John Williams in Disneyland: The Story Behind His ‘Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge’ Theme
Insiders explain what went into the composer's music for the attraction, which opens at Disneyland May 31 and at Walt Disney World in August.
For only the second time in more than four decades of “Star Wars” music, legendary composer John Williams has written a new theme for a “Star Wars” project that is distinct from his film scores for those galaxies far, far away.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the much-anticipated attraction that will open at Disneyland on May 31, inspired the five-time Oscar winner to pen a five-minute “symphonic suite” that musically encapsulates the remote outpost on planet Batuu along with the various outlaws and rebels that parkgoers will encounter there.
Interviews with those closely associated with the project say that Williams’ participation was a long time in the planning stages. Matt Walker, executive in charge of music for Walt Disney Imagineering, tells Variety that since the outpost didn’t exist in the films, it would need “its own score, one that belonged to it, but of course lived within the universe of John’s writings for the films.”
Like many previous Williams compositions for the series, it suggests heroism, danger, excitement — everything Galaxy’s Edge visitors would hope for. But unlike all previous “Star Wars” themes, there are no images or characters specifically associated with it, so its true inspiration is shrouded in mystery.
Williams has only once before written a signature tune unrelated to one of his own movie scores: a theme for the young Han Solo in last year’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” The composer, now in the midst of writing the music for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” episode IX of the 42-year franchise (due in December), was unavailable to comment for this story.
Composer-arranger William Ross has been adapting Williams’ music from the “Star Wars” films for Disneyland’s Star Tours for the past decade and was enlisted for Galaxy’s Edge. “This was a new world, with its own identity away from the movies,” says Ross, and it was clear that finding the right theme — despite the ability to draw on Williams’ 16 hours of music from the previous eight “Star Wars” films — might not be easy.
So Williams was invited to Disney Imagineering in Glendale for “an in-depth series of meetings,” Walker says. The composer was shown elaborate models, given detailed descriptions, saw artists’ drawings, watched an animatic and generally introduced to the Black Spire Outpost and the two planned rides, Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance.
“We wanted to enhance the immersive-theater quality of the land with a new composition, and that seemed to intrigue him,” says Walker. “He signed on for it, a year ago, and it’s been a fantastic adventure.”
In July 2018, Williams delivered “this five-minute symphonic suite with multiple themes, development of those themes, counter-melodies, even a fugal moment,” Walker says. No one at Disney or Lucasfilm had even heard a basic piano demo at that point; Williams, working solely from the art he’d seen and the descriptions he’d been given, musically imagined this exotic new land.
Ross, the frequent Williams collaborator who conducted parts of “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi,” flew to London to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra in August. It was that orchestra that became a household name by performing the first six “Star Wars” scores from 1977 to 2005.
Williams, who was in Tanglewood, Mass., at the time of the recording, was linked to Abbey Road, enabling him to hear the sessions and offer specific notes about the performance.
Ross recorded the five-minute suite, a two-minute reduction of the main theme, and various shorter pieces based on Williams’ original composition, all totaling about an hour of music.
“One of the things we’re trying to inspire in our guests is this sense of awe and wonder,” says Walker, who was present at the London sessions. “There’s an optimism, a sense of adventure; you go on a journey in this five-minute piece.”
Yet visitors to Galaxy’s Edge will never actually hear the LSO version of Williams’ full suite. Disney released a two-minute teaser video showing Ross conducting at Abbey Road on Nov. 17, and a digital download of the full version on May 2. The original symphonic piece serves as the musical foundation for Galaxy’s Edge and will be heard occasionally in various contexts throughout the outpost.
“We never wanted this to sound like background music,” Walker said. “We’ve done deconstructed versions, so you’re not suddenly saying, ‘Wow, there’s the 90-piece LSO playing this incredible piece of symphonic music.’ We tease you, and begin to set up his thematic material and weave that in as you enter. Then where you are in the land, and what needs to happen, begins to take over.”
The idea, Walker explains, is to create an authentic-sounding exotic locale, “weaving in musical textures, being careful not to overuse John’s thematic material. It’s a very textural approach to the source music.” Adds Ross: “It’s going to be more like the small group of musicians you might hear in some exotic and faraway village marketplace. But John’s theme informs the entire Galaxy’s Edge musical experience.”
Both Smugglers Run, set aboard the Millennium Falcon; and Rise of the Resistance, the still-in-progress second ride to open in the fall, will draw extensively on the vast catalog of previous Williams “Star Wars” themes, Disney execs said. Ross made several trips to London to record newly arranged and adapted material for various corners of the 14-acre land.
