The DisGeek Podcast

Your Guide to the Happiest Place on Earth

Tips for visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort

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The day has finally come! Beginning today, you no longer need reservations to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It’s like opening day all over again! However, one does not simply enter the Black Spire Outpost. Disney has implemented a “Virtual Queue.” A system that holds your place in line to get into the new land while you enjoy the rest of Disneyland.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

And while reservations are no longer needed for the new land, they are still required for Oga’s Cantina and Savi’s Workshop.

Also don’t forget about the Disney Play app which will give you even more experiences in Batuu.

Here are some tips on how this all works via a Disneyland Press Release:

Boarding Groups

  • For guests who wish to live out Star Wars adventures and access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge beginning June 24, Disneyland Resort may utilize a virtual queuing system, as needed, to help provide smooth access to the land. Guests are encouraged to download the Disneyland app before arriving and to check the app, or signage in the park the day of their visit, to find out if they need to be part of a boarding group to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that day. The boarding group will save a virtual spot in line and allow guests to enjoy other experiences as they wait to be notified of a time to enter.**
  • Guests may use the Disneyland app to request to be part of a boarding group after entering Disneyland Park, if boarding groups are implemented that day. The app will allow guests to link the theme park tickets of everyone in their party together to request the same boarding group for the entire party.
  • Guests will be advised which boarding group is currently being admitted to the land on the app and also on digital signage in the park.  Guests may also enable push notifications on their mobile devices to get a notification of when it’s time to enter the land.
  • Guests may continue to enjoy shows, attractions and other experiences while watching for their boarding group, and they will not need to rush to get to the land. They have up to two hours to enter the land after their boarding group is called for admission.
  • For guests not using the Disneyland app, a boarding group may be obtained with a park admission ticket at select Disney FastPass service locations such as Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and near the Matterhorn Bobsleds.
  • For a step-by-step guide on how to request a boarding group on the Disneyland app, guests may view a video on the Disney Parks YouTube channel. Information will also be available at Disneyland.com.
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Reservations for Savi’s Workshop and Oga’s Cantina

  • Beginning June 24, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will no longer require a reservation to access the land. Reservations will be required for Savi’s Workshop and Oga’s Cantina, which have very limited capacities. Guests wishing to book a reservation for these experiences may do so on the same day of their visit, beginning at 7 a.m., with a valid credit card. Reservations for both experiences will allow access into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the time of the reservation, so it will not be necessary to join a boarding group, if applicable, to enter the land to participate in a reserved experience. Additional important details are available at Disneyland.com/SavisWorkshop and Disneyland.com/Cantina.

Play Disney Parks Mobile App

  • Guests are encouraged to download the Play Disney Parks mobile app in advance of their visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The Play Disney Parks app*** allows guests to deepen their engagement with the land and interact with the world around them on the planet Batuu. Guests who choose to engage through the app will be able to interact with droids, translate Aurebesh, scan cargo crates and other containers to collect virtual items, and more. Additionally, guests who are in the queue at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run may engage with the in-queue game while using the app to help make wait time fun, interactive and enjoyable.

*Access to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge experiences is subject to capacity. After June 23, 2019, access to Disneyland Park, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and experiences is subject to capacity.

**Admission to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is subject to capacity and joining a boarding group does not guarantee entry.

***Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

Minisode 2 – Disneyland & Walt Disney World News for the week of June 24th, 2019

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In this minisode we cover Walt Disney World and Disneyland. WDW AP price hikes, Main Street Cinema merch, and more!

