California

New Disney Area to Immerse Parkgoers in a Star Wars Story

Galaxy's Edge is set to open this summer at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, then in the fall at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.

The world of Star Wars is coming from a galaxy far, far away to become the largest single-themed land created in a Disney park.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is an adventure through the grungy planet Batuu where guests can build their own droids and lightsabers, interact with aliens and climb into the cockpit of the massive Millennium Falcon, where you will discover your mission and engage in a dogfight with Tie Fighters.

©2019 Disney Enterprises, Inc./Lucasfilm Ltd.
Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers – Guests come to the workshop to meet with the Gatherers – a secretive group of people who have dedicated their lives to restoring balance in the galaxy by passing on their knowledge of Jedi lore and the Force. The workshop Master guides guests to customize and build their own unique lightsabers, and instructs them on the ways of the Jedi.

The sprawling 14-acre land is set on a remote world in the newest "Star Wars" trilogy — so don't expect appearances by Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader. But some familiar faces including Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren and fan-favorite Chewbacca will be a part of the adventure as visitors explore the immersive world.

Galaxy's Edge is set to open this summer at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, then in the fall at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. The lands at both parks are nearly identical and offer a mix of trading outposts, a cantina and even a wooded area where Resistance fighters have set up camp. Entry is included with a park ticket, but it'll cost more for guests who want to create their own lightsaber or purchase their own droid modeled on R2-D2 or BB-8.

TELEMUNDO 40
Ronto Roasters – A recycled podracing engine fires up a spit of exotic meats, meticulously turned by a former smelter droid, 8D-J8. Guests can even sample some of the tasty Ronto fare.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Bob Chapek said guests inside Galaxy's Edge will have persistent interaction with Star Wars elements, whether it's Stormtroopers barking orders or the up-tempo, swinging music of a grimy cantina that yes, serves Star Wars-themed alcohol.

"You will not think you're in a theme park," he said. "Every cast member will be in character, the food and beverage and language will be in story. The merchandise inside the shops won't be in boxes that say Disney on them. Everything is very, very immersive."

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Aerial views show the progress of construction at Disneyland and Disney World's Star Wars Land sites.
Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek shared new details and a glimpse inside the two attractions planed for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge coming to both Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif. and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Fla. in 2019.
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So. Close. Disneyland's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is so close to opening! The park, set to dazzle the world in Summer 2019, is seen here in these aerial images Feb. 22, 2019. Continue viewing this gallery to see how construction looked as progress was made over the past year.
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NearMap flew over the soon-to-be open Star Wars land, snapping these aerial images, Feb. 22, 2019.
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If you want to check out more photos just released of costumes, merchandise, adult-only beverages and more, check out this brand new gallery.
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A view of the construction progress at Star Wars Land at the Anaheim, California, Disneyland park in March 2018.
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A view of the construction progress at Star Wars Land at the Anaheim, California, Disneyland park in March 2018.
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A view of the construction progress at Star Wars Land at the Anaheim, California, Disneyland park in March 2018.
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A view of the construction progress at Star Wars Land at the Anaheim, California, Disneyland park in March 2018.
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A view of the construction progress at Star Wars Land at the Anaheim, California, Disneyland park in March 2018.
Disney Parks Blog
"Another part of this longtime construction tradition is when signatures are placed on the steel beam, and for this topping out every Disneyland Resort cast member was invited to take part!" - Disney Parks Blog
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An earlier aerial view of Star Wars land. This is the east view of the Millennium Falcon area from November 2017.
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This is a north aerial view of the entire Star Wars land site from November 2017.
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This is the north view of the Millennium Falcon area from November 2017.
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This is the north view of Star Wars land from above in November 2017.
What the land may look like when all is said and done in 2019.
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Another northern view of Star Wars land.
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This is a north view of Star Wars Land.
Disney Parks Blog
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This is a south view of Star Wars Land.
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Aerial shots of the south view of Disneyland's upcoming Star Wars Land.
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Aerial shots of Disneyland's upcoming Star Wars Land. This is the west view of the Millennium Falcon area.
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East view of Star Wars Land.
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South view of Millennium Falcon area.
Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek shared new details and a glimpse inside the two attractions planed for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge coming to both Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif. and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Fla. in 2019.
NearMap
New images from May 30, 2018 show the progress of the new Star Wars land at Disney World in Florida.
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New aerial images from May 30, 2018 show the progress of the new Star Wars land at Disney World in Florida.
Progress continues on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Walt Disney World Resort.
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Aerial view of Disney World's Star Wars land as construction is underway for a 2019 debut. Here we see the east view zoomed in.
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A northern view.
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Aerial view of Disney World's Star Wars land as construction is underway for a 2019 debut.
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A south view.
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A zoomed in shot of the south view.
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Aerial view of Disney World's Star Wars land as construction is underway for a 2019 debut.
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Aerial view of Disney World's Star Wars land as construction is underway for a 2019 debut.
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Aerial view of Disney World's Star Wars land as construction is underway for a 2019 debut.
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A western view.
Disney Parks Blog
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You can even see Rex the dinosaur.
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Coming Summer 2018, Toy Story land at Disney World is well underway. Here's an eastern view.
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A north view.
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Coming Summer 2018, Toy Story land at Disney World is well underway.
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An eastern view.
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Coming Summer 2018, Toy Story land at Disney World is well underway.
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A west-facing aerial view.
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Coming Summer 2018, Toy Story land at Disney World is well underway.