Surprisingly, this is not the first original music Williams has written for a theme-park attraction. When he adapted his Oscar-winning “E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial” score for a Universal Studios ride in 1990, he wrote a new theme for Botanicus, an elder of E.T.’s species who appears during the adventure. That garnered little attention, however, by comparison with Galaxy’s Edge.
After its California bow at Disneyland this month, the attraction will open Aug. 29 at Florida’s Walt Disney World.
La cérémonie officielle d'ouverture de Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge est retransmise en direct, avec la participation de George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill et Billy Dee Williams :
Ils ont réussi leur coup: ça fait des années qu'on en parle, la hype est à son paroxysme, le moindre truc avec un mot clé "star wars galaxy's edge" est tendance...et je dois pas être la cible!
n'hésitez pas à faire un tour sur la chaine youtube de themeparks voyages https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu7b4elLrO-tYXmM0xIj5IA
et pour voir les autres publications cliquez sur les icônes ci dessous ;-)
Ce land va clairement révolutionner l'idée des parcs à thèmes ! Ok c'est du Star wars mais il y a clairement une conception soignée et recherchée.
Après on peut se poser la question des répercussions de ce succès sur l'approche de la WDC avec ses licences mais si Imagineering pousse les prochaines zones sous licences avec autant de soin et de détail alors je suis rassuré quelque part.
La construction a été plutôt rapide non ? Sinon maintenant tout les regard ce dirige vers le Land Frozen de HKDL, le Land Zootopie de SDL et le nouveau port de TDS.
C'est vraiment incroyable. Le soin mis dans les détails, la grandeur du land qui permet de vraiment explorer et s'y promener. C'est magique. Même les personnes pas fans de l'univers Star Wars vont être obligées d'aimer. Honnêtement, en voyant cela, j'aurais aimé que l'extension des WDS chez nous ne consiste que en ce land extraordinaire. Plus qu'à rêver et économiser pour y aller un jour...
Bon, alors j'ai regardé un peu les vidéos que j'ai pu trouver et ça me conforte dans mon idée: cette extension est en effet immense, bien faite, immersive et sera un succès de tout les diables...mais avec du recul, en 2019, c'est le minimum syndical que pouvait faire disney pour conforter sa place de N°1 de du divertissement...et puis bon, clairement les guests-stars de la cérémonie d'ouverture sont à l'image de la cible visée : la trilogie originelle
n'hésitez pas à faire un tour sur la chaine youtube de themeparks voyages https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu7b4elLrO-tYXmM0xIj5IA
et pour voir les autres publications cliquez sur les icônes ci dessous ;-)
Je suis tombé sur cette vidéo. Vers 12 minutes, la fille teste Millenium Falcon Smuggler's Run et je trouve ça un shuia décevant. J'ai l'impression quand même que le contrôle n'est pas total, que les positions non pilotes peuvent être frustrantes (et si vous venez avec des amis, bonjour le débat pour savoir qui va aller devant). Je ne sais pas s'il y a moyen "d'attendre" encore plus pour la faire en mode pilote, mais j'imagine que cela peut foutre le bordel assez rapidement si le seul intérêt de l'attraction, c'est de faire ça. Je pense que je suis plutôt content que ce soit Rise of Resistance qui vienne chez nous et si extension il y a un jour, qu'on puisse éventuellement avoir le fameux 3e ride qui est à l'étude. Comme en plus en Europe, DLP fait sûrement face à un éventail de langues bien plus large parmi ses visiteurs qu'aux US, je pense qu'il y a moyen qu'on ait jamais cette attraction. Par contre, ce sera dommage de ne pas "voir" le Faucon Millenium en taille réelle depuis l'extérieur.
Disney Orlando (2014, 2017, 2024) / Anaheim (2015, 2022) / Tokyo (2016, 2025 ?) / Hong-Kong (2018) / Shanghai (2024)
Autre vidéo que j'ai trouvé très bien faite et qui résume en 5 minutes les différentes expériences et atmosphères du land, sans commentaire et avec différents angles (dont un drone) :
Je pense que je suis plutôt content que ce soit Rise of Resistance qui vienne chez nous
Si par "chez nous", tu parles du Parc Walt Disney Studios, il n'a jamais été confirmé d'aucune manière que Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance y arriverait un jour. Aucune attraction de la zone Star Wars qui ouvrira à Disneyland Paris n'a été dévoilée. Il n'a d'ailleurs même jamais été précisé que la zone serait Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge.
