Out Of This World – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

 ”Out Of This World – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” is a sponsored post and includes affiliate links.  Please see the disclosure page for more information.  Disclaimer – always verify medical information with your doctor or a professional.

My goodness, it’s hard to believe this epic family vacation was in January 2020. Right before the pandemic shut down just about everything, our family took a trip to Florida and back. We saw Vicksburg, Pensacola for one night, St. Augustine, Kennedy’s Space Center NASA, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and two days at Holiday Inn Resort Waterpark in Orlando. It was a whirlwind of a trip with so much fun!

 Que theme music!

A long time ago (er, 2 weeks) in a galaxy far, far away (about 14 hr car ride from Louisiana to Florida)…

We took a big trip this January to Hollywood Studios Disney World specifically just to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. AND IT WAS AMAZING! Get out your cape and light saber! In this article, we are going to a galaxy far, far away…. from Louisiana.

“Traveling through hyperspace ain’t like dusting crops, farm boy.” — Han Solo

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge debuted in Hollywood Studios Disney World in August 2019. I love immersive experiences and no one does immersive experiences like Disney! I knew it was going to be over the top cool but it far exceeded my expectations! Ever felt like you are on another planet while on Earth? I have… when we were at Galaxy’s Edge!

“You’ll find I’m full of surprises.” – Luke Skywalker

Before I dive into hyperspace, I’m going to include some highlights from our entire day in Hollywood Studios. Our first stop in the park was to see Darth Vader for a meet a greet. Ok, ok, I guess I’m just diving right in afterall!  Darth made time on his calendar for us. And people say he’s not a nice guy? LOL

There is a character meet and greet at Star Wars Launch Bay. The day we were there the characters to meet were Darth Vader, Chewie, or BB8. Since we wanted to get to Galaxy’s Edge as quick as possible, we chose just to see one character… the former Anakin Skywalker.

Even standing in line was entertaining. There are light sabers to check out and helmets. Also in the Launch Bay there are tons of cool things to check out like Rey’s speeder and sooo much more! Oh, and exiting through the gift shop is incredible as there is a bit of a mini museum before getting into the gift shop and there is life sized storm trooper (if I remember right) figure in the gift shop!

Created with PicMonkey

I love character meets and how they stay, well, in character! And not just Darth Vader but all of his minions that kept the line in order(maybe the “First Order”, snicker snicker). The photographer and handler were so on point. Of course, when working for Darth Vader…

“Failure is not an option.”

Next up, we headed right to Galaxy’s Edge. Just a little ways before the entrance, we went past some people in Jedi training!

“You must unlearn what you have learned.” – Yoda

This was right outside of the ride Star Tours which is not exactly in Galaxy’s Edge proper. It was one of my favorite rides of the day! Look for the AT-AT walker. You can’t miss it…

At some point in our journey we rode Star Tours TWICE! Oh, the beauty of going in January when crowds are at a low. I loved all of the mental involvement they create leading up to the ride. And details, details, details! I really felt like I about to embark on space travel getaway. You could see luggage, droids ready to be packed on board, and more. The ride was super fun with a 3D screen and feeling like we were really in space. So so so cool!

“I’m just a simple (wo)man trying to make my way in the universe.” — Jango Fett

Just around the corner after exiting Star Tours is the somewhat nondescript entrance to Galaxy’s Edge. Walking through that tunnel really prepares your brain to believe you are entering a new land. As a Star Wars fan, I was giddy with everything there was to see just walking into this part of the park. There were spaceships, other worldly terrain, storm troopers, and more! Check out this hover craft garage…

Being nerdy engineers, we kept trying to figure out how this thing was hovering?! Then there were random droids outside the building where you can create your own droid. We were on a budget and didn’t get to do this or make our own light saber, but that will be something to look forward to on our next trip! We also couldn’t get in to the Rise of the Resistance ride; so it’s another thing to look forward to!

“Well, if droids could think, there’d be none of us here, would there?” — Obi-Wan Kenobi

This Tie Fighter was a “life sized” space ship! SOOOOO cool! This is also where you can find the blue and green milk to try out. Oh, and don’t miss the First Order Outpost store here. I got THE COOLEST tshirt here. It has the perfect cut and again love the details that Disney never misses. There is a little metal tag at the bottom outside of my tshirt that says 709 Legion. Coolness. There were so many different space crafts placed throughout Galaxy’s Edge to check out. I am just amazed by the detail and all the different things you can look at throughout Galaxy’s Edge. 

