There is no denying the addition of Star Wars: Galaxy Edge to both Disneyland and Disney World is both groundbreaking and highly anticipated. But there are many of us (including me) who are Disney fans eager to visit the new land, yet have zero idea of what we will be looking at or enjoying.
As August 29, the opening day for Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is just one month away from today, I decided it was time to turn to the expert, AllEars.net Editor Deb Koma, and work together to craft a crash course so fellow Star Wars novices like myself have half a clue when we enter the land!
Where is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?
We know the physical land is in Hollywood Studios and Disneyland park, but what about the setting for the land? The land is set in Black Spire Outpost, which is mentioned in passing in the film Solo: A Star Wars Story, on the planet of Batuu. Batuu itself is on the edge of what’s called the Outer Rim Territories (just before Wild Space). The land’s time period is set between the events of The Last Jedi and the upcoming film The Rise of Skywalker.
Even if you are a die-hard Star Wars fan you may be unfamiliar with Batuu — this is by design. Disney deliberately chose a more obscure setting for the land so that novices and experts alike would be new to Batuu.
Batuu is where you can find members of the Resistance and First Order mingling together and working with locals to advance their own cause.
You can learn more about Batuu in:
- Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire, set for release in August. This novel, by Delilah S. Dawson, will tell the story of Leia Organa’s top spy, who chooses Batuu for the Resistance’s secret command post.
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – A Crash of Fate, also due out in August. This young-adult novel by Zoraida Cordova is about two childhood friends from Batuu.
- Walt Disney Presents in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which features portions of a model of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Who are the Resistance and the First Order?
When you are in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge you can choose to align with either the Resistance or the First Order. You can help or hinder either side through actions on your datapad. But, first let’s find out what these “sides” are!
The Resistance is made up of some of the more popular and well-known Star Wars heroes including Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Rey. The Resistance works with the Jedi to fight against the First Order, also known as the Empire.
The First Order’s, or Empire’s, most famous member is Darth Vader along with Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, and the Stormtroopers.
Some of the cutest and more cuddly members of the Star Wars stories, such as droids BB-8 and R2-D2, the Ewoks and the Porgs, tend to align themselves with members of the Resistance.
To get some history and an introduction to key players on either side, watch or read:
- Star Wars: A New Hope
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, an animated micro-series that you can find on the Disney YouTube channel
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue – Ride this attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to get an idea of the galaxy far, far away!
- Star Wars: Path of the Jedi – Watch this film in the Studios to get an overview of the Star Wars saga
Why are the Resistance and the First Order Fighting?
The struggle of the Star Wars films can be distilled down to the basic eternal fight of good vs. evil.
The First Order is trying to dominate the universe — in a bad way. They don’t call it the “Dark Side” for nothin’! The Resistance obviously doesn’t want to be ruled by such baddies. The Jedi use a power called “The Force,” an energy that is derived from the world around us, that they have learned to control. Unfortunately, some of the bad guys (like Darth Vader, Kylo Ren and the Emperor) have the same ability, using their powers for evil rather than good. And hence we have Star WARS.
To get a basic lesson in, and introduction to, the fight, you’ll probably need to watch the movies:
- Star Wars: A New Hope
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi
OK, now that we are caught up on some of the basics, or at least enough to know where we are and whose side we want to be on, let’s move on to some of the details in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
What Exactly is Oga’s Cantina and Why are People Excited to Go There?
Oga’s Cantina is newly created for Galaxy’s Edge, but it is patterned after the Mos Eisley cantina introduced to Star Wars fans in the film Star Wars: A New Hope. (Another similar cantina was featured in xxx.) According to the Galaxy’s Edge back story, the alien proprietor Oga Garra is “boss” of the Black Spire Outpost underworld. Although Oga is seldom seen in the cantina, she runs the spot with a strict code of conduct to keep its unruly patrons in check. The place has a history of being a smuggler’s safe-haven, and is popular with those seeking to avoid the authorities.
The joint is therefore very popular not just for its “other-worldly” concoctions, but because you never know who you may spy there.
In addition, the cantina also features DJ R3X, who just happens to be the former droid pilot (then known as RX-24) of the original Star Tours attraction. Spinning tunes that come from around the galaxy, as well as the very familiar song performed by Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes in A New Hope, Rex is also a must-see in the cantina.
Learn more about the Star Wars cantina in:
- Star Wars: A New Hope
Why Should I Try Blue or Green Milk?
