At Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Disney's main goal is to immerse you into another planet - detailed experience that is unlike any other you can have at a Disney Park.
One of the aspects of this immersion was the ever so famous spork. Sporks are a utensil that is not unfamiliar to us but it’s definitely not something you see at a Disney World quick service. They were first introduced to guests at Disneyland’s Batuu and were later seen at Batuu in Walt Disney World. However, it quickly became clear that guests were taking these sporks to keep at home or yes, even sell on eBay. It is now clear that the spork days are over and guests are now left with a regular fork.
This might seem trivial to some but the little details are what makes this land a complete, immersive experience. Unfortunately, the bad decisions of some will ruin the experience of all.
A Star Wars vacation experience unlike anything Disney has ever created before will fully immerse guests in a galaxy far, far away when Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser debuts at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Exciting new details were shared Sunday live from D23 Expo 2019 by Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and Ann Morrow Johnson, executive producer and creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will offer a two-night itinerary where all guests arrive and depart together, similar to Disney Cruise Line. Unlike any typical cruise, though, you can become the heroes of your own Star Wars story in a new type of immersive experience that only Disney could create.
You will cruise the galaxy in style aboard the Halcyon, known for its impeccable service and exotic destinations. Onboard, you will stay in well-appointed cabins, experience onboard dining, make a planet-side excursion to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, and much more. Throughout the journey, you will be invited to delve deeper into your personal adventure by participating in onboard activities, interacting with characters, crew, other passengers you meet, and becoming part of the action and the broader Star Wars saga:
The adventure begins when you arrive at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal at Walt Disney World and check-in for your two-night experience.
You will be invited to enter a Launch Pod for transport into space. Through windows above, you’ll see yourself leave the real world behind as you jump to hyperspace and draw closer and closer to the Halcyon.
When the Launch Pod docks with the Halcyon and the airlock opens, you will step into the ship’s main deck Atrium to begin your journey through a galaxy far, far away.
A visit aboard the Halcyon becomes a multi-day story that interweaves with members of the crew, other passengers, familiar Star Wars characters, and an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The all-immersive experience also features entertaining activities, such as wielding a lightsaber while facing off against a training remote, where you may discover your own connection with the Force.
Visiting the starcruiser’s Bridge to learn about ship systems and how to operate them, including navigation and defense – skills that may come in handy during a journey through this adventure-filled galaxy.
Fun Facts – Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Every window in the Halcyon – including those in each cabin – has a view of the galaxy beyond, with ever-changing vistas as the ship progresses from place to place.
You’ll be able to explore the Halcyon and perhaps discover hidden spaces deep in the mechanics of the ship – perfect for uncovering secrets … or holding secret meetings.
Choices you make during your adventure will help determine how your Star Wars story progresses.
I don't know about you, but I am super excited about this!
Announced yesterday, just ahead of the annual D23 convention in Anaheim, CA was Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
No, this isn't a new ride being developed for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - in fact, it's the name of the new Star Wars Hotel being built at Walt Disney World.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be a first-of-its-kind vacation experience where guests will check-in for a two-night adventure aboard a starship. Once onboard, guests will interact with characters and participate in a story that unfolds around them.
Inside the Disney Parks “Imagining Tomorrow, Today” pavilion at D23 Expo, attendees can see a model of the starcruiser, called the Halcyon. Known for its “impeccable service and exotic destinations” throughout the galaxy, the Halcyon will offer well-appointed guest cabins, onboard dining, a planet-side excursion to Batuu, and more.
Bright suns! In case you haven’t heard, the all-new land Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open on August 29 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. We've compiled a few tips that’ll help you save time and get the most out of your visit to the planet Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost.
No matter if you’re there to help the Resistance survive, assist the First Order in tightening its grip on the galaxy, or just stopping by to pull a heist and make a few credits, you’ll be blending in with the locals and having fun in no time with the advice below.
Speak the local lingo
It’s always a good idea to learn about the local culture when you travel to a new country, and it’s no different when you step onto Batuu. Luckily for you, Batuuans speak Galactic Basic, so you’ll have no problem conversing with anyone you meet in the marketplace or in the cantina. That said, you’ll find these local greetings useful:
- “Bright suns!” (“Good day!”)
- “Rising moons.” (“Good evening/night.”)
- “May the Spires keep you.” (Said when parting ways; a formal goodbye.)
- “’Til the Spire” (Said when parting ways; a casual goodbye.)
