Live your Star Wars life in Galaxy's Edge
Galaxy's Edge is part of the Hollywood Studios park and is its own themed area. An extension that will make the hearts of all Star Wars fans beat faster and I'll tell you why now.
Preparation
You are not allowed to dress up as an official film character, but you can portray your own character. Are you a Jedi? A smuggler like Han Solo or are you following the dark call of the force? Have you always wanted to use your lightsaber? No problem and if you don't have one yet, you can buy one here. If you like to immerse yourself in other worlds, this is the place for you, because every Disney employee is a resident of Batuu and will tell you their story if you ask. The real insiders even use their own language. Of course, this is all voluntary and you can still enjoy the day here even if you don't know any films. To organize your journey, entrance tickets and daily planning, I recommend getting help from a tour operator. Magic Planner knows Orlando's theme parks and can give you professional advice.
The areas
There are two entrances to the theme area. If you walk through the Toy Story theme area, you enter Batuu via the First Order area. You immediately feel that you are entering a new world. The floor structure changes from dark to light and the music changes from cheerful Pixar songs to mystical rhythms. The robots in front of the Droid Depot beep at you and you see Kylo Ren's ship, the X-Wing. You continue walking past the most famous bar in the Star Wars universe, Oga's Cantina. The rocks tower up, the sandy colors create a harmonious image and the detailed work is visible everywhere, for example many doors are decorated with aurebesh characters. I welcome the Florida heat here, it makes it even easier for me to feel like I am on a desert planet. Then you see the most famous spaceship in the galaxy: the Millennium Falcon. Who hasn't dreamed of seeing this? The stairs lead up to the Market Area where you can indulge in shopping. The lamps and sails create a very atmospheric light and I like to spend time at the Creature Stall. Then finally it's off to the Resistance Area with one of the most popular attractions in the whole park.
The attractions
Revolutionary! Moving! Breathtaking - all of this and much more has already been said about "Rise of the Resistance". It is not without reason that people are prepared to queue for four hours for it in high season. Don't worry, you can avoid this by queuing up first thing in the morning or late in the evening or simply buying an Individual Lightning Lane (ILL). This attraction sets new standards in rides. Basically, it doesn't feel like a ride at all, but more like an experience. It lasts around 20 minutes and the magic comes from the mixture of state-of-the-art technology and the participation of live actors. You are sent on a mission by Rey's hologram. A short flight is simulated, which ends when we are discovered and drafted by the enemy. The doors open and you see an army of stormtroopers who demonstrate the power of the First Order. The officers immediately put you in the right place and tell you exactly where to stand. The acting performance of the cast members here is Oscar-worthy. The cast member who had to look after our group acted so believably with us. He insulted my droid, calling it a simple piece of metal, and even threatened to put it in the garbage compactor. It was so much fun to have a human interaction here. But the resistance didn't let us down and came to free us. We climb into the vehicle to escape and are rigorously pursued by Kylo Ren, who is even prepared to cut through doors with his lightsaber to catch us. His demeanor and movements are so authentic. When you visit, you can find out for yourself whether this is an actor or a puppet. As a true film fan, a tear of joy will roll down your cheek at this point at the latest for this glorious production.
Photo tip: Seize the moment and stand in front of this impressive stormtrooper army.
The second attraction is Smuggler Run, a flight simulation in the Millennium Falcon. Follow in Han Solo's footsteps and show off your flying skills. You enter the passenger cabin in groups of six and are assigned different roles. You are either a pilot, gunner or engineer, with the first role being by far the best and most active. You travel to different planets in the galaxy and of course the famous jump into hyperspace is a must. Unfortunately, the flight simulation can give some people a queasy feeling. Insider tip: If you hurry, the cast members will let you take a quick photo in the flight cabin after the flight before the next group takes their seats. Outside Galaxy's Edge there is also the Star Tours attraction. Another flight simulation with C3PO at the controls.
Meet and Greet
There are no traditional stations where you can queue up for a meeting. Darth Vader, BB8 and Chewbacca can be met outside of this themed area in the Star Wars Launch Bay, but the idea in Galaxy Edge is really that everyone is on the planet and interacts together. The characters walk around without a fixed schedule and talk to people, and of course you can ask for a photo. Kylo Ren makes the biggest appearance when he spontaneously gets out of his X-Wing and spreads fear and terror among the inhabitants. Rey, on the other hand, will keep a low profile, who can blame her given her story. You can recognize her by her cane and she is often out and about with Chewbacca. You can also meet the well-known Mandalorian with Baby Yoda in tow and the spy VI Moradi. The people you always run into are the stormtroopers who are patrolling. Their job is to find out which side you are on and the conversations with them are always very funny. But it is not only the encounter with the great icons that is enlightening, but also the little chat with the milk sellers, because after all, we are all residents of Batuu and have our story to tell.
adventures
The most legendary weapon of every Jedi or Sith is their lightsaber. In Savi's workshop you can make your own. Not only a great souvenir, but also an immersive experience. You can choose from different handles, which you screw together under instruction. Then you choose your color of Cybers Crystal, which is then responsible for your lightsaber glowing in this color. As a Sith, I was naturally drawn to the color of passion: red. After a few wise words from Master Yoda's voice, you can proudly raise your lightsaber. The experience is not exactly cheap, but the quality of the lightsaber is very good and the high-quality handles are worth it for me. A reservation is recommended. It is just as great to screw together your own droid. You can choose between the BB series and the R2D2 series and receive the corresponding blueprint. You can get the parts you need from the assembly line and put them together individually. Red on top and black on the bottom? Anything is possible. These are then screwed together at the supervised stations before the robot is activated. It is simply heartwarming when your robot beeps at you for the first time and is ready to drive. You can control it using a remote control and if you have also opted for a personality chip, the robots also communicate with each other.
Shopping
Of course, you can also buy a cheaper pre-made lightsaber. This is especially recommended for children, as it is a good way to simulate combat duels. The opposite is also possible: buying a more expensive pre-made lightsaber that is an imitation of the film characters, such as Darth Maul's sword. The best place to go for this is Dok Ondar's Antiques. The shop is a must because it has a large selection and is rich in tradition. The shop houses, for example, Darth Vader's half-fused mask. You can also buy pre-made droids in all sizes and colors in the Droid Depot. At the market stalls, the Creature Stall offers various animals from the galaxy in plush or plastic. I bought the Kowakian lizard monkey there, which can be carried very well on the shoulder. You can also buy clothing; depending on which side you are on, you will prefer the First Order Gear or the First Resistance Supply shop.
Eat
The most famous snack is the wrap made from Ronto Roaster. The pork sausage in flatbread is quite good and the droid shows you how to make it on the grill. The restaurant is Docking Bay 7. It is atmospherically decorated in a container style and the food is really good. My favorite menu is the Fried Endorian Chicken Tip Yip. The most spectacular drinks can be found in the famous Ogas Cantina and if you are looking for a quick refreshment to take away, you can go to the milk stand and choose the blue or green milk of the Yak, known from the films. Even a normal Coke can be worthwhile, as it does not come in the usual bottle, but in a ball shape.
Insider tip: Book the last available time slot for Ogas Cantinas. This allows you to stay after the park officially closes. The atmosphere is most magical after sunset and you can take great photos of the empty backdrop on the way home.
