News Star Wars Galaxy's Edge opening day reports - Disney's Hollywood Studios

[TP2000]

Who in the heck will be happy spending $4,000 to hang out for 2-3 days with Rose and Rey???

Bingo.

There's surprisingly few people who want to spend $150 for a park ticket to hang out for 2-3 hours with Rey and Kylo, even when you add in Chewbacca and the two Stormtroopers. Much less thousands on a hotel stay with them in their world.

I'm of the increasing opinion that there's a lot of head scratching and finger pointing in Glendale and Burbank this fall.

 

[Mickeyboof]

It's almost like there is an exact same land that opened 2,500 miles away that almost day for day has performed exactly the same. Nah, that's just crazy talk....

Sometimes I forget that the predicted demand and want for a Star Wars land was so high, that two identical parks were issued to open on the same small continent the same season.

Would Galaxy’s Edge be packed right now if it had only opened at Disney World?

Would Disneyland be packed if it opened Discovery Bay this year?

I wish there was a way to see into multiple dimensions.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Bingo.

There's surprisingly few people who want to spend $150 for a park ticket to hang out for 2-3 hours with Rey and Kylo, even when you add in Chewbacca and the two Stormtroopers. Much less thousands on a hotel stay with them in their world.

I'm of the increasing opinion that there's a lot of head scratching and finger pointing in Glendale and Burbank this fall.

I'm all for thematic integrity, but would it be that difficult to have varying eras of free roaming characters in the land at different times? You can have Kylo and Storm Troopers out at one point, and then Vader and Storm Troopers at another point.

Rey can be wandering around the Resistance area and then she goes backstage and Luke or Han make their way out.

 

[SpoiledBlueMilk]

Attendance is down across the board - maybe it's the headwind of a recession. Maybe it's because the price increases were too high. Maybe people are waiting for both rides to be open. Maybe people are waiting for the 50th anniversary. Point is, there isn't one single reason. I'm sure it's a mixture of reasons for the soft attendance. However, I think we need to think long term.

 

[DisneyDreamerxyz]

I have to say I kinda laugh at people going to the land just because....what really is there to do ? one ride ? then what ? spend tons of money on food and merch? I do not think food + merch = experience/entertainment. People are not as excited about Smugglers as they were for Slinky Dog Dash which surprised everyone by being a decent coaster or FOP.

 

[Surferboy567]

Attendance is down across the board - maybe it's the headwind of a recession. Maybe it's because the price increases were too high. Maybe people are waiting for both rides to be open. Maybe people are waiting for the 50th anniversary. Point is, there isn't one single reason. I'm sure it's a mixture of reasons for the soft attendance. However, I think we need to think long term.

I think you have said it perfectly.

 

[Steph15251]

Attendance is down across the board - maybe it's the headwind of a recession. Maybe it's because the price increases were too high. Maybe people are waiting for both rides to be open. Maybe people are waiting for the 50th anniversary. Point is, there isn't one single reason. I'm sure it's a mixture of reasons for the soft attendance. However, I think we need to think long term.

Also sept is a slow month

 

[mikejs78]

I'm all for thematic integrity, but would it be that difficult to have varying eras of free roaming characters in the land at different times? You can have Kylo and Storm Troopers out at one point, and then Vader and Storm Troopers at another point.

Rey can be wandering around the Resistance area and then she goes backstage and Luke or Han make their way out.

I really don't think this has much if anything to do with the success or lack thereof of the land

 

[MuteSuperstar]

So, given the public's apparently tepid response to GE on both coasts, I wonder how many ulcers are churning up at the Robert Iger Company over that proposed Star Wars Hotel...?

Was wondering the same thing earlier. Star Wars just doesn't resonate like it used to, for any number of reasons. Not saying GE is going to be an abject failure, but I'm really not sure there's enough rabid fandom out there to make the insanely expensive hotel thing a going concern for the long term. Especially when the cracks in this faux economy really become visible to the pollyannas out there who think everything is just fine.

 

[Joesixtoe]

I really don't think this has much if anything to do with the success or lack thereof of the land

I dunno, imagine Luke, Han, Leia, Vader and the Emperor out and about in the land? Why do you think they use Luke's voice in the trailers? Even when he isn't in the movie lol.. why are they bringing Palpatine back? The other day I was in line for the falcon and there was someone talking over the intercom and a lady next to me ask "is that Luke Skywalker?" Man it's a tough task to replace the originals of any storyline.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

Was wondering the same thing earlier. Star Wars just doesn't resonate like it used to, for any number of reasons. Not saying GE is going to be an abject failure, but I'm really not sure there's enough rabid fandom out there to make the insanely expensive hotel thing a going concern for the long term. Especially when the cracks in this faux economy really become visible to the pollyannas out there who think everything is just fine.

I think it resonates stronger than ever...mostly for episodes 1-6. Not saying nobody likes the new movies, by the way. Just look at events like the Star Wars Celebration and the massive crowds.

The problem is when you have directors and creative forces currently working on Star Wars that openly disrespect the long term fans, the hardcore fans, etc.

Obviously there will be consequences, they won't show up to your new park because it mostly doesn't connect with them. They also, to an extent, might be trying to send a message. In order to send a message to a large corporation you have to use the language they understand best...money. Don't buy the toys, the merch, don't go to the new land, etc.

Only time will tell.

 

[RobWDW1971]

I think it resonates stronger than ever...mostly for episodes 1-6. Not saying nobody likes the new movies, by the way. Just look at events like the Star Wars Celebration and the massive crowds.

The problem is when you have directors and creative forces currently working on Star Wars that openly disrespect the long term fans, the hardcore fans, etc.

Obviously there will be consequences, they won't show up to your new park because it mostly doesn't connect with them. They also, to an extent, might be trying to send a message. In order to send a message to a large corporation you have to use the language they understand best...money. Don't buy the toys, the merch, don't go to the new land, etc.

Only time will tell.

And how they shamelessly used the nostalgia of Han/Chewie to sell Force Awakens, Luke/Leia to sell TLJ, and now even digging up the dead Emperor and old Lando for the latest one.

Just like the ads for SWGE - most of them focus on seeing the full size MF (OT), putting the MF into hyperspace (OT), and Chewie (OT).

Clearly the marketing people know the characters that have 40+ years of nostalgia and emotional connection to the public are the selling point.

Or something called Batuu with Hondo, Oga, Savi, and Dok-Ander. Bright Suns!!!

It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic and sad.

 

[RobWDW1971]

Attendance is down across the board - maybe it's the headwind of a recession. Maybe it's because the price increases were too high. Maybe people are waiting for both rides to be open. Maybe people are waiting for the 50th anniversary. Point is, there isn't one single reason. I'm sure it's a mixture of reasons for the soft attendance. However, I think we need to think long term.

Maybe they spent a billion dollars on a land that is a creative disaster and isn't resonating with the public nor driving demand for tickets.

Nah, it must be that recession that hasn't happened yet or the sun got in their eyes or something.

 

[planodisney]

Maybe they spent a billion dollars on a land that is a creative disaster and isn't resonating with the public nor driving demand for tickets.

Nah, it must be that recession that hasn't happened yet or the sun got in their eyes or something.

 

[Kram Sacul]

There should really be an eyeball rolling reaction.

 

[Stripes]

Anecdotal, I know, but some friends of mine that are not theme park obsessives (They love Disneyland/world, but they're more casual fans) just got back from Disneyworld and wouldn't stop raving about the land and how "awesome" and "cool" the ride is. I told them they should've waited until ROTR opened.

Again, anecdotal.

 

[DisneyDreamerxyz]

does anyone know if it was always the plan to fill in this side area with trees and dirt ? when I was watching construction I thought it would be a guest area where you could walk around that building along that cement border. instead they filled it and there's like a faux gate that goes to nothing.

 

[LieutLaww]

I think that is the expansion pad to the land

 

[OvertheHorizon]

My thoughts: I've been coming to Disney World since 1975. I currently live in Florida, am an annual passholder, and visit several times a year. When the opening of SWGE was announced, I made plans to go. If I still lived in Pennsylvania and could only visit once a year, I'm sure I would have postponed my trip until next spring hoping to experience the Rise of the Resistence ride (and maybe Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railroad).

I took advantage of the Extra Magic Hours and was passing through security (with lots of other fans) at 5:45 a.m. They all beat me to the new land because I had to stop and rent an electric vehicle (yeah, I'm getting old).

I thought Galaxy's Edge was very well executed. There was lots to look at at every turn, including elements from the original Star Wars trilogy (like the land speeder, familiar droids and, of course, the Millenium Falcon). Like everyone else, I headed for Smuggler's Run. The wait time was 45 minutes. I found the experience throughly enjoyable. I was a gunner in the ship, but just walking through those familiar corridors of the Falcon and into the chess room made it FUN for me. Star Wars is, after all, make believe. Disney has brought it to life. I laughed on the ride at Hondo's comments, cringed when our pilots crashed us into objects, and everyone around me seemed to be having a good time as well. An hour later, when the wait time had dropped a bit, I did the ride a second time.

Once done with the initial ride, I toured around the land taking in tons of details - the kind of attention that separates Disney (in my opinion) from other theme parks. (NOTE: Harry Potter marked the first time that Universal matched Disney's design style.) I saw storm troopers, Chewbacca, Rey, and Kylo Ren. I ate a Ronto breakfast wrap, had a bag of popcorn, and bought a souvenir cap. I took pictures of the remarkable landscape, the rock work and petrified trees, peeked into a few shops, and saw lots of happy faces. I chatted with a few cast members, and bought a Diet Coke in one of the made-for-Batuu bottles.

I enjoyed the space port sounds and didn't miss pervasive music (and I'm a huge fan of John William's Star Wars music).

Like others on these forums, I might have designed a different kind of Star Wars land - more focused on Episodes 4, 5, & 6 - but Disney didn't ask me. There are new generations of fans, and this will be perfect for them.

I don't think Disney has anything to worry about. Once Rise of the Resistence opens people will be flocking to this new land. As I read these forums, I keep reminding myself that SWGE is but a land within a park, within a world of theme and water parks. Honestly, as a visitor to Disney, I'm glad that wait times aren't astronomical right now.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

My thoughts: I've been coming to Disney World since 1975. I currently live in Florida, am an annual passholder, and visit several times a year. When the opening of SWGE was announced, I made plans to go. If I still lived in Pennsylvania and could only visit once a year, I'm sure I would have postponed my trip until next spring hoping to experience the Rise of the Resistence ride (and maybe Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railroad).

I took advantage of the Extra Magic Hours and was passing through security (with lots of other fans) at 5:45 a.m. They all beat me to the new land because I had to stop and rent an electric vehicle (yeah, I'm getting old).

I thought Galaxy's Edge was very well executed. There was lots to look at at every turn, including elements from the original Star Wars trilogy (like the land speeder, familiar droids and, of course, the Millenium Falcon). Like everyone else, I headed for Smuggler's Run. The wait time was 45 minutes. I found the experience throughly enjoyable. I was a gunner in the ship, but just walking through those familiar corridors of the Falcon and into the chess room made it FUN for me. Star Wars is, after all, make believe. Disney has brought it to life. I laughed on the ride at Hondo's comments, cringed when our pilots crashed us into objects, and everyone around me seemed to be having a good time as well. An hour later, when the wait time had dropped a bit, I did the ride a second time.

Once done with the initial ride, I toured around the land taking in tons of details - the kind of attention that separates Disney (in my opinion) from other theme parks. (NOTE: Harry Potter marked the first time that Universal matched Disney's design style.) I saw storm troopers, Chewbacca, Rey, and Kylo Ren. I ate a Ronto breakfast wrap, had a bag of popcorn, and bought a souvenir cap. I took pictures of the remarkable landscape, the rock work and petrified trees, peeked into a few shops, and saw lots of happy faces. I chatted with a few cast members, and bought a Diet Coke in one of the made-for-Batuu bottles.

I enjoyed the space port sounds and didn't miss pervasive music (and I'm a huge fan of John William's Star Wars music).

Like others on these forums, I might have designed a different kind of Star Wars land - more focused on Episodes 4, 5, & 6 - but Disney didn't ask me. There are new generations of fans, and this will be perfect for them.

I don't think Disney has anything to worry about. Once Rise of the Resistence opens people will be flocking to this new land. As I read these forums, I keep reminding myself that SWGE is but a land within a park, within a world of theme and water parks. Honestly, as a visitor to Disney, I'm glad that wait times aren't astronomical right now.

Very nice write up. I'm excited to go myself in November. As you said, there are things I wish they would have included but imagine I'll end up loving the land for what it is.

I'm also excited to see what they do with it over the next 5-10 years.

For me and my family, the more there is to do at the parks the better, regardless of creative decisions or fan backlash. We love walking around in Pandora, getting those insanely good pineapple-wrap-things, and watching the land transition from day to might. Heck I even enjoy Navi River Journey to an extent...(puts on fire proof jacket).