My overall experience at Walt Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Time to dive into the good and not-so-good aspects of Walt Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Before we begin please note that this is purely my opinion about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Walt Disney World. I cannot speak for others’ experiences at the land.
Previously I have written about Galaxy’s Edge and some of my experiences such as My experience at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Droid Depot and My experience on the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
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This time I wanted to write about my overall experience at Galaxy’s Edge. Spoiler alert: it was better than I expected!
I didn’t quite know what to expect when I visited the new land at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. Even with the reviews, both good and bad, I couldn’t quite picture what Batuu would look like in person.
From my point of view, it was a dream come true for Star Wars fans. Waiting on the long line for Smuggler’s Run wasn’t horrible considering it ran the length of the majority of the land.
This meant I got to look around a lot and notice the passion in every detail. Cast members were very friendly and at least one of them asked if I was working for The First Order.
My husband and I responded, no, which reassured both the cast member and the red droid at the Coca-Cola stand. Maneuvering our way towards the shops felt like walking on the planet Tatooine or Jakku.
There wasn’t sand but the exterior of each shop, sights, and sounds felt familiar. It was open, lively and made me feel like I was transported to a different place entirely.
While we weren’t able to make any dining reservations, we still felt we got a real taste of Batuu. Even the small kiosks of pins, toys, and clothing were hardly a distraction from all of the stationary droids, starships and occasionally passing First Order Trooper.
We did not see Rey, Kylo Ren or Finn, but we were grateful for the First Order Trooper encounter. At the time we went, Rise of the Resistance was not open.
I did, however, get to see where the ride would be. I only got as far as the entrance gate guarded by a cast member. Recently I have seen and read online the extravagant and exciting details of the thrill ride.
Disney’s continuing creativity and work with amusement rides never fails to impress. The cherry on top of the experience is the sporadic sound of a TIE fighter or starship passing overhead. Every time I hear the roar I had to look up.
However, the exit from Galaxy’s Edge is right next door to Toy Story Land. It is a little distracting to be able to see a larger than life Buzz Lightyear while you are standing on line for Smuggler’s Run watching First Order Troopers interrogate visitors.
On the plus side, the entrance to Galaxy’s Edge is an excellent transition from Hollywood Studios. The quick walk through the mysterious underpass takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood and into a rather open forest-like calm setting with interesting sounds you may have never heard before.
I am unsure if a barrier of sorts will be built to separate the two lands in the future but it would be nice to see a greater disconnect.
While there was no short supply of Star Wars merchandise I was disappointed that I could not purchase a Vulptex item. It was a long shot but I had hoped to find at least a small Vulptex plush.
For those unfamiliar, they were the fox-like creatures living on Crait in The Last Jedi.
With all things considered I cannot wait to return to Batuu!
I would love to be able to taste some of the food, communicate with roaming droids, ride the Rise of the Resistance Ride, and meet some interesting characters.
dark. Next. Every Star Wars novel coming out in 2020 (so far)
What has been your favorite experience visiting Galaxy’s Edge? Comment your answers below! I’d love to read them!