, a ton of content like this from Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland has already gone viral on social media, making this kind of character engagement is better (free) marketing for Disney.
I’m also optimistic that the roaming droids, impromptu performances, and original characters that Imagineering originally intended to populate the land will appear in the not-too-distant future. These are mostly quick and easy additions that would give Batuu an even greater lived-in feeling, and could work wonders as way to give Galaxy’s Edge a shot in the arm whenever it might need one.
Overall, this is a long-winded way of saying that, for better and worse, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is mostly the same land at Walt Disney World as it is in Disneyland. Some tweaks have been made that I’d construe as improvements, while others, frustratingly, have not been made. There’s still room for future growth, and it should see a big boost when Rise of the Resistance opens.
In the meantime, I stand by my original assessment that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a land like no other. Although it offers an amalgamation of the best aspects of each of these superlative lands found around the globe, it’s unlike anything you’ve experienced. It’s at once marvelous, domineering, intimate, and detailed. If this isn’t the best themed environment, it’s certainly top 5. Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan, go in with an open mind and appreciate Space Morocco for all that it offers.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
What do you think of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Are you excited to visit the Walt Disney World version, or does this not interest you? Planning on braving the crowds to go right away, or waiting? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Please check the policy on entering the virtual queue… I believe all guests need to be I side DHS to enter the queue.
I’m guessing the “dead end” you mentioned on the First Order side of SWGE is actually going to be the embarkation gate for travelers coming from the SW hotel. If my Google Map skills are accurate, I’m thinking the dead end is at the Grand Ave dead end between Muppet Theater and the Sci-Fi Drive in… one little circle drive off of Cypress Dr toward that dead end and you have your drop off point for the shuttle craft from the Space Cruiseliner.
Love the Disneyland Chill reference! We visited DL and DCA in August, and we noticed IMMEDIATELY the much more relaxed, less frenzied California vibe. So much preferred to the crazed, intense, competitive WDW atmosphere. The spontaneous interactions with free-roaming characters was so much fun! You are so spot on, regarding the appreciation of younger generations for such interactions. Posed photos are overrated “trophies” that hold little emotional interest. Another great write up, thanks!
My theory is just that Anaheim has more locals than Florida. So if you live in Los Angeles and you visit Disneyland twice a month, you’re gonna be more chill when you see Mary Poppins wandering around Main Street.
Plus if you live in Los Angeles, you might even bump into a real Hollywood movie star, which is bound to be more of a novelty than seeing Mickey Mouse.
I also agree that the colors at WDW are superior to DL.
As for the free roaming characters and shows. I equate this opening to that of a Costco or other new establishment. It starts out with employees at every turn to help and encounters of characters are plentiful. But like when I returned to get items at Costco 2-3 months later after the new opening. Employees are about 2/3 of what it was at opening and items I had purchases were only promotional and won’t be stocked form now on.
I hope its not the case but I predict that employees will have their hours cut after rise of the resistance opens for anyone not running a ride or serving food. I think them bringing droids out to run around is likely and will replace people because the droids don’t get a paycheck! Remember its Disney! I hate it but the bean counters are running the show!!
But, the person overseeing each droid gets a paycheck, right? Unless Batuuan droids really have achieved autonomy.
I would think they would be like the new floor sweepers at Walmart. They clean the floor with no rider during store hours with people all around. If you have not seen one it’s quite impressive. I stepped back to make sure it did run over me but it worked perfectly. I expect Disney would have that type droid where they can see who is around them stop and interact while acting on their own.
I’ have a trip booked for departure from California tomorrow morning 8/30. The news on the hurricane is causing some stress. Any recommendations on moving my trip?
same boat here, due to arrive saturday morning. my family keeps saying we should just go. i just don’t want to be stuck in a hotel room all week at $5k if they close the parks down…
update- the comparisons to hurricane andrew and sustained category 4 spooked us enough to push back a week, plus multiple calls.texts from family concerned for us.
I hear ya! My flight is less than 24 hrs away so I have to decide soon…this is a graduation trip for my son so I really want it to go well….decisions….
In 2013, we were in CA Adventure and had fabulous interactions with a garbage can! It was a droid but fully functioned like a garbage can. The 1st time, we were sitting on a bench and saw a guy dump some garbage into the garbage can. The can said, “ Most tasty meal ever!” Everyone within hearing distance perked up and watched the can spin around and ask for more food. We were all looking for thinks to throw away! It soon said goodbye and rolled back stage. The next day, we went back but the garbage can wasn’t where it was the day before. We sat to rest anyway. Soon, the garbage can rolled out and started the fun again.
That was PUSH (named after the writing on the garbage slot). He was originally in Tomorrowland, then he moved to the Grizzly Peak area of California Adventure. He also had a cousin at Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom. I loved those little trashcans!
I have mixed feelings about your roaming vs staged character interactions. When I was a little kid visiting Disneyland in the 70s, I clearly remember the mob scenes around the characters when they came out. It was challenging to get photos with them and inevitably you would get others in your photos as well. I also felt like it was hard for the characters, as they were being pulled in so many different directions at once. I remember it being quite stressful.
To me, waiting in line and then getting quality one-on-one character interactions and photos is way better, and worth the wait.
I think ideally there should be both. If you want photos, there should still be meet-and-greets, but certainly free roaming characters add a lot to environments.
was that way in the 90s too, we have all kinds of pictures of backs of characters and kids stepping in the way, etc. one time, donald duck got so overwhelmed by some foreigners he had to go backstage.
