The Star Wars Fan’s Guide to Walt Disney World Resort

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If your family has a Star Wars fan in it, you already know that Walt Disney World® Resort is not just a theme park vacation. It is a pilgrimage.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Orlando, Florida, is one of the most immersive, meticulously designed theme park experiences ever created. From the moment you walk into Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, the attention to detail is unlike anything else at Walt Disney World® Resort. But, as with everything at Disney, getting the most out of it requires knowing what to do before you arrive.

This guide covers everything a Star Wars fan needs to know before setting foot on Batuu. What to book in advance, what to expect at each attraction, where to eat, and how to build your day so nothing gets missed.

First, What Is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®?

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® is a fully immersive land located inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at Walt Disney World® Resort. The land is set on the planet Batuu, specifically in Black Spire Outpost, a remote outpost on the edge of the galaxy. Every detail of the land, from the architecture to the ambient sounds to the language spoken by cast members, is designed to make you feel like you have stepped into the Star Wars universe.

The land has two major attractions, two signature experiences that require advance reservations or planning, multiple dining and beverage options, and extensive merchandise unique to the land. A Star Wars fan could spend an entire park day here without running out of things to do.

The Two Attractions Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

This is your chance to fly the Millennium Falcon. Your group is assigned a role, either pilot, gunner, or engineer, and your performance actually affects the outcome of the mission. Pilots have the most interactive experience and the most control over how the ride goes.

A few things to know before you ride:

The experience is different depending on your role. If you have a die-hard fan in your group who wants the most immersive experience, request pilot seats when your group is assigned roles at the attraction entrance. Pilots sit in the front two seats of the cockpit.

This is a simulator-style attraction with motion. Guests who are sensitive to motion-based rides should be aware of this before boarding.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

This is widely considered one of the most technically impressive theme park attractions ever built. The experience puts guests in the middle of a conflict between the Resistance and the First Order and uses a combination of ride systems, screens, and live action elements to create something that does not feel like a traditional theme park ride.

A few things to know before you ride:

This attraction runs on a virtual queue or Lightning Lane system, depending on the day and time of year. Check the My Disney Experience app before your visit to understand how access works on your travel dates. This is one of the most in-demand experiences at Walt Disney World® Resort , and planning ahead is essential.

This attraction contains scenes that may be intense for very young children or those sensitive to loud sounds and dark environments.

The Experiences Worth Booking in Advance

Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers

This is the experience most Star Wars fans consider the highlight of their entire Walt Disney World® Resort vacation. Inside Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, guests choose from four themed collections and build their own custom lightsaber in a fully immersive ceremony guided by cast members known as Gatherers.

What you need to know:

Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers requires an advance reservation and sells out weeks in advance. If this experience is a priority for your group, book it the moment your reservation window opens. Do not wait until you arrive.

Each lightsaber comes in a carrying case and is a full-length, functioning lightsaber prop.

Pricing and guest participation are subject to change. Check the official Walt Disney World® Resort website for current pricing before you book.

Droid Depot

At Droid Depot, guests build their own custom droid from a collection of parts moving along a conveyor belt. Guests choose between an R-series or BB-series droid and select their parts to create a unique droid that interacts with elements throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®.

Droid Depot also accepts walk-up guests when availability allows, but advance reservations are recommended especially during busy travel periods.

Where to Eat and Drink in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®

Oga’s Cantina

Oga’s Cantina is the signature bar experience inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® and it is unlike any other dining venue at Walt Disney World® Resort. The space is themed as a cantina on the edge of the galaxy with unique beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, served in collectible vessels.

Check the MyDisney Experience app to determine if reservations are accepted for this experience. Oga’s Cantina is a small space with limited seating and high demand. Walk-up availability is unpredictable.

The menu includes specialty cocktails, non-alcoholic options, and a limited food menu. Guests under 21 are welcome and there are many non-alcoholic options available.

There is a time limit per reservation to allow all guests to experience the space.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is the main quick service location inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®. The menu features themed dishes and specialty beverages in keeping with the land’s aesthetic. Mobile order is available through the My Disney Experience app and strongly recommended during busy periods.

Ronto Roasters

Ronto Roasters is a quick service window serving roasted meats and sandwiches. The Ronto Wrap is one of the most popular snack items in all of Disney’s Hollywood Studios® and a must try for any visitor to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®.

Tips for Making the Most of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®

Arrive early. Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is one of the most attended parks at Walt Disney World® Resort and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® consistently draws some of the largest crowds in the park. Arriving at park open gives you the best chance of experiencing both attractions with shorter waits before the crowds build.

Check Lightning Lane availability before your trip. Both Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance may be available through Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Lightning Lane Single Pass depending on the day. Knowing your options before you arrive helps you plan your day more effectively.

Download the Play Disney Parks app. This separate app from My Disney Experience offers interactive Star Wars experiences throughout the land that are exclusive to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®. Guests can join the Resistance or pledge loyalty to the First Order and interact with elements throughout the land using their phone.

Budget time for browsing. The merchandise inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® is some of the most unique and exclusive Disney merchandise available anywhere. Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities and the various market stalls throughout Black Spire Outpost carry items that cannot be found elsewhere. If your Star Wars fan is also a collector, build extra time into your day for shopping.

Plan your full day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. While Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® could occupy an entire day for a dedicated fan, Disney’s Hollywood Studios® has other major attractions worth experiencing including Toy Story Land and the park’s signature evening entertainment. If this is your only day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® plan your priorities in advance so nothing important gets missed.

How a Travel Advisor Makes This Trip Better

A Walt Disney World® Resort vacation built around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® has more moving parts than most families expect. Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers reservations open months in advance and sell out quickly. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance requires a strategy on the day of your visit. Dining options at Oga’s Cantina are competitive. Lightning Lane planning is a puzzle that looks different depending on your travel dates and crowd levels.

Most families I work with come to me after trying to plan this on their own and feeling like they are still missing something. Getting these experiences right before your family arrives is exactly what I do.