Come with appropriate accessories
Even though Batuu is a place where a lot of action takes place, rest assured that you’ll be safe without your trusty blaster. Any prop weapon with a trigger or belt is prohibited. Lightsabers are permitted in Black Spire Outpost, just make sure they’re properly put away when you go on attractions and use common sense when around crowds of people.
Keep an eye on your droids
You’ll have a blast building your very own custom droid — BB- or R-series — at Droid Depot, but be careful with your new robot pal when exploring. It’s best to carry or stow droids rather than let them roam free. Note that the Droid Depot is a paid experience, and reservations may be required.
Dress for the occasion
The warm climate on Batuu (and in Orlando) dictates that citizens wear comfortable, breathable outfits that are as practical as they are attractive. As a visitor, you’re more than welcome to mimic local fashion in order to be comfortable, just as long as you can’t be mistaken for a local yourself.
But there are certain rules that you might want to know about: only youngsters under 14 can dress in replica costumes of galactic heroes. Grown-ups are welcome to dress in outfits inspired by heroes or villains of legend (This is commonly referred to as “Disneybounding” by visitors), but nothing that looks too convincing. Furthermore, full masks and Jedi robes (even those purchased from the marketplace stalls) are prohibited from being worn in the land.
Make reservations!
Travelers who have been granted landing clearance to Black Spire Outpost have already discovered that Oga’s Cantina, Savi’s Workshop – Hand-built Lightsabers, and Droid Depot are popular spots. That’s why it’s highly encouraged to make reservations. Once open at Walt Disney World Resort, you can make reservations for Oga’s Cantina up to 180 days in advance. Trust us — it’s worth waking up a little early to reserve your spot just to hear DJ R-3X’s latest set while sipping on the specialty drinks available.
You can exchange Earthly currency for “something more real”
While vendors and shopkeepers in Black Spire gladly accept off-world currencies, you can also exchange your money for Batuuan Spira. You can transfer funds from your account to an authentic metal Spira, for a minimum of $100, which can be used wherever you go on Batuu. Just tap on the register’s datapad at checkout and you’re shopping like a real Batuuan.
Fly the Falcon
Hondo Ohnaka’s looking for crews to fly the Millennium Falcon, with no prior experience required. That means you’ll probably need to queue up behind a bunch of other recruits looking to try their hand at shipping *ahem* legitimate salvage and cargo *ahem*.
Thankfully, if you are traveling solo, you can get in a special line — just look for the “Single Rider” sign when heading over to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Whenever Hondo’s helpers have a single seat open in the cockpit, you’ll get assigned to a mission.
In just weeks, you’ll be living your own Star Wars story at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And to prepare for the historic grand opening on August, 29, there are several exciting merchandise events coming to the park that we thought you’d like to check out!
From new, out-of-this-galaxy fashion to special Star Wars artwork, mark your calendar for these upcoming experiences coming to Launch Bay Cargo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Meet Ashley Eckstein from Her Universe! Saturday, August 17 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
On August 17, Ashley Eckstein will be showcasing her newest dress featuring Darth Vader from the Her Universe fashion company at Launch Bay Cargo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Known to Star Wars fans as the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, actress and entrepreneur, Ashley Eckstein, also founded Her Universe – the groundbreaking fangirl fashion company and lifestyle brand. Ashley has been widely recognized as a business woman and trendsetter.
At the event, wristbands will be required, and will be distributed to guests at park open on the day of the signing at the event location with the purchase of a Her Universe or Ahsoka Tano item.*
New Art Pieces inspired by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Sunday, August 18 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Artists from diverse backgrounds are coming together at Launch Bay Cargo to showcase special artwork inspired by the Star Wars saga! Artists Craig Fraser, Kevin-John, William Silvers, and Charles Wissig will be available to meet guests and sign art for your collection.** Whether you’re a fan of the light side or the dark side, you are sure to love these great new pieces. Fraser says he channeled his inner dark side while the work of Silvers drew inspiration from Yoda.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Book Signing Wednesday, August 28 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
And on August 28, you can take on the thrilling call to adventure on the very edge of the galaxy! Meet the authors and illustrator behind new titles inspired by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Launch Bay Cargo. Ethan Sacks and Will Sliney have teamed up to bring fans the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge comic book series. Delilah S. Dawson will be available to sign her recent project, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire, and Zoraida Córdova will be signing her recent contribution to the Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate.**
Merchandise available while supplies last. We ask that only two (2) items be signed per guest, per time in line. We ask that you bring no personal items to be signed. Valid Walt Disney World Resort receipt may be required. Event is subject to space and time availability and is not guaranteed. Theme park admission is required. Event information subject to change without notice. *Wristbands will be distributed to guests at park open on the day of the signing at the event location with the purchase of a Her Universe or Ahsoka Tano item. A wristband from the appearance location is required to meet Ashley Eckstein and allows the guest to get two items signed. A limited number of wristbands will be available. Once the wristbands have been distributed, the line to meet Ashley Eckstein will close. **Guests must purchase product before having it signed.
