Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Needs to Break the Rules
I’m a big fan of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. My review of Batuu offered effusive praise, and I think Rise of the Resistance is the #1 attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. However, I also question whether some of what I originally loved about the land is holding it back, and if better balance is needed.
One of the aspects of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that I appreciate is Imagineering’s decision to making it a distinct place. It’s not simply a catch-all intellectual property land or setting pulled from one of the movies, but rather, a novel location that fits within the existing universe and plays by its rules. From the outset, doing something different and new was a risky approach.
It would’ve been easier for Disney to simply “play the hits” and give guests what they want in terms of recognizable characters and visuals. The Star Wars brand is highly popular and recognizable, and outside of hardcore fans, the majority of casual guests likely would’ve been satisfied with a familiar but phoned-in effort that checked more boxes in terms of recreating things from the movies. Instead, Imagineering had creative freedom and swung for the fences.
Disney went to great lengths to create the planet of Batuu, a totally new environment but one that speaks the language (both literally and visually) of Star Wars. The design motifs are reminiscent of other planets from the various Star Wars films, in addition to the obvious things like the Millennium Falcon, droids, characters, and transport. Batuu is new, yet familiar.
The end result is a land that is an almost unprecedented mix of intellectual property and original design. For all hardcore theme park fans crow about “original park IP,” this is almost it. Obviously, it’s blockbuster movie IP–that’s right there in the first two words of the name, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. But so much of the setting was built from scratch, following only the design language of Star Wars universe. There’s a lot that the keen eye will recognize as distinctly Star Wars, but even more than looks original.
Depending upon your perspective, this was potentially a great or terrible decision. We’ve heard from many disappointed fans of the original trilogy who clearly wanted to step into those Star Wars movies or settings. The desire to relive favorite moments, iconic scenes, places, etc. is strong and understandable.
In this regard, Galaxy’s Edge fails to deliver. It feels like a “knock-off” of Star Wars, in their words, like some bootleg Space Battle Land that another theme park would build to skirt various intellectual property laws. I suspect this group wanted something more akin to Cars Land or Hogsmeade, both of which do a superlative job of making guests feel like they’ve walked into an iconic scene from a favorite piece of pop culture.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are live action role playing enthusiasts who love Galaxy’s Edge. As the original marketing tagline suggested, it gives this group the ability to “live their own Star Wars story.” They enjoy Batuu as something of a blank slate that’s not simply a Cliff Notes version of a movie scene or setting.
For them, Galaxy’s Edge provides the rubric and parameters, but the adventure is theirs. They have the opportunity to interact with the land and its inhabitants, enjoying or imagining something original. Even though the structure is more rigid, the story is not already written in the same way it is in the now-concluded film trilogies.
I probably haven’t perfectly explained either camp’s position, which is because I don’t belong to them. To the extent that it exists, I’m team “make theme parks ambitious, standalone entertainment that isn’t totally beholden to existing movies.” I love when Imagineering is given the artistic liberty to experiment with original ideas, and some of my favorite lands and attractions don’t use IP at all, or only as a jumping off point for something fresh.
In my view, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a great example of this. The multi-billion dollar IP is present, but the core conceit is ambitious and envelope-pushing. It’s refreshingly original, unlike some other recent IP lands that recognize the drawing-power of their characters and ended up being perfunctory projects.
All of this makes what I’m about to write so difficult.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge takes things too far. In creating a place written around rigid rules, it’s almost as if Imagineering forgot this was a land that would exist in operating theme parks and be visited by millions of guests per year while on vacation.
At times, it feels like Galaxy’s Edge was meant to exist on the pages of an internal memo at the Lucasfilm Story Group, informing the writers of some yet-untitled Disney+ release planned in 2023. Like the team behind it was singularly focused on authentically crafting something unique, original, and with a coherent timeline that they forgot to ask, “what would be most fun for regular guests?”
While I love Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its ambition, there are two lesser lands that are instructive in this regard. The first is Toy Story Land. While it pretends to be set in Andy’s Backyard to a degree, it breaks its own rules for new characters (Forky). More importantly, it offers a general sense of whimsy and fun, not taking itself too seriously. Toy Story Land has tons of room for improvement, but it’s best when embracing whatever while pretending it’s all in Andy’s Backyard with the oversized stuff style.
The other is Avenger’s Campus. This land is not good at all. It looks like someone took the contents of a RadioShack having a going out of business sale and installed all of it around a defunct Circuit City. The setting leans way too heavily on Imagineering’s “repurposed ____” trope, and is utterly uninteresting.
