Often simply called Star Wars land, Galaxy’s Edge is a place for all fans. Once you step in, you’ll be transported to the planet of Batuu and its Black Spire Outpost. The visuals and environment are immersive and compelling but for first timers especially, there are many secrets hidden in plain sight.

In our Galaxy’s Edge guide in Disneyland, we share essential tips you need to know before you punch it to Batuu. Whether you’re with the Resistance, Empire, or some kind of Kessel Running scoundrel, these tips will allow you to maximize your time on the planet.

In This Article

25 Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge Tips

may the 4th photopass magic shot with ashoka on holopuck in galaxy's edge disneyland

There are so many great first timer guides out there for Galaxy’s Edge, so instead of repeating the basics, we’re going to jump to hyperspace so you can get right to the important tips.

By the end of this list of tips, you’ll take the leap from youngling to Jedi Master (or Darth) just like that!

For the purposes of this guide, we’ll be focusing on Disneyland in Anaheim, California. This matters because there are some subtle differences between here and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Why you need this Galaxy’s Edge guide

There’s certainly something to be said for going into Galaxy’s Edge wide-eyed and with no expectations. However, from our first visit to Galaxy’s Edge, we walked away from our time there, wishing we had some prior knowledge of how to best maximize the experience.

Sneakily, I almost feel like Galaxy’s Edge and the rest of the Star Wars-related experiences in the park are designed to be something you need to uncover yourself, increasing its “replay-ability”, but if you’re like us, you want to know as much as possible before jumping in.

Here’s What You’re Going To Learn

  • Strategies to maximize: Get the most out of your precious time at Disneyland and Galaxy’s Edge as a Star Wars fan.
  • Hidden secrets: There are so many things that aren’t advertised that can make a difference.
  • Ensure you leave with no regrets: Know all of the options, things you need to do ahead of your visit, and common mistakes so you can plan the most epic time at Galaxy’s Edge.
  • Tips to reduce stress: You’re going to amass so much knowledge here so you don’t have to scramble when you’re in the park.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #1: Book Galaxy’s Edge Workshops and Cantina Ahead of Time

star wars galaxy's edge droid depot workshop interior

The marquee experiences at Galaxy’s Edge are Savi’s Workshop, Droid Depot, and the Oga’s Cantina. The thing is, it’s easy to miss the fact that reservations are required and so if you just show up, you’ll likely miss your chance to do them.

To make your reservations, you’ll want to go to these individual Disney pages for the experiences. You will need a Disneyland account but you do not need a ticket purchased to make a reservation. Do this ASAP!

  • Savi’s Workshop – This is an immersive experience where you’ll be able to build your own lightsaber.
  • Droid Depot – Walk into a a droid-building assembly line where you’ll be able create your own creation by combining different droid parts. Once assembled, you’ll see it come to life.
  • Oga’s Cantina – Live out your dream of hanging out in a bar that’s just like the cantina on Tatooine.

With Savi’s Workshop, Droid Depot, an Oga’s Cantina, reservations open up 60 days in advance and you pay in full. It’s worth noting that if you miss your reservation, you won’t get a refund. If plans change, cancel your reservations at least a day in advance.

You’ll notice that the page says “Valid Theme Park Admission Required”. However, the booking system does not actually cross-match with existing tickets on your account. This is merely a warning message. As a result, for booking any of these experiences, you can technically reserve them before you purchase your Disneyland admission.

Admittedly, we didn’t even realize this until a few days before our visit. Luckily, there were some spots available for Savi’s Workshop and Droid Depot but Oga’s Cantina was fully booked.

PRO TIPS

PRO TIP #1: Book the workshops in the evening. With the Droid Workshop and Savi’s Lightsaber Workshop, you’ll come away with something quite substantial that you have to carry. You really don’t want have to do that throughout the day so make sure to end off your evening in Galaxy’s Edge.

PRO TIP #2: You can check for availability on both the Disneyland app or on desktop. Don’t despair if you can’t find a time slot that you want. Up until the day of, slots will randomly pop up because of cancellations so you’ll want to be refreshing often to snatch one.

PRO TIP #3: For Oga’s Cantina, you’ll notice that slot availability may be different based on group size. Don’t hesitate to try to find slots for a group that’s 1 or 2 sizes larger as they don’t have a strict policy around this.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #2: Workshop and Oga’s Cantina Same Day Availability

dj r-3x droid playing at ogas cantina in galaxy's edge at disneyland

If you missed reservations for Savi’s Workshop, Droid Depot, or Oga’s Cantina, there’s still a chance so don’t give up.

