Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been a huge hit with fans and parkgoers alike since it opened its doors at both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This themed land offers eateries, stores, characters, props and two signature attractions, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
And at Walt Disney World, next year will see the arrival of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a two-night interactive experience that immerses guests into their very own faraway galaxy experience. So, with Star Wars constantly evolving – both in and out of Disney World – what other new experiences might we get?
Here’s what Star Wars fans are hoping to see from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge version 2.0!
1. More Character Experiences
It’s fair to say that Character Experiences are running a little thin at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lately, which is largely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Ever since Character Greetings were indefinitely put on hold, guests haven’t really been able to enjoy seeing their favorite heroes in the same ways they were used to previously. And while there are still a number of ways for you to see some Star Wars characters at the themed land, we think it’s high time that Disney World steps things up a bit and makes this a priority going forward.
Currently, you can see quite a few characters here and there, whether it’s the likes of Dok-Ondar at his antique store, or in-ride characters on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, such as Rey Skywalker, BB-8, Poe Dameron, General Hux, and Kylo Ren. And while we understand that the land is themed around the sequel trilogy era (something we’ll also touch upon in this article), the Star Wars universe is teeming with characters, so there’s really no excuse for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge not to follow suit!
2. A New Attraction
While it’s only been just under three years since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first opened, we think it’s already time for a new attraction – even if there are others outside the themed land such as Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. Let’s face it, a Star Wars-themed land should have more than just two attractions, and though we also appreciate that churning out such experiences isn’t easy, the themed land needs to be a bit more ambitious!
Sure, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is coming up, but that’s not really an attraction. So what else could there be in the world of Batuu? Well, take your pick! Again, we must remind ourselves that this world orbits the Star Wars sequel trilogy era, but there are still plenty of moments throughout The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker that could be adapted into the themed land!
3. Pre-Sequel Trilogy Star Wars Eras
What we really think is holding Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge back from being spectacular is the fact that it’s set within – or around – the Star Wars sequel trilogy era, which, in a way, is very limited. For starters, it’s set 30 years after the original trilogy ends, and is the farthest point along the Star Wars timeline we’ve been. This means that because it’s ‘canon’ (as canon as a themed land can be, of course), there’s no room for other Star Wars characters or experiences from other eras.
But what if there was? Think about it – the faraway galaxy would be your oyster! The themed land could incorporate the Clone Wars (or prequel trilogy) era, the reign of the Galactic Empire (which would cover Star Wars: Rebels and the original trilogy), and post-original trilogy shows such as The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka and beyond! While no doubt a trendy move, the fact that the themed land has glued itself to what is considered the least iconic portion of the timeline is pretty baffling to say the least.
4. More Entertainment Around Batuu
As well as characters, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is also running pretty short on experiences. That’s not to suggest there’s nothing to do around Batuu – that would simply be untrue. After all, there’s the Star Wars: Datapad, but for a remote trading outpost that’s supposed to exude a sort of hustle-and-bustle vibe, sometimes it feels a little flat (in fact, if it wasn’t for the guests, it would look pretty short on life altogether!).
So how could this be remedied? Well, for starters, we think there should be more ‘locals’ to fill the streets, to give it the impression that it’s a world that’s living and breathing – which is what was promised from the start. But more importantly, a number of Star Wars-themed experiences wouldn’t hurt, either. Whether it’s a band, a new version of the Jedi Training Academy, First Order troopers pursuing fugitives, lightsaber duels or other action-packed events, we’re sure guests wouldn’t complain about seeing Batuu brought to life in new ways!