However, Avengers Campus is redeemed to a large extent because the land itself is primarily a canvas for the action and actual characters. And as with the movies, that’s where Avengers Campus shines–it comes alive with a range of heroes and villains from the various MCU properties, with little explanation offered as to why each is there. To whatever extent Avengers Campus works, it’s on the shoulders of the story-breaking characters.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is better than Avengers Campus by orders of magnitude, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any lessons from the latter than could be applied to improve the former. Similarly, Galaxy’s Edge could revisit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Pandora, Cars Land, and Arabian Coast to see what works about each of those.
To this day, the most glaring and easily fixable problem in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the lack of background music. The soundscape of Batuu is delightful and creates something of a lived-in atmosphere, but not including a soaring John Williams score sets it back. There’s a reason the Star Wars scores are so iconic, and the films would feel a lot flatter with those removed, and only sound effects in their place. Same goes for Galaxy’s Edge.
Not having background music in a theme park land because there wouldn’t be music at random if Batuu were an actual planet is a bridge too far. Batuu probably also wouldn’t have public restrooms, drinking fountains, outdoor vending carts selling Coca-Cola, or credit card readers. Yet all of those things are accepted as the practical realities of existing in an operational theme park.
When it comes to these intrusions, the threshold question should be whether the average guest (not the hardcore Star Wars fan in search of thematic or storytelling inconsistencies or “plot holes”) would easily notice them and if they’d ruin the illusion. Would certain additions impede the suspension of disbelief or enhance the overall experience and atmosphere?
In the case of a John Williams score, the answer is a no-brainer. It’d be an unequivocal improvement that no normal person would question. It would give the land a greater sense of energy and exhilaration, and make it feel more “Star Wars-y,” which is critical for the sake of authenticity since it’s an original planet.
When it comes to other potential changes, things aren’t so clear cut. Would adding the Mandalorian or Baby Yoda/Grogu be problematic? Taking that even further, what about characters from the original trilogy, like Darth Vader?
Canonically, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set during the Star Wars sequel trilogy between Episode VIII – The Last Jedi and Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. That’s why any character alive at the end of the Last Jedi is fair game, but not those who died during the original trilogy, like (spoiler alert) Darth Vader. It’s also why there are no young versions of Princess Leia, Han Solo, or Luke Skywalker.
Grogu is most definitely fine as he could conceivably be alive and find his way to Batuu. The Mandalorian is also okay by me–who’s to say there’s not an elderly bounty hunter under that helmet. This alone is significant, as Disney+ is the company’s hot “thing.” A willingness to incorporate characters from the streaming service’s shows into the land would offer fresh offerings courtesy of the Disney+ marketing budget, as has been the case with Avenger’s Campus.
A bit more controversial, but I’d also be fine with Darth Vader…and literally anyone else. If a story contrivance is necessary to “explain away” why Darth Vader and his pals are on Batuu, there’s gotta be one. You can’t tell me that a franchise filled with clones, force ghosts, hyperspace, and various ways of toying with the space-time continuum can’t offer up some half-hearted (but plausible) explanation for certain characters making appearances.
The truth is, the overwhelming majority of guests will not bat an eye. They won’t ask why Darth Vader is on Batuu–they are already asking why he’s not on Batuu. In general, I’d make the argument that including more traditional elements of Star Wars, even if they aren’t canonically appropriate, strengthen the land, rather than weaken it.
Most guests are experiencing theme parks for enjoyment, and are more inclined to question an “obvious” omission rather than a slightly dubious inclusion. They notice details and environment, but often on more of a surface-level. They’re not there to critique, deconstruct, or probe for flaws. They want to have fun with their families.
When it comes to suspension of disbelief, Imagineering needs to have more faith in both itself and guests. Disney does a tremendous job at designing immersive environments. Guests crave escapism, and are downright eager to suspend disbelief when stepping into those lands. That’s how you can have a Swiss mountain next to a German castle next to the mid-century/steampunk “future” next to turn of the century small town America and have it all work just fine.
This isn’t an excuse to turn Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge into a free-for-all IP land. A lot of its success is a direct result of Lucasfilm and Imagineering’s high standards and commitment to its structure. There’s a happy medium in between the two extremes of “anything goes” and “strict timeline.” Balance is what we think Galaxy’s Edge should strive for, loosening its rules but not abandoning them entirely.
The loudest fans might take issue with Disney “expanding” the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge story or timeline, but the company shouldn’t confuse that type of volume for the overall volume of guests. (Plus, that vocal minority is going to take issue with everything Disney does with Star Wars.) This isn’t just true of Star Wars fans–we diehard Disney fans often engage in the same pattern of overanalysis. I know I’m guilty of that–but not when I’m actually in the park, enjoying myself.
Good faith guests aren’t actively looking for faults, they’re filling them in. This is something that seems to get lost in present-day Imagineering from time to time. They concoct unnecessarily elaborate backstories so everything makes perfect sense. It doesn’t need to, and if it does, that probably reflects fundamental flaws that won’t be remedied by pages and pages of story fluff (except among superfans, who eat it up because it gives them “insider knowledge”).
