I’m so excited about the Star Wars “Galaxy’s Edge” lands being built at both U.S. Disney park locations that I feel like my inner 11-year-old is fit to burst. And Disney has just officially made the announcement of when the lands in both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World will open – and much earlier than expected! On May 31, 2019 those visiting the former, in Anaheim, California, will be able to immerse themselves in the Star Wars universe, and those visiting the latter, in Orlando, Florida, will have to wait until August 29, 2019. The wait will be tough, especially for those who, like me, probably won’t be able to go to California and will have to wait while the lucky ones who can go get to experience the awesomeness first. In order to expedite the opening, the original opening will only include the Millennium Falcon ride, and there will be a later opening that will include the “Rise of the Resistance” ride (that date to be announced later, we must assume).
Can you tell how much I want to go? I’ve been imagining myself flying the Millennium Falcon since long enough ago that I don’t even remember how old I was at the time. Probably five years old, because that’s when I saw the original movie (when that was the only one). In the forty-plus years since then, I’m not sure that desire has abated at all. If – when – my eyes start to water when I go on the “Smuggler’s Run” ride, I won’t be able to blame it on the dust in the air. I expect to weep a bit less at the other ride attraction, “Rise of the Resistance,” but enjoy it nearly as much.
And, Millennium Falcon aside, the rest of the land sounds amazing, too. Now that Disney has fully absorbed the lessons learned from Universal’s “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and gone for full immersion, I fully expect to feel like I’m in the Star Wars universe. That I’ll be there along with 75,000 of my closest friends will have some impact on the fun, I’m sure, but Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure has been fun even when packed with muggles, so I’m sure there’ll be enjoyment enough to go around.
And now to wait some more. She may be the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, but she still can’t arrive soon enough!
