A Long Layover at Galaxy’s Edge

During a recent business trip to the west coast, I had the opportunity to do a short visit to Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland.  This wasn’t an extended, planned visit, but rather a way to fill the time between the end of a work day and a flight the next morning. Basically, it was a long layover.  Into an Uber and onto Batuu!

Getting to Galaxy’s Edge

Arriving in the late afternoon on a Wednesday, I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of crowds.  Having already purchased a ticket with the Disneyland mobile app, I was in the park in a matter of minutes.  The first thing any regular Walt Disney World Orlando regular will notice is that everything at Disneyland is smaller and more compact.  By no means is it less magical, just easier to get around faster.  Enough about that, though.  Let’s get to Batuu.

Using the app to navigate, I discovered that the most direct route was to go straight through Frontierland.  Then, there it was:  the sign telling me that I was almost there!

Right around the bend was the overpass for the Disneyland railroad.  Then, at the end of the tunnel, I could see it.  Batuu!

Once I got through the tunnel, the next several hours Included a series of constant, child like, “Look at that!” and, “Oh, My Goodness.  Look at this!”  I was like a kid again.  It was spectacular.  It was sensory overload.  Also, t was HUGE.

So, what jumped out at me, and my camera, during my brief layover on Batuu?

The Droids of Galaxy’s Edge

There are droid parts everywhere.  It makes sense, since there is a droid factory on Batuu.  I did not expect to see droids and droid parts used for every possible purpose.  Lamps, decorations, fireplaces were just a few observed uses.

The Black Spires Outpost Droid Depot is the place to go if you want to make your own, customized droid.  You can chose from a BB-series or an R-series unit.  However the real treat is watching all of the droid parts stream past from the rafters or on the assembly line.

The Cast Members of Galaxy’s Edge

Everyone at Galaxy’s Edge is always in character.  The best of the best cast members are at Galaxy’s Edge.  All of them are dressed in garb native to Batuu.

That is, except the members of the First Order.  Certainly do not mess with the First Order in their serious uniforms.

The cast members love to chat, whether it’s greeting you with a traditional, “Bright Suns,” or a lengthy discussion about the importance of guarding the yet to be opened Rise of the Resistance attraction, the cast members on planet make you feel like you are really on Batuu.

Forget about waiting in line for characters.  The characters are walking around the land, interacting with the guests.  Stormtroopers and commanders are on the lookout for rebels.  Kylo Ren is menacing at the Black Spire Outpost and is exerting all of his influence — and using the force.

Similarly, over in the Rise of the Resistance area, Rey and Chewbacca were hosting a wookie sound alike contest.  Chewbacca then wandered around taking photos with the participants and delighting children by engaging with all of them.  Wookies are really fun guys.

The Food of Galaxy’s Edge

Being a short layover, I really only had time for one meal.  Since there was no wait at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, that was the easy choice.  Walking in, immediately I was struck by the overwhelming desire to eat in a cargo container.

It is a fairly typical Disney quick serve restaurant, so it’s the typical order, pickup, and food on a tray.  Everything at the restaurant is themed as if you are actually on another planet.  I had Fried Endorian Tip-Yip, which is really fried chicken with mashed potatoes, and a Batuu-bon.  Served on a plain metal tray, this was what I would expect at a restaurant in a docking bay.

Docking Bay 7 offered a solid, quick meal in totally geeked out setting.

The Millennium Falcon

THE MILLENNIUM FALCON!  A full sized Millennium Falcon.  You can walk right up under it.  You can have your picture taken with it.  Part of the thrill is that you can almost touch the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.

The best part of this is that the Smugglers Run ride allows you to pilot the Millennium Falcon.  This ride has a single rider line, so that was the ticket for this visit.

Ready for Our Mission

After a relatively short queue, the first cast member assigns crews and assignments.  Six members to a crew.  It’s just you and 5 other people in the cockpit of the Falcon.  And this guy hands out the assignments.

After the crew assignment, you actually board the Millennium Falcon!  I know, I keep saying this, but, hey, it has been a dream since 1977.  And there is was. The holo space chess board.  You can sit right there and pretend to play.  Childhood fantasy…check!

In not nearly enough time to properly absorbs all of the details in the main chamber of the Falcon, we were called up to go out on our mission.  I am just going to admit this here,  I was so caught up in being in the Falcon, that I really didn’t pay attention to the mission.  Then the loader pointed out that I was busy using my imaging device. He then informed me, all the time staying in character, that it probably didn’t matter that I hadn’t paid attention because the odd of survival were pretty low.

The ride itself is simply spectacular.  The crew of six is responsible for piloting the Falcon and delivering our cargo.  It is an immersive, 3D experience, with motion and interactive features.  Most importantly, it is amazing.

More Galaxy’s Edge

There is just so much to see and do at Galaxy’s Edge.  I felt like I was transported to a different world.  Disney has done a fabulous job making the world feel like the planet of Batuu.  Soon we will be sharing with you about our experience at Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World, too, so be sure to check back for that!