It was a whirlwind of a day for sure. But let me back up to the beginning. When Disney announced the opening date of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, I was excited to say the least. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to be there. But I really thought that I might not make it into the new land that day (Toy Story Land opening had insane lines just to get in the land). So I decided if I was doing it, I was doing it alone. My boys aren’t big on standing in lines and I hated to pay $$$ for us to go and stand there and complain and not get in.
So thanks to an understanding family, I booked a Solo (get it?) trip. In all the months of planning, I kept saying I was fine if I didn’t get in. But the closer it got to the opening, the more I knew I had to get in. Disney World kept us all in the dark about how they would handle Opening Day right up until the last minute. Like literally the day before, they announced that some of the resort food courts would open at 2:30am and buses would run to Hollywood Studios at 3:30am.
Having stayed up too late the night before (I can’t leave a park before it closes), I made it to bed around midnight with my alarm set for 3am. I was at the bus stop at 3:30. The bus got there around 3:45 and we were off. There were probably 20 people on the bus but I heard at other resorts, the buses were completely full and people had to wait for the next one so I really got lucky.
I was at Hollywood Studios in line for security at 4am. By 5:05, security starting checking bags and letting guests into the park. I was into the park by 4:10. There was a huge crowd standing in the main entrance to Hollywood Studios but I never felt pushed or crowded. People were tired or on their best behavior! It was luckily still dark of course, so not too hot. By 4:30, Cast Members started leading the group towards the new land. There was no running or pushing that I could see. By 4:50, I could see the entrance to the land!
The line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is routed around the edges of the land by Cast Members. When I first saw a wait time display on Disney’s app, it was 105 minutes at 5:05am. By 6:30 it was 300 minutes. Stormtroopers provided entertainment and the time actually went pretty fast since there was so much to look at.
I hit the entrance of the ride at 7:15. By 8:20, I was given my “job” and heading into the Falcon!! I was an Engineer. Disappointed of course to not be a pilot, but I’ll just have to ride it again!
I tend to get motion sickness on Star Tours and most of the virtual rides at Universal. But this one didn’t bother me at all. I don’t know if it’s the ride itself or just because I was focusing on doing my job but it was amazing. SEEMS SO REAL. I would swear we truly took off into hyper space and completed our flight.
Our pilots weren’t the best at their job so we did a lot of damage to the Falcon. Be sure and pay attention to the hallways as you’re leaving the ride as things are different depending on how successful your flight was!
Since it was my last day at Disney World, I didn’t get to stay in the land long enough to ride again. The line was around 3 hours the entire day and I knew I wanted to see the rest of the land. I didn’t get to shop in any of stalls, but I did grab some of the cool Coke bottles (which TSA let me keep!).
I also had a reservation for Oga’s Cantina and had a really yummy blue milk. I hadn’t eaten so decided to get the only snack available there which is the Batuu Bits. Those were not my favorite at all. Next time I’ll head to Ronto Roasters for food!
All in all the land is absolutely amazing. I couldn’t tell you how many times I looked up to see if there was a Tie Fighter flying over based on the sound effects. Disney truly transports guests to another planet here.
Check out the pics from my day on Batuu below!! And I would love to help you get there to experience it for yourself. My services are FREE and the money I can help you save can be spent on a Blue Milk. Give me a call!!
