This morning at Star Wars Celebration we learned some exciting new details at the Galaxy's Edge panel. While there was no new information concerning reservations (this is required to gain access to the land during the first month of it being open at Disneyland) there were fun tidbits that I thought were worthy of highlighting and sharing with any of you who might have missed it.
This is the biggest project Disney has ever done. - Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering
We've known that Galaxy's Edge will be the biggest land at both parks for quite some time but I don't think we'll be able to fully grasp that concept until we've found ourselves on Batuu, a planet and remote trading port that has been around since the beginning of Star Wars. The host of the panel, Josh Gad, described Galaxy's Edge as, "The single most insane thing I have ever seen at any park." It's hard to believe that I will be on the planet Batuu in just over a month!
Galaxy's Edge is not meant to feel like other lands at the parks. Everything you can interact with, look at, and purchase is meant to make you feel like you're at Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. Even Mynock Jerky is a thing and it's delicious according to Chris Beatty, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering. Speaking of refreshments, it was announced that Coca Cola is working with Galaxy's Edge to bring us four different drinks with newly designd bottles that have logos in Aurabesh to help fit within the theme of Batuu. I think the designs are fantastic and even though I'm not a soda drinker, I'm sure there are many fans who will be collecting these. Those who attended the panel also went home with red shirts and the words Coca Cola in Aurabesh on the front with the Galaxy's Edge logo on the sleeve. Apparently they were all size XL so you might want to hit up eBay.
We placed things in Dock Ondar's shop for every Star Wars fans to enjoy. There are so many easter eggs! - Chris Beatty, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering
Dok Ondar's Den of Antiquities will be a place where fans can not only build and purchase their own lightsabers and other unique items but it will also be place where you can challenge yourself to look around and find hidden gems from the movies and cartoons. I think it's encouraging to know that they have considered the different tastes of Star Wars fans. Hearing The Clone Wars mentioned definitely put a smile on my face!
The drinks at Oga's Cantina are great but the star of the show is DJ R3X. - Chris Beatty, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering
There will be several alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as appetizers at at Olga's Cantina but apparently the music coming from DJ R3X is what really sets this place apart. Matt Martin who is a member of the Lucasfilm Story Group explained that R3X flunked his way out of Star Tours and ended up in the final battle of Jakku in a very epic TIE chase. He crash lands on Batuu and he is rescued and repaired by friendly droids and somehow ends up becoming a DJ at the Cantina. This was basically the reader's digest version of a seventeen page fan-fiction believe it or not! DJ R3X will have a myriad of tunes to play including some inspired by Figran Dan and the Modal Nodes (you can listen to a couple of clips here). Oh, and in case you were wondering Paul Rubens returned to provide the voice for R3X!
Speaking of DJ R3X he is getting his own Funko Pop which will be a Disney Parks exclusive! Normally Disney Park Funko Pops are also made available online but nothing has officially been said about this yet.
The Force is a very mysterious thing and sometimes Jedi can come from the past and visit us. - Chris Beatty, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering
One of the most exciting moments of the panel was finding out that Yoda would be part of the Galaxy's Edge experience. And yes, Frank Oz has returned to provide the voice for our beloved Jedi Master. We also learned that Nien Nunb will be making an appearance at the park. The team flew to Kenya to get the recordings they wanted from the original voice actor, Bill Kipsang Rotich! And last but not least, Jim Cummings is also back as our favorite pirate, Hondo Ohnaka.
We are going to take all the stories that you told us at the Galaxy's Edge booth and put them in a Holocron and we are going to make them a part of Galaxy's Edge. - Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering
If you're at Star Wars Celebration Chicago you're going to want to find time to go to the Galaxy's Edge booth. There's a designated area where you can “Share Your Star Wars Story” which will somehow be incorporated into the land with the Holocron pictured above. What an exciting opportunity!
As far as the attractions go nothing was discussed that we didn't already know. If you've been out of the loop on the recent Galaxy's Edge happenings might I suggest Entertainment Weekly's 8 Part Tour? It will blow you away!
Tell me, what information from this panel stood out to you the most? Let me know in a comment below!
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