Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios: Complete Guide to Rides, Food, Characters, and More

Galaxy’s Edge Hollywood Studios

Explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios, including Rise of the Resistance, Smugglers Run, food, characters, shopping, and touring tips.

Estimated reading time: 34 minutes


I was five years old when Star Wars came out.

I saw it in the movie theater. My brother and I played with Star Wars figures throughout our childhood. I am absolutely a Star Wars nerd—although, as we will establish later, apparently there is a line somewhere between Star Wars nerd and I will spend $200+ on a lightsaber that will live in my closet Star Wars nerd. 😂

But I love Star Wars.

So I was pretty much destined to love Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

And oh my gosh, I LOVE THIS LAND.

Galaxy’s Edge is one of those rare places at Disney World where the land itself is an attraction. Pandora at Animal Kingdom is probably the closest comparison. You don’t just walk through Galaxy’s Edge to get from one ride to another. You walk into another world.

The first time I saw the Millennium Falcon, I actually got emotional.

There it was.

The Millennium freaking Falcon.

After spending my childhood watching these movies and playing with those characters, suddenly I was standing in front of the ship I’d known since I was five years old.

It was so freaking cool.

And even after visiting Galaxy’s Edge many times, I still think it’s cool.

Because the Millennium Falcon is only the beginning.

There are two major rides, some of the most immersive theming anywhere at Disney World, roaming Star Wars characters, stormtroopers who may actually harass you, weird food, weird drinks, droids, lightsabers, shops that look like they belong on another planet, PhotoPass opportunities, and bathrooms that Disney absolutely did not need to theme—but of course they themed the bathrooms.

Galaxy’s Edge is fantastic during the day.

It’s fantastic first thing in the morning when hardly anyone is there.

And it is gorgeous at night.

So yes. I have some thoughts. 😂

What Is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?

Galaxy’s Edge is the Star Wars-themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Instead of recreating a location directly from one of the movies, Disney created the planet Batuu and the settlement of Black Spire Outpost.

That decision actually works incredibly well.

You’re not simply looking at a collection of Star Wars props. The entire land is designed to make it feel as though you’ve arrived somewhere within the Star Wars universe.

And Disney commits.

The buildings look weathered. Spaceships are parked throughout the land. You’ll see droids and mechanical parts tucked into corners. Signs are written in Aurebesh. Cast Members play along with the Batuu storyline. Even the merchandise is often presented more like something you’d buy in a marketplace on another planet than something you’d find in a Disney gift shop.


Then a stormtrooper walks by and starts questioning somebody.

Because apparently you are no longer in Orlando. 😂

What Is There to Do in Galaxy’s Edge?

There are two rides in Galaxy’s Edge:

  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

But if you only come here, ride those two attractions, and leave, you’re missing a huge part of what makes Galaxy’s Edge so good.

You can eat at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or Ronto Roasters. Or grab something at Kat Saka’s Kettle or the Milk Stand. You can have a drink inside Oga’s Cantina.

Build a droid at Droid Depot or a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop.

You can wander through the shops of Black Spire Outpost. You may encounter Rey, Chewbacca, Din Djarin and Grogu, stormtroopers, or other Star Wars characters. There are First Order appearances around the land, and some of the character interactions happen organically rather than in a traditional Disney meet-and-greet line.

And honestly?

You can just wander around.

Galaxy’s Edge rewards that.

There are so many tiny details built into this place that you will miss them if you’re simply racing from Rise of the Resistance to Smugglers Run.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Oh my gosh.

This ride.

Rise of the Resistance is very, very close to being my favorite attraction in all of Walt Disney World.

The only reason it isn’t is because I cannot get over the actual sensation of flying on Avatar Flight of Passage. That ride has my heart.

But if we’re talking about a completely immersive Disney attraction?

Rise of the Resistance is everything.

I’ve ridden it a dozen times or more, and it still gets me.

The Pre-Show Is Practically an Attraction

One of the things that makes Rise so incredible is that it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where the attraction begins.

You aren’t simply standing in a queue, boarding a ride vehicle, riding for four minutes, and exiting.

