Star Wars Land Info & Galaxy’s Edge Guide
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is once again fully open at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and at Disneyland! This guide details what we know, with tips for visiting, avoiding crowds, and info about Star Wars Land in both California and Hollywood Studios. (Updated June 23, 2021.)
We’ve spent considerable time in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on both coasts, and absolutely love the land that we’ve dubbed “Space Morocco.” Thanks to our extensive experiences doing literally everything in Star Wars Land, we’re able to offer tips, info, crowd advice, and way more than you’ll need to know in this ultimate guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
What we do not offer in this guide is a subjective assessment or review of either of the attractions or the land itself. If you are interested in what we think of the land, check out our “Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Review: A Land Like No Other,” which is our mostly spoiler-free review. You can also read our spoiler-free Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Ride Review. We’ve followed those posts up with several reports from the land and that great–but unreliable–attraction…
Speaking of that unreliable flagship attraction, required reading before visiting the parks is our FAQ & Ride Guide to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Walt Disney World and Strategy Guide to Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland for the ins and outs of the virtual queue—including our tips to improve your speed.
Accessing the attraction is incredibly complicated (there is no standby line!) and results in tons of disappointed guests every day who don’t get a chance to ride. Seriously, reading one of those posts is more important than reading this! Additionally, you can find our most recent Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge coverage here.
Dedicated strategy for doing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is not as imperative as you might expect. Consequently, if you simply want to consult our 1-Day Disneyland Touring Plan or 1-Day Disney’s Hollywood Studios Touring Plan, both of which have been updated for Galaxy’s Edge, those resources are probably sufficient.
If you want a deeper dive into all things Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, continue reading…
Star Wars Land Info
Officially known as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this new land is the largest settlement on the planet Batuu, set in the remote village of Black Spire Outpost, which is an infamous stop for traders, adventurers, and smugglers traveling around the Outer Rim and Wild Space.
Got all of that? Of course not. Everyone is just calling it Star Wars Land, just as Wizarding World of Harry Potter is simply “Harry Potter Land” or Pandora – World of Avatar is called “Avatar Land” by most guests. This is all mildly amusing, as I remember it being a small controversy that Cars Land would defy Disney naming conventions by not being Carsland.
Back in my day, Disney theme park lands and attractions used clear and concise names, and avoided convoluted syntax that served no discernible purpose and would be ignored by most of the general public. But I digress.
Here are quick descriptions of the major attractions, dining, and shopping in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so you’ll know what we’re talking about as we continue this Star Wars Land Guide.
Attractions
While there are “only” two attractions in Star Wars Land, these are two blockbuster rides. Both of them are among the most ambitious and expensive that Imagineering has ever created, and will leave a lasting impression.
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – An interactive motion simulator attraction where 6 guests are grouped together, given roles, and put in control of the Millennium Falcon. This collaborative ride promises to be somewhat skill-based, with your team’s performance reflected in the attraction itself and the appearance of the ship as you exit. Think Mission: Space meets Star Tours meets Toy Story Mania–all on steroids. Read our Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run Review for more feedback on the attraction.
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – A lengthy hybrid walk-through and trackless dark ride with a mixed media presentation including projections, Audio Animatronics, and a variety of physical effects. The attraction puts guests into the middle of a battle between the First Order (including Stormtroopers) and the Resistance, and feature an eight-seat ride vehicle known as a First Order Fleet Transport. This is the flagship attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and is one of Imagineering’s best ever. Read more in our spoiler-free Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Ride Review for more feedback.
Dining
In terms of dining, the options in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are surprisingly limited, with only a bar, counter service restaurant, and snack stalls. There is no table service restaurant, although that might be added later. Right now, the Lucasfilm Story Group and Imagineering are zealously guarding the thematic integrity of Star Wars, both inside and outside the land.
After about a year passes and the lack of dining options in Galaxy’s Edge becomes apparent, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Star Wars character meals added to restaurants outside the land. The most obvious choice for this would be Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, which already had a really fun Star Wars Breakfast a few years ago.
Another “big deal” and something we think is fascinating is that Coca-Cola is sold in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, in special on-theme packaging. These so-called thermal detonators have been national headlines after the TSA took the strange step of banning them.
As might be evident from our Shanghai Disneyland Serves Pepsi article, we are oddly fascinated with soda sponsorships in the Disney Parks. This is a big-money partnership for Disney, but selling only (more expensive) novelty drinks would’ve also been a boon to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
- Oga’s Cantina – Limited capacity bar serving alcoholic beverages (yes, even at Disneyland), mocktails and other drinks, including Blue Milk. Oga’s Cantina is mostly be standing room only, with restrictions on how long guests can linger likely to be enforced. Captain Rex, a former Starspeeder 3000 pilot of Star Tours fame, plays DJ at Oga’s Cantina. Read our full Oga’s Cantina Review to see drink and interior photos, and more!
- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – The main dining option in Star Wars Land, this counter service restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, themed to a working hangar bay. We’ve eaten everything on the menu, which we found to be ambitious and inventive. Read our full Docking Bay 7 Review to see drink and interior photos, and more!
- Ronto Roasters – This exotic meat stall serves the glorious Ronto Wrap (breakfast version pictured above). Former smelter droid 8D-J8 is cook, using a recycled pod-racing engine to roast meats at this dining stand.
- Milk Stand – This small drink stall serves frosty confections, including blue milk and green milk. The vendors at this quirky stall offer travelers an invigorating, refreshing drink that’s a favorite among the locals. Expect a signature snack or two in addition to the green and blue milk.
- Kat Saka’s Kettle – Serving specialty popcorn known as Outpost Mix, this small food stall is run by grain merchant Kat Saka, and is unlikely to serve much else besides popcorn and bottled drinks.
Shopping
Black Spire Outpost has number of small vendors in a street markets, inspired by those in Marrakesh, Morocco. These intimate shops are part retail and part show, with a variety of props and colorful backstory, with a proprietor from the Star Wars universe running each.
In addition to the shops listed below, a variety of stores outside the land, including those in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland carry off-planet and limited edition Star Wars merchandise.
- Savi’s Workshop: Handbuilt Lightsabers – A group known as the “Gatherers” welcomes guests into their covert workshop stocked with unusual parts, whimsical pieces, and miscellaneous memorabilia collected from the far reaches of the galaxy. Under their guidance, you can construct one-of-a-kind lightsabers and bring it to life through the power of kyber crystals. Read our full Savi’s Workshop for Handbuilt Lightsabers Review to find out whether this pricey experience is worth the money.
- Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities – Hidden inside the den is a rotating collection of unique treasures that include jewelry, ancient tools, rare kyber crystals, statues, and even a collection of famous lightsabers. The eclectic assortment of goods comes from many different planets and eras. Read our full Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities Review, and why this hidden gem is a must-see!
- Droid Depot – A build-your-own-droid workshop stocked with stacks of parts, chips, manuals, and other tech items useful for constructing droids, one of the galaxy’s most indispensable sidekicks. Pick from the popular BB-series or R-series unit, then begin designing, building and activating a droid. Read our full Droid Depot Build-A-Droid Review to determine whether this $99 experience is worth the money.
- Creature Stall – This exotic shop offers a glimpse into cages and crates filled with hard-to-find species from across the galaxy. Bina, the stall’s proprieter, scours star systems to keep this storefront stocked with unique companions for her customers, including porgs, tauntauns, rathtars, and more.
- Black Spire Outfitters – This local apparel shop features an eclectic selection of stylish, functional clothing suitable for a variety of occasions and worlds.
- Resistance Supply – Rendezvous with Resistance allies in a forested area near the ancient ruins. Here, members of the Resistance have set up a secret makeshift post where guests can join the cause to defeat the First Order…and buy Resistance merchandise to show their support.
- First Order Cargo – The First Order has recently arrived in Black Spire Outpost at Docking Bay 9, where they’ve set up a temporary post next to their shuttle to win the hearts and minds of the locals…and to sell gear to those who want to show support for the First Order.
- The Jewels of Bith – Accessories, trinkets, and other treasures are sold in this street stall.
- Toydarian Toymaker – This humble, jumbled shop contains all manner of artisanal playthings and collectibles handmade by the busy toymaker, Zabaka the Toydarian. Her fantastical storefront is cluttered with crates of toymaking supplies and other unique works in progress.
