Grandparent’s Guide To Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Our Grandparent’s Guide to Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. With Batuu now open at Disneyland and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, now more than ever is the time to take the family on a grand trip.

Having made the journey to Batuu several times now, I can absolutely, positively, 100% say that this is by far beyond anything that Disney has ever created. From the moment you step foot into this out of this world new land, the outside world fades away and you are in every way that matters, transported to the world of Batuu but first you’ll need our Grandparent’s Guide To Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

The best part this land was created for both the young and the young at heart with something for everyone no matter what the age and even if you know nothing of Star Wars, you will still find yourself completely entranced with this new wondrous world.  Taking the grandkids and sharing new experiences is always the best part of being a grandparent so we put together just a few tips we learned along the way to make your trip to Galaxy’s Edge memorable for all the right reasons.

PUT THE CAMERA AWAY

Yep you heard me right-put the camera away! I am guilty of being so busy trying to capture all of these magical moments, that in doing so, I’ve missed so many magical moments. I hereby give you permission NOT to document every single moment. Confession, my first two visits to the Black Spire Outpost I did not take my camera out even once and it was such a freeing experience. Worried about missing that perfect moment? Our Grandparent’s Guide will show you how you can still capture the moment. 

Don’t be because the incredible Disney PhotoPass People have got you covered. With Disney photographers throughout the Land, take advantage of their skills plus the PhotoPass card makes a great free souvenir. The best part, is when you let Disney take the picture, everyone-even you-are in the picture and that’s magic at its very best.

Character Interaction At Its Very Best

The interaction with the local residents of Batuu is the best we have ever experienced and you never know who’ll you run into just around the next corner.

From seeing Chewbacca working on the X-Wing fighter or out playing hide and seek with the kids, to the Stormtroopers and Kylo Ren in search of those that may not be loyal, this is Disney storytelling at its very best.

The one thing I loved is that as intimidating as Kylo Ren has been known to be when I’ve met him at Launch Bay in the past, to the point where my youngest granddaughter was more than a little uncertain of what she was facing, this is almost a “kinder, gentler” version who still is commanding but not in such

a way that terrifies the guests but make no mistake-he’s still in charge and he will let you know it and those you meet along the way make you feel that you truly are a resident of Batuu and seeing and talking to a Wookie is a perfectly normal everyday occurrence-because here, it is.

More often than not, the local inhabitants of the Black Spire Outpost have a very helpful Disney PhotoPass photographer with them to capture all those magical moments for you.

How To Navigate The Crowds

The biggest fear we had taking the grandkids once Galaxy’s Edge was open without the reservation system was having to deal with ginormous crowds, endless waits and not being able to navigate the throngs of people we imagined that would be descending on this new world but guess what-the boarding groups work!

As much detail was put into the storytelling and theming of this all-new land, there was even more put into how to help guests truly enjoy their stay on Batuu without having to wait hours for everything.  Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is uniquely designed to disperse the crowds, ease the flow and not once did I ever feel I was surrounded by a sea of humanity.

With summer vacation upon, the Star Wars Celebration coming to Anaheim, and the much-anticipated opening of Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, this may change over the summer, but the plans they have in place WORK!

If fear of crowds is keeping you home-don’t let it. This is the first land truly designed to maximize the guest experience so you never once feel as though all you’re doing is waiting.

Navigating The Land-It’s Easy To Lose Your Way

Batuu, like any other planet, is big and by big, we mean REALLY BIG! It is designed with twists and turns and levels and alleyways and outposts all which help to bring the storytelling to life-which also means that it is also relatively easy to lose your way or have the family go left and you go right.

Unlike most of the other Lands that you are used to in the Disney Parks, there is no one central, easy to find iconic landmark such as Slinky Dog Coaster in Toy Story Land or the Floating Mountains in Pandora-The World of Avatar because while yes the centerpiece of Galaxy’s Edge is

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, you have to be able to find it first and that may take a visit or two to finally become accustomed to the layout that makes this the most unique land that Disney has ever brought to life-even I had issues figuring out how to get back to the Falcon the first few visits. Add into the mix that many of the Cast Members are indeed part of the exquisite storytelling and look like any

other resident you’d expect to find inhabiting a galaxy far, far away and with so many guests who have gone above and beyond when it comes to their DisneyBounding choices, well it’s quite easy to get turned around.

