Post by swamprat on Sept 23, 2019 0:38:05 GMT
Galaxy's Edge'
By Amy Thompson a day ago Entertainment
The Millennium Falcon is as magnificent as you might expect.
The Millennium Falcon, the crown jewel of Disney's new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. (Image: © Disney)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Last month Disney World opened its doors to a brand-new, immersive park experience: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Here, visitors can realize their "Star Wars" fantasies over 14 acres of property.
The new land, which opened on Aug. 29 in Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, is perhaps Disney's most ambitious park expansion thus far. It is also identical to the "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" that opened four months ago (May 2019) at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
The immersive expansion, with its Earth-toned, rustic-futuristic design, aims to re-create the look and feel of the series that has captivated fans since its 1977 premiere. The attraction also aims to make visitors feel like they've truly traveled to a galaxy far, far away.
The land’s architecture is very "Star Wars"-esque and helps to immerse travelers in their surroundings. (Image credit: Amy Thompson/Space.com)
At Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, you will explore the planet Batuu, a temperate, forested world that's nestled on the galaxy's outer rim. Batuu is home to a bustling spaceport called the Black Spire Outpost, a seedy little settlement where many live off the grid and the First Order routinely patrols. Just keep your eyes peeled, as the outpost is rumored to be a hotspot for some of the galaxy’s most notorious characters.
This isn't a location we've seen on screen, but it still feels familiar. Known for its many petrified trees, Batuu is divided into three sections: the resistance forest, First Order territory and a more metropolitan space that falls somewhere in between. It's the perfect destination for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in everything "Star Wars."
Journey to Batuu
Disney is a master of creating immersive, fantastical experiences, and Galaxy's Edge is no exception. As soon as you walk through the entrance, a giant stone archway that leads you into Batuu, the typical theme-park background noise fades away and you're immediately transported to the "Star Wars" universe.
Now, for some exciting details!
Because Black Spire is a spaceport, that means (cue the inner squealing) there are spaceships — yes, as in multiple spaceships that guests will be able to not only look at but also board — including none other than the Millennium Falcon.
After arriving in Batuu, your journey will begin in the resistance forest. It's here that one of the land's two major attractions, Rise of the Resistance, is set to open later this year (Dec. 5 in Florida, Jan. 17 in California). The ride, billed as one of Disney's most ambitious undertakings, will put guests in the middle of a battle between the resistance and the First Order.
The land’s premier attraction, Rise of the Resistance, is located deep in the heart of the resistance forest and set to open later this year. (Image credit: Amy Thompson/Space.com)
On this ride, passengers will be loaded onto a resistance troop-transport vehicle that will take them to meet up with other resistance fighters to take on Kylo Ren and the First Order. But things don't go quite as planned. Most of the specifics about the ride are still secret, as Disney likes to preserve the magic and keep the experience under wraps until opening, but the brief teaser the company released at D23 is enough to get us excited: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p71pEENzzZI
The teaser backs up what Disney Imagineers revealed at a special ticketed event last June: The ride will feature two, full-scale AT-AT, or all-terrain armored transport vehicles, that will be shooting at an eight-person ride vehicle driven by an R5 droid. This strays a bit from the films, in which Imperial ground forces used the giant, four-legged combat vehicles to mount attacks against the Rebellion.
As you explore the resistance forest, you will begin to feel like you're actually in a spaceport. Multiple spaceships sit on display throughout the land, and you may even spot Chewbacca working on Poe's X-wing fighter, ensuring it's in top shape for any potential run-ins with the First Order.
Be on the alert as the First Order dispatched a band of storm troopers to roam Batuu in search of those loyal to the resistance. (Image credit: Amy Thompson/Space.com)
The marketplace
What tourist destination would be complete without a little shopping? On the other side of the forest is a bustling marketplace full of sights, sounds, and strange and interesting creatures.
Unique light fixtures and cloth drapes hang overhead as you walk through the market. Stall-like stores adorn the sides of the market, each with its own trinkets for you to buy using your credits (that's Batuu speak for money).
The marketplace is home to a variety of shops where you can find your perfect galactic treasures. (Image credit: Amy Thompson/Space.com)
If you're in search of otherworldly creatures, be sure to pop into the creature stall. There, you can pick up a creepy-crawly, or perhaps furry friend to take home with you. This stall has it all, from Loth cat to tauntaun to porg and everything in between. Just make sure you watch out for those Kowakian monkey-lizards (Jabba's shoulder-perched sidekick in "Return of the Jedi").
If trinkets are more your style, visit the toy shop, where you can find handcrafted character dolls (I personally went home with a Kylo Ren doll), wooden figures, cantina instruments, and even Sabacc cards and chance cubes.
If you want to dress like a resident of the "Star Wars" universe, be sure to visit Black Spire Outfitters. Here, you'll find a variety of fashionable, yet practical styles for your trip through the cosmos.
Adjacent to the shops is a pit stop (or perhaps we should say spit stop) called Ronto's Roasters. Here, you will find refreshments as a droid spit-roasts some local delicacies using a re-purposed pod-racing engine as a roaster.