It's the day a lot of Star Wars fans have been waiting for ... Oga’s Cantina, the Droid Depot, and Savi’s Workshop are now taking reservations for August 29 and beyond at WDW.
You can book Oga’s Cantina, just as you would make any other Disney World dining reservation online or using the My Disney Experience app.
You can check reservations for the Droid Depot here, and for Savi's Workshop here.
Visitors to Batuu will soon be able to bring its farm-to-table style of cooking home when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook is released this fall.
Based on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the book features new recipes from Strono “Cookie” Tuggs, the former head chef at Maz Kanata’s castle on Takodana, who is now the proprietor of Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo.
The cookbook, written by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Marc Sumerak, will include delicious intergalactic recipes for all skill levels.
Here’s just a sample:
Look for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook on store shelves in November.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is already open at Disneyland Park and officially opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29th.
Are you ready to eat your way through Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios? When you visit
Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu, you'll be greeted with a variety of food and beverage options that
you won’t want to miss!
Oga’s Cantina
If you are thirsty for a taste of adventure, then Oga’s Cantina might be just the thing to quench your thirst! This notorious watering hole serves as the hangout spot for all of the locals as well as smugglers, bounty hunters, and the groovy droid, DJ R-3X! Here you will find a variety of specialty beverages with and without alcohol. For the fully-grown Jedi and bounty hunters out there, the specialty beverages with alcohol are served throughout the day. There’s even a few morning specialties like the Bloody Rancor made with vodka, chile liqueur, spicy Bloody Mary mix, and a rancor bone cookie.
The afternoon and evening specialties include options like the Outer Rim featuring silver tequila, açai liqueur, lime juice, pure cane sugar, black salt, and exotic fruit purée. There’s also the Yub Nub made with pineapple rum, spiced rum, citrus juices, and passion fruit as well the Fuzzy Tauntaun. This fun drink comes with peach vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice with tangerine, pure cane sugar, and “buzz button tingling” foam.
Younglings and travelers of all ages can also enjoy an array of family-friendly concoctions like the Blue Bantha. Offered all day, this beverage features blue milk served chilled and topped with a bantha-inspired vanilla-butter sugar cookie. During the afternoon and evening, sip on concoctions like the Hyperdrive (Punch It!) with Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, white cranberry juice, black cherry purée, and Sprite or the Jabba Juice featuring Simply Orange with pineapple, kiwi, cantaloupe, and blueberry popping pearls.
You can also try a new provision with alcohol (exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort) the Rodian Ration. This comes with vodka, sour apple liqueur, Sprite, and green apple popping pearls. Of course, there’s also a version without alcohol called Oga’s Obsession with Odwalla Lemonade, cotton candy flavor, and blue popping pearls. For snacking, you can order Batuu Bits – a trail mix featuring different seasonal crunchies and crispies that pair perfectly with any of the drinks on the menu!
Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo
Guests can step into a working hangar bay where they’ll find that Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has docked his food freighter, “Tugg’s Grub: A Traveling Diner for Diners Traveling,” right on the roof. He’s serving up a variety of dishes prepared with ingredients from across the galaxy. You can sit down in the spacious hangar (or grab a table in the rustic outdoor seating area) and chow down on eats like the Felucian Garden Spread (plant-based “kefta” with herb hummus, tomato-cucumber relish, and pita) or the Yobshrimp Noodle Salad with chilled shrimp, marinated noodles, and seasonal vegetables. To drink, you can sip on specialty beverages without alcohol like the Moof Juice with Simply Fruit Punch, Simply Orange with pineapple, and chipotle-pineapple. For a specialty beverage with alcohol (exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort) – guests can try the Takodana Quencher with dragon berry rum, blue curaçao, Simply Orange with pineapple, and kiwi.
And to satisfy their sweet tooth, you can indulge in the Batuu-bon featuring chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse and coffee custard or the Oi-oi Puff – a raspberry cream puff with passion fruit mousse.