Disneyland Paris : déc. 1997/avr. 1998/juil. 1999/avr. 2005/aoû. 2005/oct. 2005/fév. 2006/avr. 2006 - Cast Member 2006-2011 - visites régulières jusqu'à aujourd'hui Walt Disney World Resort : nov. 2008/mai 2011/fév.-mars 2018/sep. 2019/oct. 2022 Disneyland Resort : sep. 2009/mai 2013/nov. 2015/août 2019/déc. 2023 Tokyo Disney Resort : juin 2015/avr. 2016 Hong Kong Disneyland Resort : mars 2016 Shanghai Disney Resort : mai 2016 / juin 2016 / juil. 2016 Disney Cruise Line : mars 2018 (Disney Dream) / sep. 2019 (Disney Fantasy) / oct. 2022 (Disney Wish) / nov. 2023 (Disney Magic) / sep. 2024 (Disney Wonder)
Je "serais" plutôt content, si tu préfères. Mais on a pour le moment la taille du show building qui correspond à cette de ROTR (dixit Andrew ryan je crois).
en 2019, c'est le minimum syndical que pouvait faire disney pour conforter sa place de N°1 de du divertissement
MINIMUM SYNDICAL, tu y vas fort. A première vue ce land dépasse tout ce qui a été fait jusqu'ici dans un parc en matière d'immersion et de soin du détail. Et la barre était placée haut que ce soit avec les lands Harry Potter Cars Land et Pandora Le minimum syndical c'est ce qu'on aura à Paris
Explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and All Its Starships and Speeders
One step inside the Millennium Falcon and you’ll likely find yourself quoting Han Solo and telling a friend, “Chewie, we’re home.” Starships and other vehicles play pivotal roles in every Star Wars story—and in Disney Parks’ Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, planet Batuu’s landscape is populated with a range of transportation vehicles, including iconic ships and practical speeders.
With both the Resistance and First Order establishing bases on the planet, evidence of their arrival permeates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (just take a look at the starfighters and transport shuttles). But Black Spire Outpost is also a community full of residents just trying to go about their daily lives, so their transportation is represented, too—and everything is built at full scale.
Before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens May 31, 2019, at Disneyland Park in California and August 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, learn about the ships and speeders:
A-wing Starfighter
Location: Resistance Mobile Command Post
Description: With its sleek arrowhead shape, streamlined cockpit, and massive twin engines, the A-wing suggests raw speed. Used first by the Rebel Alliance and now the Resistance, it is well suited for quick strikes.
First Order TIE echelon
Location: Docking Bay 9 (First Order Encampment)
Description: A new assault vehicle in the TIE (twin ion engine) series, this echelon shuttle is used by the First Order mainly for small troop and cargo transport.
Landspeeders
Location: Black Spire Station
Description: There are two models of speeders in for repairs in the garage at Black Spire Station: an X-34 model, similar to one Luke Skywalker uses in Star Wars: A New Hope, and a Jakku speeder, built from scavenged parts.
Millennium Falcon
Location: Spaceport
Description: Sometimes lovingly referred to as “the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy,” the YT-1300 Corellian freighter is currently being loaned to Hondo Ohnaka, the former pirate who owns and operates Ohnaka Transport Solutions.
Sienar-Chall Utilipede-Transport
Location: Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
Description: Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs uses this modified shuttle as a mobile kitchen and restaurant, jumping from one planet to the next as a “traveling diner for diners traveling.” It’s currently atop Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, turning the hangar into a dining establishment.
X-wing Starfighter
Location: Resistance Mobile Command Post
Description: A versatile ship balancing speed and firepower, the X-wing is a nimble starfighter used in dogfights first by the Rebel Alliance and now the Resistance. Its name comes from the “X” its four wings create when they’re locked in attack position.
Lightsabers, Droids, and Holocrons—The Incredible, Immersive Merchandise of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
When you imagine your own Star Wars adventure, are you wielding your very own customized lightsaber? Is a droid by your side—the BB-8 to your Rey, or the R2 to your Luke? Is there a Kowakian Monkey-Lizard perched on your shoulder? These iconic elements from a galaxy far, far away are no longer constrained to your imagination—they’re part of your reality at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where the merchandise available in the new land plays a vital role in the storytelling within the land.
The Disney Parks product development team worked with the project team throughout the land’s creation to deliver unique merchandise that expands the fun of playing on Batuu. When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disneyland park on May 31 and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29, guests will enjoy new story-driven retail experiences that enable them to construct their own lightsabers or build a droid—in incredibly detailed, immersive environments.
