Star Wars at Disneyland: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is the new 14-acre “land” at Disneyland in Southern California. This new themed area of the park, tucked in behind the existing Critter Country and Frontierland allows guests to step into the Star Wars universe all for the same admission price of a visit to Disneyland.

Left to right: Chewbacca joins Becky Ridgeway, her husband, Roger Ridgeway, son Logan, 4, and Jonathan, 4, as they toast Blue and Green Milk in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge after riding Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. | Photo: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort

If you're a fan, like I am, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge adventures will probably blow your mind; just wandering around is incredible. I visited the new Star Wars land on a media preview day on May 30 and had a crazy good time.

As of June 24, reservations are not required but you should expect long lines and a queue management system. I'm certain there will be special queuing and rules in place for the foreseeable future. I can't speak to the particulars.

The big deal ride: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Disneyland Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is epic from the outside | Photo: Disney Parks

The exterior of the ride is a life-size replica of the Millennium Falcon spaceship and it was incredible. The interior of the ride was also mind-blowing in its details from the movies.

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The mechanics of the ride vary depending on who is on the simulator with you; six roles: two pilots, two gunners, and two engineers have different assignments in the simulator. The pilot's job is the most exciting and it felt like I was flying the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” extremely poorly.

Inside Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Disney guests will take the controls in one of three unique roles on a mission to different outcomes| Photo: Disney Parks

Eight-year-old Jonathan Ridgeway of Ocean Springs, Mississippi (center, back) was the 1 millionth guest to take to take the controls of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run six weeks after the ride opened. Chewbacca joined (l-r) Rodger, Jonathan, Logan, and Becky for a photo. | Photo: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort

The Cantina

Called Oga's Cantina, the next busiest place is a spacey cocktail lounge. Lines and reservations will vary, but I believe this is best experienced without kids.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

The second ride in the Star Wars land is scheduled to open later this year. No other details at this time.

More attractions in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Shopping. Shopping. Shopping! Ok, hear me out. You might not think you're into a bunch of merchandise, but the marketplace includes handmade-looking toys and personally-designed droids not available anywhere else. I bought some adorable plush “artisan” dolls at the Marketplace's Toydarian Toymaker stall and envied my friends' high-priced droids.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Merchandise - Artisan-Style Toys — Ooh. I want Yoda, Rey, the Porg, and Leia. Well, at that point I should just get Finn, Kylo Ren, and Darth Vader so they can play together. There's also a wooden Sandcrawler filled with miniature Jawas, awww. | Photo: David Roark

Alameda mom, Leslie, wrote about her best tips to get the most out of Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland >>

Other Star Wars experiences at Disneyland

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Beyond the new dedicated themed “land” there are other special Star Wars experiences to enjoy. Here are a few that my kids and I love:

Star Wars Launch Bay, located in Tomorrowland, the Launch Bay includes props from the movies, games, a visit to the cantina in Mos Eisley, and lots of meet-and-greets with characters. I have enjoyed awkward meetings with Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and Boba Fett.

Darth Vader character meetup — Darth Vader meetup, I made it weird | Photo: Disneyland staff

The already-awesome Star Tours ride is frequently updated to include a new scenes based on the latest movies. I have been on this ride a LOT and recently whooped and hollered at the latest iterations.

And kids are always adorbs in their costumes no matter where you look. Whitney went to Disneyland with her family and sent me this cute picture from the park: