Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge as a Family

Published on 5/20/2019 at 7:00 PM

The highly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is coming to a galaxy near you starting May 31 in Anaheim, CA, and August 29 in Orlando, FL. The new land is sure to be filled with references to Star Wars films and shows, state-of-the-art technology, and incredible dining options all themed after the beloved series.

If you're planning on visiting with your family, you're going to want to go in with a plan of attack to get the most out of your day at Black Spire Outpost (the village you'll be visiting inside Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge). Plus, you'll want to be sure you know the process for opening days in both resorts since they're not the same. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Read on for a list filled with tips and tricks for conquering Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge as a family. May the Force be with you as you travel to a galaxy far, far away!

Opening Day at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Will Be Different

No matter which side of the country you're experiencing Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge on, you should know how opening day and the subsequent weeks and months are going to work. At Disneyland, starting May 31 (opening day) through June 23, 2019, all guests wanting to enter Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will need a no-cost reservation. Guests staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel will automatically get a time to enter Galaxy's Edge during their stay. Reservations opened on May 2.

At Walt Disney World there has been no announcement about a reservation system being put in place. Based on past opening-day experiences, you probably won't need one and will instead want to plan your day around the park opening and closing hours.

Get to the Parks Early

No matter if you're going to Disneyland or Walt Disney World to experience Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, you'll want to get to the parks early. In fact, for the first few weeks of Galaxy's Edge's opening at Walt Disney World, consider arriving at the park at least two hours before the official park opening. After the reservation system at Disneyland expires at the end of June, you'll want to do the same there, too. This might seem extreme, but the land will reach capacity quickly each day.

Prepare Your Family to Wait

Even if your family does get to the park early or gets one of the coveted reservations at Disneyland, you're going to want to prepare them to wait, especially to ride the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run since it will be the only attraction open inside the land until later this year. To pass the time, consider bringing a game like Heads Up, use the Play Disney Parks app to interact with the space around you, or just take in all of the amazing detail Walt Disney Imagineering has put into Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Only One of the Two Attractions Will Be Open

When you and your family walk into Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge this Summer, only one of the two attractions will be open: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Your kiddos will need to be at least 38 inches tall to ride, and there's no word yet on if the attraction will offer Disney's rider switch service. When Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens later this year, kids will need to be 40 inches or taller to ride.

Kid-Friendly Food Is Plentiful

Food and drinks are endless at Black Spire Outpost, and options for kids and families are plentiful. For the most variety, be sure to check out Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. One of the highlights on the adults' and kids' menu is the Fried Tip-Yip. This Star Wars take on fried chicken is served with roasted vegetable mash and green herb gravy. Guests can also find yummy desserts and non-alcoholic drinks at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.

Take Advantage of the Interactive App

Before you go to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, your family will want to download the Play Disney Parks app. Your interactions through the app and the land will decide if you support the Resistance, First Order, or are wandering through the land as an independent scoundrel.

The Play Disney Parks all will transform into a galactic datapad as you enter Black Spire Outpost. There are quite a few functions of the app:

Translating written and spoken galactic languages.
Scanning objects around Galaxy's Edge to discover precious cargo and digital goods.
Tuning into communications sent by planet residents to learn and discover more about Batuu.
Hacking into control panels and droids.
Receiving digital rewards (like ship plans, star maps, and galactic credits) every time your family completes a job.

Build a Droid to Take Home

Every galactic family needs a droid, so step into the Droid Depot to build a customized droid for your family. You'll collect all of the pieces to put it together then take it to an activation station. There, your new droid will begin to light up and make noises. Each of the droids made at the Droid Depot are operated by a remote control and can interact with other droids inside Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Use the Force to Build a Lightsaber

Every Jedi in your family needs a lightsaber, an elegant weapon of a more civilized age. Inside Savi's Workshop, guests can build their own lightsaber with customized parts and colors. The interactive experience will most likely form a long line quickly, so if this is at the top of your priority list, head here when you first enter Galaxy's Edge.

Bring a Snack Back to Your Corner of the Galaxy

To remember your family's time on Batuu, consider bringing back a galactic snack. Outpost Mix will be available at Kat Saka's Kettle. The popcorn blend is sweet, savory, and spicy, made with a unique blend of spices from around the galaxy. (And pro tip: It also makes a great snack to munch on while you're waiting in line.)