Oga’s Cantina is the easiest because they have a Walk-Up List. Through the Disneyland app, you can get in on standby. That said, don’t wait too late in the day because they do get to a point where they are so busy that you can’t even list yourself on standby.

To do this, simply open the Disneyland app when you’re nearby (it won’t let you do this if you’re far away) and browse to “Oga’s Cantina”. Tap on “Join Walk-Up List” and you’ll be notified when to return. You will also receive text messages to let you know that you’re on the list, and when your table is ready to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

The wait times will fluctuate but in our case, it took only 20 minutes so even if the line looks long, it’s really not too bad of a wait.

The advantage of Walk-Up List is that you’ll be able to roam around the park and the text message will let you know when to get to the back of the Oga’s Cantina queue.

joining the oga's cantina walk-up list through the disneyland app
oga's cantina standby walk up list text message

For Droid Depot, we’ve noticed that they are the least busy of all 3 bookable experiences in Galaxy’s Edge. Your chances are pretty good in terms of using the app to find same-day bookings.

Lastly, there’s Savi’s Workshop. As this is a high-ticket booking, they will have open slots the day prior and the day of. Of course, the later you wait, the less options you’ll have, but it’s definitely possible.

In both the Droid Depot and Savi’s Workshop case, there is no Walk-Up List ability so it is a matter of checking the app frequently for cancellations and new openings. You can also drop by the locations themselves to ask for availability, but it’d be the same as what you see on the app.

That said, if you’re out of luck and things are looking bad on the app, it might be worth showing up at specific time slots to see if there are last minute no-shows.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #9: Shipping Service Can Come In Handy

first order cargo store next to the tie echelon shuttle in galaxy's edge
First Order Cargo next to the TIE Echelon Shuttle

If you end up going on a shopping spree at Disneyland, they also have a shipping service, another service that isn’t well publicized.

There may be multiple places in the park that offer shipping services including:

  • First Order Cargo
  • Any of the big stores on Main Street, Fantasyland, or Tomorrowland including The Star Trader 

They can ship any items that you have a receipt for which means they have to have been purchased at Disneyland on the day of. You will need receipts for every single item so make sure to keep them handy.

disneyland shipping service rate chart
Current shipping rate chart

As you can see from the rate chart, there’s a domestic table and international table. On the domestic side, there are 2 levels of service, and a special rate for Alaska and Hawaii.

Interestingly, the shipping prices don’t match the rates of the carrier they use, UPS. Instead, they do it strictly on the value of the items you’re sending.

You can supposedly do this all the way until park closing. However, when we asked First Order Cargo at the end of the night, they said the last chance to ship was 11:30PM for midnight park closure.

PRO TIP#1: Domestically, ground shipping caps out at $39.95 for anything over $500.01. Internationally, the rate caps out at $150 for anything over $600.01. So in theory, you can buy a massive haul that’s ridiculously heavy and large and the shipping will stay the same.

PRO TIP #2: If you are shipping items to Canada, be warned that there will likely be taxes on the items. This means that UPS will try to clear them for you, resulting in ridiculous brokerage fees. Learn how to avoid UPS brokerage fees in our guide.

Can you bring lightsabers on planes? Yes, while we originally were thinking of shipping them back to Toronto, after learning how to disconnect the blade and taping down the excess fabric of the lightsaber carrying case that came with Savi’s Workshop and we had no issues going through security, boarding the plane, and going through customs. That said, we’ve read that some discount carriers like Spirit are strict about these items.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #10: Rock Your Lightsabers at Night

3 star wars fans wielding lightsabers in galaxy's edge at disneyland
savi's workshop blue lightsaber glowing in front of millennium falcon in galaxy's edge

Visiting Batuu and the Black Spire Outpost is incredible during the day but it truly comes alive at night when everything is lit and everyone is running amok with their lightsabers. Whether you’re on the Light or Dark Side, in darkness is when your blade truly shines.

Aside from the fun photo opportunities, the reason why there’s so much FOMO around having a lightsaber is because it is pretty awesome to activate your lightsaber with your friends and duel with strangers.

The best part is that you don’t have to feel awkward about it either because everyone else has their lightsaber on.