I LOVE reading your work. You’re a great writer! Thank you for sharing today’s adventure. Continue to have fun and “May the Force be with y’all!”
~Tracie from SC
I wish Disney well on the success of Star Wars Land, but I wonder about the global interest in Star Wars? My wife and I have no interest in it whatsoever. We have not even seen one of the movies. That being said, the Land does seem to convey the look and feel of a galaxy outpost far, far, away.
i just don’t understand this opening day mentality. do people get a medal? a prize? a lifetime pass? the land and the park isn’t going anywhere, why the urgency from people to have to be there first? merchandise is going to show up on ebay and if someone really wants it, they’ll pay anything for it regardless of if they were there or not. bloggers, i can understand to an extent, but everyone else? i don’t get it. people want to have spent a day’s admission cost to wait in one line all day long? maybe two if they’re lucky? what am i missing?
Laura, I guess you don’t get excited about sharing a new experience with lots of other people, but many people do. It was really fun to watch the videos from early this morning (it all happened while I was fast asleep on the West Coast!). People cheered when they emerged from the tunnel into Batuu, and then cheered again when they caught sight of the Millennium Falcon. For myself, I can definitely understand why people would want to be part of that experience.
sorry, i still just don’t get it. that’s an awful lot of money (a day’s admission) to spend waiting hours in line for a couple things that are still going to be there long-term. if it’s a one-time or limited time run, ok. but the FOMO people have i will never understand, not for something permanent.
What are your thoughts on AP previews for Rise of the Resistance? I’ll be at WDW for the week preceding the official opening of the attraction and I would love to be able to do a soft opening so I don’t have to wait a year+ to ride it ( my next trip won’t be until April 2021).
It almost seems like Batuu West’s color palette was largely based on Fez’s medina, which has a more monochrome and subdued color palette compared to Marrakech. In crontrast, Batuu West’s deeper, more vibrant palette (such as the reddish tint of the marketplace) and varied, contrasting colors are more reminiscent of Marrakech’s medina.
Space Morocco sums it up perfectly! I went during passholder preview days and we were fortunate to enjoy the space with sparser crowds and rode the Millennium Falcon five times. It certainly did have the feel of a “space country” in world showcase to me … immersive environment, great cast members, lots of food and merchandise to explore but light on rides …. and as hot as Italy pavilion at high noon.
The lack of shade or shelter also really stood out to me as well. Really the only place you can get inside is in the ride queue or inside one of the (tiny) reservations-only experiences / stores with wait lines to get in. There was very little seating for guests of Ronto Roasters (hopefully the non themed patio furniture was temporary) and there was a pretty controlled seating situation at Docking Bay 7 as well – you had to go through the ordering line to sit / eat. Which was fine …. I wanted to have a place to eat my food if I ordered there. However, if you just wanted to sit down to enjoy your blue milk or rest for a minute you were pretty out of luck. There’s not a lot of environmental seating like benches, rock walls, etc.
“All I know is that Disneyland guests are generally more laid back, and this is doubly so when it comes to character encounters.”
Probably because, in the words of Jim Hill, Disneyland is the world’s most famous regional theme park. Most visitors are from the local area (or at least the west coast) and are repeat guests. There are many more once-in-a-lifetime trips occurring at WDW, so that makes those visitors feel like they have to squeeze more out of their limited time.
I saw some photos posted on social media of the huge pre-dawn crowds crushing the entrance to DHS. Masses of people filling every empty space. Oh my. Not sure how that all works with the virtual Queue that is supposed to be in place once all of those folks found out that they couldn’t get into the land.
I’m *at* SWGW, *at* Oga’s Cantina, and reading your post! Lol.
What is wrong with me!
Happy Opening Day!
Disney world has no chill is my favorite line… because it is so true! That was one of the biggest differences we noticed when visiting Disneyland. And it was just so nice to be in a chill park.
Funny … I’ve never been to Disneyland but the word chill is enough to change that. I love Disney World but I am so tired of feeling like I’m in some kind of vacation competition. All the reservations and strategic planning has killed the chill.
So what time did they let you in the park?
I second this question. I will be there Sunday and have EEMH. Wondering what time to show up!
I’m sad to hear that DW doesn’t usually do free roaming characters because that was my favorite part at DL. My best memories are Daisy taking my 3 year old daughter for a walk and another day Pluto crumbling up ice in her hair at Christmas time. Just fun interactions that were not staged or planned. Maybe a difference is that most guests at DL are pass holders so they aren’t as intent on getting that picture because they see the characters all the time. Kids too there know they will be back next week so it’s not a push to get to see a particular character. Hopefully DW guests can learn though that free roaming characters add to the enjoyment of the park whether or not you get a picture with them. Just seeing them walking around makes it so much more fun.
I’m definitely hoping that GE adds adds the droids and more free roaming characters soon. That is what has excited me from the beginning about GE. Without the free roaming droids and characters it can’t feel like you’re in Star Wars.
the free roaming is nice, i agree. but if you have kids wanting autographs in their book, i think that limits it severely.
Does Batuu East have the coins that Batuu West had? I’m going in December and I REALLY want one of these…
I LOVE reading your work. You’re a great writer! Thank you for sharing today’s adventure. Continue to have fun and “May the Force be with y’all!”
~Tracie from SC