Star Wars’s Galaxy’s Edge Is My New Home
Today we FINALLY got to experience Star Wars Galaxy's Edge and it was everything I dreamed of and more! Before I take you through my thoughts, let me take you back to reservation day.
The game plan was set and 4 of us were trying to get tickets. I arrived at work 2 HOURS early and told my boss "listen, I am here to secure Star Wars reservations and I will be focused on that until I am victorious!". She totally understood because there are 3 fandoms you do NOT want to mess with: Star Wars, Marvel or The BeyHive. (Yes, I am a card-carrying member of all 3)
I was on a 4-way call, site ready, and everyone was logged in to their Disneyland account online. The site went live, and it was frantic city as we refreshed and refreshed then finally, I got into a waiting room! We decided Sunday June 2nd would be the day we go, 8am sharp! We agreed, submitted the request then set time aside to plan that day; 5:30am departure time, 6:30am check in, mobile order Starbucks at Downtown Disney- the plan was set.
This morning, we all met up and left at 5:30am sharp, playing the Star Wars soundtrack by John Williams the entire way and between travel, parking and Starbucks we entered the park gates at about 6:45am. There were signs everywhere to guide people to check in, which was located in Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland. The check in process was very strict, which I appreciated since this was an exclusive event. We showed our I.D.s and received wristbands that had to be scanned TWICE upon exit. We rushed out and stood in a large crowd near Finding Nemo’s Submarine Voyage until 7:45am, at which time we were led over to the lands entrance at Big Thunder Ranch until land opening. At 8am cast members led a countdown, everyone cheered, and people cried as we were ushered into a whole new world- literally.
Star Wars Galaxy's Edge is set inside the Black Spire Outpost village, on the remote frontier planet of Batuu and that’s exactly where it feels like you are. Jaws were dropped and tears were shed as we entered a land we have been waiting to enter for 4 years. The music that softly plays (of course composed by John Williams I was told by a cast member) lets you know that you are no longer at Disneyland in California, but are now a citizen of Batuu and there are 2 choices- join the Resistance or The First Order. We entered on the side of The First Order- Stormtroopers kept watch on rooftops and I just melted away. Every detail of the land is mesmerizing which is why we were walking slow and in a daze. The architecture and design of each building is so detailed that we had to remember: keep moving because we only have 4 hours to experience this. We passed Olga's Cantina (the line was already at capacity the first 10min) and made plans to return on a future date to experience it and then, we were stopped dead in our tracks.
There she stood. The Millennium Falcon in all her glory. She who made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs stood before us bigger than life and we could do was gasp. Saying this ship is massive is a disrespectful understatement. This ship should have a land all on its own and the fact that we could pilot it was a dream come true for every generation.
Strolling through the area where the shops are was exquisite but I was only there for a second because out of the corner of my eye I saw a dark shadow approach me. There he was- Kylo Ren strolling by escorted by 2 Stormtroopers approached me in all of their Dark Side glory and it was all I could do not to faint. Kylo asked what I was typing into my data pad (cell phone) and told the Stormtroopers to keep a close eye on me just in case I tried to alert the Resistance and just like that he was gone and my day was MADE!. The line to build droids and lightsabers reached capacity as well so we strolled along where the next attraction, Rise of the Resistance will be. We ran into Rey and Chewie and Rey told us the quickest way to escape the First Order and rendezvous with the rest of the Resistance Fighters while Chewie went to try and fix something on a life size X- Wing.
The beautiful thing about this land is that it’s so immersive. There are no character meet and greets or photo ops. The land carries on as if you are a visitor. Each character has a place, a theme and a lingo that you are just lucky enough to bear witness to. There is a language you have to learn as well and so far, this is all I know:
Bright Suns-/Rising Moons- Good Morning/ Good Evening
Til’ the Spire/ May The Spires Keep You- Farewell
Data Pad- cell phone
Ignite the Spark- greeting of the Resistance
Light the Fire- Callback response to Ignite the Spark
As we exited the land we were disoriented. The air changed. The temperature changed; it got colder. It felt like we were coming back down to earth. Back to reality. We actually did not know where we were. What time was it? What day was it? Where is Main St.? Nine year passholders were dazed and confused of our surroundings because the land that Walt Disney Imagineering and the Lucasfilm Story Group created transported us to a familiar place we all know and love. To "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...."
