I visited Hollywood Studios the week it opened following Walt Disney World’s unprecedented 2020 closing. The park has three significant, new offerings to guests. Many might argue they have been too long in coming. There is no doubt, however, that Disney Imagineers have outdone themselves with some of the best in theming and design I have seen in Walt Disney World. Here’s what we found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the single most dynamic, technologically-integrated ride experience I have seen. I had seen the full ride on video, and I researched and read about the award-winning special effects used to create the new attraction before we visited. I was still not prepared to be as awed as I was.
The ride has multiple stages, including pre-show walk-through sections (briefing rooms and prison cells where you are addressed by holograms and a “transport” that employ the park’s most advanced audio-animatronics to date) and a trackless ride system in which your “escape pod” encounters all of the special effects bad stuff the Dark Side can throw at you. There are more new and amazing components to take in than possible – and currently, Disney’s Virtual Queue only allows one ride per day due to the ride’s popularity.
The highly-technical ride breaks down often. We were in the queue, just about to move into the first section of the ride, when it broke down. It was definitely worth the hour wait it took for the ride to come online again. One the second day we were at Hollywood Studios, our Boarding Group number was so low and the ride shut down for so long that we didn’t get to ride it at all. There’s always next time!
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers’ Run
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run is more than just another Star Tours ride. Imagine a life-size video game – and you’re inside it as you control it. My 17-year-old son was stoked! Your Millennium Falcon cockpit has four seats – two pilots, an engineer, and a gunner.
You are, of course, a Smuggler – working to earn “credits.” The less damage you take on your ship, the more credits you end up with after delivering the goods. May the Force be with you!
Protip: Prone to motion sickness? This may not be the ride for you. I gave it my best, but even with a Seaband, herbal motion sickness patch, and Bonine, I had to close my eyes before we even got into hyperspace – the visual effects on this ride were too real!
The Planet of Batuu at Galaxy’s Edge
Come take a walk around the Black Spire Outpost with me on the Planet of Batuu. The theming is amazing – I could have looked around at it for days!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge | Behind the Scenes at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was inspiring in its thorough theming, authenticity of the cast member characters, and atmosphere. I’m a fan of the Star Wars Prequel trilogy and I watched Episodes I-III, but I have to admit I’m not up on the newer films and releases. Even so, Disney’s rendering made me want to go back and watch everything. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge makes you feel as if you are there on Batuu at the Outer Rim Territories. Now you’ll have to pardon me while I go make myself a Jedi robe…
Email Kimberly@NextAdventureVacations.com or text/call 816.866.8883 to start planning your Disney or Universal vacation today!
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