Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is slated to debut at Disneyland in the summer of 2019. Its Walt Disney World counterpart will arrive later in the fall. As the date of the biggest single land expansion ever approaches. Disney has been dropping some details on what to expect in this brand new land.
First off, the land is called Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and we are on the planet of Batuu. The official village we will be in at Batuu is called the Black Spire Outpost. So to make a comparison it’s like Avatar being called Pandora: The World of Avatar, and then the actual place inside the land is called the Valley of Mo’ara.
Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, described the land in a post for Disney Parks Blog. There is definitely a story and history behind Batuu and the Black Spire Outpost. It’s the largest settlement on the planet. This is a excerpt from the official post.
Black Spire Outpost is an infamous stop for traders, adventurers, and smugglers traveling around the Outer Rim and Wild Space. Off the beaten path, this outpost has become a haven for the galaxy’s most colorful — and notorious — characters. Widely known for the petrified remains of its once towering ancient trees, the spires now stand guard across the river valleys and plains and have long captured the imagination of travelers to this planet. To the first settlers, these petrified spires became more than just landmarks; they became the heart of the outpost itself.
Obviously more details on Black Spire Outpost will be coming soon. It was recently announced that obscure character Nien Numb would have a role within Galaxy’s Edge. So more classic canon characters have made the rounds to Batuu and the Black Spire Outpost. Maz Kanata seems like a sure bet although Imagineering hasn’t divulged any details on that.
The First Order battle escape attraction will feature life size AT-AT’s. Which I honestly expected from the start. It still is a nice touch and the photos truly show how massive they will be. I think the The First Order attraction looks way cooler than piloting the Millennium Falcon but that’s just me.
Now onto the exciting developments about the immersive Star Wars hotel. The location was finally revealed. Although this wasn’t jaw-dropping news Disney did confirm that the hotel would be located next to the expanded parking lot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Similar to how Galaxy’s Edge is the most ambitious park expansion in Disney history. This is Disney’s most ambitious resort to date. They are basically creating a fully immersive resort similar to being on a cruise ship. Star Wars stories will unfold during the guests trip. Every cabin room will have a view of space. The hotel won’t be ready when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in fall of 2019. This will be Disney’s most elaborate and expensive resort to date.
Disney’s future is bright and with Toy Story Land providing temporary entertainment this summer ahead of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is beginning to become a normal park again. Something we can all cheer about.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