Don’t be shy. Strike a pose, practice your lightsaber skills, and add in those vwooooom…vwoom…vwwwoooom… sound effects.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #11: Make use of PhotoPass with Lightning Lane Multi Pass

3 star wars fans with lightsabers in galaxy's edge which is for free using genie+ and the photopass feature

free photopass photo of 3 guys in galaxy's edge in disneyland
galaxys edge photopass holopuck with ashoka bounty

galaxys edge photopass image scanner photographer
Image Scanner

One of the big advantages of what used to be called Genie+ and now called Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, in Disneyland is that the PhotoPass service is included free of charge whereas this is an extra add-on in Orlando’s Disney World.

From experience, we’ve found that the photographers (called Image Scanners) in Galaxy’s Edge are excellent. Not only are they super friendly, but they are really good at posing individuals and groups to get the best shot. Also, when comparing to the photographers you’ll find at the start of Main Street and by Walt Disney statue, they are not as busy.

Unique to Galaxy’s Edge is that photographers have access to Star Wars-themed Magic Shots where they layer in characters into the photo. A few examples are bounties showing up on a holopuck, BB-8 giving you a thumbs up, C1-10P flexing, and X-Wings in the sky.

Image Scanners only work until 10PM so make sure to not wait too long

PRO TIP #1: The best photos from PhotoPass in Galaxy’s Edge is at night when you get the glow of the background, and you can incorporate your lightsaber to the shot.

PRO TIP #2: The Image Scanners are incredibly patient so if you have a specific shot in mind, just ask. They also know the area really well and can suggest ideas if you don’t have any off the top of your mind.

PRO TIP #3: If you want to take your own photos afterwards, it may be worth bringing a mini tripod or use something like Peak Design’s mobile tripod that can stand on top of the box from the Droid Depot.

Where are PhotoPass photographers located? You’ll find photographers right in front of Millennium Falcon, by the doors of Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, across from Oga’s Cantina, and another on the far west entrance to Black Spire Outpost. They might not always be there though so you’ll need to roam around.

How do you access PhotoPass photos? After the photographer takes they will scan your PhotoPass Code that’s on your Disneyland app. Photos can sometimes appear as quickly as 30 minutes later but some take 1-2 hours. Photos stay on your account for 45 days but you can pay for a one-time extension to 60 days (after the photos have expired).

Can you guarantee what holopuck character you get? No, the Image Scanners can’t tell what character you got but what they can do is take a bunch of photos with that Magic Shot feature activated so that at least one of them is since it’s on a rotation.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #12: Plan Around Star Wars Nite Or Season Of The Force

season of the force scavenger hunt completed and collectible card in 2024
Special Season of the Force scavenger hunt
hyperspace mountain converted from space mountain during season of the force in disneyland
Space Mountain converted to during Season of the Force

For the ultimate fan, you might want to plan your entire trip around some of the special events that happen at Disneyland.

As you know May 4th is an important date in the Star Wars calendar. What Disneyland has done is expanded this to something that they call the Season of the Force which runs from early April to early June (April 5 – June 2 in 2024).

Coinciding with this period are special Star Wars Nite events that’s part of the Disneyland After Dark event series. These are usually 8 select nights in April and May where the whole park will be Star Wars-themed including restaurant menus change, special entertainment, extensive character meets, and more. This is the only time where cosplay and costume outfits of all designs are highly encouraged!

With Star Wars Nite, you get to enter the park starting at 6PM and mix in with the rest of the theme park crowd. You’ll check in to get special badges and eventually, the regular guests will be ushered out. The party then starts from 9PM to 1AM.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #13: Look For Easter Eggs

dionaga easter egg at water fountain station in galaxys edge
dok ondar's den of antiquities creature taxidermy on the wall

The Outer Rim Territories of Batuu is filled with easter eggs spanning all Star Wars movies, TV shows, and references to its history with Disney. There ware way too many to list out but here are some of our favourites that you should try to spot.