Here is some of the merchandise that will be available in the groundbreaking new land:
Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers
This is one-stop shopping for a hand-built lightsaber that can be customized as guests choose the paths they will follow. Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers is packed with unusual parts and whimsical pieces collected from the far reaches of the galaxy. A group known as the Gatherers first ushers guests into the covert space, then guides them in the construction of one-of-a-kind lightsabers that will be brought to life through the power of kyber crystals.
Four lightsaber themes will be available to guests:
•Peace and Justice: Utilize salvaged scraps of fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships in Republic-era lightsaber designs that honor the galaxy’s former guardians.
•Power and Control: Originally forged by warriors from the dark side, objects used in this lightsaber style are rumored remnants from the Sith home world and abandoned temples.
•Elemental Nature: Craft a lightsaber from special components born from the Force, such as Brylark trees, Cartusion whale bones, or Rancor teeth.
•Protection and Defense: Incorporate hilt materials bearing mysterious motifs and inscriptions that reconnect a lightsaber’s wielder with the ancient wellspring of the Force.
Droid Depot
These are most definitely the droids you are looking for. When you enter this workshop, you’ll discover stacks of parts, chips, and manuals—everything that you need to begin to construct the droid that will undoubtedly become your own indispensable sidekick. You have the option to choose from either the BB-series or R-series astromech.
In Droid Depot, droid parts come and go on conveyor belts, providing a range of options to include in your own unit. You’ll also have the option to further customize your droid with personality-affiliation chips, color panels, and more accessories. Once you’ve built your droid, you can place it in an activation station where it comes to life and will be able to interact with other astromech droids, as well as certain other Bluetooth-enabled elements and devices throughout Black Spire Outpost.
Of course, if you want even more droids in your life—and who doesn’t?—Droid Depot also offers prebuild droids, housewares, and apparel, all inspired by the design, engineering, and building of droids, including:
•Premium Droid Action Figures: R2-D2, BB-8, DJ R-3X, and C-3P0 are among the hero-scale droids, loaded with interactive functionality, that are available at Droid Depot. Our new favorite master of music, DJ R-3X, is both a fully functional remote-control droid and Bluetooth-enabled speaker, with classic DJ sound effects.
•Color-Changing Droids Figure Packs and Play Set: These droids are built to classic 3 ¾ scale and are ready to go undercover in Black Spire Outpost.
•Droid Light-Up R2-D2 or BB-8 Headbands: Beloved Star Wars characters inspire these motion-activated dome headbands that respond with lights and sound.
•Droid Depot Work Shirts and Apparel: Droid fans of all ages will want to add these items to their wardrobes.
Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
If you’re in search of the most mysterious and unique artifacts the galaxy has to offer, then you have come to the right place. The Ithorian Dok-Ondar is as mysterious and as unique as his collection, and he has made quite the variety of items available to guests:
•Legacy Lightsabers: These are elegant weapons from another, more civilized time—the weapon of choice for both Jedi and Sith alike. Dok-Ondar has amassed a collection of replicas of some of the most famous—or infamous—warriors in the galaxy’s history, including Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Maul.
•Lightsaber Accessories: Everything you need to have alongside your lightsaber, from clips and carrier bags to display stands for when your lightsaber is not in use.
•Kyber Crystals: They are at the heart of every lightsaber and are attuned to the Force. An array of colors are available at Dok-Ondar’s, including blue, green, purple, red, yellow, and white.
•Holocrons: Looking for stores of valuable information about the galaxy and the Force? Then you’ll want to acquire a Holocron. Pair one with kyber crystals to unlock and access this coveted data.
Creature Stall
Stop by this exotic market stall to discover some of the galaxy’s most exotic creatures and critters. The stall’s proprietor, Bina, has stocked the storefront with unique companions for guests, including:
•Kowakian Money-Lizard: A cackling and rambunctious creature who can sit on your shoulder throughout all of your intergalactic adventures.
•Porg: This creature has traveled all the way from the cliffs of Ahch-To to Black Spire Outpost, where it chirps and flaps its wings… compelling you to bring the adorable avian home with you.
•Loth-cat: This temperamental member of the tooka family hails from Lothal. Sometimes friendly and always a capable hunter with sharp teeth, this feline is small but spirited.
Black Spire Outfitters
Outfit yourself for all means of galactic adventure at this colorful apparel shop that carries a stellar selection of robes inspired by those worn by Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, tunics that you may choose to wear under them, and belts—the perfect accessories for wearing a lightsaber hilt. Items at Black Spire Outfitters are sized for all, from youth through adult.