Like any parent or grandparent, you’ll know to go over the “what to do if we get separated’ plan many times and once again while you’re in there but we found other than the reminders to kids-and the

grown-ups- “to stay in one place and we will come to find you” and that the easiest place to find as it was the most centrally located was Docking Bay 7. A few minutes extra when you first enter will save hours of panic later on.

Souvenirs -They Don’t Have To Cost All Your Credits

Like every grandparent, our job is to totally spoil our grandkids. It’s expected and it’s in the Grandparent Handbook and like all things Disney, it all comes down to finding that fine balance of how to take home a

little something extra without going broke. This is the one place where we threw our usual “just say no-they don’t need it all” common sense to the wind and yep, we splurged and now looking back, I would do it all over again.

My son built his own lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop which yes was $199 but worth every moment and credit we spent on it.  Entering the Workshop and meeting Savi and his friends are worth the price all by itself and the fact that you’ll be coming away with a real light saber-priceless.

The best part is that while you do need a reservation to do this, you can do make your reservations up to 14 days in advance online or on your phone app!

The lightsabers come with a great carrying case which you strap right over your shoulder, and you can buy a variety of Kyber Crystals to change the color of your saber. The littles built their own Droids, a little more reasonable at $99 but again, worth every credit!

To see their faces light up as they picked out the individual pieces and saw their Droids come to life and then the joy on their faces as they played with it throughout the day, whether we were eating or waiting to ride Smuggler’s Run or just taking a break, the best and the best part, weeks later, they are still just as excited by their Droids as they were when they built them-a true testament as to whether the investment was worth it. Again, these are quality and built to last and I can just picture years from now my great-grandkids playing with their parent’s antique collectibles.

Something I will say, that before we went, each one of the grandkids earned their own money to help pay for their Droids or the souvenir of their choice which made it even more valuable to them.  Not able or not wanting to spend that many credits, no worries because there was a wide variety of great options all priced under $10 so there truly is something for every size pocketbook and wallet.

Money no option then for only $25000 there are a few options that can be yours.  If you’re flying, it’s important to know that your new Droid or new Light Saber does count as your once carryon item so be sure to check with your specific airlines before heading home with your new treasures.

The Holocron Wins The Day as Best Souvenir!

Let The Kids Take Control With The Star Wars Datapad

If you have done so already, now is the time to download the Play Disney Mobile App onto your phone because the Star Wars Datapad Play Disney Mobile App is now live at the Disneyland Resort and will launch on August 29  at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and help you navigate the world of Batuu.

The Play Disney Mobile App allows you to not only navigate Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge but all of the latest updates while you’re visiting the Disney Parks from giving you up to the minute information on wait times, showtimes, park maps as well as the go-to place for playing Disney trivia as you enjoy your magical Disney day. But as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will in ever sense take you to a galaxy far, far away, this is your must-have app to help you discover the world of Batuu and the Black Spire Outpost.

MILLENNIUM FALCON: SMUGGLERS RUN ADVENTURES

 While waiting to board most famous ship in the galaxy at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, you can even take on a job for Hondo Ohnaka—the pirate turned “legitimate” businessman who operates Ohnaka Transport Solutions out of Black Spire Outpost.

 

Reroute misplaced cargo, learn how to keep your cover under pressure… and help prep the Falcon for your flight!

The Food Is Out Of This World

The food Imagineers really knocked it out of the galaxy when it comes to the food to be found throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the most important thing to take into consideration above all else, especially when taking the grandkids is knowing ahead of time what they will and won’t eat.  The good news is that the portions, for the most part, are huge so one entree can easily be split-although trust me when I say you will not want to share your dessert. But because of the uniqueness of these dishes crafted specifically for this galaxy far, far, away, prices also tend to be out of this world.