  • Dionoga – By the water fountain in the Batuu Marketplace, when you drink from it, the dionoga will poke its head around in the pipe above. If you translate the Aurebesh (using the Datapad) by the water bottle, it says “This water is not safe to consume for most lifeforms. Please drink with caution.”
  • Oga’s Cantina – When you go, wait for Batuu’s traditional drinking song, called “Una Duey Dee” which is sung by Kra Mer 5. Everyone gets into it by banging on the table and singing along. I also love that you’ll find the Mynock here as well, the creatures that much on power cables in Empire Strikes Back inside the space slug embedded in the asteroid. Also, notice how the taps are made from the heads of the IG-88 bounty hunter droid.
  • Garbage Cans – There are many Star Wars-themed garbage cans in Batuu and you’ll notice that there’s the numbers “3263827” below them. In the trash compactor scene in A New Hope, that’s the number Luke yells at C-3PO over the communicator to indicate the hatch number.
  • Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities – This shop is full of gems from Star Wars including taxidermy of many creatures including a wampa, the Mandalorian logo, nexu cat, Hera’s Kalikori, and so much more. There’s even a golden bust of Jar Jar Binks. You’ll also find The Ark of the Covenant from Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark if you look carefully.
  • Droid Depot – There are tons of recognizable droids here including the Imperial enforcer droid (K-2SO from Rogue One. As you make your way through droid alley, there are also tracks on the ground made by R2-D2 which were apparently done with the actual prop.
  • Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – One of the dining tables here is an X-Wing S-Foil and on the roof of the food delivery vehicle are the numbers 77, 80, and 83, corresponding to the release dates of the original trilogy.
  • Toydarian Toymaker – This is one of the shops in the marketplace but notice how everything is meant to be handmade items by the Toydarian, Zabaka (same species as Watto). In addition to a hand-stiched porg, Yoda rag doll, wooden sandcrawlers, and Ewok drums, you’ll also see hanging from the ceiling marionettes of the original trilogy.

When you go, see how many references you can spot!

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #14: Lightning Lane Multi-Pass Is Your Friend

scanning lightning lane pass for millennium falcon smugglers run as part of genie+

While we still think that Lightning Lane Multi-Pass is overly complicated for newcomers to the park, it’s still something we highly recommend for your visit to Disneyland.

To complement the helpful practical guide to Lightning Lane Multi-Pass in our Disneyland for Star Wars Fans, here are reasons why Lightning Lane Multi-Pass will help you in Galaxy’s Edge.

  • PhotoPass is the most valuable part of Lightning Lane Multi-Pass because you’ll be able to come away from Galaxy’s Edge with some amazing photos.
  • Lightning Lane Multi-Pass can help you strategically book Lightning Lane for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run especially when the standby line is very long.
  • While the line for Star Tours is never really that long, Lightning Lane Multi-Pass gives you a free pass to walk right in on Lightning Lane at any given time.

You’ll notice that I don’t include Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in here because they have what’s called “Individual Lightning Lane” which is something you need to purchase for $26-$30 and you don’t need Lightning Lane Multi-Pass to do it.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #15: Don’t Rope Drop Galaxy’s Edge

We cover this more in-depth in our Disneyland itinerary guide but many people will often ask the question of where they should go first when the park opens.

The strategy of rope drop is essentially one where you are there right when the park opens. 30-45 minutes before actual opening, the turnstiles open, allowing guests to enter the park and onto Main Street. You’ll be able to walk all the way to Central Plaza where Disney Cast Members have a physical rope that prevent you from going any further. At this point, you wait with the crowd and once the opening hour arrives, they literally drop the rope and then there’s a mad free-for-all where everyone rushes to their first destination.

The Force will be strong with the temptation of going to Galaxy’s Edge first but in a bit of reverse psychology, you know that other people (that don’t read these guides) are thinking the same thing.

The thing is, even if you’re at the front of rope drop, the combination of the time to walk there ride length of the two major attractions means that you’ll be missing the shorter wait times for other areas of the park.

Your best use of the early morning time is to actually head to Tomorrowland at rope drop if you’re a Star Wars fan.

When you look at our 1-day itinerary of Disneyland, you’ll see that in the morning, you can ride Star Tours multiple times, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and Space Mountain in rapid succession in the first hour. This is in part because so many people head straight to Batuu, leaving less people to start in Tomorrowland.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #16: Interacting With Your Favorite Characters

the mandalorian and grogu character interaction in galaxy's edge disneyland
sabine wren character interaction in disneyland's galaxy's edge
meeting chewbacca in galaxy's edge in disneyland
first order tie echelon performance with kylo ren officer and stormtroopers

One of my favourite parts about Galaxy’s Edge are the encounters you can have with Star Wars characters. They come out at random times throughout the day so you can’t plan for it but when they are out and about, it’s fun to just be an observer and see how they interact with visitors.

What you’ll love about it is that they are often quite spontaneous and often personalized based on what you say to them, how you answer their questions, what you’re wearing, or what you’re doing in that particular moment.