You’re recruited by the Resistance. You receive a mission briefing. You board a transport.

And then things go…poorly. 😂

And then those doors open and you walk into that enormous First Order hangar filled with rows and rows of stormtroopers. I’ve ridden Rise a dozen times or more, and that room still gets me. The absolutely bonkers thing is that, at this point, you haven’t even really gotten to the ride yet. Disney has already transported you off Batuu, captured you, put you aboard a Star Destroyer, and surrounded you with stormtroopers—and they’re still basically setting the stage.

Multipass and single pass lightning lane guide for hollywood studios

OH MY GOSH.

And here’s the crazy thing.

You’re not even on the actual ride yet.

That’s what makes Rise of the Resistance so brilliant. The line between queue, pre-show and attraction starts disappearing. You’re already inside the story before you ever get into the ride vehicle.

The Cast Members Make It Even Better

The Cast Members working the First Order portion of Rise absolutely add to the experience.

They aren’t particularly interested in providing you with warm Disney hospitality at this particular moment. 😂

They’re First Order officers.

They give orders, stay in character, and treat you like prisoners.

And it is so much fun.

This is also one of my absolute favorite Disney attractions to experience with somebody who has never ridden it before. Once you know what’s coming, half the fun is watching the other person’s reaction.

Just wait.

Stormtrooper hangar.

Wait.

We’re not done.

Wait.

LIGHTSABER.

😂

The Actual Ride Is Incredible Too

And then, finally, you get to the ride itself.

I’m not going to walk through every single scene because I don’t think you need every surprise spoiled before you experience it.

best rides at Disney World ranked

But Rise combines multiple ride systems and effects with huge physical sets, familiar characters, impressive animatronics and some genuinely fantastic storytelling.

You don’t feel like you’re watching Star Wars.

For a little while, you’re in Star Wars.

That is the magic trick.

Should You Buy a Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance?

For me?

Yes. Every time.

Or at least once during every Disney World trip when I’m planning a Hollywood Studios day.

Rise is one of the attractions where I’m generally willing to build the additional Lightning Lane cost into my vacation budget because I love it that much.

There are other ways to ride it.

Early Entry can work. A later ride near park closing can work. And if I’m attending an After Hours event or have access to Extended Evening Hours, I absolutely consider riding it then.

But this is not an attraction I like leaving entirely to chance.

There is another consideration that people don’t always talk about: Rise takes a while even when you aren’t standing in a giant standby line.

The complete experience—including the pre-shows and everything that happens before and during the actual ride—is a significant time commitment. I mentally budget around half an hour even when I’m not dealing with a long standby wait.

Add a 60-, 90- or 120-minute queue to that?

No thank you.

I love you, Rise.

But I have other things to do today. 😂

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

And then there’s the other big ride in Galaxy’s Edge.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is not Rise of the Resistance.

But let’s be fair.

YOU GET TO FLY THE MILLENNIUM FALCON.

That alone is ridiculously cool.

The attraction starts winning before you ever board because the queue takes you around and above the Millennium Falcon.

And again, this is where Galaxy’s Edge excels at the little details. There are signs, equipment, machinery and random bits of Star Wars-ness everywhere.

Take a minute and look around instead of staring at your phone.

Eventually you make your way inside the Falcon itself.

And honestly, one of my favorite parts happens before you even board the ride. You get to walk through the Millennium Falcon and spend a few minutes in that familiar lounge area with the dejarik table. If you grew up with Star Wars like I did, this is one of those moments when your inner five-year-old kind of loses her mind. I am standing inside the Millennium Falcon. How is this even real?

Come on.

If you grew up with Star Wars, that is cool.

Everyone Gets a Job on Smugglers Run

Unlike a traditional simulator where you simply sit down and watch the experience happen, Smugglers Run gives everyone in your six-person crew a role.

You’ll be assigned as a pilot, gunner or engineer.

My favorite is pilot.

Am I good at piloting the Millennium Falcon?

Absolutely not. 😂

But it’s really fun.

Sometimes I actually prefer being the gunner because there’s less pressure and I can pay more attention to what’s happening around me instead of thinking:

OH NO. I AM CRASHING THE MILLENNIUM FALCON.

