How I spent my 4 hours visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland

(This was written by Andrea Fraley from MousePros.com)

My husband and I decided in October to take our three children to Disneyland. We planned this not knowing we would be at the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. What a great surprise.

We stayed on Disney property and were given a 4-hour window to visit the new land. We checked in around 7 a.m. for the 8 a.m. window. We now feel like we hit the jackpot with that time. (Until June 23, those entering the land are limited to 4-hour reservations.)

As we were walked into the land, cast members lined the streets cheering with excitement for the first paying guests to enter.

We didn’t head for the big attraction Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run right away, and this was to our advantage. We decided to walk the streets first. The scenery is breathtaking and you literally feel as if you have been transported to another world.

Chewbacca and Rey were walking about and you could approach them or they would approach you. Rey showed my kids how to walk and stand while looking for Stormtroopers.

We then headed over to have some blue and green milk. The line was short and the drinks were cold and refreshing. We all preferred the blue milk over the green.

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Build a droid

We went in and built a droid. You can pick between and R-series or BB-series droid to build. This line was long but went quickly as they were very organized. You paid and picked your model and were given a bin with instructions on what parts to pick.

Hundreds of parts came down a conveyor belt and you could customize your droid however you wanted. You could also purchase a chip to give your droid a personality for an additional cost. Once you were done picking your parts for your droid you were taken to a build station. My kids easily did this by themselves. A tech was always near to check in and see if you needed help.

Once you are done building your droid the tech comes and activates them for you. They pack them up in a carrying case for you and instructions. My kids loved building R2 and he is easy and fun to play with. As you are building the sounds make you feel as if you are on the line of a factory building a droid. (The astromech droid unit will cost $99.99 plus tax.)

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The Food

We wanted to try all the local cuisine so we shared everything. These lines were not long and moved quickly. We headed over to Black Spire Outpost. The Tatooine Sunset (Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea, Odwalla Lemonade, melon, and blueberry) and the Meiloorun Juice (pineapple, Simply Lemonade with blueberry, white cranberry juice, lemon juice, and desert pear) were cold and delicious.

We ate a Ronto Wrap (roasted pork and grilled sausage with peppercorn sauce and tangy slaw wrapped in pita) and Nuna Turkey jerky. Thankfully, my kids are adventurous eaters and the food was delicious.

The food at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo was also good. The cold Yobshrimp Noodle Salad and Braised Shark Roast were delicious. We cleaned our plates and the only utensil in Batuu is a spork, so don’t think about asking for anything else.

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Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

On to the major attraction. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. We waited until about 10:30 a.m. to ride this. It was a 5-minute wait! The line for this is interactive and the view looking out is amazing. You enter the ride and are assigned a job. There are two pilots, two gunners and two engineers. You hit the lounge part before you are allowed to enter the ride.

I wish we had more time at the lounge to explore as it was hands-on and so well done. Once you enter the Falcon you buckle up as your mission begins immediately. It was a smooth ride. The sounds, the sights are all amazing. This ride is very well done and worth the wait when you go.

We also stopped by the Creature Shop and came home with two of our very own creatures. They have many to choose from and do a great job placing one with your family who will be a good fit. The shop is fun and a bit noisy because a lot of creatures are looking for a good home. Be sure to stop by and take one home on your trip to Batuu. 

Building a Lightsaber

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This was not on Mom’s to do list. But, Dad and the boys wanted to take the opportunity to do this. The wait was long. You first get in a line to pick what lightsaber you want to build. They give you four options.

Once you pick that you are asked to pick your style. You then pay and are given a time to return so you can build. Our time was one hour later and this is when we grabbed lunch. When you come back to build there are only 14 stalls and this explains why they ask you to come back.

You walk in and they transport you to yet another world. Making you feel as if you are a Jedi ready to get your lightsaber. This entire process takes about 20 minutes. You pick your crystal for your lightsaber. You are given choices on what pieces and handle you pick to build yours. Each lightsaber is custom to you.

At the end, your handle is inserted into a hole and they ask you to hold the handle and all 14 lightsabers light up at the same time. This was a site that gave me chills. (The lightsaber will cost $199.99 plus tax.)

We finished up our four hours with one more loop around Batuu to take in all the sites. The attention to detail is outstanding. The cast members are in character and make and are appreciative for you coming to their planet.  We can’t wait for our next trip to Batuu. 

You can see more photos from the trip at www.facebook.com/MousePros-AndreaFraley or reach Andrea at andrea@mousepros.com