We were pretty hungry after getting to Galaxy’s Edge so we headed to the market area for some wraps from Ronto’s.

The walk through the market was, again, super cool!

The shops were just so authentic -the details in how the buildings were made, what they sold, the shop keepers, and different details like this “heater” tucked away in an open “closet” in the back of one of the stores…

We ate at the tables right by the giant roaster in the middle of the area with Ronto’s. It was so entertaining to watch the robot “working” to cook everything. The wraps were delish! Some had egg, sausage, etc. It was a little hectic at the counter picking up the food but I liked that because it felt like we were really in a marketplace like in the movies. I also went next door to Kat Saka’s Kettle for a coffee for me and a hot cocoa for my daughter plus popcorn! I’ve read some people aren’t fan of the popcorn. We enjoyed it! It’s spicy and sweet.

Next up? We were right next too Smuggler’s Run. Just waiting in line weaving around the Millenium Falcon was so epic! Again – the details! We actually had a good time in line for just under an hour because everything there was to check out. There was even a beverage stand around the halfway point.

“You’ve never heard of the Millennium Falcon? It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.” – Han Solo

When you make it into the building, there’s a speeder to checkout and it sometimes suddenly starts up. Then as you continue on there are windows to look out and see the top of the Millennium Falcon and Galaxy’s Edge beyond. Plus, you can see another space craft on the building opposite of the open area. As you enter the building, you are prepped for the mission by a bit of a theatrical performance. Next you are funneled into tunnels (gotta bust my rhymes LOL). I really felt like I was about to embark through some space station on to the launching area to get into the Millennium Falcon. At some point were were given color coded cards with our mission assignments.

There was a sort of holding area for a few groups at a time who were just about to get on a ship. It seemed like the Millennium Falcom’s big room in the movies. There was even this “chess” table!(I photoshopped in the little critters below.)

Our first ride, my daughter and I were pilots. Our last ride of the night (aka when we literally were shoo’ed out of the park) I got to be a gunner. As a pilot I really felt like I was a bit in control and as a gunner, you really get to shoot stuff. LOVED IT!

“You might want to buckle up, baby.” – Lando Calrissian

Even exiting the ride was entertaining. I thought everyone left the same way but am pretty sure there is more than one way to go through tunnels to get out. Between our two times riding Smuggler’s Run, there wasn’t the same decorations I think. It all made me feel like if the big transport ship really existed, I would be lost on it all the time! LOL

Another favorite thing we did in Galaxy’s Edge was Gia’s Cantina. We waited in line for a little while for this because only so many people are allowed in a time. It was like the bars from Star Wars. We each tried out an out of this world drink. Don’t worry, they have alcohol free or spiked drinks as well. You can also order appetizer type food. Be sure to remember that you might have to hang out standing at the bar or small bartops around the bar. If you are lucky you might get a large “booth” in the cave looking alcoves. Either way, kickback and enjoy the “DJ” mixing up the hits.

“You’ll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” – Obi Wan Kenobi

“I’m relash- relaxing.” – Han Solo

After all of the Galaxy’s Edge fun, my daughter had been asking about getting to go on the rollercoaster Slinky Dog Dash. We past a drink cart on the way out of Star Wars and each got a soda. Let me tell you about the detailing extreme that Disney immerses you in for this amazing park… Even the Coca Cola and Sprite were written in some galactic language in these cool bottles! (My mind was on overload!)

 

Next stop?  Toy Story Land! My husband and our boys had no desire to ride a roller coaster. So my daughter and I stood in line for about an hour to ride Slinky Dog Dash. It was totally worth it! It was a true roller coaster but not terrifying. I loved to getting to ride this with her and have special time together. Walking through the line was super fun seeing all the oversized toys and the packaging/instructions/parts for the roller coaster “toy” we were about to ride on.