Star Wars Land is located in the back of the parks at both Disneyland in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. The lands are nearly identical on each coast, with only minor differences in layout and orientation. Substantively, the lands are 100% the same, and cosmetically, they are 99% the same. As such, the specifics about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge apply equally to both versions.
Otherwise, the only difference is that the version of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World will have an adjacent Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort opening in 2021. Construction has begun on this resort, and we have a photo update as of earlier this summer.
Star Wars Land Strategy
In terms of strategy and touring info applicable to both coasts, neither attraction offers FastPass, MaxPass, or FastPass+ right now. Also on both coasts, it’s not necessary to rope drop Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Get a virtual queue spot for Rise of the Resistance before beginning your day, but there’s no need to physically enter the land right away.
If you do opt for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at rope drop, we’d suggest starting at Oga’s Cantina if you’re interested in experiencing that themed bar, or Savi’s Workshop if you want to purchase a Handbuilt Lightsaber. (Both Oga’s and Savi’s also accept reservations, and getting those is definitely the preferred route to go.)
However, it is not necessary to prioritize Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This attraction has a healthy hourly capacity of 1,800 to 2,000 guests.
This is far higher than many other attractions in both parks, and between hourly capacity and the reality that many guests are racing to the Millennium Falcon because it’s the hot new thing, waits for this ride usually peak in the early morning hours.
For now, that’s really about it. Strategy-wise, the difficult task is acquiring a boarding pass for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
As stated above, this is the most complicated attraction to experience on either coast, with demand far exceeding ride capacity. Again, you should absolutely read our ride guides for Rise of the Resistance long before visiting. Not doing so will set you up for colossal disappointment.
However, once you have that boarding pass, it’s pretty easy to slot Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge into your normal itinerary. We’ll continue visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge throughout the rest of 2021 at Walt Disney World and Disneyland to monitor the situation with crowds, and how strategy changes and continues to evolve with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
We will continue to update the tips in this guide with info and analysis that we observe while inside Star Wars Land. It’s going to be a wild ride, but with smart planning, Galaxy’s Edge is a satisfying experience that was worth the wait.
Need Disney trip planning tips and comprehensive advice? Make sure to read Disney Parks Vacation Planning Guides, where you can find comprehensive guides to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and beyond! For Disney updates, discount information, a free download of our Money-Saving Tips for Walt Disney World eBook, and much more, sign up for our free monthly newsletter!
Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts, tips, strategy, etc. for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Disneyland or Walt Disney World? Have you had any frustrations or disappointments with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? 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!
Are there any updated strategy suggestions now that Rise is a standby line or lightning lane?
Tom (or any of you that may know), Can I change a park reservation I currently have for Epcot to Hollywood Studios (our trip is August)? If so, then can I change the reservation for the second day we secure for Hollywood Studios, if we can get on the Rise of the Resistance on day one, back to Epcot if availability at that park three days later?
Does that make sense?
Thanks everyone and thanks Tom for all your posts.
Hello,
We are planning a trip in May and I am curious as to how rough these two rides might be for my parents. We don’t do any of the big drop thrill rides and absolutely hated Test Track and Dinosaur because they were so rough and abrupt. On the other hand, Star Tours and the tame version of Mission Space were good and we liked the Kilimanjaro Safari, but our absolute favorite ride is Avatar Flight of Passage. We can handle some excitement but don’t want to get thrown around.
I know we would enjoy the atmosphere of the land (and seeing the Millennium Falcon!!!!) but I am hoping that these rides are smooth because they look awesome.
Thanks
Apologies if I’m missing this elsewhere, but where can I find advice on where to place ourselves on Main Street (Disneyland) before rope drop for the best/quickest way to Rise of the Resistance? (I assume that if they’re not using the virtual queue by the time of my trip on Wednesday, February 26, I will want to go there first.) Which route should I take from Main Street to Galaxy’s Edge, which entrance is the best, is there a side of the crowd I should be on to position myself best for the Rise of the Resistance line, etc. I will be at Disneyland for my first trip to Galaxy’s Edge on February 26, the park opens at 9am with NO Early Magic Hour that day, I plan to be at the gates by 8am, and I have an Oga’s Cantina reservation at 11:35. Thanks!
Hi Tom thanks for your review. Where would be the best place to purchase a toy Ewok? Did you happen to notice any in your travels?