Complete Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy Edge opened in May 2019 to massive crowds.  Plans for this highly themed area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort were initially developed in the early 2010’s by Walt Disney Imagineering to capitalize on Disney’s acquisition of the Star Wars franchise from George Lucas.

Galaxy’s Edge replaced a large portion of the Streets of America area which included Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show and Honey, I shrunk the Kids: Movie Set Adventure attractions.  A small amount of the Street of America as well as the MuppetVision 3D attraction still remain to this day.

Guests will feel completely immersed in the world of Star Wars when entering Galaxy’s Edge.  The area is themed after the village of the Black Spire Outpost which is located on the remote planet of Batuu. From stormtroopers patrolling the streets, droid and speeder repair shops throughout the area and popular Star Wars characters out and about, Disney’s has made Galaxy’s Edge a remarkable theme park “land”.

In this COMPLETE GUIDE TO STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE, we will take you through the entire land showing the rides & attractions, dining options and shops as well as talk about some of the TIPS AND TRICKS that we use to make the day go smoothly. 

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is extraordinarily popular and one of the main draws (if not the main draw) for guests to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  As as result, we recommend that you get there as early as possible.  Disney hotel guests can get into the park prior to the public opening via “Extra Magic Hours”.  

Due to their proximity to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we recommend staying at one of the hotels in the Epcot Resort area – specifically one of the following:

• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
• The Walt Disney World Swan Resort

Each of these five resorts provide transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios via the Friendship Boats or there is a walking path that runs adjacent to the Boardwalk Inn.

Endless Summer Tip:  We find the Swan and Dolphin the best value for the money and is typically our choice as where to stay.  Make sure to check out our hotel tours & reviews of the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin.

Click here for current rates and availability at the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan

If you are staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s Riviera Resort, take the Disney Skyliner. While it may be busy first thing in the morning, it is much better than the bus transportation.

There are two ways to enter Galaxy’s Edge – one via Toy Story Land and the other through Grand Avenue.  If entering the park first thing, Disney typically routes guests through Toy Story Land.  

Endless Summer Tip: If entering first thing, make a left at Micky & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, cut through Commissary Lane and go under the bridge near Grand Avenue.  It’s so much less crowded in the morning.

To learn more about Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park, see our Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

Attractions at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

There are two major attractions at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and one premium (additional cost) experience in Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber Build.  Following is a summary and full point-of-view (POV) view on each of these three attractions.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Rise of the Resistance is one of the largest and most impressive attractions that you will find at any theme park world wide.  Guests become part of the “Resistance” and end up being captured by the evil First Order.

You will encounter Rey, BB-8, Poe, Stormtroopers and even Kylo Ren as your group attempts to escape from a Star Destroyer.  It’s a multi-phase attraction with a trackless ride through the Star Destroyer at the end.  The entire experience (not including the time in the queue) takes more than 15 minutes from start to finish.

This attraction is limited to guests 40 inches or taller and features a number of loud sounds, dark spaces and some motion.  We do, however, recommend it for most guests and consider it an absolute “must do” when visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of two attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that offer Individual Lighting Lane Entrances.  At this time the price for this entrance is $15.00 but can change at anytime.  Due to the popularity of this ride, make sure that you make a reservation as early in the day as possible.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

One of the most fun rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is an adventure which takes guests on a “mission” to steal coaxium from the First Order to provide to the resistance.

There are multiple roles for the crew of the Millennium Falcon which include: two pilots, two engineers and two gunners.   The crew will have to work together to make sure there is a successful mission.

Riders must be at least 38 inches in height to ride the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.  Since it is a motion simulator, be prepared for lots of motion, loud noises, and a dark cockpit.  Wait times can exceed 60 minutes on busy days and Genie+ Lightning Lanes are available.

Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber Build 

Building a lightsaber at Savi’s is one of the most unique experiences at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  This amazing a 20 minute experience allows guests to work with “Gatherers” in the workshop to assemble their personalized lightsaber.

The cost to build at lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop is not cheap (typical for a Disney experience) and the experience allows for one builder along with one guest.  

Click here to see our in-depth post to see the cost of the “Savi’s Workshop – Building a Lightsaber” experience and all that is included with the purchase. 

While expensive, it’s definitely a worthwhile experience for any aspiring Jedi.

Dining at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

At this time (due to the pandemic), mobile orders or reservations are required to enter one of the sit down dining establishments at the Disney parks.

• Ronto Roasters: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this quick servicing dining establishment features a variety of American fare.  Click here to see the menu at Ronto Roasters. 
• Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo: Enjoy quick service dining (American fare) for both lunch and dinner.  Click here to see the menu at Docking Bay 7.
• Oga’s Cantina: More of a bar / lounge than a dining establishment, Oga’s Cantina offers specialty themed Star Wars cocktails and drinks. Click here to see the drink menu.
• Milk Stand: Star Wars themed drinks and snacks.  Click here to see the menu at the Milk Stand.
• Kat Saka’s Kettle:  Drinks and snacks – Temporarily closed.

With the exception of Oga’s Cantina, reservations are not offered for the dining options at Galaxy’s Edge. 

Shopping at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

You are visiting Disney so plan on there being a number of highly themed gift shops within the Black Spire Outpost.  

The Market Merchants

Set up just like you would find on the streets of Bantuu, some of the most unique Star Wars theme gifts and souvenirs are found in this bustling marketplace.

• Creature Stall
• Toydarian Toymaker
• Black Spire Outfitters
• Jewels of Bith

Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities

Guests will find a wide array of Star Wars merchandise and collectibles including lightsabers, kyber crystals, jewelry and apparel at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.  And you will even see Dok-Ondar himself working the counter.

This “gift shop” is a on the must see list when visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Droid Depot

The Droid Depot is a specialty souvenir shop where not only can guests browse can construct their own custom droid.  There are a variety of versions of R-series droids (like R2-D2) and BB-series droids (like BB-8) that are offered at the Droid Depot. 

After paying for their droid building experience, guests go to the “Parts Station” where they select the parts to build their specific droid. For BB-series droids, guests get a droid dome, dome connection plate, body sphere and motivator.  For R-series droids, guests get a droid dome, body, center leg and a set of side-legs. 

Once you have the parts, guests proceed to a “Build Station” where they will assemble and activate their droid.  

To watch the entire droid building experience, check out our video below.

The cost of building a droid at the Droid Depot is $99.99 or you can upgrade to the droid bundle package (additional accessories) which costs $164.97.  Reservations are not required but highly recommended as this experience is in very high demand.

Additional Star Wars Themed Attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks

Typically held right being Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the Galactic Spectacular Fireworks have been temporarily paused.  Check back for more information in the coming weeks.

Guests normally watch from the Center Stage area, along Sunset Boulevard or in the area surrounding Echo Lake. 

Star Tours

Guest ride along with C-3PO and R2-D2 for a thrilling ride along a Starspeeder 1000 and end up becoming part of the resistance to do battle against the First Order.

There is a height restriction of 40 inches on Star Tours and Genie+ Lightning Lanes are available. On a typical summer day, wait times range from approximately 30 to 60 minutes on a normal summer day.

Star Tours has a fair amount of motion so if guests are sensitive to that, then they may want to stay behind.

Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple

Younglings train like Jedi Master then get the chance to put their skills to the test against those that practice the “Dark Side” of the Force.  Availability is limited and typically offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Star Wars Launch Bay

Part museum and part “relaxation area”, this area is home to a number of memorabilia and props from the Star Wars movies.  If you are a Disney Chase credit card holder, you can get a free Star Wars themed photo here.

Click here to see our Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Hollywood Studios