First Look at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Plus What to See and Do

Exterior Shot of the Millenium Falcon at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland (Photo via Brooke Geiger McDonald)
Brooke McDonald
by Brooke McDonald
Last updated: 3:00 PM ET, Thu May 30, 2019

What to See and Do While You're There

1/23
A galaxy far, far away is finally within reach. Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the largest single-themed land in Disney history at 14 acres, has since its announcement promised an unprecedented level of theming and immersion. We got a first look inside the land at Disneyland yesterday for the media preview and star-studded dedication Opening Ceremony and are here to tell you the rumors are all true. Walk through the gates of Galaxy's Edge and onto the planet of Batuu and the bustling trading port, Black Spire Outpost, and step into what truly feels like another galaxy.

"Our goal was to create a place so authentic-so real-that when our guests step inside, they feel like they're in the movie, says Chris Beatty, Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering.

We'd say they nailed it. Set to officially open Friday, May 31, here's what to see and do on your adventure into Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland.

Feast Your Eyes On The Millennium Falcon

2/23
Docked imposingly in the Black Spire Outpost Spaceport is the most iconic ship in the galaxy. All of your childhood dreams come true as you gawk at the more than 100-foot-long Imagineering marvel. This is the real-deal Falcon-the first time a full-size, 100% complete Millennium Falcon has ever been built-and it's breathtaking.

Belly Up To The Bar At Oga's Cantina

3/23
You won't see a Budweiser tap or bottle of Tito's or Jack Daniels lining the bar at Oga's. The cocktails, and even the taps dispensing them, are other-worldly and dripping with classic Star Wars references. Sip drinks like the Jedi Mind Trick, Bespin Fizz or Dagobah Slug Slinger from taps assembled from discarded items like lightsaber bases and droid appendages.

Drink To The Beats Dropped By DJ Rex

4/23
The Cantina may bear the name of its elusive owner, Oga Garra, but it's droid R-3X who holds court over the watering hole. Once RX-24, "Captain Rex" was the original accident-prone Starspeeder 3000 pilot on Disney's Star Tours attraction. Now, the fan-favorite droid makes his triumphant return. Listen to him churn out Modal Nodes classics, new jams, and plenty of Easter-egg-filled commentary. Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman), the original voice of Rex, is back to reprise the role.

Follow Your Nose to Ronto Roasters

5/23
Have a hankering for some space meat? Point yourself in the direction of the pod-racer-engine-turned spit, manned by a pitmaster droid, that forms the centerpiece of this counter-service restaurant Ronto Roasters. Don't worry, they're not actually serving up ronto, the Tatooine-native beast and favored mode of Jawa transportation. You'll actually be getting grilled pork sausage and roasted pork wrapped in a pita with peppercorn sauce and tangy slaw. Hand-held and totally craveable, we're pretty sure we know where the locals head for late-night eats after spilling out of Oga's in the wee hours.

Get A Blue Milk Moustache At The Milk Stand

6/23
Sure, the cantina might be the most iconic spot to imbibe in Star Wars lore, but the most iconic drink? It's got to be blue milk (with green coming in at a distant second thanks to Luke moonlighting as a milkmaid in The Last Jedi). The Milk Stand serves up two frozen, horchata-like concoctions blended with a combination of coconut and rice milk. Blue Milk is flavored with dragon fruit, pineapple, lime and watermelon and Green Milk is flavored with mandarin orange, passion fruit, grapefruit, and orange blossom. We tried them and the taste is more fruit slushy than a creamy milkshake.

Chow Down on Intergalactic Farm-to-Table Fare at Docking Bay 7

7/23
Hungry for a little more than snacks and street meat? Head over to Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, where you'll be in good hands with Chef Strono "Cookie" Tuggs. Tuggs has docked his transport shuttle-turned mobile kitchen atop Docking Bay 7 and turned the hanger into Tuggs' Grub. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there's something for everyone on this menu. Early favorites include the Smoked Kaadu ribs, sticky pork ribs served with a blueberry corn muffin and cabbage slaw; Fried Endorian Tip-yip, a crispy chicken dish; and (vegans, rejoice!) a delicious plant-based option, the Felucian Garden Spread, a plant-based "kefta," served with herb hummus, tomato-cucumber relish, and pita.

Construct An Astromech Sidekick

8/23
Imagine Anakin or Luke without R2, Cassian without K-2SO, Poe without BB-8. Impossible, you say? At Droid Depot you can build your own astromech buddy to accompany you on your adventures across Batuu. Construct either an R- or BB-series unit, using an array of parts that amounts to nearly 280,000 possible combinations.

Visit the Bustling Marketplace

9/23
Modeled after the vibrant souks of the Middle East with an intergalactic spin, the Marketplace is home to an eclectic mix of stalls displaying unique wares that bear zero resemblance to your classic theme park souvenirs. "Adopt" a pet creature from the Creature Stall, pick up an artisan plush Darth Vader or Yoda from Toydarian Toymaker, get your very own Dejarik set, or take up a musical instrument favored by the Modal Nodes.

Take Home Your Own Kowakian Monkey Lizard

10/23
Salacious B. Crumb fans, now is your moment. Channel your inner Jabba (easy after loading up on too many Ronto Wraps washed down with Blue Milk) and pick up your own personal Kowakian Monkey Lizard from the Creature Stall. Similar to the shoulder-sitting banshees at Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom, these adorably ugly creatures are guaranteed to be uber-popular with both kids and grown-ups.

