A May the Fourth Post
Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA
In honor of Star Wars Day, I thought I’d throw together a photo gallery of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, featuring photos that haven’t been posted on Westcoaster before, and probably a few that have. With the Disney parks closed for the foreseeable future, I’m sure a bit of Disney photo magic would be fun, and in the confluence of this unofficial holiday, why not mix that with a Galaxy Far Far Away?
Ambiance
Batuu is arguably the most immersive land that Disney has ever done, and definitely the most immersive creation in any American Disney park (Tokyo Disney Sea remains the king of hyper-realistic, exceptionally enveloping parks). So the atmosphere around this Outer Rim planet is incredibly gorgeous, with a bustling and beautiful environment, and at once new and familiar. It’s a joy to just walk around the take in the sights and sounds and even the smells… observe people interacting with characters… and just watch the reaction of guests encountering momentous viewpoints. It’s absolutely stellar.
Details
Much like Tokyo Disney Sea, Galaxy’s Edge becomes richer and richer the more one zooms in. There are details galore everywhere, from intricate signage to the texture of the petrified tree spires to the numerous lamps and shade coverings in Merchant Row, and more! A true testament to an exquisite theme park is how much effort is put into even the little things, and from doorways to buttons to architectural elements, Galaxy’s Edge is filled with all sorts of ruggedly thoughtful touches.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
The big star attraction of the land and Disney’s new crown jewel took over half a year after land opening to debut, but when it did, it was jaw dropping. The most complicated experience Disney has ever designed, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was still getting its bearings under it for regular, efficient, high-capacity operation when the parks closed. But there was no denying how spectacular the ride was, eliciting disbelief and giddiness to almost all who rode it. This is the new level in theme park attractions, and it’s absolutely mind-bending.
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Although poo-poo’d in comparison, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run is still a great motion simulator with an element of interactivity and programming and customization that has yet to be touched. Recently, guests discovered a video game-esue cheat code that could put the ride in “Chewie Mode,” where the Wookiee would yell at them for the entirety of the ride instead of Hondo Ohnaka’s guidance. With promises of alternate missions and the possibility of other insertable scenes, this attraction certainly hasn’t seen its last evolution.
Oga’s Cantina
Besides the two rides, there are other attractions in “Star Wars Land,” though they take other forms. Oga’s Cantina is the only place in the park outside Club 33 where alcohol is served, and its “Scum and Villainy”-esque vibes really take guests into a gritty local watering hole with space-age drinks and rocking droid DJ’s. Having Star Tours’ Captain R3X in a new career is certainly a fun touch and easter egg.
Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
This may just be a glorified souvenir store, but man, what an immersive and intricately themed one it is! With an incredible amount of furnishings and hidden surprises referencing various aspects of Star Wars lore (and even other franchises), there’s no telling what treasures a sharp eye can spot inside this shop. And managing it all is Dok Ondar, the Ithorian collector who kind of plays this galaxy’s version Tylan Tivian—just less outspoken.
Characters
Another great aspect of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that actually got tapered back is the interactive, immersive theater element of it. When guests are in Galaxy’s Edge, they’re not at Disneyland. They’ve become part of the Star Wars universe, and that means everyone is in character—even regular cast members. There’s a local dialect, unscheduled shows, and of course, some familiar characters who guests can interact with—and a new one too. Watching guests engage with Kylo Ren and Stormtroopers, or Rey and Chewie, or Vi Moradi, or even R2-D2 is watching Disney magic bring Star Wars to life. It’s a shame this couldn’t have expanded to something on the scale of Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town Alive! But what’s there is still fun.
Batuu at Night
Finally, much as Disneyland is beautiful after dark. Batuu and Black Spire Outpost really sparkle when the three suns have set. The colors, the romantic, wild space port environment, and the incredible theatrical lighting help transform this remote planet into an intimate world, and just wandering around at night is a treat in and of itself. Plus, it’s a great place to catch “Oga’s Celebration”—a spectacle of pyrotechnics that may seem to mirror whatever fireworks show is occurring “off planet,” but couldn’t possibly be the same, because there’s no music! Still, those bursts over the spires behind the Millennium Falcon can make for unforgettable memories!
With a dirth in local attractions news because of the Coronavirus shutdowns, I’ll be trying to focus more on catching up on travel posts and foreign theme parks that I have never had a chance to get to before. But for today, some familiar sights might help bring a bit of normalcy around. I hope you’ve enjoyed, and may the Force be with you!
Architect. Photographer. Disney nerd. Haunt enthusiast. Travel bugged. Concert fiend. Asian.