News

WDW Passholders sneak preview for Galaxy’s Edge
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/06/walt-disney-world-resort-passholders-can-enjoy-special-offerings-this-summer/

WDW Annual Pass Price Increase
http://blogmickey.com/2019/06/walt-disney-world-rolls-out-massive-annual-pass-price-increase-overnight-ahead-of-star-wars-galaxys-edge-opening-in-august/

Disneyland added Merchandise to The Main Street Cinema
https://www.mouseplanet.com/12404/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_June_1723_2019

And they stopped
https://wdwnt.com/2019/06/breaking-disneyland-buckles-to-public-pressure-and-will-remove-shop-from-main-street-cinema/

Tram Loading and security moved to New Parking Structure Pixar Pals.
https://wdwnt.com/2019/06/photos-new-parking-security-screening-and-tram-stops-as-part-of-pixar-pals-garage-project-now-open-at-disneyland-resort/

Know before you go – Galaxy’s Edge Boarding Groups
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/06/know-before-you-go-planning-your-visit-to-star-wars-galaxys-edge-at-disneyland-resort-beginning-june-24/

I’ve also added an article for tips for visiting Galaxy’s Edge.
https://www.disgeek.com/tips-for-visiting-star-wars-galaxys-edge-at-disneyland-resort

I’d really like your feedback. And you can send that feedback to me via

Email at disgeekpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter – @disgeekpodcast
Instagram – @disgeekpodcast
And of course, there is Facebook.

Music by Brockford Lee – The Brockford Files
https://ears2you.bandcamp.com/

Minisode 1 – Disneyland Resort News for the week of June, 10th

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Welcome to a new type of show. Introducing the Minisode, short but more frequent episodes of the DisGeek Podcast.

In this episode, Daniel explains the reasons why the main show has long breaks between them and the idea behind Minisodes. We also talk about some of the latest news to come out of the Disneyland Resort.      

News

Galaxy’s Edge opens up with pretty moderate crowds
https://www.micechat.com/226448-disneyland-update-look-ma-no-crowds/

Soarin’ Over California Returns for a limited time
https://www.micechat.com/226448-disneyland-update-look-ma-no-crowds/

Mickey’s Mix has ended and Disneyland Forever Fireworks Show has returned
https://www.mouseplanet.com/12394/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_June_39_2019

Tale of the Lion King has debuted
https://www.mouseplanet.com/12394/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_June_39_2019

I’d really like your feedback. And you can send that feedback to me via

Email at disgeekpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter – @disgeekpodcast
Instagram – @disgeekpodcast
And of course, there is Facebook.

Music by Brockford Lee – The Brockford Files
https://ears2you.bandcamp.com/

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Dedication Ceremony Recap

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Last Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger proclaimed,  “Ladies and gentlemen, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is now open.” in a star-studded ceremony that included, George Lucas, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, and Harrison Ford.

Things started off with Bob Iger coming to the stage set up in form of the all-new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction. “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is absolutely amazing and we are thrilled to finally share it with the world,” he said. “Now, for the first time, fans will be able to immerse themselves in the iconic stories that have captured audiences’ imaginations for decades and live their own Star Wars adventures in the most creative, innovative and ambitious land we’ve ever built.”

Then the father of everything Star Wars came on to the stage, George Lucas. “You did a good job. It could have gone really bad, but it didn’t. This is Star Tours on steroids.”

Then Billy Dee Williams joined them on stage and reminded the crowd that the Millennium Falcon was HIS first! After some time with Billy Dee, Mark Hamill came to the stage and talked about how he never imagined that anything could be better than Star Tours. “Look at where we are today! We get our own land!” he exclaimed.

Then the time came. Time to start up the Falcon! Chewbacca was in the cockpit of course but as per usual, it wouldn’t start up.

Iger asked if anyone in the crowd knew how to fix it and Hamill reassured people that this was the Millennium Falcon and it had made the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs!

“That’s right, she may not look like much but she’s got it where it counts,” said Harrison Ford as he entered the stage. Pretty epic!

“Peter, this one is for you.” Ford said as he hit the side of the ship a few times to get it working. And of course, it did. And then Fireworks shot into the air as Bob Iger proclaimed that Galaxy’s Edge is officially open.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge IS now officially open. From May 31st to June 23rd, reservations will be required to enter the land. Starting on June 24th, the land will be open to the public as capacity permits.  Check out the video below to watch the ceremony in case you missed it.