Will You Love Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney Parks?

Although I’ve seen (most) of the main Star Wars movies, I don’t consider myself a fan. I don’t understand the various affiliated movies and shows, like Solo and the Clone Wars. So, when Galaxy’s Edge (often referred to as Star Wars Land before it opened) opened at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, I wondered if I would enjoy it, or if it would be more targeted towards Star Wars superfans.

Would a non-fan love it? Would a Star Wars fan love it? Is it worth visiting the Disney Parks to experience it?

During several trips to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, I had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time in Galaxy’s Edge. While I probably didn’t understand all of the themed land’s nuances, I do appreciate the attention to detail and the immersive experience of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – something I believe that both non-fans and major fans will enjoy.

If you wonder whether you’ll love Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, here’s what you need to know. You can still have a great time at Galaxy’s Edge without having to watch all of the movies before you go.

I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel and have been on some complimentary press trips at Walt Disney World, but all opinions are my own. I visited Galaxy’s Edge at my own expense for all of my visits.

This post contains affiliate links. A purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

About Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World

Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019 at both Disneyland Resort (within Disneyland Park) and at Walt Disney World (within Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Disney Imagineers used painstaking attention to detail as they built this land. The two lands are identical. While my first visit was to the Walt Disney World location in Florida, I also visited Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland.

A new soundtrack to Galaxy’s Edge, written by original Star Wars composer John Williams, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, is used in the two Star Wars-themed lands.

At WDW, Galaxy’s Edge is located between Toy Story Land and MuppetVision 3D in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. At Disneyland, it’s located in Disneyland Park, in the northwest corner, past Critter Country and Frontierland. As you head into the land, you’ll immediately be transported to Black Spire Outpost, on the Planet Batuu.

This planet and its backstory, which was created for Galaxy’s Edge, is where the events and activities on Star Wars land take place. So, even if you aren’t a fan of Star Wars movies, you won’t miss out on any specifics of Batuu.

Cast Members at Galaxy’s Edge are all citizens and employees of Batuu. Ask for a restroom, and the cast member will direct you to the nearest refresher, which is their name for the bathroom. In addition to being immersive, Galaxy’s Edge is large – the largest single-theme land expansion at Walt Disney World and includes attractions, food kiosks, quick-service food locations, gift shops, and more.

Rides at Galaxy’s Edge

For me, the most important thing about any area of Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort is the rides. While Galaxy’s Edge does offer two separate rides, the land originally opened with one. A second ride, Star Wars Rise of the Resistance opened later that year in both parks.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, was the first ride that was opened along with the land. This ride lets guests ride and pilot the famous Millennium Falcon. Smugglers Run offers a standby line, a single-rider line, and a lightning lane (included in Genie+). Many Star Wars fans may dream of having the opportunity to fly the Millennium Falcon, and this is their chance.

After you enter the main area of the ride, you’ll learn from Hondo Ohnaka about your mission to collect First Order coaxium. Then, a cast member will give you a card with your role on the mission. There are three roles per vehicle, with two guests sharing each role.

In my opinion, the best role is that of a pilot. Two pilots control the vehicle – one moves it left and right while the other moves it up and down. Other roles include two gunners and two engineers.

Once you load on the vehicle, you’ll take your seat and check out the controls you need to use. The ride itself includes jerky movements like drops and side-to-side movements. It’s a motion simulator, similar to a flight simulator.

While I did enjoy the ride, I think it’s a much better experience if you have the opportunity to be a pilot. In the three times I’ve ridden it, I’ve had all three roles, and the pilot is the best, while the engineer is my least favorite.

In addition, It’s a little awkward for the ride to accommodate six since you’ll almost definitely need another party or a single rider to fill your vehicle. I find it best that the cast members hand out the roles, so you won’t have to negotiate that. Keep in mind that if you are riding as a single rider, you’ll probably be given the engineer role.

If you use the Play Disney Parks app or are wearing a MagicBand+, some interactive elements are part of the ride.

The second ride, Rise of the Resistance, is like no other. Rise of the Resistance features the Star Wars characters you know from recent movies, like Rey, Kylo Ren, Poe, and Finn. It includes holograms and runs for about 15 minutes. It’s not just a walk-through ride, a dark ride, or a motion simulator. It is all of these things combined for one experience that is unlike any other attraction.

