Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge from the Air

I'll tell you in tomorrow's article what Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge really needs to round out the experience and turn it into something that can do battle with Harry Potter's world at Universal Orlando, but for now, take a look at this great photo of the land found in Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's a beautiful shot! You get a great view of Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run as well as all the shops and restaurants in the main portion of the land. In the outback, the entrance to Rise of the Resistance is slightly hidden, only to be easily found by the very long line of visitors who head to Walt Disney World to get the ultimate Star Wars adventure. 

(Photograph by Bioreconstruct.)

Olga's Cantina was Not the First in Disneyland

Given all the publicity, it'd be very easy to think that Oga's Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge would be the very first cantina in the park. This concept art proves otherwise. Frontierland was it's home, and in the days of the rollicking Wild West, there was more than just Slue Foot Sue's Golden Horseshoe to whet the townsfolk's whistle. Now, the truth of the matter is neither place served adult beverages. That honor would first go to New Orleans Square's private Club 33 (where I had the pleasure to dine once with my wife/soon-to-be fiancee).  

In other Disney theme parks, Frontierland is either renamed and/or re-Imagineered. The best version is found in Disneyland Paris. In France, it feels like a real town and not a theme park land. A single IP land if you will long before The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It's bigger, bolder, better, and filled with consistently thematic excursions into the Phantom Manor (a western themed Haunted Mansion) or a journey into the "wildest ride in the wilderness" which has the distinction of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad going under the river and onto an island. Talk about an exciting beginning and end to a classic attraction! And they said it couldn't be done. Imagineer Tony Baxter proved them wrong.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

 

Star Wars:Galaxy's Edge Traveler's Guide

After missing the opening of Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios by a matter of days, our next trip would not be subject to missing out! A year and a few months later- long story - we'd find ourselves back at Walt Disney World with a different daughter and her family. And this time, it meant an opportunity to experience Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge for ourselves!

What you're looking at is the Traveler's Guide that they gave out at the gate. A little waterlogged, but nonetheless, still quite an enjoyable souvenir. Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run was a big hit for everyone but especially the littlest passengers. Oga's Cantina was not to be visited, and we didn't build our own light sabers at Savi's Workshop, but a visit to Droid Depot was a must. The little boys saved their hard earned money to buy one (with a very tiny bit of help.

Rise of the Resistance wasn't open- but it is waiting for us this trip. By God's grace and a dash of pixie dust, here's hoping it happens this coming trip. Based on recent wait times, it may be a reality!

The Unbuilt Star Wars Restaurant

A low capacity hard to maintain E Ticket attraction; one expensive bar with reservations very, very difficult to come by; shops masquerading as two upgraded must do experiences; a new reimagined D Ticket from the classic Tomorrowland simulator; few walk around characters and not enough entertainment...all set in a stunning environment. This is what makes up Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in both US Disney Resorts. Something planned that didn't make the cut at opening was a sit down full service restaurant. Kalikori Club.

This is one piece of concept art from a book being released this week.

Had it been built, you can be sure this would have been just as hard if not harder to get into than Oga's Cantina! Will it ever find its way to Disneyland or Disney's Hollywood Studios? Time will tell.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)