Resistance characters are easy to approach for photos and they’re particularly great with kids. Chewie can be quite friendly but if you are obviously supporting the First Order with your clothing such as a pin or t-shirt, he might try to pretend to rip your arm out. Rey is often trying to dodge First Order troops so you might be pulled in to help her out.

Our favourite interactions are usually with the First Order. Typically, stormtroopers accompany Kylo Ren in the streets of the Black Spire Outpost near the TIE Echelon shuttle. I highly encourage you to follow them around as they will ask things like “Hold! That is quite the likeness!”, “Do you support the Resistance?”, “Will you accept the power of the Dark Side?”, “We believe the Resistance is active here. If you see something, will you report it to the First Order?”.

If you want to be extra prepared, you can think of different lines you can say to the Resistance or First Order to try to elicit a response. You can try to perform a Jedi Mind Trick on stormtroopers, you can let Rey know where Kylo Ren is, or you can make up a story about how you support one of the factions.

Lastly, Kylo Ren’s patrol with a First Order officer and stormtroopers eventually leads to the TIE Echelon where he roughs up the officer because of poor performance. This is more of a show than an interaction but is a cool part of what you can see.

Overall, Disneyland’s approach here is less of a formal character meet but instead is something that feels more natural and authentic to the universe.

PRO TIP #1: During Season of the Force, they’ve also been known to bring out their advanced BDX droids. They will appear randomly throughout the day between the Droid Depot and landspeeder garage. It’s likely that they will become more of a mainstay of the Galaxy’s Edge experience in the future.

PRO TIP #2: Another way to level up your interactions is to know common phrases:

  • Good morning – “Bright suns”
  • Good evening – “Rising moons” or “Bright stars”.
  • Goodbye – “Til the spires”, “May the spires keep you” , or “Good journey”.
  • I don’t know – “Only the ancients know”
  • If someone says “Ignite the spark”, your response should be “Light the fire”.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #17: Use Mobile Ordering

docking bay 7 mobile ordering preparing order
docking bay 7 mobile ordering ready for pick up

They’re truly made the Disneyland app an indispensable part of the park experience. In addition to everything we’ve mentioned so far, they’ve incorporated food ordering into it as well.

Between Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Milk Stand, and Ronto Roasters, you can jump into the app and put your food and drink order in which means you can bypass the line up completely.

In addition to ordering food on the spot, you can also schedule orders for later in the day. The app allows you to select 15 minute time slots and when the time comes, you just show up and the food will be ready for you. The app is also good at reminding you when it’s time to go.

What if you’re going to be late for your scheduled order? They make it super easy to change the time of your pick up. You simply go back to the Disneyland app, choose another time, and that’s it!

Do you have to be close to the restaurant to order? No, you could be on the other side of Disneyland when you put this order in. If you’re good about anticipating your next moves, you can have your food ready to be picked up just in time for your arrival.

Mobile ordering can save you a ton of time.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #18: Know The Disney Bounding Rules

photopass magic shots with a star wars fan disney bounding and giving bb-8 a thumbs up

You might be tempted to do a full Star Wars cosplay at Galaxy’s Edge but you need to know the rules about this.

  • If you are 14 and under, you are allowed to wear costumes
  • If you are 15 and above, you can only dress on-theme in street clothes (called Disney Bounding)

Disney has a great article that explains Disney Bounding but essentially they adults to wear traditional clothing items that pay tribute to Star Wars but can’t be include full robes, body armor, helmets, masks, blasters (lightsabers are allowed though), face paint, or any sort of full character suit (i.e. Chewbacca).

The exception is for special events such as Star Wars Nite mentioned earlier.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #19: Watch The Fireworks

best location to view fireworks in galaxy's edge in disneyland california
Best location to view fireworks
view of fireworks from savi's workshop in galaxy's edge in disneyland
View of the fireworks in Savi’s Workshop

If you’re focused on Galaxy’s Edge, it won’t be the most convenient to drop everything you’re doing to head back to the Central Plaza or Main Street to camp out a spot to watch the fireworks. While not the most popular spot to watch the fireworks, Star Wars fans should stay in Galaxy’s Edge.

When are the fireworks? The fireworks at Disneyland are at 9:30PM.

Since there are fireworks shot from just behind Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you are actually much closer to the fireworks and they aren’t obstructed at all. They appear right behind the tall spires of Galaxy’s Edge.

Where is the best place to watch the fireworks? Your best vantage point is going to be just outside the doors of Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo since it’s elevated and gives you view of the spaceport with the Millennium Falcon, Bard, and spires. The other recommended watching locations are from the spaceport itself, next to First Order Cargo, or by the landspeeder garage because these are spots where you can hear the music.

