2019 is finally here, and even though Walt Disney World is opening at least a dozen attractions over the next 12 months (a record amount for a year without a new park opening), and there are a LOT of things to be excited about for this new year, the big event of 2019 will of course be the grand opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the new land that is expected to be so popular Walt Disney World had to create a new transportation system just to get guests in and out of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Though Disney hasn’t released a firm opening date for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, here’s everything we know about this new land opening so far:
1. Disneyland is opening Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first, which may take some of the pressure off Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Image: Disney
Though specific dates have not been announced, we do know that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park will be opening first sometime this summer. And while Disneyland may be even less-equipped to handle large crowds than Disney’s Hollywood Studios, if you are planning to visit the east coast version of this upcoming land, Disneyland opening Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first may be a good thing, as guests who want to be among the very first to experience Disney’s most immersive land yet will be heading to Disneyland, the same way those who wanted to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first flocked to Orlando back in 2010.
Though it is certain that things will be crazy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this fall when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge does open at Walt Disney World, Disneyland opening their version of the land first may at least persuade some guests to head west instead of waiting several months for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, hopefully taking some of the pressure off this park
2. Guests will likely be able to pay for guaranteed access to this new land
Image: Disney
It cannot be overstated how much Disney is bracing for what they are expecting to be the biggest single land opening in Walt Disney World’s history late next year. Bookings are not yet available for late 2019 yet, but when they are, you can bet that Disney will be selling as many “add-ons” that guarantee access to this land with paid-for FastPass+ reservations (like those offered to club-level guests now), extra Disney After Hours upcharge events, or bundled packages like the one offered last year for Toy Story Land. Though we don’t have any specific yet, we’re expecting to learn a lot more in the months ahead as Disney prepares for this opening.
3. We will learn a LOT more about the two new rides coming to this land in the next six months
Image: Disney
As mentioned previously, the Disneyland version of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be almost an exact copy of the version of the land that is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which means that we will likely learn a lot more about the two attractions opening in this new land in the next few months, as there won’t be any new information to share once these new rides are open this summer. But here’s what we know so far:
The first confirmed ride for the forthcoming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, a flight simulator ride that allows guests to “take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, on a customized secret mission”.
Interestingly, guests who experience this attraction won’t just be tagging along for a ride (like they currently do on Star Tours) but will actually be piloting the Millennium Falcon themselves! Guests will be able to turn, bank and even fire weapons in this simulation-style experience. When guests enter the attraction they will be able to climb into one of seven pods that seat six riders each. Each pod will be able to rotate 360 degrees, and there will be a LOT of interactive elements all around riders that will affect the experience. According to one of the attraction’s creative directors, there will be 200 buttons, knobs and switches on the inside of the cockpit, each with a specific function.
Image: Disney
And interestingly, many of these interactive elements will be specific to different “jobs” riders will have on the ride, similar to the format for Mission: Space. So, for instance, gunners in the center will have weapons controls while engineers in the back will have buttons and levers related to keeping the ship flying.
And guests will definitely want to do well with their jobs, as those who bring back their bounty and fly the ship expertly without a lot of damage will be able to earn extra Galactic Credits, which will change the way characters in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge interact with them. Conversely, guests who lose the bounty or damage the ship will end up owing money, which will also produce different interactions with characters.
And while the Millennium Falcon ride will use new technology to deliver a thrilling experience the likes of which hasn’t been seen before at a Disney park, the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride will be a more traditional dark ride experience, with a motion base ride vehicle moving through a scene with screens (similar to what guests currently experience at The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure). The ride will put guests in the middle of an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance – including a face-off with Kylo Ren himself. You can check out a video preview featuring both of these new attractions above.