Toydarian Toymaker
The busy toymaker Zabaka has assembled an exciting collection of handcrafted toys and collectibles for guests to bring home. The whimsical shop features:
•Artisan Plush Characters: Look for some of the most famous icons of the galaxy—including Yoda, Chewbacca, Ewoks, and more—brought to life through stylized plush.
•Games: Cards of Sabacc… Dejarik… Chance Cubes… Your family game night gains an intergalactic twist, thanks to Zabaka.
•Vehicles: Iconic vessels of the galaxy have been crafted in materials such as wood and metal.
Jewels of Bith
Offering both local goods and tiny treasures, there’s something for everyone at this destination, including:
•Batuuan Cooling Fan: The moisture vaporators of Tatooine have inspired this hand-held fan, which provides welcome refreshment on Batuu’s hotter days.
•Gifts of Batuu and Black Spire Outpost: The sights and graphics of the remote planet and its most heavily populated village can be spotted on apparel and drinkware that commemorate your journey to this incredible land.
First Order Cargo
They’re here… The First Order has recently come to Black Spire Outpost, where they’re hoping to win the hearts and minds of locals and tourists alike. Explore the dark side at their post, where you can find:
•Accessories: Caps, pins, patches, and other gear that’s branded to the First Order.
•Toys and Vehicles: Models and metal replicas of the First Order.
Resistance Supply
This makeshift post has been secretly set up by members of the Resistance. Don’t tell the First Order, but guests can make their way to Resistance Supply to stock up on essential gear and supplies to prepare for their next mission. Among the Resistance-branded goods are:
•Accessories: Caps, pins, patches, and other gear.
•Toys and Vehicles: Models and metal replicas of the Resistance fleet.
•Resistance MRE (Meals Ready to Eat): On-the-go snacks for Resistance fighters.
Oui, pardon Mr.Freddy, j'aurais dû parler de minimum syndical par rapport aux autres parcs alentours pour garder la tête...sachant que les exemples que tu donnes se basent sur des décors immersifs, bien fait et qui donnent envie mais pas sur toute une interaction qui te fait être acteur du truc
n'hésitez pas à faire un tour sur la chaine youtube de themeparks voyages https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu7b4elLrO-tYXmM0xIj5IA
et pour voir les autres publications cliquez sur les icônes ci dessous ;-)
Creatures, Droids, and Aliens: Meet the Fantastical Figures of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will welcome visitors young and young-at-heart to the galactically grand world of Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu—which, as you might imagine, is home to a cavalcade of creatures, from Resistance heroes to chatty droids… from space pirates to mystical proprietors… and even a few lovable aliens! Guests who visit these lands, both at Disneyland park starting Friday, May 31, and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning August 29, may discover the presence of these fantastical figures as they take in the sights.
Who might you meet on your visit to Batuu? And where? Read on for more…
Characters
Chewbacca
Found at both the Resistance Encampment and at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, this legendary Wookiee warrior (and Han Solo’s co-pilot) came to Batuu aboard the damaged Falcon. He needs special parts to fix his ship, and the Resistance needs fresh supplies—so Chewie made a deal to loan Hondo Ohnaka the Millennium Falcon for a few smuggling runs in exchange for the items he desperately needs…
Dok-Ondar
A larger-than-life collector of all things odd and hard to find, Dok-Ondar buys, sells, and trades valuable items at his intergalactic Den of Antiquities shop. This Ithorian is a proud curator, amassing a collection that’s truly unrivaled in the galaxy. He’s also known as the “gatekeeper” of the black market in Black Spire Outpost, so locals know not to cross him. Guests can see him working at his desk—taking inventory and barking the occasional order at his assistants between incoming calls.
Oga Garra
This Blutopian crime boss of Black Spire Outpost is a mysterious figure. She is never seen, but is often heard yelling at her servers inside Oga’s Cantina. Her influence stretches throughout the outpost, as her fingers are in every business transaction… and she knows everyone coming and going.
The Gatherers
As believers in the ways of the Force, the Gatherers are a group of men and women dedicated to restoring balance in the galaxy by passing on ancient knowledge. Part of their mission is guiding the next generation of Jedi-hopefuls in building their own unique lightsabers. You can find the Gatherers at Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers.