Blue Milk has been around in the galaxy since 1977 when Luke drank it in Star Wars: A New Hope. Green Milk on the other hand is fairly new — fans first see Luke drinking it in the most recent movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Regardless of the color, the milks are specialty beverages unique to the Star Wars universe, and fans have been wondering for years what they might taste like. And now we can find out for ourselves! The milk comes from Bubo Wamba Family Farms and if you keep a sharp eye out you will see reference to this in the land (hint: check out the milk sipper).
Check out Luke drinking Blue and Green Milk in:
- Star Wars: A New Hope (blue milk)
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi (green milk)
Why Do People Keep Calling the Millennium Falcon a “Hunk of Junk”?
The history of the Millennium Falcon is a long one — that is to say, it’s not a new ship. The Corellian freighter has had many uses and owners over the years, and appears to be an old, outdated vehicle to those who don’t realize all the modifications and improvements that have been made to its engines. That’s just one reason she is lovingly referred to as the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” by former owner Lando Calrissian in The Empire Strikes Back. The “junk” moniker stuck.
While you are waiting in line for the attraction Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run there are a ton of other details to take in. The chess board is from a well-known scene in Star Wars: A New Hope, during which the Wookiee Chewbacca nearly lost a game with little droid R2-D2… until C-3PO uttered the famous line, “Let the Wookiee win!”
And what about the Falcon’s current owner, Hondo Ohnaka? He’s supposedly “borrowing” the ship from Chewbacca, using it for his own illegal activities.
As you leave the ride don’t be surprised if you see several couples waiting near the location where Han Solo and Princess Leia shared their first kiss.
Lastly, that isn’t an octopus trying to break through the wall at the end of the attraction, it is a creature known as a Rathtar, frozen in carbonite.
To get the basics on the Millennium Falcon and its history watch:
- A New Hope
- The Empire Strikes Back
- Return of the Jedi
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
To learn about Hondo Ohnaka, check out:
- The animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- Comic book mini-series: Star Wars: Darth Maul
When I Make a Light Saber How Do I Know What Color to Choose for my Kyber crystal, and What are Those?
First off, Kyber crystals power your lightsaber. Kyber crystals are found throughout the galaxy, and they seem to somehow be in tune with the Force, amplifying its power. That’s why choosing the right Kyber, is so important.
Your color choices at Savi’s Workshop are red (like Darth Vader’s and Kylo Ren’s lightsabers); green (like Yoda’s); blue (like Obi-Wan Kenobi’s) or purple (like Jedi Master Mace Windu’s).
Now, when you build your Light Saber at Savi’s Workshop you will be able to select the proper Kyber crystal!
The character of Savi, and his workshop, were created expressly for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, but you can learn more about Kyber crystals in:
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- the animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- Star Wars: Master & Apprentice, a novel by Claudia Gray
- Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple – Watch this show in the Studios to get an idea of the power of The Force and battling with lightsabers!
I have been told this just scratches the surface of what I should know before I visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, but after completing this crash course I feel a little more knowledgeable before my first visit to the land. Maybe I will even know which side to pick, and I am getting pretty excited about visiting Oga’s Cantina now!
Another way to prepare for the Galaxy’s Edge opening is to explore all the Star Wars-related activities already at Hollywood Studios. Check out our video highlighting these here!
Are you a Star Wars fanactic or novice? What are you looking forward to the most when you visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Let us know in the comments!
Need more Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge info? Don't miss these posts:
- What We Saw When We Visited Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios!
- Get the 411 on This Disney App Before Galaxy's Edge Opens
- Everything We Know So Far About Oga's Cantina
- You'll Never Guess Who You'll See at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
- So Much to Buy! Preview Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge's Stores and Merchandise Here!
- Brand New Details! Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
- New Updates for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
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Unfortunately, leaving out the characters from the original trilogy doesn’t give me much desire to go. I want to see Jabba’s palace and the Cantina from Mos Eisley. Also Coruscant and maybe Sullust or some lesser known place.
Now that I’ve been to Galaxy’s Edge and seen how awesome the environment is, the original trilogy doesn’t give me much desire to watch unless they tweak it to include Galaxy’s Edge stuff.
Chewbacca and C3PO are both incorporated into Batuu, and they said that Oga’s Cantina is modeled after the one at Mos Eisley, so you get the same effect. Plus you can’t just IGNORE the fact that there were also six other Star Wars films. Just be glad they are taking their cues from the (MUCH better) most recent trilogy instead of the not-so-great films made in the 90’s.