Way back in 1987 when Star Tours – the first attraction by Lucasfilm and Disney – opened in Disneyland, no one could imagine that someday Disney would own Lucasfilm, Star Wars, and its decades-old universe full of amazing characters, adventures, and stories.
If you’ve visited Disney parks in recent years then you know what Disney can do with a land expansion (just look at what they did with Pandora in the Animal Kingdom). But while Avatar may be the highest-grossing movie of all time, it has no where near the longevity or fandemonium as Star Wars, and that is just one reason why Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is going to re-shape the landscape of Disney World and Disneyland as one of the ultimate immersive experiences for fans across generations to enjoy.
So how does one plan for this? Here are a few things you need to know:
Image (c) Marie Weberg
- Opening Dates:
- For Disneyland fans, the wait is over! Galaxy’s Edge opened on May 31, 2019!
- Disney World fans have to wait just a bit longer – Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is expected to open on August 29, 2019.
- Getting Tickets:
- Disneyland guests were given the opportunity (through June 24, 2019) to make a reservation and receive a time slot for entry to this area of the park, and reservations for the general public sold out in 2 hours! Now that the reservation period has ended, the crowds seem to have leveled off. (I’m skeptical if we can expect the same for WDW – see below.) However, reservations are still required for Oga’s Cantina (themed dining) and Savi’s Workshop (custom lightsaber experience).
- For Walt Disney World guests, there will be early morning hours available for entry to Galaxy’s Edge, however, Disney Resort Hotel guests will have an extra advantage between Sept 1 – Nov 2, 2019; Disney will offer Extra Extra Magic Hours for resort guests between the hours of 6-9am daily.
- If you are an Annual Passholder (Platinum, Platinum Plus, and Premier only) then you are really in luck – soft opening previews for you will begin prior to the official opening August 29! Capacity is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. More information and registration details for previews will be shared by Disney at a later date.
- Main Attractions: There will be two main attractions in both Galaxy’s Edge lands: Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Here’s what we know:
- Smuggler’s Run: The most important detail to share here is that Fast Passes will NOT be available for this ride, so plan to arrive early, wait in line, or take advantage of “Single Rider Line” which can save you some time.
- Rise of the Resistance:
- Consider this an early Christmas present: This ride will open on December 5, 2019 for Walt Disney World (Walt’s birthday!).
- Disneyland guests will have to wait a little longer (until January 17, 2020) for this ride.
- More to Come: Overall, Galaxy’s Edge is shaping up to be a mind-blowing addition to Hollywood Studios. With Rise of the Resistance opening at WDW just before Christmas 2019, early 2020 is going to be a great time to go, with somewhat lesser crowds, cooler weather and schools in session.
Planning for any Disney vacation can take a lot of work, and especially as new and exciting attractions debut in parks across the country. We are always keeping an eye out for what’s on the horizon, so working with a professional agent can save you a lot of time and money, and save you a lot of stress. Stay tuned to the blog for more updates on these incredible updates, special travel deals and promotions, and first-hand experiences as the ETFT team explores all the great new offerings at Walt Disney World and Disneyland!
by Meghan Orban – Director of Social Media Marketing at ET Family Travel
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