Again.

Sorry, Han.

Smugglers Run Can Cause Motion Sickness

This one does make me slightly nauseous.

For me, it’s around the same general level as Star Tours or Expedition Everest. I notice it, but I’ve never gotten seriously sick from riding.

Obviously everybody’s motion-sickness threshold is different, but if simulators tend to bother you, this is something I’d take into consideration.

Do You Need Lightning Lane for Smugglers Run?

I wouldn’t make Smugglers Run my first-choice top-tier Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection.

There are simply other Hollywood Studios attractions where I think that initial high-priority selection is more valuable.

Later in the day, though?

Absolutely.

Once you’ve started using your Lightning Lanes and can make additional selections, Smugglers Run can be a great attraction to pick up.

There’s also Single Rider, which can be incredibly useful if your primary goal is simply to get on the ride with a shorter wait.

The tradeoff is that Single Rider isn’t the best choice for your first experience if you care about seeing the complete queue and enjoying all the theming. And you obviously shouldn’t expect your group to ride together.

But for a repeat ride?

That can be a very handy option.

Don’t Just Ride the Rides and Leave

This is probably my biggest Galaxy’s Edge advice.

Slow down.

I know how easy it is not to.

Hollywood Studios is a competitive park. You’ve got Lightning Lane times. Showtimes. Dining reservations. Rise of the Resistance. Slinky Dog Dash. Tower of Terror. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

There is always somewhere else you need to be.

But Galaxy’s Edge is one of the places where rushing actively makes the experience worse.

Some of my favorite details aren’t even attractions. Look at the doors, and the lights. Look at the pipes, cargo containers, droids, control panels and signs. Even the trash cans and bathrooms belong on Batuu. Disney did not have to go this hard. They could have built two spectacular Star Wars rides, stuck some themed restaurants around them and called it a day. They didn’t. That’s why walking through Galaxy’s Edge really does feel like an attraction all by itself.

And apparently, yes, go look at the bathroom. 😂

Disney could have installed a perfectly ordinary theme-park restroom and called it a day.

Nope.

You’re on Batuu.

Your bathroom is going to look like it’s on Batuu.

This is why I put Galaxy’s Edge in the same category as Pandora.

The land itself is part of the attraction.

Characters and Entertainment in Galaxy’s Edge

One of my favorite things about Galaxy’s Edge is that the characters don’t always behave like traditional Disney characters.

You don’t necessarily find a sign that says MEET CHEWBACCA HERE, get into a 30-minute line, take your picture, and leave.

Instead, you might just be walking through Batuu and…

Oh, hey. There’s Chewbacca.

Or Rey.

.. and over there, look! Mando and Grogu.

Or, somewhat less delightfully, a couple of stormtroopers who have apparently decided that you look suspicious. 😂

And that is so much more fun.

Rey and Chewbacca

Rey and Chewbacca regularly appear around Galaxy’s Edge, and I’ve encountered them simply wandering through the land.

These aren’t necessarily traditional meet-and-greets where you’re guaranteed a posed photograph. The interactions can be much more organic.

If you happen to catch them and you’re quick, you may be able to get a picture or interact with them briefly. But even if you don’t, seeing these characters walking through Batuu makes the entire land feel more alive.

Chewbacca belongs here.

Of course he does.

The Mandalorian and Grogu

You may also encounter Din Djarin—the Mandalorian—and Grogu around Galaxy’s Edge.

And yes.

Baby Yoda.

I know. I know. Grogu.

But also…Baby Yoda. 😂

Again, this isn’t necessarily the kind of character experience where you stand in a traditional queue. They’re part of the environment, and that’s really the point.

The Stormtroopers May Harass You

This might be my favorite.

Stormtroopers patrol Galaxy’s Edge, and they interact with guests as they go.

Sometimes they question people and make comments.

Basically, they are there to harass you.

And I think it’s hilarious.

Obviously it’s all playful, but it’s another example of how Disney uses the characters to reinforce the idea that you’re actually visiting Black Spire Outpost rather than simply walking through a Star Wars-themed section of Hollywood Studios.