Quick note: I love how easy it is to find the bathroom in Toy Story Land! It’s pretty obvious. LOL

Next up, was PizzeRizzo for a late lunch. Just FYI, there is not only dining downstairs indoors and outdoors but there is dining upstairs as well. And in true pizzaria fashion there is a “banquet room” for more seating to use, complete with dance floor upstairs just like ones I remembered seeing visiting family in New Jersey as a kid. Cracks me up that outside the banquet room was bulletin board with fake advertisements and an announcement board for the fake marriage the banquet room to be used for. LOVE IT!

Next up, we shopped down main street on the way to Hollywood Towers Haunted Mansion. All our kids picked out cotton candy and my daughter also got a Mickey balloon. It was big deal! I like how they built the Hollywood Tower on a hill and made it seem even more menacing!

Ooo, all of us went through the line together and it was cool!!!!!!!! It was a little spooky just walking through especially after them prepping us for the ride in the library!

The boys were not at all interested in riding so I went with my daughter. Then my husband and she went back through the very short line and rode it again. We waited outside the exit of the gift store for them and I enjoyed some oh-so-yummy coffee. My energy level was almost depleted, and I was so happy to have this pick me up! 

If Joffrey’s coffee could talk, this is what I think it would whisper sweetly to me. LOL

Now at this point we were down to 1 hour until park closing.

This is where my crazy side of the family background kicked in. *My mom is known for her ability to “pack 10 pounds into a 5 pound sack” worth of sight seeing on vacations. My daughter had talked about how she wanted to ride Rockin’ Rollercoaster for the entire day… and much of our 14 hour drive to Florida.  But we also wanted to try again to get onto Rise of the Resistance which is on the other end of Hollywood Studios. 

So, there was a sign saying the wait for this the Rockin’ Rollercoaster was 35 minutes. We went ahead and got in line and luckily it was more like 15minutes tops! It WAS a rockin’ rollercoaster! It’s indoors, goes upside down, in the dark, and makes you feel like at any moment you’ll run into the neon signs the entire time. So worth it!

Ok, if you are keeping score, you know there was now about 40 minutes left before closing time. We shopped our way up main street on the way back to Galaxy’s Edge. Our poor kids were ready to go, but my husband and I just had to try one more time for Rise of the Resistance.

Kids were whining and being dragged by us, people were leaving the park in droves, and we pressed on…

Ok, that is until we were walking by Star Tours and the “wait time” read like 5 minutes.

How could we pass that up?! 

We walked right in and set in the ride seats! It was like winning the lottery. The kids loved it. Well, that is until we told them we were going back into Galaxy’s Edge. They were sure their little feet were in danger of falling off from all the walking.

It was a no go for Rise of the Resistance. Don’t worry though; I pressed on.

“ Never give up hope, no matter how dark things seem.” – The Clone Wars

There was about 15 minutes until park closing so in my craziness I ran ahead to Smuggler’s Run. My poor family trudged behind as fast as their tired legs would carry them with Daddy herding them along. I made it to the entrance (NO LINE!!!) and out of breath barely asked, “Is, is it still open? Can go in?“

“Someone must’ve told them about my little maneuver at the Battle of Taanab.” – Lando Calrissian

Those sweet members of the rebellion were so kind after a long shift at the park and said Sure! It wasn’t yet closed. I turned around and there was my zombie family creeping to the entrance with me breathily half yelling, “It’s. still. open. OPEN!”

“Never Tell Me The Odds.” – Han Solo

A spark was lit. That ray of hope like the one that kept the rebellion fighting all those years throughout the movies. Like a freshly lit light saber or an igniting engine ready to fight the First Order. Too ridiculous? LOL My kids were so excited to not have to hardly stand in line at all. There were about 10 or stragglers behind us and the door was closed for ride entry. It was like we were the last people to get to leave a dying planet and we were saved! There seems to be a melodrama playing in my head. LOL I so totally enjoyed this last ride of the night! We squeezed about every single second out of our day at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. I couldn’t have asked for a better day. And as we walked through the parking lot back to our car… we could see fireworks going off in the distance…. Perfect!

And the best part about it. This cast member in the picture below made this family photo possible. She deserves a raise and a big hug!!!!!

This is literally one of the best family photos we have ever taken. There’s 5 of us and usually one of us is without fail making a weird face. The whole trip was worth it for this photo! And, of course, the amazing day of memories!

Have you been to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? I’d love to hear about your trip in the comments below. Leave a blog link if you have a post about it!

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