Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Opening Info and Early Strategy Thoughts
Disney has announced that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will open on May 31 in Disneyland Park and on August 29 in Disney's Hollywood Studios Park at Disney World. Due to limited capacity of the parks (and specific lands), strategy will be essential for maximizing your experience whether you're trying to experience Galaxy's Edge or avoid it.
Uring this first phase, only Star Wars: Smuggler's Run along with some dining options including the Cantina will open. The second attraction, Rise of the Resistance, will open later this year. The height requirement for Smuggler's Run, the Millenimum Falcon flying experience, will be 38".
We know the Fastpasses (Walt Disney World) and MaxPass (Disneyland) will NOT be available early on once Galaxy's Edge opens to get guests through the attractions with as short of a wait as possible. Disneyland ONLY will have reservations to get into Galaxy's Edge available for ON-SITE guests. Off site guests can make complimentary reservations based on availability as we get closer to the opening.
Now Tips!
1. Arrive early. I can't stress this enough. The parks WILL close if they reach capacity. Staying on site will increase your ability to enter the park if capacity closures do go into affect. Park hours will be posted likely at 8 am, but often park will open 30 - 60 minutes before posted time. This is the sweet spot. Many guests will not get up as early as planned, or will not prepare to be THAT early.
2. Consider alternate transportation. Buses and ferries (and even Minnie Vans) at Disney World will be packed - consider using Uber or Lyft to get a jump on the crowd. If you don't yet have the app downloaded, use my code for a free ride credit. Lyft tends to be a bit cheaper in Orlando. https://www.lyft.com/iei/KATIE316882
3. Plan ahead.
Florida - Hollywood Studios will ultimately have TWO entrances to Galaxy's Edge - one through Toy Story Land and one near MuppetVision 3D. Due to crowds and path, I'd suggest using the MuppetVision 3D entrance, but it is likely that cast members will "walk" guests back to Galaxy's Edge to avoid running and pushing. Early on, both entrances may not be accessible as the land will open in phases.
California - Disneyland will likely have THREE entrances to Galaxy's Edge - one around Critter Country, one through Toontown, and one through Frontierland. The most direct route is through Frontierland which will likely make it the busiest... Critter Country may be the least used, but cast members will likely "walk" guests back to Galaxy's Edge to avoid running and pushing. Early on, entrances may be limited as it will open in phases.
4. Ride first. This seems counter intuitive because it's what everyone will do, but the line, at least in the first few months, will not decrease at all through the day. The earlier you're in line, the shorter your wait. Disney Cast Members will cap the line, but it still will be a multi hour wait.
5. Pack for the wait. Snacks, drinks, entertainment will be helpful. But be careful - Disney queues stack people deep - and restrooms will be limited. Guests will also not be eager to let you sneak back into your spot in line.
6. If you choose to eat at one of the new Star Wars themed dining offerings, use the mobile ordering from the app! This will cut down your wait time in line. Also consider moving away from the quick service location to eat - find a curb or a shady spot. Trying to find a table may be very difficult.
Bonus tip: If you can pack light and not take ANY bags into the park, I'd recommend it. This allows you to bypass the bag check line, potentially saving a significant amount of time. Note: this may change as security and park entrances change - all guests may have to enter through the same queue.
Bonus tip 2: If you're a group that can ride single rider, pay attention! It is reported that single rider lines were built into each queue, but we won't know for a bit yet if Disney intends to USE these options or not.
Disney has announced that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will open on May 31 in Disneyland Park and on August 29 in Disney's Hollywood Studios Park at Disney World. Due to limited capacity of the parks (and specific lands), strategy will be essential for maximizing your experience whether you're trying to experience Galaxy's Edge or avoid it.
Uring this first phase, only Star Wars: Smuggler's Run along with some dining options including the Cantina will open. The second attraction, Rise of the Resistance, will open later this year. The height requirement for Smuggler's Run, the Millenimum Falcon flying experience, will be 38".
We know the Fastpasses (Walt Disney World) and MaxPass (Disneyland) will NOT be available early on once Galaxy's Edge opens to get guests through the attractions with as short of a wait as possible. Disneyland ONLY will have reservations to get into Galaxy's Edge available for ON-SITE guests. Off site guests can make complimentary reservations based on availability as we get closer to the opening.
Now Tips!
1. Arrive early. I can't stress this enough. The parks WILL close if they reach capacity. Staying on site will increase your ability to enter the park if capacity closures do go into affect. Park hours will be posted likely at 8 am, but often park will open 30 - 60 minutes before posted time. This is the sweet spot. Many guests will not get up as early as planned, or will not prepare to be THAT early.