Milk Stand
Guests can stop by the Milk Stand to try Batuu’s legendary blue and green treats. Both the Blue Milk and the Green Milk feature a plant-based blend of coconut and rice milks and can even be ordered with alcohol (exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort). You can sip on a Blue Milk Cooler with rum or a Green Milk Cooler with tequila! And be sure they don't forget to order their Bubo Wumba Family Farms souvenir drink vessel.
Ronto Roasters
Roasted to perfection by pitmaster droid 8D-JB, the Ronto Wraps are a great grab-and-go bite served at Ronto Roasters. They come with roasted pork, grilled sausage, peppercorn sauce, and tangy slaw wrapped in pita. You can also take a bite out of some Nuna Turkey Jerky, offered in sweet and spicy flavors.
To quench their thirst, guests can try the non-alcoholic Tatooine Sunset with Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea, Odwalla Lemonade, melon, and blueberry. Or they can enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort exclusive specialty beverages with alcohol: Trandoshan Ale (a spiced wheat ale) or the Coruscant Cooler featuring Kentucky bourbon, cherry liqueur, fortified wine, cranberry, and lime juice.
Kat Saka’s Kettle
Guests can pop into this eclectic food stall (run by grain merchant Kat Saka) in the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace for a unique taste of Batuu. The Outpost Mix is a combination of sweet and savory popcorn and is the perfect snack for the traveler on the go!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World Resort opens Aug. 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Starting August 29th the day Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opens at Walt Disney World Darth Vader will be replacing Kylo Ren at the Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios.
Originally Darth Vader was meeting and intimidating guests when the Launch Bay first opened but was replaced by Kylo when Star Wars Episode 7 came out.
No word on if Kylo Ren will have a meet & greet in Galaxy’s Edge but hopefully guests will get a chance to see him in the Galaxy’s Edge area walking around and up on stage as he has been doing in Disneyland.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened at Disneyland Resort on May 31, 2019 and invited guests to live their own Star Wars adventures as they explore a remote planet of Batuu which is full of unique sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and many other immersive experiences.
Upon entering the land, guests will be transported to a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on their journey to Batuu.
Welcome to the Edge of Wild Space: Black Spire Outpost on Batuu
Photo courtesy of Disney
Batuu is a far-flung destination along the galaxy’s Outer Rim, on the frontier of Wild Space – the uncharted region beyond all known star systems. The planet is home to Black Spire Outpost, an infamous port for smugglers, traders, and adventurers wishing to avoid any unnecessary … entanglements with the First Order.
When guests arrive at Black Spire Outpost, they will come across aliens, droids and other inhabitants of this planet as they search for rare and unique goods, discover unusual food and drink, or join a crew seeking adventures. Along the way, guests may encounter some familiar faces, including Rey, Chewbacca or even Supreme Leader Kylo Ren and his Stormtroopers.
Star Wars Adventures Come to Life in Two Thrilling Attractions
For more than four decades, fans of Star Wars films have imagined what it would be like to blast across the stars inside the Millennium Falcon or race through the halls of a Star Destroyer. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will feature two signature attractions that turn those dreams into reality.
In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, guests climb into the cockpit of “the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” for their own Star Wars adventures. They take the controls of the Falcon in one of three unique and critical roles as the ship hurtles through space. Some will be pilots, some gunners, and some engineers, creating multiple ways for guests to engage with the attraction in an experience that responds in real time to the actions they take.
Photo courtesy of Disney
A second attraction, opening by the end of 2019, is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will be one of the most ambitious, advanced and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering. It will place guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance, including a faceoff with Kylo Ren. Their journey takes them aboard a full-size transport shuttle and then into a nearby Star Destroyer on a harrowing and thrilling adventure that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality.
A Diverse Menu of Food and Beverages Await
What does Blue or Green Milk actually taste like? That question and more will be answered when guests visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and experience the new land’s expansive array of food and beverages. Guests walk through a bustling marketplace, where vendors offer various local delicacies, including an Outpost Mix of flavored popped grains from Kat Saka’s Kettle, a unique popcorn snack with a combination of sweet, savory and spicy flavors.
At Oga’s Cantina, even the blaster-bolt scorches on the walls tell a story. Here, guests gather to share their tales from around the galaxy as they enjoy exotic beverages served in unique vessels and listen to spirited musical entertainment provided by DJ R-3X, otherwise known as Rex, the former Starspeeder 3000 pilot droid from the original Star Tours. Rex re-invents himself as the cantina’s DJ, and he’s as quirky and talkative as ever.