By Amy Thompson a day ago Entertainment
The Millennium Falcon is as magnificent as you might expect.
The Millennium Falcon, the crown jewel of Disney's new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. (Image: © Disney)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Last month Disney World opened its doors to a brand-new, immersive park experience: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Here, visitors can realize their "Star Wars" fantasies over 14 acres of property.
The new land, which opened on Aug. 29 in Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, is perhaps Disney's most ambitious park expansion thus far. It is also identical to the "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" that opened four months ago (May 2019) at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
The immersive expansion, with its Earth-toned, rustic-futuristic design, aims to re-create the look and feel of the series that has captivated fans since its 1977 premiere. The attraction also aims to make visitors feel like they've truly traveled to a galaxy far, far away.
The land’s architecture is very "Star Wars"-esque and helps to immerse travelers in their surroundings. (Image credit: Amy Thompson/Space.com)
At Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, you will explore the planet Batuu, a temperate, forested world that's nestled on the galaxy's outer rim. Batuu is home to a bustling spaceport called the Black Spire Outpost, a seedy little settlement where many live off the grid and the First Order routinely patrols. Just keep your eyes peeled, as the outpost is rumored to be a hotspot for some of the galaxy’s most notorious characters.
This isn't a location we've seen on screen, but it still feels familiar. Known for its many petrified trees, Batuu is divided into three sections: the resistance forest, First Order territory and a more metropolitan space that falls somewhere in between. It's the perfect destination for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in everything "Star Wars."
Journey to Batuu
Disney is a master of creating immersive, fantastical experiences, and Galaxy's Edge is no exception. As soon as you walk through the entrance, a giant stone archway that leads you into Batuu, the typical theme-park background noise fades away and you're immediately transported to the "Star Wars" universe.
Now, for some exciting details!
Because Black Spire is a spaceport, that means (cue the inner squealing) there are spaceships — yes, as in multiple spaceships that guests will be able to not only look at but also board — including none other than the Millennium Falcon.
After arriving in Batuu, your journey will begin in the resistance forest. It's here that one of the land's two major attractions, Rise of the Resistance, is set to open later this year (Dec. 5 in Florida, Jan. 17 in California). The ride, billed as one of Disney's most ambitious undertakings, will put guests in the middle of a battle between the resistance and the First Order.
The land’s premier attraction, Rise of the Resistance, is located deep in the heart of the resistance forest and set to open later this year. (Image credit: Amy Thompson/Space.com)
On this ride, passengers will be loaded onto a resistance troop-transport vehicle that will take them to meet up with other resistance fighters to take on Kylo Ren and the First Order. But things don't go quite as planned. Most of the specifics about the ride are still secret, as Disney likes to preserve the magic and keep the experience under wraps until opening, but the brief teaser the company released at D23 is enough to get us excited: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p71pEENzzZI
The teaser backs up what Disney Imagineers revealed at a special ticketed event last June: The ride will feature two, full-scale AT-AT, or all-terrain armored transport vehicles, that will be shooting at an eight-person ride vehicle driven by an R5 droid. This strays a bit from the films, in which Imperial ground forces used the giant, four-legged combat vehicles to mount attacks against the Rebellion.
As you explore the resistance forest, you will begin to feel like you're actually in a spaceport. Multiple spaceships sit on display throughout the land, and you may even spot Chewbacca working on Poe's X-wing fighter, ensuring it's in top shape for any potential run-ins with the First Order.
Be on the alert as the First Order dispatched a band of storm troopers to roam Batuu in search of those loyal to the resistance. (Image credit: Amy Thompson/Space.com)
The marketplace
What tourist destination would be complete without a little shopping? On the other side of the forest is a bustling marketplace full of sights, sounds, and strange and interesting creatures.
Unique light fixtures and cloth drapes hang overhead as you walk through the market. Stall-like stores adorn the sides of the market, each with its own trinkets for you to buy using your credits (that's Batuu speak for money).
The marketplace is home to a variety of shops where you can find your perfect galactic treasures. (Image credit: Amy Thompson/Space.com)
If you're in search of otherworldly creatures, be sure to pop into the creature stall. There, you can pick up a creepy-crawly, or perhaps furry friend to take home with you. This stall has it all, from Loth cat to tauntaun to porg and everything in between. Just make sure you watch out for those Kowakian monkey-lizards (Jabba's shoulder-perched sidekick in "Return of the Jedi").
If trinkets are more your style, visit the toy shop, where you can find handcrafted character dolls (I personally went home with a Kylo Ren doll), wooden figures, cantina instruments, and even Sabacc cards and chance cubes.
If you want to dress like a resident of the "Star Wars" universe, be sure to visit Black Spire Outfitters. Here, you'll find a variety of fashionable, yet practical styles for your trip through the cosmos.
Adjacent to the shops is a pit stop (or perhaps we should say spit stop) called Ronto's Roasters. Here, you will find refreshments as a droid spit-roasts some local delicacies using a re-purposed pod-racing engine as a roaster.
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