Fight Off A Snack Attack

11/23
Disney fans love their snacks-what's a trip to the happiest place on earth without a popcorn bucket, churros, Mickey pretzels, or Dole Whip? Don't miss your chance to taste Batuu's two main snack offerings. At Kat Saka's Kettle, try the colorful and addictive popcorn mix of spicy and sweet flavors. And at Oga's Cantina, you won't get anything substantial to fill you up, but if you just need something to munch on to balance the sweetness of your Fuzzy Tauntaun, try the out-of-this-world Batuu Bits, an exotic take on pub mix.

Explore the Dark Side of Batuu

12/23
Once beyond the reach or interest of the First Order, Kylo Ren and his henchmen have begun to hear rumblings of the Resistance taking hold on this Outer Rim planet, and they're not happy about it. See and feel their imposing presence throughout the eastern end of the land, where Kylo's ship, a new TIE variant call a TIE echelon, is docked. Kylo has been known to make appearances with his storm troopers and generals to shake up the crowd in search of those loyal to the Resistance.

Build Your Own Light Saber

13/23
Unless you've been living in a Sarlacc pit, you've probably heard a thing or two about the build-your-own-lightsaber experience available in Savi's Workshop - Handbuilt Lightsabers. This is one merchandise location you won't even get into without ponying up your credits (that's Batuu-speak for money). Entrance to the workshop will cost you $199.99, but you'll walk away with your own custom lightsaber and carrying case. Personalize it by choosing one of four themes, each with their own array of components, plus a kyber crystal to power it. With more than 120,000 possible combinations, the lightsaber you build will truly be your own. These feel like the real deal-heavy-duty, blazing bright, with authentic sound effects. We're sold.

Yell 'Punch It!' On Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run

14/23
You've made it. It's time for all your dreams to come true as you finally take your place in the cockpit of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run is not a ride to sit back, relax, and enjoy. You better be ready to work, because the future of this beloved ship is in your hands. You'll join five other riders and will play the role of pilot, engineer or gunner and you'll all have to do your part to keep the Falcon from getting too banged up. A word of warning: if you do fail your mission, don't be surprised if it comes back to haunt you as you continue your journey around Batuu. The locals have been known to harass crews whose missions prove unsuccessful.

Get Your Marching Orders from Hondo

15/23
Before you get your chance to be part of the team piloting the Millennium Falcon, you'll need to get some instructions from the ship's current caretaker, Honda Ohnaka. The second most advanced animatronic ever created for Disney Parks (after the Shaman in on the Na'vi River Journey attraction in Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom), Hondo, voiced by legendary voice actor Jim Cummings, who plays the character in the two animated Star Wars series, Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars, does not disappoint.

Blend In While You Drink Your Coke

16/23
Yes, this one's controversial. Not all fans were thrilled to learn that Coca-Cola products, which definitely don't exist in the Star Wars universe, would find their way onto Batuu. The customized bottles look a bit like banged-up droids with their names written in Aurebesh, the fictional language used throughout Star Wars films. If you can't stomach the blue milk or the inevitably massive line to slake your thirst in the cantina, this isn't the worst back-up plan.

Barter For Collectibles with Dok-Ondar

17/23
Itorian antique dealer Dok-Ondar manages an impressive collection of antiques amassed from across the galaxy at his shop, Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities. Check out the impressive animatronic-he's been known to barter credits with shoppers-as you search for treasures like legacy lightsabers, sith artifacts, holocrons, and impressive replica Yoda, Princess Leia, and Emperor Palpatine costumes. Note: Be sure to confirm park guidelines for costumes. Many adult costumes for sale in Galaxy's Edge cannot be worn in the park.

Use Your Phone To Unlock Another Layer Of Detail

18/23
Be sure to download the Play Disney Parks app before you make your way through one of three entrances into the land-you won't want to waste a precious moment doing it while you're there. Keep your phone handy to enhance your exploration of this exotic planet by using it to perform four different functions:

- hack: interact with droids, light panels, and ships;

- scan: point a phone at cargo crates throughout the land and get a peek at what's inside;

- translate: decode the signs and text throughout the land in Aurebesh (trust us, there's a LOT of it); and

- tune: tune into satellite dishes and antenna rays and eavesdrop on stories heard throughout the land.

Take Cover From The First Order in The Resistance Forest

19/23
The pièce de résistance (see what we did there?) of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will undoubtedly be the not-yet-completed attraction, Rise of the Resistance, scheduled to open later this year. Until then, the main action in the land is centered within Black Spire Outpost, Batuu's bustling marketplace where all of the food offerings and most of the merchandise are located. But be sure venture further afield to explore the Resistance Forest, where the Resistance has sought cover from the reach of the First Order, which has begun to set up shop on the opposite end of the land. Here, you'll find impressive vehicles of the Resistance like an X-Wing and A-Wing. You can also pick up Resistance-themed merch, and might even bump into a few heroes of the cause, like Chewie and Rey.

Suit Up Like Your Favorite Jedi

20/23
If the Force in strong in you, you might want to pick up some appropriate attire. Head to Black Spire Outfitters for robes, tunics, and belts (perfect for attaching your lightsaber).

Kids Will Love These Cuddly Versions Of Classic Characters

21/23
You won't see iconic characters like Darth Vader, Yoda, or Princess Leia walking around Batuu since they all died before the time in which the land is set. Toydarian Toymaker has adorable versions of many classic characters that look handmade and will be a big hit with kiddos.

Hang Out In The Falcon While You're Waiting To Take The Controls

22/23
Marvel at the authenticity of the entire queue as you wait to board Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. You'll have the opportunity to explore while you wait for your group to be called. Take your seat and the Dejarik table and don't forget to snag a photo!

Get A Close-Up Look At A Landspeeder

23/23


If you've always wondered what it would be like to pilot Luke's landspeeder in A New Hope, at least now you can get a closer look at one in this space-age garage.

TravelPulse provides an insider look at the highly anticipated debut of this new Disney attraction.

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