In a behind-the-scenes look, park officials took The Associated Press on a tour of Batuu, an uncharted region of lush trees and spires. The land is also filled with smugglers and traders hoping to avoid the First Order, the successor of the evil Galactic Empire.

Galaxy's Edge is still under construction, but its buildings, shops and main attractions are in place. Right now the focus is on "cosmetics and making sure the equipment is working properly," said John Larena, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering.

Here are some of the land's key features:

MILLENNIUM FALCON: SMUGGLERS RUN
Selfie opportunities will be abundant inside and out of the "the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy." The spaceship is the exact replica of the ship from the films, measuring more than 100 feet long.

Inside the cockpit, a team of six people operate the spacecraft during an interactive experience that, just like the movies, that will get a little bumpy. An encounter with First Order fighters put guests in the role of pilots, gunners or flight engineers to ensure their mission is completed.

While others wait their turn, they will walk the halls of the Falcon or hangout in the area where R2-D2 played a round of the holographic chess-like game called Dejarik against Chewbacca in the original film.

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RISE OF THE RESISTANCE
This is where it gets real. On a full-size starship, guests play as new Resistance recruits and go on a journey. A hologram image of Rey will appear with a message before guests board their ship and take off from Batuu and head into the orbit.

But the starship runs into some trouble: It's intercepted by a nearby Star Destroyer. This sets up a climactic battle against military members of the First Order, who will probably give you a piece of their mind.

"They'll bark at you," Larena said. "They might say 'Move along, move along. You're going into detention."

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Resistance guests will be thrown into a detention cell where they could run up against Kylo Ren.

"You have to figure your way out of the ship," Larena said. "There's always a way out."

SAVI'S WORKSHOP
Even though Skywalker, Vader and Yoda won't show up in "Galaxy's Edge," their lightsabers will. Guests will be able to purchase their popular weapon or hand-build their own. Bring plenty of credits: the price for the hilt is around $109 and the blade costs $49 depending on the type.

Park officials say they understand guests want to enjoy their new lightsabers, but they ask that they remain stowed when on attractions and around crowds for the safety of others.

DROID DEPOT
Who doesn't want their own personal R2 unit?

Guests — for an undisclosed cost — can either purchase a pre-built droid or build one in the colors of their choosing by picking pieces off a conveyor belt.

They're not just pretty to look at. Park official says the droids will be controllable by guests.

TASTE OF STAR WARS
There's no such thing as chicken in "Galaxy's Edge." That's Tip Yip, and the cornbread that you might eat with it is blue, gravy is green and cauliflower is orange.

Much of the food is plant based with dairy-free mash potatoes and vegan meatballs.

OGA'S CANTINA
While talkative DJ R-3X spins music, bartenders pour beverages.

The cantina will be the first location to serve alcohol to the general public in Disneyland's 60-plus year history. It's the place to come and unwind, but officials say it's also known to have some of the most disreputable characters in the galaxy.

And yes, droids are allowed.

PLAY DISNEY PARKS MOBILE APP
Galaxy's Edge is the first land within a Disney park designed to integrate with the app. It can help translate Star Wars languages and scan crates to discover contents within them. The app can also be used to interact with droids, media screens, door panels and drinking fountains.

Copyright The Associated Press
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