It’s not every day that a whole new land opens at the Disneyland Resort! So with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge this month, there’s a lot of information to take in. I’m assuming that by this point you’ve probably read this fantastic overview of what to expect in Disneyland’s newest land. But there’s still so much more to know! So I figured you could use some specific Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge tips.
I’ve scoured the interweb to figure out some of the biggest questions people might be asking about, and how to answer them.
These are the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge tips you’re looking for….
#1 – How does the advance reservation system actually work? And how will they get people out of the land when their 4 hour time slot is over?
This is something I’ve been wondering about ever since they announced that Galaxy’s Edge visitors would be required to have a free advance reservation for at least the first month the land will be open. While these no-cost online reservations ran out within 2 hours, you can still make a free reservation if you’re a guest staying at one of the three official Disneyland Resort hotels. (Click here to read more about that and to book a hotel on the official Disneyland Resort website).
According to this LA Times article, upon checking in for your reserved time slot, visitors will received a color-coded wristband which you’ll need to keep on while you’re inside Galaxy’s Edge. Once your 4 hour time slot is up, Cast Members will start directing guests wearing the expired color wristband to the land’s exits. Rumor has it there will be Storm Troopers on hand to help clear the tardy folks out so that the new wave of guests can enter!
#2 – How do I get to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge from inside Disneyland?
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all take our pod racers straight from the parking garage to Galaxy’s Edge? Unless you know the secret to hovercraft technology, you’ll have to do the Imperial March from the main entrance like the rest of us.
There are THREE entry points to this new land within the Disneyland park. It borders Critter Country (where Splash Mountain is located), Frontierland (home of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad), and Fantasyland (Dumbo, and where dreams come true).
Here’s one of my hottest Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge tips: Assuming there are no parades and that all walkways are equally crowded, it appears that the shortest route from the main entrance turnstiles to Galaxy’s Edge is through Frontierland.
You can view the interactive park map on the Disneyland Resort website here. Or download the Disneyland app to view it on your smart phone!
#3 – Can I dress up as my favorite STAR WARS character for my visit?
If you’ve been to D23, the convention for Disney fans, or Comic-Con, you’re probably used to seeing folks dressed up as their favorite characters or maybe you’ve even done so yourself (if so, please share pix, we’d love to see!). I am a big fan of playing dress up, and even wrote this post about making my own Princess Leia costume out of an old bedsheet (and yes, believe it or not, it looked awesome!).
That said, the answer to this question is yes AND no. Yes, according to Disneyland Resort Rules, you may wear a costume if you are a child 13 years old or younger. No, you may not dress up as a character if you’re 14 years old or older, and that includes masks.
An alternative to wearing a character costume is Disney Bounding.
This is a fun new trend where you wear normal clothes but in colors or shapes reminiscent of a film character. Like red and white polka dots for Minnie Mouse. One of my favorite Disney Bounders to follow online is Blogger Red Head Baby Mama. Check out this adorable Captain Marvel outfit she wore recently!
#4 – I’m a foodie. What are the must-eat items there?
The food in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge promises to be epic! Not only will it be brand new items never served in a Disney park before, but the offerings will also be literally from another planet. Early images reveal that they will be modern recipes that are gorgeously plated, just like the food in Pandora’s Satu’ili Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park in Florida.
Menus for the two quick service restaurants have been released, and there are some pretty out-of-this-world items! I’m very curious to try the Ithorian Garden Loaf, which is a plant-based meatloaf with roasted potato mash and seasonal vegetables. The Roasted Endorian Tip-Yip Salad – marinated chicken, mixed greens, roasted seasonal vegetables, quinoa, and pumpkin seeds, tossed in green curry ranch dressing also sounds quite tempting.
Over on the kid’s menu for Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, there’s a dish called A Taste of Takodana which comes with, among other items, edible soil! My son is going to love that.
If you’re a snack food fan, then you have to try the Outpost Popcorn Mix (a colorful blend of sweet and spicy popped corn) at Kat Saka’s Kernels.
But if you can only try one item in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it has to be…the blue milk.
Over at Oga’s Cantina, you can order up blue milk with a Bantha-inspired Vanilla-Butter Sugar Cookie. Oga’s Cantina also serves alcohol and a variety of drinks with very punny Star Wars names. My top pick from the list? The Jedi Mind Trick (Ketel One botanical grapefruit & rose vodka, John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum, Bols Blue Curaçao, white grape juice, lime juice, and grapefruit bitters).
#5 – Will they offer Disneyland Annual Passholder discounts on merchandise and food there?
Unfortunately, it appears that no Annual Passholder discounts are being offered at this time at food and drink locations within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land. This is typical Disney protocol especially for food carts. Over at newly opened Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland for example, Annual Passholder discounts are also not being offered. Perhaps that’ll change as time passes.
In terms of merchandise, the custom lightsabers and custom droids which are sure to be a hot item for Disney fans are also not eligible for AP discounts. However, other unique STAR WARS products at the Droid Depot, as well as items at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities and Black Spire Outfitters, are eligible for AP discounts, so be sure to ask for one at check out!
Have more Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge questions? Please let me know in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them for you!
