Opening Day at Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios

I can’t believe I’m able to say this, but we were there for opening day of Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

After watching coverage of Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, we were excited. We were from the generation that grew up on Episodes IV, V, and VI… how could we not be?

So we did something a little crazy… we made an impulse decision and booked our trip!

Transportation

We chose to stay at Disney’s Yacht Club so we could walk to Hollywood Studios.

It was the best choice we could have made!

Rope Drop

I read that the official opening time was 6:00AM, but then we began hearing rumors from other guests that the true opening time would be 4:00AM.

We had to plan for it (just in case), so we prepared for a 4:00AM rope drop.

Yes, 4:00AM!

I think we got maybe 3 hours of sleep. By 3:45AM, we had lined up outside of Hollywood Studios… along with thousands of other people who had clearly also heard this rumor! We were fairly close to the front of the crowd, though, and we were optimistic.

Is this the worst place we could spend the next two hours if we had to?

Nah.

We received a Galactic Guide upon arrival.

Then it happened. Just after 4:00AM, they let us in!

They pulsed us back, stopping us on Hollywood Boulevard. After that, we stopped again just before reaching Batuu.

I was a bit nervous, even though the cast members managed the crowds well. I could just feel everyone’s excitement! We stayed to the far right, mindful of the curb all the way down.

Then they let us in! Once we entered Galaxy’s Edge, our focus was singular. First, we made a beeline for the Millennium Falcon.

The Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

At its core, Smuggler’s Run is an interactive version of Star Tours. You’re not just a passenger on this mission; you’re a pilot, a gunner, or an engineer and your job dictates your team’s experience (and for those of you into that sort of thing, your score).

The queue is beautiful. Aurebesh is everywhere! The aged exterior of high-tech world looks natural, true to Star Wars.

Hondo is definitely the highlight, though. Do audio animatronics have model numbers like Terminators? If so, he’s the T-1000, on par with Jack Sparrow or even the Na’vi shaman.

This little guy is easy to miss. He’s to Hondo’s left and you can only catch his face when he turns just right!

The Millennium Falcon can hold six at a time. We each received a color-coded card that assigns the participant a position. After that, we had a chance to poke around the interior of the Falcon with other teams!

The Experience

I was an engineer.

They called our team and we boarded the Falcon. Engineers are responsible for repairs and tow cables. I listened to Hondo’s instructions and did my best, pushing the buttons and flipping the switches as I was instructed!

I had fun, but I did feel like I missed a lot of the action up front. The pilots and gunners had a very different level of engagement. The engineers didn’t need to work as consistently. (On future trips, this is the job I’ll give my youngest kids!)

This all adds to the rerideability of the attraction. On future visits, I’ll hope for a gunner or pilot spot!

I also didn’t have any issues with motion sickness, as I sometimes do, and this is probably because I wasn’t at the front of the cockpit and my attention was on my own tasks.

Not today, though.

I was grateful we got in when we did!

Batuu

Next, we explored the land a little bit. Rope dropping at 4:00AM had an unexpected benefit. Without having to return or stay until nightfall, we were still able to experience Batuu in the dark and light!

The photos don’t do it justice. It was gorgeous!

Seriously, the details in this land really are so well done. I took several pictures of the landscapes, lighting, walls, signage, tiles, designed wear and tear… everything!

The Cast Members

After we walked around a bit, I was chatting with a particularly friendly resident of Batuu, explaining that we’d done some work for Hondo (Smuggler’s Run). “Oh!” I said, gesturing at her name tag, “Your hometown isn’t listed. Where are you from?”

She gave me a funny look and I thought I had missed something in the conversation. “Well,” she said, “I’m from Batuu.”

I had to laugh. She did, too! Cast members are one hundred percent in character! They have also chosen a side (First Order or Resistance) and react accordingly when you interact or when stormtroopers are present.

Oga’s Cantina

Next, we visited Oga’s Cantina! Yes, I’m cheesing a bit in this pic, waiting to order. I still can’t believe we are here!

Though we didn’t have reservations, we waited in line and were in Oga’s, drinks in hand by 6:00AM, “it’s 5:00 somewhere” jokes abound. (Seriously, it was just 5:00AM there!)

We were able to get in, have our drinks and food, take a good look around, and get out well within the time limit they gave us.

Oga’s Cantina limited all visitors to one drink because of the opening day crowds. I had the Fuzzy Tauntaun, which is basically a fuzzy navel (heavy on the peach) with foam. The ingredients are Cîroc Peach Vodka, Bols Peach Schnapps, Simply Orange with Tangerine, pure can sugar, and “Buzz Button Tingling Foam.”

It was light and delicious, not too heavy for that early in the morning.

The foam’s effect was subtle, but fun. I’ve heard it described as a numbing sensation. My experience was definitely more tingle and not at all unpleasant.

After that, I ordered the Mustafarian Lava Roll, described on the menu as “sweet galactic delight.”

Well, it was! It was a flaky pastry roll, covered in a swirl of red berry sauce and crushed Oreos. I’m a sucker for pastries, but this one was particularly good!

The Carbon Freeze (sorry, Han) is a passion fruit bubble tea with dry ice action! I caught a video of someone else’s while at the bar.

DJ R-3X (DJ Rex) provides music that sets the atmosphere. It’s actually really good, too! Perhaps he has finally found his calling.

Certainly this show makes Oga’s worth the stop, even if you aren’t having a drink!

Star Wars Datapad

Our favorite way get into the spirit of the land (and kill time in line) was the Star Wars Datapad. It’s one of the games in the Play Disney Parks app and has several fun features.

First we used it to hack into the these droids! They each did something different.

Next, we completed jobs (simple puzzles). In order to do so, we also had to declare our support for either the Resistance or First Order.

Also, the translator could read Aurebesh!

Everything Else

You’ve probably heard that you can craft your own light sabers or build your own droids in Batuu. We didn’t do either, but they did let us peek inside both shops when we asked politely.

The Toydarian Toymaker shop was my favorite souvenir stop. (How can you beat this little plush Lando?)

There truly was not enough time to explore the entire land in one day. However, we tried, clocking in over 30,000 steps!

Next time, we’ll do our best to see the rest. We’re already planning the next trip!

Update: The Rise of the Resistance

The Rise of the Resistance didn’t open with the rest of Galaxy’s Edge. As a result, we didn’t get the chance to experience this attraction on Opening Day.

Boarding passes are required for this attraction. They work like a reservation, though the time is randomly assigned to your party. This process minimizes the time spent in the queue and crowding near the entrance.

Our family of five secured a boarding pass at 7:00AM on the dot!

With an estimated return (time until boarding), we got on the attraction around 1:00PM.

I usually watch all of the ride-through videos I can get my hands on, but in this case, I wanted to preserve the novelty. I wanted my first experience of the attraction to be on the attraction, so aside from a few promo shots, I didn’t know what we were getting into!

Well, it took a year and a half, but I’m happy to report that the attraction is worth all the hype. It was amazing! I won’t spoil it for you except to say that it’s long, ever-changing, and full of Disney magic.

Plan Your Visit

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
351 South Studio Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
407-939-5277