Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is just months from opening at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Behind-the-scenes tours have teased new details.
The 14-acre themed land, the most highly-anticipated theme park attraction that Disney has ever created, finally opened its doors to the media last week. StarWars.com have revealed more details.
Set in the Black Spire Outpost on the remote planet of Batuu, located on the outer rim of the Star Wars galaxy, the California attraction is set to open this summer, while the Florida destination is scheduled for fall 2019.
Now that we’ve had a look at the exciting attraction on the planet Batuu, here’s some of what visitors can expect.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
One of two main attractions, Smugglers Run is a motion-simulator ride. A group of up to six people can sit in the cockpit, where they can fly the ship, fire its cannons and manage its controls.
“They really are in control of the ship,” said Scott Trowbridge, Star Wars portfolio creative executive / studio leader at Walt Disney Imagineering.
“It’s a completely interactive experience.”
Part of the Smugglers Run experience is Hondo Ohnaka – a pirate from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. He’s been brought to life as one of Disney Parks’ most complex Audio-Animatronics figures ever made.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
This ride will throw visitors into the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance, before they find themselves inside a Star Destroyer, where they encounter the First Order’s dark enforcer.
While there, fans will meet BB-8, Finn, Poe and Rey. Yes, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Daisy Ridley have all reprised their roles for Rise of the Resistance.
Play Disney Parks App
Cutting-edge tech is being used at the park to provide a truly immersive experience, and to encourage exploration.
When visitors enter Galaxy’s Edge, their phones will transform into their own datapad via the Play Disney Parks App. It will unlock new missions, stories, and ways to interact with the exciting new land.
Using the app, guests will also be able to translate languages and signs, hack droids, and message characters.
Last week we had sight of Lucasfilm’s new mixed reality interactive pet – Project Porg. Will Porg owners be able to bring their virtual pets to Batuu?
Build your own lightsaber or make a droid
“We’re moving outside of the attraction queues, and we’re bringing guests not just into the stories of the attractions, but the stories of the entire land,” said Kelsey McCullough, manager of digital at Disney Parks.
“The land was designed to be interactive from the outset,” McCullough added.
Build your own lightsaber, make a droid, or just buy a rare creature
At Galaxy’s Edge, fans will get to build their own Jedi or Sith weapon at Savi’s Workshop, or their own BB or R2 droid at the Droid Depot.
Elsewhere, Bina’s Creature Stall will sell tauntauns, rathars, and more, while a toy shop – run by Toydarian Zabaka – includes plushies, musical instruments and trinkets.
Easter eggs, new ships and Loth-cats
Galaxy’s Edge will feature many, many Easter eggs – too many to mention, apparently.
Walking through the attraction, fans will also see a new TIE fighter, the TIE echelon, as well as the I-TS (Intersystem Transport Ship), which will start visitors’ missions.
Also appearing are animatronic Loth-cats. Trowbridge explained: “This is a place where all of Star Wars can come to life. We’re creating creatures… some of whom have never been seen in the real world before.”
Images: Disney