There’s now a new themed fireworks show in Galaxy’s Edge called Fire of the Rising Moons. While they don’t fire any additional fireworks, they layer in narration from the Lore-weaver named Tohan Lege through the droid, Bard, and the classic score by John Williams. Special lighting is also used to match the music and fireworks.

PRO TIP: Since they don’t perform this daily, make sure to check the calendar on the Fire of the Rising Moons page.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #20: The Truth About Oga’s Cantina

oga's cantina bar and standing seats in galaxy's edge of disneyland resort

Oga’s Cantina is everything you’ve dreamed that the Mos Eisley Cantina would be like. It’s dimly lit, plays great tunes thanks to DJ R-3X and there are plenty of drinks. The only difference is that it’s pretty rare that someone will lose an arm.

While I loved it, I can see that some might be upset if they didn’t know what it was like inside. To put all of the Sabacc cards on the table, here’s what you need to know:

  • While they do have separate menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they are actually the same.
  • As a cantina, they don’t have a lot of food options. They 4 items on the menus are meant to be snacks and not full meals (think garlic bread, veggie dips, chips and guacamole, and a small sandwich).
  • Most tables are standing only. Seating cannot be guaranteed so expect to standing. There are no bar-height stools.
  • Tables with seats are extremely limited on the outer part of the cantina. If you’re lucky enough to get a table with a seat, you are likely to share the table with another group(s).
  • If you are a small group and get one of the standing tables, you are also likely to share it with another group(s).
  • Large groups might be separated since they don’t have any large tables.
  • You can try to make a request to get a bar-side spot but most likely, you’ll get placed wherever there’s an opening.
  • There is a huge drink selection (beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic). If you’re a collector, look out for ones that come with souvenir mugs or flight board. They also change their menu from time to time (often introduced during Season of the Force).

We believe this comes down to having the right expectations. If you know what you’re getting into, you won’t fuss about it as much but from what we’ve read, most people get upset because they didn’t expect to be standing the whole time or that they needed to share a table with other people.

Make sure to read the Disneyland Oga’s Cantina page before you go.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #21: Read the Lore of Batuu

As a lead up to the opening Galaxy’s Edge, they released comics and a novel that are all canon and tie in characters and references to Batuu and the Black Spire Outpost.

For the comic series, you used to be able to buy it directly from Marvel’s comic store but they’ve since gone with a subscription model that doesn’t allow you to buy them individually so Amazon is probably your best bet.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #22: Best Way To Do Rise of the Resistance

It’s no secret that the best ride on Galaxy’s Edge is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. So how do you make sure you can experience this ride on your visit?

Pay for the Individual Lighting Lane

Having Lightning Lane Multi-Pass actually doesn’t help you for Rise of the Resistance as everyone has the ability to purchase Individual Lightning Lane. The prices range from $26-$30 depending on the time of the year and this gives you a 1 hour window to use the Lightning Lane.

While it sucks that you have to pay additional money on top of Disneyland tickets and Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, ultimately our view is that your time is precious and you’d rather be doing other rides and exploring Galaxy’s Edge than waiting in line. On average, the wait times are 72 minutes. With Individual Lightning Lane, you can get through in 10 minutes.

Pick the best times of the day to go

Utilizing Thrill Data for Rise of the Resistance, you’ll see the recommended times to go are:

  • Morning: 9:25AM, Early Afternoon: 1:20PM, and Early Evening: 7:00PM
  • We’d also add that the last hour that the ride runs is very good from 9PM – 10PM

Go more than one time

By paying for Individual Lightning Lane, you’ll be able to go on the ride earlier in the day and if you’re a big fan and want to go on it again, we’d recommend going in that early evening slot when most people are eating dinner.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #23: Single Rider Lane

millennium falcon smugglers run single rider line at the entrance

Single Rider Lane are incredibly useful for all of Disneyland. While they won’t be as fast as the Lightning Lane, it’s not that far off. The trade-off is of course that your group will be split up but if you line up together, there’s still a chance that you might be put together.

In Galaxy’s Edge, the only ride that has a Single Rider Lane is Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. This is a huge time-saver especially if you’ve already burned your one Lightning Lane booking per day, or if you’re riding it when the Standby Lane is really long.

