At long last, Walt Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open to the public this Thursday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Dusty Sage and I checked out the new land for you yesterday at a press event. We also spoke with Imagineers about Galaxy’s Edge AND took a walk-through of parts of the upcoming Rise of the Resistance attraction. Video, descriptions, photos and thoughts below.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is about to get another shot in the arm. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is located in Disney World’s movie themed park. As such, it does feel like a better fit for this large movie set-like land than Disneyland does. And while the Disney Hollywood Studios version of Galaxy’s Edge is a near clone of the Disneyland version, there are some differences.
Rebel Encampment
There are two entries into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney Hollywood Studios. One of them is from the Muppets side of the park into the Rebel Encampment, directly next to the entry to the Rise of the Resistance attraction.
There are a number of differences between this area and its counterpart at Disneyland. most notably, the A-Wing and X-Wing are opposite each other here.
The X-Wing is located directly in front of the Rise of the Resistance attraction.
Since Disneyland built a small mountain range along the far Northern edge of the Rivers of America to hide Galaxy’s Edge, the X-Wing and A-Wing are displayed in carved out spots of rock work there. But here at Hollywood Studios, that mountain range was not necessary, so the A-Wing is framed by what appears to be the ruins of an old building.
Rise of the Resistance
One of the main complaints about Galaxy’s Edge in California is that it’s missing the lead attraction in the land. Well, we are a step closer to a version of that attraction finally opening. Rise of the Resistance will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 5th. And by all accounts, it is Disney’s most ambitious attraction ever, and very likely the most complex attraction ever attempted by any themed entertainment company.
This multi-part attraction is best described as long-form storytelling. There are pre-shows where you’ll meet BB-8 and receive a message from Rey beseeching you to join the resistance. You’ll board a troop transport to join the resistance and meet Leia Organa. However, you’ll instead be abducted by the First Order. When the transport doors finally open, you’ll be on the deck of a First Order Star Destroyer with a legion of Stormtroopers, blasters in hand, lined up to arrest you. At one point, you’ll find yourself caged, before loading your tackless escape pod, piloted by an unreliable R5 droid. The escape pod porting of the experience will lead you on a multi-story adventure. Near the end of the experience, the transport drives into a simulator platform for a thrilling sequence in which your vehicle drops from the top of the attraction to the bottom.
Here, Dusty explains our tour of the Rise of the Resistance facility:
Dusty interviews Imagineer Chris Beatty about this ambitious attraction:
Marketplace Entrance
Having become accustomed to the muted tones of Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Marketplace building, the richer tones of the Orlando version really pop.
Marketplace Shops
The Marketplace might as well be a clone of Anaheim. It’s your stop for Star Wars merchandise.
SW:GE Marketplace – Jewels of Bith
SW:GE Marketplace – Ronto’s Roaster
Scary slaughterhouse across from Ronto Roasters:
SW:GE Marketplace – Creature Stall
This may be my favorite Marketplace shop. The animals for sell all have a special feature or trick that they do.
SW:GE Marketplace – Toydarian Toy Maker
Don’t forget to look up in this shop. So much to see.
SW:GE Marketplace – Kat Saka’s Kettle
Walkway Between Marketplace and Falcon
The Coke stand has an animated droid aboard the cart!
Oga’s Cantina
You’ll notice more spots of color in the Florida version of Galaxy’s Edge. It does make a positive difference in making the land feel more lively and approachable. Though, we feel there should be much more of this.
Another experience identical to Disneyland. But be sure to make your reservations in advance.
Droid Depot/Entrance to First Order Base
First Order Base
If you need to get a photo with Kylo Red or the Stormtroopers, this is your spot.
The water bottle fill stations are brilliant. 
Blue Milk Stand
If you’ve followed our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge coverage, you know that we aren’t big fans of the Blue Milk . . . or the Green Milk for that matter. HOWEVER, you can get your Blue Milk with Rum here in Orlando. And it’s pretty good! Though we still don’t like the Green Milk with tequila.
We tried mixing the Blue and Green. It’s a little bit better. But it all tastes like cleaning supplies with lots of extra sugar.
Dok Ondar’s
If you need Star Wars nicknacks, this is your spot.
Millennium Falcon
There’s nothing different about the Millennium Falcon ride in Hollywood Studios. That this ride is located so close to Star Tours isn’t the best placement since both are so similar. Ride operators are preparing for 5+ hour waits tomorrow. j
Savi’s Workshop
I finally got to try my hand at building a lightsaber. It was sort of emotional for me. Not only did I think it was very interesting and fun, but the whole thing feels like a religious experience. Unforgettable.
https://www.micechat.com/226954-disneylands-build-a-lightsaber-experience/
Discount Disney World Tickets and Travel
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has landed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Our partners at Get Away Today have a special deal for travelers looking to visit the spires of Batuu for themselves. On top of the already discounted tickets to Walt Disney World available at Get Away Today, they have a special limited-time promotion for the opening of the new Star Wars land. Save an extra $10 off any 3-day or longer Disney World tickets for travel now through December 31, 2020. Use promo code WDWSALE at checkout to save! This flash-sale is only valid through September 4, 2019, so act fast to get the extra savings!
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Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Opens 8/29/19 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
We’ve had a lot to say about Disney’s new mega-budget Star Wars land: beautiful rock work and architecture, but no music and sparse area entertainment. And everything we felt about the California version applies here as well. However, the Orlando version benefits by being the most themed area in this movie themed park. It is a good addition to Hollywood Studios and will give guests a reason to stay and linger. We just hope that entertainment and music will be added soon.
Rise of the Resistance will clearly be a winning attraction if they can get issues worked out, and that will absolutely help soak up crowds. But once those crowds are done with the rides, there should be more for them to see and do in this large space. There are literally stages and catwalks everywhere in this land, it’s time for Disney to put them to good use and get the entertainment and interactivity pumping as originally promised. If they can get that done, this land, especially in Florida where expectations are lower, will be a real success.
You can watch the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge dedication below. And it isn’t lost on us that this minimal effort show is more entertainment than you can currently find anywhere in the land.
Do you plan to visit Galaxy’s Edge in either Disneyland or Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Have you already visited? Did it live up to your expectations?
Bright Suns