Weary travelers can take refuge in Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or even grab a specialty cocktail in the outpost’s favorite watering hole, Oga’s Cantina. They can also grab a quick bite (or some Blue Milk!) at one of the stands located in the Black Spire Outpost.

 

A multi-purpose transport shuttle docked on top of a large hangar will beckon guests into Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, a designated location for traveling food shuttles. Docked in the hangar is Tugg’s Grub, a “traveling diner for diners traveling” run by Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs. In high demand for his cooking skills, he moves from site to site in a modified Sienar-Chall Utilipede Transport that can be transformed into a mobile kitchen and restaurant. His travels across the galaxy allow him to fill his pantry with exotic ingredients which he uses to make new and unusual dishes inspired by his time on Takodana

Desserts:

• Oi-oi Puff – raspberry cream puff with passion fruit mousse
• Batuu-bon – chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse and coffee custard

Kids’ Meals:

All Meals include choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani Water

• Yobshrimp Noodle Salad (Disney Check) – chilled shrimp served with noodles, vegetables and sweet orange dressing
• A Taste of Takodana (Disney Check) – black bean hummus served with edible soil with nuts, chilled dipping vegetables, and multi-grain crisps
• Fried Endorian Tip-yip – crispy chicken served with macaroni & cheese and seasonal vegetables

Ronto Roasters sits as the centerpiece of the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace, drawing in passersby with a large podracing engine that’s firing up a barbecue pit. Hungry customers who queue up to order will encounter a former settler droid, 8D-JB, carefully turning the spit of meats. Elsewhere in the marketplace is Kat Saka’s Kettle, which offers Outpost Mix (a unique popcorn snack with a colorful blend of sweet and spicy flavors), and a Milk Stand serving up two local favorites: Blue Milk and Green Milk served as a frozen beverage.

Ronto Roasters Menu:

Food

• Ronto Wrap – roasted pork and grilled sausage with peppercorn sauce and tangy slaw wrapped in pita
• Nuna Turkey Jerky – choice of sweet or spicy

Specialty Beverages

• Tatooine Sunset – Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea, Odwalla Lemonade, melon, and blueberry
• Sour Sarlacc – Minute Maid Limeade, raspberry, and spicy mango
• Meiloorun Juice – pineapple, Simply Lemonade with blueberry, white cranberry juice, lemon juice, and desert pear

Serving a frozen plant-based blend of coconut and rice milks

• Blue Milk
• Green Milk
• Bubo Wamba Family Farms Novelty Drink Vessel

Kat Saka’s Kettle Menu:

• Outpost Popcorn Mix – colorful blend of sweet and spicy flavors, popped in coconut oil
• MSE-6 Series Repair Droid Souvenir Popcorn Vessel
• Specialty Bottled Beverages – Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Dasani

 

May The Force Always Be With You

One of the most important lessons I have learned over the years is that time goes by in the blink of an eye and that tomorrow is never promised. The best gift you could ever hope to give to your grandchildren is time spent with them and memories made that they will hold in their heart forever. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge allows you to make out of this world memories for you and your family for all the right reasons, and something they will talk about long after the day is over. Walt Disney once said:

“To all that come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America… with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” ~ Walt Disney ⁣

64 years ago people entered the Happiest Place on Earth for the very first time and now millions of people have found themselves in the one place that invites you to leave the world of today behind and enter a world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy. ⁣

⁣Walt envisioned an amusement park in which his cartoon characters could come to life and interact with the visitors. He also wanted a park that catered to the entire family. The stereotypical American amusement park was not what Walt Disney had in mind. Disney’s goal was to create a park where parents and children could have fun together and 64 years later, Walt’s dream of a place where families could go, immerse themselves in storytelling and create memories that would last a lifetime lives on. ⁣

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“Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” ~ Walt Disney ⁣

I think Walt would approve of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, be happy that his legacy and ideals continue to live on.  What tips do you have for taking your grandkids to the Disney Parks?