PRO TIP: We cover this in our Disneyland in a day guide for Star Wars fans, the other rides that have Single Rider Lanes in Disneyland are: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Matterhorn Bobsleds. A heads up, Space Mountain’s Single Rider line is hidden at the exit area of the ride.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #24: Droid Depot

galaxys edge droid depot accessories and personality chips section

Compared to the intricacies of Savi’s Workshop, building your own droid is not as complicated but there are definitely a few things that you should know ahead of time.

  • As we covered at the top, reservations are highly recommended. You can do this 60 days in advance. That said, there is often walk-up availability.
  • In Disneyland, the Droid Depot workshop allows 2 guests (versus 1 in Disney World)
  • Custom astromech droids are not refundable.
  • You’re expected to arrive 15 minutes before your reservation time slot. This will allow you to check-in and pay.
  • At check-in (Builder Registration desk), you will need to select the series of droid you want to make. It’s a good idea to know beforehand whether you want an R-series (R2-D2 style), BB-series (BB-8 style), or C-series (C1-10P style). You’ll be handed a specific basket and inside is labelled with the parts you need to collect on the conveyor belt.
  • The other decision you will need to make is whether you want a personality chip or not ($14.99). These are not included in the base cost of droid building and are optional. These chips range from First Order, the Resistance, and scoundrel and determines its voice (the beeps and boops) and how it interacts with other droids.
  • The conveyor belt has a lot of different parts for all droids. If there’s a colorway or style that seems to be missing, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for it. Make sure to also inspect your parts for chips, paint, and plastic defects.
  • There seems to be more accessories for R-series droids. For instance, you can buy a drum set, serving tray, tow cable, tool set, blaster attachments, and jet pack.
  • Assembly can take longer than you think. The whole process took my friend 25 minutes.
  • While the instructions are relatively self explanatory, don’t hesitate to ask the staff if you have any issues. Sometimes there may also be defects in the parts so if something doesn’t work, they may need to take a look. The final step of pairing also requires their assistance.
  • In addition to the controller that it comes with, you can also control the droid via bluetooth and a dedicated app.
  • The droid comes with a special cardboard box. They of course, also sell a fabric backpack for the droid if you want to carry it around.
  • You’re aren’t allowed to control the droid in the park but you can carry it around. This will allow you to see how the droid can be excited, sad, or scared depending on the environment. It can also interact with other people’s droids.
  • At specific times of day, Cast Members in Galaxy’s Edge will lay out a special mat, allowing you to control your droid. This is the only place you can do this.
  • Battery wise, the droid requires six AA batteries and the remote requires two AAA batteries.
  • You really don’t want to be carrying the droid around so either make use of the Package Check Service or do this close to the end of your day.

PRO TIP: On the other side of the Droid Depot is a display that has all of the chips inside a plastic case. In front of them are buttons that you can press to hear the sounds you get from each personality. This is worth checking out before you check-in because the staff don’t always do the best job and explaining the differences.

Galaxy’s Edge Tip #25: Grab A Coca-Cola Thermal Detonator

coca-cola drink thermal detonators in galaxy's edge

We’ll end off with something that’s not talked about in other guides. At various concession stands and kiosks throughout Galaxy’s Edge, they sell these super cool thermal detonator versions of Coke drinks: Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Sprite.

These are essentially spherical plastic bottles with a screw top cap. The contain 13.5 oz which is actually slightly more than the standard 12 oz can and the labels are in Aurebesh, the written language of Star Wars.

While they might seem a bit overpriced at $6.25 per bottle, it’s still better value than a standard fountain drink. This one at least, you can bring home as a souvenir.

Are these thermal detonators allowed on the plane? There was some early controversy about this but TSA did official come out to official say that these Coca-Cola thermal detonators are allowed on the plane.

PRO TIP: They used to be cheaper at the popcorn stand in Galaxy’s Edge so make sure to check.

The Force Is Strong In Galaxy’s Edge

man walking in galaxy's edge spaceport with millennium falcon in the background

Despite being in the far reaches of the Outer Rim Territories, the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu (where Galaxy’s Edge is located) is looks and feels galactic-sized if you know all of its secrets.

On my first visit to Galaxy’s Edge, I was absolutely blown away by everything that they built. Every single corner of architecture, food item, ride, character, and experiences is impeccably Star Wars.

Now that your blasters are armed with all of these inside tips, you can make sure that Greedo doesn’t shoot first. May the Force be with you!

After you come back from your trip, let us know if these tips were helpful and were there any that we missed!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge a separate ticket?

