LOS ANGELES 鈥� 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鈥檚 Edge is an adventure through the grungy planet Batuu where guests can build their own droids and lightsabres, 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.
The sprawling 14-acre land is set on a remote world in the newest Star Wars trilogy 鈥� so don鈥檛 expect appearances by Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader. But some familiar faces including Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren and fan-favourite Chewbacca will be a part of the adventure as visitors explore the immersive world.
Galaxy鈥檚 Edge is set to open this summer at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, then in the fall at Disney鈥檚 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鈥檒l cost more for guests who want to create their own lightsabre or purchase their own droid modelled on R2-D2 or BB-8.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Bob Chapek said guests inside Galaxy鈥檚 Edge will have persistent interaction with Star Wars elements, whether it鈥檚 Stormtroopers barking orders or the up-tempo, swinging music of a grimy cantina that yes, serves Star Wars-themed alcohol.
鈥淵ou will not think you鈥檙e in a theme park,鈥� he said. 鈥淓very cast member will be in character, the food and beverage and language will be in story. The merchandise inside the shops won鈥檛 be in boxes that say Disney on them. Everything is very, very immersive.鈥�
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鈥檚 Edge is still under construction, but its buildings, shops and main attractions are in place. Right now the focus is on 鈥渃osmetics and making sure the equipment is working properly,鈥� said John Larena, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Here are some key features:
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Selfie opportunities will be abundant inside and out of the 鈥渢he fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.鈥� The spaceship is the exact replica of the ship from the films, measuring more than 30 metres 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 hang out in the area where R2-D2 played a round of the holographic chess-like game called Dejarik against Chewbacca in the original film.
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鈥檚 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.
鈥淭hey鈥檒l bark at you,鈥� Larena said. 鈥淭hey might say: 鈥楳ove along, move along. You鈥檙e going into detention.鈥� 鈥�
Resistance guests will be thrown into a detention cell where they could run up against Kylo Ren.
鈥淵ou have to figure your way out of the ship,鈥� Larena said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always a way out.鈥�
Savi鈥檚 workshop
Even though Skywalker, Vader and Yoda won鈥檛 show up in Galaxy鈥檚 Edge, their lightsabres 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 about $109 and the blade costs $49 depending on the type.
Park officials say they understand guests want to enjoy their new lightsabres, but they ask that they remain stowed when on attractions and around crowds for the safety of others.
Droid depot
Who doesn鈥檛 want their own personal R2 unit?
Guests 鈥� for an undisclosed cost 鈥� can either purchase a pre-built droid or build one in the colours of their choosing by picking pieces off a conveyor belt.
They鈥檙e not just pretty to look at. Park official says the droids will be controllable by guests.
Taste of Star Wars
There鈥檚 no such thing as chicken in Galaxy鈥檚 Edge. That鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 60-plus-year history. It鈥檚 the place to come and unwind, but officials say it鈥檚 also known to have some of the most disreputable characters in the galaxy.
And yes, droids are allowed.
Disney Parks mobile app
Galaxy鈥檚 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.