2. Consider alternate transportation. Buses and ferries (and even Minnie Vans) at Disney World will be packed - consider using Uber or Lyft to get a jump on the crowd. If you don't yet have the app downloaded, use my code for a free ride credit. Lyft tends to be a bit cheaper in Orlando. https://www.lyft.com/iei/KATIE316882
3. Plan ahead.
Florida - Hollywood Studios will ultimately have TWO entrances to Galaxy's Edge - one through Toy Story Land and one near MuppetVision 3D. Due to crowds and path, I'd suggest using the MuppetVision 3D entrance, but it is likely that cast members will "walk" guests back to Galaxy's Edge to avoid running and pushing. Early on, both entrances may not be accessible as the land will open in phases.
California - Disneyland will likely have THREE entrances to Galaxy's Edge - one around Critter Country, one through Toontown, and one through Frontierland. The most direct route is through Frontierland which will likely make it the busiest... Critter Country may be the least used, but cast members will likely "walk" guests back to Galaxy's Edge to avoid running and pushing. Early on, entrances may be limited as it will open in phases.
4. Ride first. This seems counter intuitive because it's what everyone will do, but the line, at least in the first few months, will not decrease at all through the day. The earlier you're in line, the shorter your wait. Disney Cast Members will cap the line, but it still will be a multi hour wait.
5. Pack for the wait. Snacks, drinks, entertainment will be helpful. But be careful - Disney queues stack people deep - and restrooms will be limited. Guests will also not be eager to let you sneak back into your spot in line.
6. If you choose to eat at one of the new Star Wars themed dining offerings, use the mobile ordering from the app! This will cut down your wait time in line. Also consider moving away from the quick service location to eat - find a curb or a shady spot. Trying to find a table may be very difficult.
Bonus tip: If you can pack light and not take ANY bags into the park, I'd recommend it. This allows you to bypass the bag check line, potentially saving a significant amount of time. Note: this may change as security and park entrances change - all guests may have to enter through the same queue.
Bonus tip 2: If you're a group that can ride single rider, pay attention! It is reported that single rider lines were built into each queue, but we won't know for a bit yet if Disney intends to USE these options or not.
or AVOID Galaxy's Edge Crowds!
1. We have to assume that people who are most interested in Galaxy's Edge early on are generally thrill seekers and enjoy bigger rides. If you're NOT interested in Galaxy's Edge, head to Star Tours, Rock 'n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, or Slinky Dog Dash first.
2. Fastpass/Maxpass strategically. We don't know yet how the tiers will change once the Star Wars attractions are added, but currently, I'd suggest a fast pass for Slinky Dog mid day. Head straight to Rock 'n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror (away from the direction of the crowds), then hit Star Wars, and head to Toy Story Land. Doing this, your longest wait may be Toy Story Mania...
For Disneyland guests, Indiana Jones, Star Tours, The Matterhorn, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad may be good choices for your MaxPass.
3. The park will become busier through the day as people who have ridden the Star Wars attractions move into the rest of the park. Once the second Star Wars attractions open, the amount of time will extend before crowds enter the remainder of the park.
Let's hope that the focus on the Star Wars sections keeps the crowds low for a part of the day for those not interested!
As always, this is just speculation at this point - no one can truly predict how the crowds will affect the parks until they've opened, but hopefully these tips are helpful in your planning. I'd love to give you even more useful tips and tricks for your trip - my services are 100% FREE and 100% MAGICAL! Send me an email today and we will plan your Disney Adventure!
Katie@HiHoVacations.com
Join my group on Facebook! DDR (Disney Done Right)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DisneyDDR
1. We have to assume that people who are most interested in Galaxy's Edge early on are generally thrill seekers and enjoy bigger rides. If you're NOT interested in Galaxy's Edge, head to Star Tours, Rock 'n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, or Slinky Dog Dash first.
2. Fastpass/Maxpass strategically. We don't know yet how the tiers will change once the Star Wars attractions are added, but currently, I'd suggest a fast pass for Slinky Dog mid day. Head straight to Rock 'n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror (away from the direction of the crowds), then hit Star Wars, and head to Toy Story Land. Doing this, your longest wait may be Toy Story Mania...
For Disneyland guests, Indiana Jones, Star Tours, The Matterhorn, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad may be good choices for your MaxPass.
3. The park will become busier through the day as people who have ridden the Star Wars attractions move into the rest of the park. Once the second Star Wars attractions open, the amount of time will extend before crowds enter the remainder of the park.
Let's hope that the focus on the Star Wars sections keeps the crowds low for a part of the day for those not interested!
As always, this is just speculation at this point - no one can truly predict how the crowds will affect the parks until they've opened, but hopefully these tips are helpful in your planning. I'd love to give you even more useful tips and tricks for your trip - my services are 100% FREE and 100% MAGICAL! Send me an email today and we will plan your Disney Adventure!
Katie@HiHoVacations.com
Join my group on Facebook! DDR (Disney Done Right)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DisneyDDR
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