First Order Entertainment

You’ll also want to watch for First Order appearances involving Kylo Ren and the stormtroopers.

This is one of those things I wouldn’t necessarily structure my entire Hollywood Studios day around, but if you see it happening while you’re in Galaxy’s Edge, stop and watch.

I still miss Jedi Training Academy.

Womp womp.

This isn’t Jedi Training Academy. But having Kylo Ren and the stormtroopers show up and start intimidating everyone certainly fits the atmosphere.

Because apparently peaceful tourism isn’t really a thing on Batuu. 😂

Oga’s Cantina

Oga’s Cantina is one of the most immersive places inside an already ridiculously immersive land.

The whole thing feels like a Star Wars cantina.

It’s dark, loud, and busy. There are strange drinks. DJ R-3X is providing the music.

And it’s fun.

But I do not feel compelled to go to Oga’s every time I’m at Hollywood Studios.

I’ve done it. I enjoy it. I’ll do it again.

It just isn’t a must-do for me on every trip.

I Will Wait for a Seat

Here’s my biggest issue with Oga’s.

A lot of the seating isn’t seating.

It’s standing.

After I’ve spent an entire day walking eight or ten or twelve miles around Disney World, do you know what I don’t want to do?

Stand at a table for another 45 minutes.

No.

No no no no no. 😂

This is the same reason I don’t understand the standing theaters for the Canada and China films at EPCOT. My feet have already participated enough today.

So when I’ve gone to Oga’s, I’ve been willing to wait longer for an actual seat.

I don’t care if Disney seats me with a bunch of people I don’t know. Hello, my 15 new best friends. Scoot over. 😂

I want the chair.

What About the Drinks and Food?

I don’t drink alcohol, and I’ve still found drinks I can enjoy at Oga’s. They have nonalcoholic specialty drinks, and I’ve tried a couple over the years that were good.

My friend loves the Fuzzy Tauntaun, particularly because of the infamous mouth-tingling/numbing effect from the foam.

The food?

That’s not why I’m coming here.

Disney has experimented with different food offerings at Oga’s, but I wouldn’t choose it because I was hungry and looking for a great meal.

Come for the cantina.

That’s the experience.

And then there’s DJ R-3X, the droid DJ spinning music from his booth above the cantina. This is exactly the kind of completely unnecessary detail that makes Oga’s so much fun. You aren’t just sitting—or, God forbid, standing 😂—in a Star Wars-themed bar. Disney committed to the bit.

Ronto Roasters

Ronto Roasters is one of the most popular food stops in Galaxy’s Edge, primarily because of the Ronto Wrap.

And I like the Ronto Wrap.

Ronto Roasters Review

I just don’t worship at the altar of the Ronto Wrap quite as enthusiastically as some Disney fans do. 😂

People will tell you this is one of the best things to eat in Hollywood Studios.

For me?

It’s good.

If I’m hungry and want something fairly substantial with some protein, it’s a very solid option. It’s also much easier than committing to a table-service meal in the middle of a busy park day.

I still haven’t tried the breakfast Ronto Wrap.

It’s on my list.

I will eventually correct this terrible oversight.

Kat Saka’s Kettle

Now this I love.

Kat Saka’s Kettle is a little snack stand in the marketplace, and the Outpost Mix is exactly the kind of Disney snack I want.

Best Hollywood Studios Snacks Kat Saka's Kettle Review

It’s colorful popcorn with a sweet-and-spicy flavor combination, and it’s just really good.

I have an entire separate review of Kat Saka’s Kettle because apparently I am now a person who has enough opinions about Disney popcorn to write articles about it.

This is my life. 😂

You can also find those fantastic round Coca-Cola bottles around Galaxy’s Edge.

They look vaguely like little thermal detonators.

Which naturally makes regular Coke more fun because Star Wars.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

And then we arrive at Docking Bay 7.

Sigh.

I know some people really like this restaurant.

I do not.

The food I had wasn’t particularly flavorful. It wasn’t something I wanted to finish, much less something I wanted to come back and order again.

I keep hearing that the Disneyland version of Docking Bay 7 is really good.

Fantastic.