A multi-purpose transport shuttle docked on top of a large hangar beckons guests into Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, a designated location for traveling food shuttles. Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs is in much demand for his culinary skills, so he moves from site to site in a modified.
Sienar-Chall Utilipede-Transport that becomes a mobile kitchen and restaurant. His travels across the galaxy allow him to fill his pantry with exotic ingredients he uses to make new and unusual dishes. He is proud to present Tuggs’ Grub, a “traveling diner for diners traveling,” inspired by dishes he created during his time working for Maz Kanata on Takodana.
Elsewhere in the market, Ronto Roasters draws attention with its large podracing engine firing up a barbecue pit for mouth-watering Ronto Wraps. When hungry customers queue up to order, they encounter a former smelter droid, carefully turning the spit of meats. Guests can also choose from a variety of exotic non-alcoholic drinks like the Sour Sarlacc or Tatooine Sunset.
The Milk Stand offers two local favorites – Blue Milk and Green Milk. Blue Milk was first seen in Star Wars: A New Hope when Luke Skywalker sat down for a family meal. Green Milk was introduced in Star Wars: The Last Jedi when Luke lived on the planet Ahch-To. Now, thirsty guests can order these colorful frozen drinks as they live their own Star Wars adventures.
Take a Piece of the Star Wars Galaxy Home from a Vibrant Marketplace
Photo courtesy of Disney
Food is one of many discoveries just waiting to be made while wandering the lively marketplace of Black Spire Outpost, where guests encounter a robust collection of merchant shops and stalls filled with authentic Star Wars creations.
The Droid Depot invites guests to construct their own astromech droids. Patrons pick pieces and parts off a conveyor belt to build one of two core models (R-series or BB-series) and they can customize their droids with various parts and colors. These droids interact with elements throughout the land, enhancing guests’ adventures. Additional accessories can be added to further customize these new friends. In addition, the Droid Depot will offer pre-built droids, droid- inspired toys and apparel, and more.
At Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, guests have the opportunity to craft and customize their very own lightsabers. In this mystical experience, guests feel the Force as they build these elegant weapons from a more civilized age.
Inside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, guests find a selection of rare and mysterious items for sale representing different eras of the Star Wars galaxy, including holocrons, ancient Jedi and Sith artifacts, lightsabers and more. As they explore the nooks and crannies of the shop, guests also see Dok-Ondar at his desk as the large Ithorian checks his inventory and barks the occasional order at his assistants.
In addition to these special experiences, the Black Spire Outpost marketplace features the Creature Stall dedicated to the plethora of rare and fascinating creatures that populate the galaxy, as well as Black Spire Outfitters, showcasing the latest in galactically trendy apparel and accessories. The Toydarian Toymaker stall is full of toys and games crafted by a Toydarian (the flying alien species first seen in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace). And all tourists who visit Batuu will want to make a stop at Jewels of Bith, offering “trinkets to treasure” and other accessories.
Guests can also demonstrate where their loyalties lie with the gear and accessories they purchase within the land. Resistance Supply is a “makeshift” location at the Resistance’s hidden command post, selling Resistance pins, badges, hats, and other accessories to help guests feel like part of the cause. First Order Cargo, meanwhile, is a temporary First Order storage dock near the marketplace. Easily identified by a never-before-seen First Order TIE echelon ship, the cargo location offers guests a chance to pledge their loyalty by purchasing pins, caps, gear, model ships and more.
Play Disney Parks Mobile App Deepens Guest Engagement with the Land
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the first land within a Disney park designed to integrate with the Play Disney Parks mobile app. The app debuted last year and offers interactive adventures and experiences that bring surrounding environments to life at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. When guests choose to use the Play Disney Parks app in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they will be able to transform it into their very own Star Wars: Datapad. Using the app provides new opportunities for guests to engage with the land, such as translating a galactic language or learning what’s hidden inside crates and containers.
Photo courtesy of Disney
In addition, guests can use the Play Disney Parks app to interact with elements in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including droids, blinking door panels and antenna arrays. Throughout the day, guests may participate in a multiplayer game throughout the land, “Outpost Control,” to support either the Resistance or the First Order.
In light of tremendous demand, Disney is opening Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland park in phases to allow guests to sooner enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that make Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so spectacular. Guests wanting to visit Galaxy's Edge between May 31st and June 24, 2019 must have a reservation to enter the land.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens August 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.