In this ride, you’ll be placed right in the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. You’ll ride in a transport ship, see Stormtroopers, get captured by Kylo Ren, ride in an escape pod, and more. Even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan, you’ll probably love this attraction.

Currently, Rise of the Resistance has an individual lightning lane – you can pay extra to go through this line. It’s worth it if you want to ride because it can help you save time and ensure you get an opportunity to experience it.

Food at Star Wars Land

After rides, food is the next important thing to me in any land at Walt Disney World. Galaxy’s Edge doesn’t have a sit-down table service restaurant, but they do have lots of different food options.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is the main quick service location. It offers indoor and outdoor seating, as well as mobile ordering. Menu items include ribs and chicken. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

There’s also Ronto Roasters, located in the Marketplace. This is more of a kiosk, with very limited seating. Menu items here include chicken and pork wraps and jerky.

Oga’s Cantina is the only place in Galaxy’s Edge that offers reservations. Ogas is a bar, with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

I visited Ogas on my first trip to Galaxy’s Edge and had so much fun. I would recommend making a reservation. Even if you don’t want to plan for any day drinking, there are lots of fun nonalcoholic options available. The drinks are all fun-looking, and delicious.

When you are seated, you may be placed at a table with other guests, or at a standing location. Be prepared to stand. As you enjoy your beverage, you’ll be treated to music from DJ R3X.

On my first visit, I was given a spot at a shared table. On our second visit, we were given a standing-room space with a shared table. It is a little awkward to share a table if you are with a smaller group, but it is such a fun place to visit.

In addition to these two spots, there are several kiosks located throughout Galaxy’s Edge. These include the infamous Blue Milk stand, where you can get Blue or Green milk, either with or without alcohol. While I didn’t love the alcoholic blue milk I tried, it’s something most Star Wars fans will want to have at least once.

Shops at Galaxy’s Edge

Any Star Wars fan will love the various shopping experiences located throughout Galaxy’s Edge. Two of these experiences, the Droid Depot and Savi’s Workshop (for creating your own lightsaber), offer reservations.

These are highly recommended, and each reservation covers one person making the item and one observing. You’ll need one reservation for each person who wants to make a droid or lightsaber, and same-day reservations are sometimes available.

The Droid Depot utilizes a conveyor belt where you’ll be able to choose the components of your droid. You’ll then bring it to be activated. Once activated, these droids can interact with elements of Galaxy’s Edge.

They come in a box, or the Droid Depot also sells fun backpacks that can hold them. I saw so many kids carrying them on the plane when I left Florida.

At Savi’s Workshop, you’ll be able to choose from various themes to build your lightsaber. These are different from the ones offered outside of Star Tours. While I didn’t build one, I did talk to a guest at Oga’s who had just built his own. It seemed to be a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience for a Star Wars fan.

It’s important to know that both of these aren’t cheap experiences. Therefore, I think they are best for a true Star Wars fan who will cherish these souvenirs.

There are other shops in Galaxy’s Edge, including the Creature Stall, Black Spire Outfitters, Jewels of Bith, Toydarian Toymaker, Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, First Order Cargo, and Resistance Supply. If you’ve got a Star Wars-obsessed kid, you’ll want to set a budget before visiting the land to appropriately set expectations. Otherwise, you could spend a lot of your vacation budget here!

Other Things at Galaxy’s Edge

While you are at Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll find some popular Star Wars characters walking around the outpost. These include Rey, Kylo Ren, the Stormtroopers, and Chewbacca.

Seeing the Stormtroopers is especially fun because they interrogate random guests, asking what side they are on. It adds to the immersive experience at Star Wars Land. Walt Disney Imagineering did a fantastic job with this area.

So, what will you love and what won’t you love? I feel that all guests, Star Wars fans or not, will appreciate the fantastic theming throughout the land. Rise of the Resistance is a standout attraction. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a great ride for Star Wars fans, but those who don’t love the Star Wars story may not appreciate it as much.

I do love visiting Oga’s Canteen, and I think the quick service food is pretty good. The merchandise selection is great as well – again, specifically for fans.

More Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Some additional Star Wars experiences existed at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort before the opening of Galaxy’s Edge. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, is also open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This 3D adventure is located outside Galaxy’s Edge but it’s still worth riding. On the West Coast, it’s located in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Resources: Want to know more about Disney World rides? Click here to read all of our posts about Disney rides and attractions.