The anticipated opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the all-new 14-acre land reflecting an out-of-this-world settlement located within Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando is set for Thursday, August 29^th.  Devoted East Coast fans of the intergalactic Star Wars movie series will finally be able to immerse themselves in this fantastic fantasy land. (The California location opened with rave reviews on May 31^st of this year).

Everything about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been designed to resemble a rebel outpost on the mythical planet of Batun. This uniquely themed land is set on Black Spire Outpost in a faraway spot in a location on the outer rim of the galaxy, thus the name “Galaxy’s Edge”. This old waystation is where the Resistance is camped out and upon entering this fascinating land, guests become part of this exciting universe!

There are two main attractions slated for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  Opening on August 29^th is an interactive experience called Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run where riders will be instructed by Chewbacca and Hondo Ohnaka on how to complete their flight assignment.  6 riders will be inside the Millennium Falcon consisting of 2 pilots in the front, 2 gunners in the middle, and 2 engineers sit in the rear.  This ride will have state-of-the-art visual effects with views to enhance its small drops and create an amazing space feel throughout the flight and battle. The other exciting attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is not set to open until December 5^th of this year.  8 riders per vehicle (open car) for an 11-minute motion-based ride featuring animatronics of General Hux and Kylo Ren in addition to plenty of galactic action along the way.

Foods and beverages, all with an out-of-this-world price tag, are available at several galactically fun options.  Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo for delicious counter service food.  This restaurant features a cargo bay atmosphere with tables inside or outside.  Olga’s Cantina is the popular watering hole and will serve up refreshing and fun drinks like the Jedi Mind Trick, T-16 Skyhopper or non-alcoholic drinks like Black Spire Brew or Blue Bantha.  Ronto’s Roasters will serve grab-n-go roasted meats, Kat Saka’s Kettle will be the place to order “Outpost Mix” popcorn, and The Milk Stand is the place to find unusual blue and green milk-based drinks (with or without alcohol).

• Design a BB-series or R-series droid to take home at The Droid Depo. Here you’ll be given a shopping basket and parts list to gather pieces you like and get to building!  Cost $99.00
• Savi’s Workshop is the place to build a souvenir lightsaber. Lightsabers come to life through kyber crystals where you can choose which elemental power you would like inside yours featured in one of four colors:  red, blue, purple, or green.   Cost $199.00
• Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities will be selling Star Wars Holocron, Jedi and Sith items.
• More fun keepsakes and merchandise will be available at First Order Cargo, The Jewels of Birth, Toydarian Toymaker, Creature Stall and Black Spire Outfitters.

Helpful Hint:  Stay on Disney Property!  Visits to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be available during Extra Magic Hours. From September 1 to November 2, Extra Magic Hours will be offered at Disney’s Hollywood Studios every morning from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM. After these “extra” Extra Magic Hours end on November 2, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will continue to be a part of our regularly scheduled Extra Magic Hours. Standard theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be required for guests seeking to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Per Disney, the major features and fun are identical in both parks (Disneyland Park vs. Disney Hollywood Studio) with only minor tweaks to adjust to each park’s surroundings.

For superior accommodations, while visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Walt Disney World, we would normally recommend Disney’s Beach Club or Boardwalk as they are closest to this park.  However, during this grand opening, we are sure these resorts are sold out unless you booked last year at an 11-month window due to the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot also going on.  (See our article on that next.)    Therefore, we recommend Disney’s Port Orleans for this grand opening first visit.  Disney’s Port Orleans usually has last-minute rooms available and is Disney largest property with 3,056 rooms.  If you are looking to use DVC points for a reservation because you own (smart!!) at Disney, try Disney’s Saratoga Springs.

This article was contributed by Chris Golden, a loan officer at Vacation Club Loans.  Vacation Club Loans is proud to provide DVC financing (resales or direct) throughout the U.S.  For more information email Chris@vacationclubloans.com or see their website for details:  www.vacationclubloans.com.

For more information on becoming an owner (again, smart!!)) at Disney Vacation Club look no further than the experts at DVC Resale Market. To see more information on points, buying, and listings:  www.dvcresalemarket.com.