Could somebody please send those people to Florida to train everybody? 😂

To be fair, restaurants change. Menus change. Preparation changes. And one of these days I probably should give Docking Bay 7 another chance.

But based on the meal I’ve actually eaten there?

There are so many other places I’d rather eat at Hollywood Studios.

The Milk Stand

The Milk Stand sells the famous Blue Milk and Green Milk.

I don’t think I’ve actually bought one directly from the Milk Stand, although I’m pretty sure I’ve had Blue Milk elsewhere in Galaxy’s Edge.

And my reaction was basically:

It’s fine.

😂

This is one of those quintessential Galaxy’s Edge things that Star Wars fans may want to try once simply because you’re standing on Batuu and drinking Blue Milk.

But I’m not going to pretend it’s one of my favorite Disney snacks just because Luke Skywalker made drinking weird-colored milk famous.

Shopping at Black Spire Outpost

Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, wander through the shops.

This is another area where Galaxy’s Edge does such a good job of disguising the fact that you’re in a theme park.

Instead of one enormous Disney gift shop filled with racks of identical merchandise, Black Spire Outpost has a collection of smaller marketplace stalls selling different kinds of Star Wars merchandise.

And there are some genuinely interesting things tucked in there.

This is one of those places where I like to poke around because you never quite know what you’re going to find.

More importantly, the marketplace itself is part of the experience.

Look up.

Look around.

Pay attention to the details.

Again: Galaxy’s Edge rewards nosiness. 😂

Build a Droid at Droid Depot

This is one Galaxy’s Edge extra that I’ve actually done, and I thought it was completely worth it.

I did Droid Depot with my daughter, and she built an R2-D2-style unit as a present for her dad, who wasn’t with us on that trip.

And she was so proud of that droid.

That is what made the experience worthwhile to me.

Yes, you’re ultimately coming home with a Star Wars toy. But you’re also choosing the pieces and assembling your own droid inside Galaxy’s Edge.

For a kid who is excited about the process, that’s much more memorable than simply buying something off a shelf.

It was totally cute.

It was totally fun.

And this is an upcharge Galaxy’s Edge experience I would absolutely recommend considering.

What About Savi’s Workshop?

And then there’s Savi’s Workshop, where you can build your own lightsaber.

I have not done this.

And I have no plans to do it.

This has nothing to do with whether Savi’s is a good experience. People absolutely love it, and if building your own lightsaber is a Star Wars bucket-list experience for you, that’s a completely different calculation.

But I know myself.

I’m enough of a Star Wars geek to get emotional when I see the Millennium Falcon.

I am apparently not enough of a Star Wars geek to spend $200+ on a lightsaber that I am going to take home, put in a closet, and never use again. 😂

And I think that’s actually a useful distinction when you’re deciding which Disney extras are worth your money.

You don’t need to buy every premium experience just because you love the theme.

Droid Depot made sense for us because my daughter was excited about building something herself—and especially because she was making it for her dad.

Savi’s doesn’t make sense for me.

Spend your Disney money on the experiences that actually matter to you.

Don’t Miss the Photo Opportunities

Galaxy’s Edge is one of my favorite places in Hollywood Studios for photos.

The obvious one is the Millennium Falcon.

You really can’t screw that one up.

THERE IS A MILLENNIUM FALCON BEHIND YOU.

Instantly cool picture. 😂

But there are interesting photo locations throughout the land, and it’s worth watching for PhotoPass photographers.

I’ve also gotten nighttime PhotoPass pictures using a lightsaber prop, which is just fun.

Disney World red eye flight

And if you happen to encounter Rey, Chewbacca, Mando and Grogu, or the stormtroopers, be ready with your camera. Because the characters aren’t always standing around waiting for you to organize your family, fix everyone’s hair, and take seventeen versions of the same photograph.

You Absolutely Need to See Galaxy’s Edge at Night

If you’ve only visited Galaxy’s Edge during the day, come back after dark.

Seriously.

I love this land in the morning, particularly during Early Entry when you can sometimes experience Black Spire Outpost before the crowds really build.

But nighttime Galaxy’s Edge is something else entirely.