No, you do not need to pay extra to get into Galaxy’s Edge. This is because Galaxy’s Edge is within Disneyland and so having a ticket to Disneyland will grant you access.

Do you need a full day in Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge?

The amount of time spent in Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge will entirely depend on how much you want to do there. You can spend as little as a few hours here if you just care about a few rides and want to walk around or you can spend half a day or more if you want to fully explore the world and everything it has to offer. That said, most opt to divide their time between Galaxy’s Edge and the rest of Disneyland so most do not spend a full day.

How much time do you need in Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge?

For most guests, we’d say that you will spend 5 hours in Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge if you plan on doing both rides, trying the food, doing a little shopping, trying 1 or 2 of Savi’s Workshop, Droid Workshop, or Oga’s Cantina, taking photos, and poking around the Datapad game.

Do you need a Park Hopper ticket for Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge?

No, you do not need the Park Hopper ticket for Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. A single park ticket to Disneyland is enough since Galaxy’s Edge is within the park. The only time you’d want a Park Hopper ticket is if you want to be able to jump between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure which are two separate theme parks.

When is the best time to go to Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge?

As a Star Wars fan, the best time to go to Galaxy’s Edge is during the Season of the Force and more specifically on or after May 4th because all of the special merchandise will be released by then and there are always special activities. From a Disneyland perspective, to avoid the crowds, the best time to go is during their low season which is mid-September to mid-November and mid-January to mid-March.

Is building a lightsaber worth it at Savi’s Workshop?

If you are a fan of Star Wars, Savi’s Workshop is absolutely worth it as it’s more than just building a lightsaber, but an immersive story-telling experience. The lightsaber you make here is also made of hefty metal and is much higher quality than toy lightsabers. What makes Disneyland the best place to do it is because it is cheaper than Disney World and it also allows for an additional guest to watch.

Is it possible to ship lightsabers home?

If you plan on doing Savi’s Workshop to build your own lightsaber, it is possible to use Disneyland’s shipping service. In Galaxy’s Edge, First Order Cargo can package and ship all Disneyland purchased items together for a fee (domestic and international) and the carrier they use is UPS.

Where is the cheapest place to buy Disneyland tickets?

Buying it directly from Disneyland, Klook, and Viator will give you the best public prices. For discounts, Undercover Tourist has access to good promotions. If your workplace gives you access to TicketsAtWork, they offer discounts as well.

Is blue milk or green milk worth it?

In our opinion, blue milk and green milk at the Milk Stand in Galaxy’s Edge isn’t worth it. As a fan, you’ll want to try it but at the end of the day it’s a blend of coconut and rice milk with a tangy taste to it. Let’s just say it’s the kind of thing you try once and probably don’t have again.

Read More US Theme Park Content

Save Money On Your Trip To Disneyland

  • Accommodations: Booking.com is our go-to platform especially if you have Genius tier where you can find an additional 10-20% off places to stay.
  • Car Rentals: You’ll most likely need a car for LA and Anaheim. Make sure to use these car rental coupon codes to save a ton of money!
  • Flights: Get creative with your flights and set alerts for when prices dip when using Skyscanner.
  • Activities: Undercover Tourist has a sweet discount for 2 or more days but make sure to also check Klook and Viator as well. If your company provides access to Tickets At Work, that is also a good place to check for discounts.

Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit Cards

Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights

In our opinion, of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check.

Car Rental

If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and Booking’s car rental platform are great places to start.

Rideshare

You probably already have accounts but if you don’t, for new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code cbh4j6plxt8p for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.

Airport Parking

You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

eSIM

eSIM: This is our go-to way of staying connected.  Below are the discounts we have acquired for our readers.

  • AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
  • Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
  • Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
  • KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
  • AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
  • UbigiAWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
  • Holafly – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 5%.
  • Roamless – Use code AWESOME20 to save 20.
  • Saily – Use code GAP15 to save 15%.

Make sure to read our article on breaking down the cheapest eSIMs for travel to learn more.

Wifi Hotspot

We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels

Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals

Your first instinct will be to go to Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities

When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance

Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

  • HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 5% discount!
  • RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
  • SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
  • Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
  • InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Check Out Our Toolbox

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

This trip was supported by Disneyland but all opinions are our own.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

William Tang

Will is an expert and award-winning travel content creator with 54 countries under his belt. He has a passion for outdoor adventure and experiential travel and loves writing insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur. He’s also a member of SATW, TMAC, and ATTA.

Read More About Will

Join The Discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *