So i am a bit behind in posting this, but thought i would add my thoughts now that i have actually visited the East Coast version of the land.
At the end of last month, i was in Orlando for a event ( or two..) and spent a Friday evening at DHS, specifically to check out the new 'Galaxy's Edge' area among other things.
Crowds were manageable...nothing crazy, but the land had plenty of people in it.
As i had previously felt, the area is really cool looking but it is indeed just a empty set with no 'actors' or 'action'.
I DID enjoy exploring the area, seeing all the work done, but it would be so 'easy' to improve on the great visual impression with some live interactions and roaming residents that are not human.
Things i personally experienced, and liked -
The design of the area, and the detailed work in many areas.
A beautifully designed set awaiting it's actors.....and some action.
Walking through the various small shops, Doc Ondor's being the highlight.
It was not the merch i found the attraction, it was the shop itself filled with all of creatures and Doc's 'personal colletibles' displayed throughout the shop.
Doc Ondor himself, in Animatronic form.
Very cool figure and performance.
I stood and watched him go through his various activities from different angles, as well as Guests interactions with him.
He was great!
SW:GE needs more of this.
Oga's Cantina, although it was VERY loud and VERY crowded on a Friday night.
Cool setting/props and D.J. Rex was entertaining.
The two items i ordered ( Jabba Juice, Batuu Bits ) were both very good.
The BIts i really enjoyed, and the Juice was refreshing.
I felt lucky getting in and experiencing it and only spending $15 or so.....
'MF: Smuggler's Run' was enjoyable the first time around, but FAR better the second time around for this reason -
I was in line near the end of the night and the three people in front of me declined the Cast Member's offer to load, waiting for a different position to be made available.
I assumed they were all waiting for the coveted 'Pilot' positions, so i asked the CM 'so, what position is it that nobody wants?'
She then said 'Pilot!!' and i couldn't believe my ears.
I jumped at the chance.
Soon another single rider who was in the main line was paired with me, and another Cast Member ended up loading just the two of us into a cockpit pod.
So we had a 'private pod' all to ourselves and both piloted together.
I had Left Pilot, he had Right.
Great flight!
Other observations i noted -
I saw no characters at all walking around except two Stormtroopers.
Rey and Chewie has apparently 'gone to bed' for the evening, and i did not see anyone else except CMs in costume.
I didn't see people really buying any merchadise in the land.
There were a few stragglers in the Droid Depo actually building, but the bulk of folks in there were just passing through.
I saw a short line outside of Savi's, and two people carrying packaged Lightsabers in other areas of the Parks, but rarely saw anyone carrying or purchasing stuff in the land.
I did not sample any of the food options except as noted above at Oga's, but enjoyed the animated display inside Ronto Roasters.
-