The rock formations are illuminated. Spaceships glow. Doorways and control panels light up. The marketplace changes. The entire place feels darker, moodier and somehow even more like Star Wars.

And the Millennium Falcon at night?

Come on.

It is gorgeous.

This is why I wouldn’t necessarily schedule Galaxy’s Edge as one block of time during a Hollywood Studios day.

If possible, I like experiencing it more than once.

Come through in the morning.

Ride Rise.

Explore.

Eat something.

Go do other things around Hollywood Studios.

And then come back at night.

It’s almost like getting two different versions of the same land.

Is Galaxy’s Edge Good for Kids?

Absolutely—but I wouldn’t describe Galaxy’s Edge as a land designed specifically for little kids.

That’s an important distinction.

There isn’t a Dumbo or Frozen Ever After equivalent here. Both major rides have height requirements, Rise can be intense for some children, and Smugglers Run can be rough for kids who don’t like simulators.

But kids who already love Star Wars?

Oh my gosh.

There is so much here.

And because so much of Galaxy’s Edge exists outside the rides, a child who can’t—or doesn’t want to—ride everything can still experience the land.

That’s one of the reasons I think Droid Depot can be such a fun splurge for the right kid. It gives them something immersive to do, rather than simply something else to watch.

How Much Time Should You Spend in Galaxy’s Edge?

I would give Galaxy’s Edge at least a few hours over the course of your Hollywood Studios day, especially if this is your first visit.

Rise of the Resistance alone takes a meaningful chunk of time. Add Smugglers Run, wandering around Black Spire Outpost, character encounters, food, shopping, PhotoPass and potentially Droid Depot or Savi’s Workshop, and you can easily spend half a day here.

But I actually prefer not to think of Galaxy’s Edge as something you have to “finish.”

That’s not how I experience it.

I might start here during Early Entry.

Come back for a Lightning Lane.

Grab something from Kat Saka’s Kettle later.

Walk through again on my way somewhere else.

And then deliberately return after dark.

Galaxy’s Edge is better when you allow it to become part of your Hollywood Studios day instead of treating it like a checklist.

Is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Worth It If You Aren’t a Huge Star Wars Fan?

I think so.

Obviously, I am not remotely neutral on this question. 😂

Star Wars pushes every nostalgia button I have. I saw the original movie in a theater when I was five. My brother and I grew up playing with the figures. Seeing the Millennium Falcon in person for the first time genuinely meant something to me.

If you have absolutely no connection to Star Wars, you’re not going to have that reaction.

But you don’t need 40+ years of Star Wars baggage to appreciate what Disney built here.

Rise of the Resistance is an extraordinary theme-park attraction even if you can’t explain the difference between the Resistance and the First Order.

The Millennium Falcon is impressive even if Han Solo isn’t one of your childhood heroes.

And Black Spire Outpost is simply a spectacularly themed environment.

But if you do love Star Wars?

Oh boy.

You’re going to want some time here.

Final Thoughts on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Galaxy’s Edge is one of my favorite places in Walt Disney World.

Not just one of my favorite lands at Hollywood Studios.

One of my favorite places at Disney World.

And I think the reason is bigger than Rise of the Resistance, even though Rise is phenomenal.

It’s the feeling of the place.

You turn a corner and seeing the Millennium Falcon.

It’s walking underneath spaceships.

And having stormtroopers question people while Rey is somewhere else in the land.

It’s wandering through a marketplace that doesn’t particularly care whether you understand what half the merchandise is.

And watching Galaxy’s Edge change as the sun goes down and the lights come on.

It’s noticing that somebody at Disney cared enough to make the bathroom look like it belongs on another planet.

That level of immersion is rare.

Pandora does it.

Galaxy’s Edge does it.

For a little while, the outside world disappears.

And for the five-year-old who saw Star Wars in the movie theater and then spent years playing with those characters with her brother?

Standing underneath the Millennium Falcon is still pretty freaking awesome.

More Hollywood Studios Planning Tips

If you’re planning a full Hollywood Studios day, Galaxy’s Edge is only one piece of the puzzle. Here are a few more guides that can help you figure out where to eat, what to prioritize, and how to put your day together:

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