Recently we sent three of our Disney Parks Moms Panelists on a trip far, far away to the planet of Batuu. What they have returned with are their must-do tips that all travelers will find useful. Let’s see what Eean, Jen, and Kara found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Black Spire Outpost is a 14-acre settlement on the planet of Batuu, divided into three distinct sections: The Resistance, the First Order, and separating the two, a marketplace for adventures, smugglers, and traders. If you find yourself as a new recruit of the Resistance, be on guard as the First Order is always on the look-out for enemies. This is especially the case when you find yourself in the midst of an important mission on Walt Disney World Resort’s newest attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, where an R-5 droid will help you escape from the clutches of Kylo Ren. You can also assist Hondo Ohnaka by acquiring a shipment of coaxium fuel and helping your crew by flying that famous hunk of junk, the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (just make sure you choose your pilots very carefully!).
Assisting the Resistance can be a draining job, thank goodness for the locations where you can sample some of the most popular foods on Batuu. Our unanimous favorite at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo was the plant-based Felucian Kefta and Hummus Garden Spread, but we also recommend trying the Nuna Turkey Jerky at Ronto Roasters and the tantalizing Outpost Popcorn Mix at Kat Saka’s Kettle.
Panel Tip: Use Mobile Ordering through your Data Pad (AKA mobile device) at any of these quick-service locations to maximize your downtime waiting in lines.
Oga’s Cantina, for all ages, is one of the most infamous watering holes in the galaxy. This is a great place to refuel while listening to DJ R-3X spin his tunes and enjoy some creative concoctions, like the non-alcoholic Oga’s Obsession or the Fuzzy Tauntaun with “Buzz Button Tingling” Foam. Although walk-ins are occasionally accepted, the best way to visit Oga’s is by making reservations up to 180 days in advance on the Walt Disney World website. And be sure to take part in the epic debate of blue milk (Bantha milk) versus green milk (Thala-Siren milk from Ahch-To). You can taste these at the outdoor Milk Stand. Our team was definitely divided on which one was better. Let us know your vote in the comments below.
Living your own Star Wars adventure is what Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the planet Batuu are all about, so take the time to wander and take in all the details. Inside this 14-acre outpost, guests will find nine retail locations filled with more than 700 unique treasures that can only be found on Batuu waiting to make the trip back home to planet Earth. Included in these locations are authentic spaces that truly let you live out your Star Wars dreams. My favorites are Savi’s Workshop and Droid Depot.
Savi’s Workshop allows travelers to create one-of-a-kind lightsabers under the guidance of a group called the Gatherers. Inside the workshop, the Gatherers will share their collection of unusual parts and pieces, as well as kyber crystals, which bring each lightsaber to life. The Force will be strong with you as you assemble your weapon and cherish it for years to come. Not to give away any secrets, but this immersive experience is one you won’t soon forget.
Panel Tip: Make reservations for this experience on the Walt Disney World website before you arrive for your adventure as it can fill up quickly.
Every great hero of a story has a sidekick, and in Batuu guests can create their own sidekick at Droid Depot. R-series or BB-series astromechs can be constructed in this custom adventure using droid parts and pieces that come out on a conveyor belt. Once you pick your pieces, your new sidekick is activated and can be controlled by a cool remote control. Droids can even be customized with personality-affiliation chips allowing them to be fighters for the Resistance or loyalties of the First Order. Droids with personality chips will react to the planet Batuu and the surroundings they are near, so keep them powered up while on the planet. Droids also even interact with each other!
Panel Tip: Personality chips can be swapped out and can only be purchased on the planet Batuu. Buy a few and see how your Droid reacts differently.
And fear not about the First Order confiscating your new souvenirs for Batuu at the airport. Lightsabers made at Savi’s Workshop and droids from Droid Depot are TSA friendly items, so it is easy to take them home.
Local citizens of Batuu all have unique and funny stories to share. They love to chat, capture image scans for guests, and share local facts. Also, be on the lookout for resistance fighters and the First Order, because you never know who you will run into on Batuu.
Panel Tip: Ask cast members where unique image scan spots are located. These unique photos are captured by Disney PhotoPass Photographers and make for some really cool souvenirs to show off when you return home.
Enhance your time in Batuu with the Play Disney Parks Mobile App. Your mobile device will turn into your very own Star Wars: Datapad. You can use your Datapad to translate Aurebesh, tune into satellite dishes to eavesdrop on secret conversations, scan the contents of cargo grates throughout Batuu, and even interact with droids and other scenes in the land. Pro Tip: Datapads also have multi-player games that can be used in the queues for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, which really make the wait in line a whole new adventure for the entire family.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Batuu and will live out your own Star Wars adventure. Rising moons to you, and may the Spire keep you! For more great tips on visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, or for general Disney vacation planning questions, please visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for an answer from one of our panelists.
Panelists receive compensation for their participation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel.