Star Wars Galaxy's Edge | Disneyland
First there were rumers, like whispers in the wind. Star Wars nerds hoping against hope that these roomers were more than just gleeful wishes. Then, one day, it was confirmed, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge was happening, and it was coming to Disneyland in a galaxy not so far away!
We waited and waited as more details emerged throughout the years. Butterflies in our stomachs every time we saw those Tatooine mountain tops rise from the parking lot where we parked to visit Disneyland. Then finally, the big announcement was made. Star Wars Galaxy's Edge is getting ready to open, and Disneyland will give a limited number of preview tickets to those who book a stay in a Disney Hotel and those who log on to a website at a certain time on a certain day and wait to be told whether they got tickets or not.
I had the date plugged into every calendar, with reminders set on every single one, "Star Wars Galaxy's Edge preview tickets!" I got the time wrong! I misread and ended up getting online for my tickets at 8am. Early! Better than late! So I sat there with the link open on my phone and laptop, and waited for four hours, to see whether I got the coveted tickets or not. And I did!!! The wait paid off and I got 6 tickets!!!
It was exhilarating! The sense of relief, happiness and sheer excitement to tell my hubby that I was taking him, my ultra Star Wars Fan, to Star Wars Land, as our kids call it, before it opens to the general public! It was a hilariously proud moment.
So, when the day finally came, June 4th, 2pm-6pm, we were beyond ready.
When it was close to entry time, we walked up to one of any barricaded entrances to Star Wars Galaxy's Edge to ask where we should enter. This entrance was near Big Thunder Mountain. We were told that we had to go to Star Wars Launch Bay to check in, and get our wristbands. So, with a three year old and a five year old, and no stroller (because I was so excited to get to Disneyland that I forgot the stroller), hubby, our teen queen Hailey, and my friend Jessica, made the trek across the entire park, to get our wristbands. We were a little early, so we walked right in without line, and got all set to go. We were told that most people show up exactly at their check-in time and the lines are huge.
Tip: Check in about 15 minutes early, but, you can check in up to two hours before your reservation time.
Once we checked in, we rushed back across the park to the only open entrance to Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, near Hungry Bear Restaurant. Our wristbands were scanned, and we walked in with a large group of other lucky reservation holders.
As we walked closer and closer, our hearts racing and smiles plastered on our faces with anticipations of what was in store for as, we were in awe of the sight before us.
All those years of watching our favorite characters in distant fantastical lands, and here we were inside of our favorite movie!
Disney paid attention to every little details as only Disney could.
In awe, we walked around, trying to take in as much of this place as possible. Overwhelmed by all the things we wanted to do and see, we decided to get in line for the only open ride in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. An interactive ride, where each of the six riders has a job to perform, as they fly the Millennium Falcon. Two pilots, who are actually piloting the ship, two gunners who do aim and shoot, just like in an arcade, and two engineers, who really just push buttons when they light up to "fix" the problem with the "piece of junk ship". I can honestly say, I was happy to be an engineer because I was so into the ride that I kept forgetting to push my buttons. My step-daughter and 5 year-old son were gunners, and they did a fantastic job at shooting down the bad guys. Hubby was a gunner too, he and Hailey went first because the boys initially got scared to go on.
All six of us loved the ride. But, with that said, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, as it currently stands, only has one ride and a ton of shops, a few places to eat, and one bar aka Oga's Cantina. That's it! So, unless you want to do a ton of shopping, it is seriously lacking in attractions, shows, and general things to do.
Tip: If you plan on going to Oga's Cantina during your visit, head directly there to make your reservation before you do anything else. There is a minimum 2 hour wait to get in with a reservation, and it is currently by reservation only.
We did walk by what looked to be another barricaded ride. When we asked what it was, we were given a very vague and cryptic answer. Something like "We hear the Resistance is coming..." Take from that what you will, I just hope that this ride is functioning by the time Star Wars Galaxy's Edge is open to the general public on the 24th of this month.
UPDATE: Upon further investigation, I discovered that the ride next ride to open later this year, is called Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Details here.
I have to compliment the cast members here, and if you have never been to Disneyland, cast members are what they call every single employee. So, the cast members, they were in character every second of the day, never breaking character, not for a second, while doing their jobs. This was pretty impressive!
Now let's talk food. I could not have been more disappointed with the food option.
We decided to eat at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. Mainly because I was given more vague information by a cast member who was in full character.
The boys each had a Kid's Fried Endorian Tip-Yip, crispy chicken, mac n cheese and seasoned veggies with a drink. Each meal was $9.99 and was quite a lot of food if your kids actually eat it. Mine immediately put the veggies on my plate, tried the mac n cheese and said it was disgusting (I loved it), and would not touch the giant chicken nugget block until they realized how hungry they were and that there was not much else to eat.
Lucky for me, however, because I got to fill my tummy with their leftover veggies and mac n cheese. I love veggies, and found these to be tasty. I say lucky because my Yobshrimp Noodle Salad was drenched in a heavy, strong dressing that made it unpalatable. Chilled noodles and large shrimp are something I tend to enjoy, however, not these.
Miss Hailey ordered the Smoked Kaadu Ribs, BBQ ribs with a side of blue berry corn bread muffin and slaw. While Hailey enjoyed the ribs and the muffin, she thought it was a very strange pairing. The blueberries just did not pair well.
We also tried the Moof Juice which is Simply Fruit Punch®, Simply Orange® with Pineapple, Chipotle-Pineapple, and the Batuubucha Tea, which was Suja® Pineapple Passionfruit Kombucha™. The Moof Juice was a delightfully refreshing specialty drink. The Batuubucha... I don't wanna talk about it!
You can check out the full menu here.
What trip to any Star Wars land would be complete without a taste of Blue Milk (and Green)?
We walked to the Milk Stand to try the infamous Blue Milk, which Luke Skywalker was seen enjoying in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, and Green Milk, which he was seen drinking in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.
At Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, at the Milk Stand, these "milks" are actually very sugary, fruity, slushy drinks. Hubby was a fan of the Blue Milk, but definitely not the Green. Hailey and I did not like either milk.
Overall, we had a great time and were amazed by Disney's ability to transport us directly into a Star Wars movie. The detail of all of the familiar places and spaces, made it worth every minute. I hope they continue to build this amazing land up to host a slew of attractions and several more rides, in the near future.
Tip: I accidentally discovered the Toy Story parking lot and could not be happier with my discovery. No crowds, no hassle, air-conditioned shuttles, and they drop you off right at the entrance, so you don't have to walk through Downtown Disney.