Ultimately, I’m not suggesting that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge throw the baby out with the bath water and start fresh. To the contrary, I hope it’s very clear from all of the foregoing that I love this largely-successful land. What I think is needed is better balance, and a willingness to break the rules if it produces something that’s more fun and better meets guest expectations. (Plus a water feature or two and a whole lot more shade/rain cover, but that’s another issue entirely!)
It’s great that Disney gave Imagineering creative freedom with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and that’s borne out in the end product. However, some of their worst impulses and fixations also are apparent in the result–something so steadfastly stuck on storytelling isn’t ideal. There’s nothing wrong with just “playing the hits” from time to time, and it’s reasonable to do so with Star Wars, in particular. There are undoubtedly ruses Disney can use when rewriting the Galaxy’s Edge backstory to satisfy the fans looking for a coherent timeline, too. Imagineering has used superfluous story to dupe dozens of diehard Dino-Rama fans into thinking that dumpster fire is actually good, so I’m convinced they can do the same with a land that actually is good.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you think Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge should break its own rules or stick to the fixed timeline and story? Would you like to see the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda in the land? What about Darth Vader and other original trilogy characters? Think Galaxy’s Edge should focus on fun, canon, or a mix of both? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Any questions? 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!
Tom, have you ever seen the Star Wars Lego: Holiday Special on Disney+? If not, it’s worth a watch! In it, Rey is able to time travel to some iconic moments in Star Wars history through something that occurs at a Jedi Temple. I feel like Disney could create their own Jedi Temple, set up a short time travel event (similar to the decontamination room on Flight of Passage, but larger scale), and it could open into a new area of Batuu (like Haunted Mansion’s stretch room) in the era of Vader with original trilogy characters. To get back in present time, you leave through an ice cave (but watch out for Wampas!) and experience a similar time travel event as the first one. One can only hope!
That was a dumb article. Marvel is by far the worst offender in Disneyland. It is boring tacky and mostly shops. The atmosphere is squashed and condensed.
Galaxy’s Edge is probably the best segment of Disneyland. It is given enough space and is spread out to have an atmosphere, while surreal, that is enjoyable. I am not saying this as a Star Wars fan but someone who wants theme parks to be immersive. The visitor as part of the theme.
I grew up with the original movies and have been a passive Star Wars fan (no cosplay, I’ve not read any of the books, etc.) for most of my life. I gave up after the last two movies. (My son was 10 when we saw them and they held no interest for him.) I don’t want to quibble with Tom but when he writes that, “It’s great that Disney gave Imagineering creative freedom with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and that’s borne out in the end product.” I’m not sure that is entirely true. It was widely reported that Galaxy’s Edge was originally set on Tatooine until Kathleen Kennedy convinced Iger to create a blank slate that could accommodate future stories. Perhaps that’s why the land feels so awkward. I love original imagineering–Everest, Haunted Mansion, but this wasn’t really original–they were trying to make a land connected to an IP and GE feels like a miss. I was finally able to visit the land in January with my kids–we rode one ride and walked around for a bit, but to be honest, we were underwhelmed. We saw Chewbacca under the Falcon but my overall impression was that the land was very…brown. Lots of brown rock. I didn’t really connect with any of the “story” elements. We went the next day to Universal and the kids loved what they did with HP-very impressive. So, I would strongly support Tom’s suggestion that they need to fix something. More characters, more music, more atmosphere, more things that people can connect to. Does anyone really think that Kylo Ren is a better villain that Darth Vader? Even Ren knew he came up short 🙂 Unfortunately, none of this is likely to happen unless Chapek can figure out a way to charge for it. I’m a stockholder but I’m really disappointed by the current leadership–all short-term thinking. Can’t wait for Japan to open up and go back to Tokyo Disney.
The last few times we were there, we hardly saw any characters or atmosphere. It seemed they were putting everything into Avenger’s Campus. I agree it needs a bit more. We love Star Wars, love theming (and don’t want it to be IP land), but find ourselves skipping this one pretty often when we are at Disneyland because there’s nothing new to see.
The Disney Star Wars trilogy is okay, but I would have rather had a land set during the original trilogy, which is more beloved by more people than the prequels or the Disney trilogy. Smuggler’s Run fails to capture the magic of being aboard the Millennium Falcon, because one associates that ship with Han Solo, and he can’t be there because he was gone after “The Force Awakens”. That Hondo guy doesn’t even appear in the movies. I’m not familiar with *everything* Star Wars. Just the movies, and I was reading the Expanded Universe novels before they got too dark with “The New Jedi Order” (and now they’re not canon anymore). I’m saying the average guest may not be familiar with characters like Hondo and care about them. Reading the book tie-ins to Galaxy Edge may help, but how many guests are actually going to bother seeking those out?
