Even though we don’t know the exact date of the opening of this new land, we do know that it’s opening this Summer at Disneyland and this Fall at Disney World. I still can’t believe they didn’t work it out to open them both on May the Fourth, but I guess we can’t get everything we want!!
Keep reading for a bit more info on the new land and rides. Not a huge Star Wars fan? Consider hitting Disney before the lands open! There are still rooms available this summer with a 30% off room rate or even free dining. You’d be wiser than Yoda to take advantage of that - call me!!
The first confirmed ride for the forthcoming Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios is Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, a flight simulator ride that allows guests to “take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, on a customized secret mission”.
Guests who experience this attraction won’t just be tagging along for a ride but will actually be piloting the Millennium Falcon themselves! Guests will be able to turn, bank and even fire weapons in this simulation-style experience. When guests enter the attraction they will climb into one of seven pods that seat six riders each. Each pod will be able to rotate 360 degrees, and there will be a lot of interactive elements all around riders that will affect the experience. According to one of the attraction's creative directors, there will be 200 buttons, knobs and switches on the inside of the cockpit, each with a specific function.
Interestingly, many of these interactive elements will be specific to different "jobs" riders will have on the ride, similar to the format for Mission: Space. So, for instance, gunners in the center will have weapons controls while engineers in the back will have buttons and levers related to keeping the ship flying.
Guests will definitely want to do well with their jobs, as those who bring back their bounty and fly the ship expertly without a lot of damage will be able to earn extra Galactic Credits, which will change the way characters in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge interact with them. Conversely, guests who lose the bounty or damage the ship will end up owing money, which will also produce different interactions with characters.
And while the Millennium Falcon ride will use new technology to deliver a thrilling experience the likes of which hasn’t been seen before at a Disney park, the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride will be a more traditional dark ride experience, with a motion base ride vehicle moving through a scene with screens. The ride will put guests in the middle of an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance – including a face-off with Kylo Ren himself.
Can’t wait - may the force be with you!!!