Black Spire Outpost at Batuu, Galaxy’s Edge

When you enter Galaxy’s Edge you are transported onto the planet of Batuu at the outerlying outpost of Black Spire. In line with Disney storytelling, the sounds immediately reflect one of the forests around and of a busy space port. Sounds of ships flying overhead, the Falcon getting ready to fly and antennas communicating surround you. It feels like you are walking into a movie set. We have been to Tokyo Disney Sea and the feel of this land feels similar – the details are from floor to ceiling, seriously – look up!

As a Star Wars fan since the age of 8, I have long enjoyed the story of Star Wars. I have imagined the galaxy and played “light sabers” (sticks) with my friends. I can recall talking about the “new movies coming when I am older” – aka the Episode 1, 2 and 3 – and watching them in the theater. In fact, my family dressed as Star Wars characters for Star Wars night in 2018. Since the age of 1, the littlest one knew BB-8 and R2D2. Experiencing Galaxy’s Edge was, pardon the pun, out of this world.

When it was announced that Star Wars Land was coming to Disneyland and Disney World, I was excited but admittedly worried about the aesthetic of the land meshing with the rest of the park. I mean, what is you are a Disney family without being a Star Wars fan? And the break from Disneyland tradition with the addition of alcohol being served (gasp!). Without a doubt, they made sure the land fits right in. The rock formations of the outpost fit along with Frontierland and there is tree cover that you don’t feel a incongruity between the two worlds. The reason for the addition of alcohol is that what self-respecting space port wouldn’t have a cantina in it – Disney’s team wanted to continue the fluidity of the story.

Rides

Smuggler’s Run: The anchor attraction of riding in the Millennium Falcon was so much more than I expected. There are 6 seats when you arrive at the cockpit – two pilots, two gunners and two engineers. You will be handed a card with your job position on it, read the card. Yes, you will be distracted by the amazing ship around you, but you need to know what your job is to avoid crashing!

Rise of the Resistance ride is coming later in 2019. We don’t know much about it except that you will be part of the resistance and your ship will be captured by the First Order! Watch out for Kylo Ren! The ride sounds like a Universe of Energy meets Disneyland Paris’ Ratatouille ride with an individual car vehicle, but time will tell!

Black Spire Outpost

Stop in the Marketplace, and make sure to stop in all the shops. There is a toy shop and a pet shop, outfitters and trinket shop. The toy shop has artisan-style toys representing the creatures that have passed through this now scoundrel-filled outpost. The pet shop has galactic creatures of all kinds up for adoption! Make sure to check out the sleeping loth-kitty, the mini tauntauns, kowakian monkey lizards and so many more! There is a hidden Resistance outfitter with gear needed for all younglings and Jedis and a First Order shop that would even make the Supreme Leader Kylo Ren happy.

The Droid Depot is for making all things droid! You can make your R series or BB series custom droid for $99.99 with many accessories available. Pre-built droids are also for purchase. If you want a full-size R2-D2 unit, that will set you back $25,000 credits.  The cast members also shared that droids will interact with each other in the land as well as the environment around them. This added touch of interaction is a nod to the innovative technology of Galaxy’s Edge. The depot may require reservations, depending on the level of business (wc) while there.

Take in everything at Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. If you are a Star Wars fan you will recognize “antiques” from the Star Wars movies. The necklace that Leia worse is

Savi’s Workshop is where you can build a custom light saber. Reservations are required to build a light saber, dependent on the crowd level, but will provide a unique experience. Four hilts are up for choice and you select the kyber crystal (what powers the light saber) you want as well. The price tag of $200 prevented us from going in, but it was fun to see others wield their light sabers when the Stormtroopers came by for inspections.

Food

No space port, no matter how remote, would be without its food fare. There are many options on places to eat – read in detail about it here.

Disney Parks Play App

Do yourself a favor and download the Disney Parks Play App before you visit Galaxy’s Edge. The app adds a whole other level of interaction with the land around you. From the Millennium Falcon line queue to all around the outpost, there are dataports, droids and more that you can interact with from the app.  The Datapad has four functions: hack, translate, scan and tune. Hack into droids or dataports to help the Resistance hid from the First Order or help the First Order spy on the Resistance! Use the translate function to interpret alien language throughout the port. Scan containers to determine their cargo. Tune into conversations and communications to learn more about the story of the inhabitants of the post. We could have kept playing for hours! This is going to add another layer of detail and story-telling like no other previously experienced game play on the Disney Parks Play App.

MilMomAdventure Tips

• Utilize Mobile Ordering where you can. Utilizing mobile ordering will allow for expedient service so you can enjoy all the food the outpost has to offer.
• Use the app to check on reservation ability of Savi’s Workshop to build a lightsaber.
• Download the Disney Parks Play app before you enter the land. Check out your profile and equipment before entering the land and prepare to interact wherever you go.
• There will be lines, but utilizing the app will allow you to interact with the land, enjoy the sights, sounds and smells.

Will you visit Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland or Disney World? It opens in Disney World August 29, 2019! Will you enjoy the lesser crowds in Disneyland? Or maybe wait a few years for the crowd levels to dissipate? Let us know! Check our Instagram highlight to see even more pictures and video from the land!