Good artocle and I appreciate the thoughts. After spending time at Avengers campus and then walking into Galaxys Edge after, the theming difference was mind blowing. But, as you said, constamtly having black widow (even though dead), Thor, Spider-Man, et. al on buldings or roaming around added so much. We didn’t even see a single storm trooper in GE. I wish they could balance the two.
I might be the only one, but I was actually disappointed with HP after experiencing SW first. I personally love the balance SW strikes between familiar and new. Not saying it wouldn’t help, but I didn’t miss music at all. I was too enthralled with all the incredibly intricate details around me. HP seemed TINY compared to SW, and I was really disappointed that a lot of it was just for show (fake store fronts, etc). I wouldn’t mind adding more SW “stuff” to Batuu, but hubby and I were blown away with what the Imagineers accomplished.
I think my problem with Galaxy’s Edge is that it feels familiar but not in a Star Wars way, more in a somewhere on earth Moroccan-ish kind of way. There are places and moments in it that feel transportive but it isn’t consistent. I think music would help, I think more non-human costumed actors and the inclusion of droids would help. Pandora in Animal Kingdom does a much better job convincing you you’re somewhere alien and I would have thought that that was a harder truck to pull off considering the source material.
They could probably get away with mixing up the timeline a bit, so long as they make sure characters like Darth Vader and Kylo Ren aren’t seen together. Maybe also make a few strategic, cosmetic updates so all of Baatu isn’t specifically tied to any one period.
Seeing the Mandalorian walk through Galaxy’s Edge would be a thrill for any Star Wads fan. (Disney’s failure to capitalize on the success of the series is baffling.)
Great article. Agree on all points. There’s so much more Disney could do, maybe they’re just holding back or late to the party. I’m sure they’ll remedy this by…..2034
Isn’t the problem with Galaxy’s Edge that they built it to “live your own Star Wars story” and then abandoned that concept completely? Remember when they said your reputation would follow you, etc?
Now it’s like the worst of both worlds. Not the Star Wars from the movies, but also not role playing or personalized.
Tom, this was very thoughtful and well-written, and I agree with you. Plus, if Lucasfilm could put the insanity that was “Somehow, Palpatine returned” in the last movie and just expect everyone to accept it and move it on, they LEAST they could do was allow Darth Vader to show up in Baatu. (Not that I’m still furious about Rise of Skywalker, but I am still furious about Rise of Skywalker.)
Thanks for all you do and here’s hoping Disney makes some of these changes!
Couldn’t agree more about the music. First time we went I felt there was something off, or missing, as I walked around. Finally realized it was the lack of music. I love that they blast the soundtracks during/after Star Tours, Flight of Passage, Indiana Jones, etc. It’s sorely missing from Galaxy’s Edge.
So Agree! Getting off Star Tours hearing the orchestra start gives me an adrenaline rush! A surge of dopamine to my brain.. I practically run down the ramp- straight into the giftshop. Someone knew what they were doing.
I loved the Star Wars movies & I’m a big fan of the Mandalorian. Just add them to Galaxy’s Edge & get that music playing! Add more interactive characters & Droids. A marketplace on Batuu would have a lot of different characters from other planets roaming around & many with their Droids. That’s my 2 cents.
What it needs is a fast paced ride through the “forests” of Batuu. Speeder Bike themed terrain coaster anyone? Forget the high tech animatronics and special effects…this land has enough of that already. Just give me a thrilling, high speed speeder bike coaster. Batuu fixed.
That’s a great idea. The speeder bikes captivated me when I was a kid.
This is a really good article.
Tom, I’m not a big Star Wars fan, so I wasn’t surprised when I didn’t care for Galaxy’s Edge as land. But it did bother me that I couldn’t exactly say why, and now I think you’ve finally helped me figure it out: music. The lack of background music makes it feel cold and barren. Maybe that’s the point? Anyway, at least the food there is good!
I’m going off topic as I’m not sure where to put general comments. A big thanks to Tom & Sarah for the blog. We hadn’t been to Walt Disney in 20 years. The blog helped us greatly in our decision to rent points for a DVC villa stay, Covid updates, navigating the Genie+/ILLs, and overall planning. I’ll not be visiting the site anymore or subscribing to the newsletter as I expect it’ll be a few years before going back (It is very expensive!). I still wanted to say thanks from those of us who mostly lurk. Out!
Chris, totally agree! Tom and Sarah are amazing! This site is incredible!
Disney has yet to nail anything as well as Universal nailed HP, a decade later.
They will most likely knock Epic Universe out of the “park” too; I’m sure Mario will be great. They continue pushing the envelope while Disney takes away experiences.
Yeah I’m beyond excited for Epic Universe and expect it will knock DW down a few pegs. My family will be going to Epic Universe over DW. Disney had better up their game big time!