Vi Moradi
Vi Moradi is a spy and intelligence officer for the Resistance who traveled to Batuu to scout the planet for its viability as a potential Resistance recruiting station. This strong-willed, hot-tempered, quick-witted woman is trying to stay one step ahead of the First Order while recruiting for the Resistance as she traverses the twisting pathways of Black Spire Outpost. You never know where you might see her lurking throughout the land…
Hondo Ohnaka
Established in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series, Hondo Ohnaka is a Weequay pirate turned “legitimate” businessman (although most would call him a smuggler). A rough-around-the-edges rogue, he is always looking out for the next big score. Hondo founded Ohnaka Transport Solutions, which operates out of Black Spire Outpost and specializes in acquiring or delivering restricted items. In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, he asks guests to help him acquire some prized cargo of importance to both the First Order and the Resistance. Of course, Hondo himself will be pocketing a sizeable profit along the way.
Kylo Ren
The Supreme Leader of the First Order strikes fear in the hearts of his foes with his imposing mask, long dark robes, iconic hilted red lightsaber, and notoriously violent temper. As a highly trained, Force-sensitive warrior, Kylo Ren is determined to root out the Resistance—and travels to Batuu to search for and destroy any traces he can find. He can often be found at Docking Bay 9, the First Order Encampment.
Rey
Sometime after the Battle of Crait at the conclusion of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Resistance hero Rey made her way to Batuu. Here, she leads the recruitment effort for the Resistance (based out of the Resistance Encampment) by actively inspiring supporters along the galaxy’s Outer Rim.
Zabaka
Zabaka is a Toydarian, the flying alien species first seen in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Her small Toydarian Toymaker stall has thrived in Black Spire Outpost by selling quality toys—and through her good relationships with other proprietors in town. Guests can see the silhouette of Zabaka going about her daily business through her workshop window.
CREATURES
Convor
A popular pet throughout the galaxy, Convor is a gold-and-brown plumed bird first seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. You can find Convor at the Creature Stall.
Dianoga
This slimy, tentacled carnivore was first seen in Star Wars: A New Hope when it attacked Luke Skywalker in the Death Star trash compactor. When guests stop for a drink at the water fountain in the Black Spire Outpost marketplace, they may see the eye of a dianoga (nicknamed “Tiny”) pop out of the water tank above! Plus, Dok-Ondar has a juvenile dianoga in a tank at his Den of Antiquities shop. Its nickname? “Toothy,” of course.
Dokma
This small, timid creature with a protective shell and two eyestalks was seen in the Star Wars Rebels animated series, and can be located at the Creature Stall.
Felucian Fireflies
These glowing creatures are native to the colorful, humid jungle planet Felucia, first seen in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith—and are found at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.
Fyrnock
A fierce predator typically the size of a small humanoid, this creature—found at the Creature Stall—can only survive under the cover of darkness. It lives in a dark crate at the stall and was first seen in Star Wars Rebels.
Loth-cat
A sprightly feline that hunts small rodents on the grassy plains of Lothal, this lively animal is known primarily from Star Wars Rebels. At the Creature Stall, guests can see a Loth-cat’s tail sway gently as it sleeps.
Kowakian Monkey-Lizard
This reptilian creature is a favorite pet for denizens of the galaxy’s underworld, most famously Jabba the Hutt. Guests visiting the Creature Stall can see the monkey-lizard’s tail hanging from a cage… and occasionally hear its iconic high-pitched laugh. Chances are high you’ll recognize it from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi!
Momong
Also known as a Trandoshan monkey, this species of primate lives in trees and was first spied in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Guests can see its tail as it hangs from a cage in the Creature Stall.
Mynock
These “beastly things” are bat-like parasites that chew on the power cables and energy conductors of starships, as seen in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests may spy a mynock that’s pickled in one of the Oga’s Cantina tanks.
Ollopom
A short, gentle rodent found in the Gungan Swamps of Naboo (sometimes mistaken for a plant), guests can find an example inside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.
Profrogg
This large rodent—which forms complex underground burrowing systems called “towns”—has horns, a snout, super-sharp incisors, and powerful claws used for defense and digging. See a taxidermic profrogg up close at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.
Puffer Pig
The fact that the puffer pig is a mammalian species capable of sniffing valuable minerals makes it vital to smugglers, as seen in Star Wars Rebels. When scared, it inflates to massive proportions! Visit the Creature Stall and you might see (and hear) one!
Sarlacc
This dangerous carnivore can grow to 100 meters long and likes to bury itself in sand—leaving only its huge mouth exposed to the surface, as seen in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. At Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, the proprietor keeps his infant sarlacc in a special tank that simulates arid atmospheric conditions.
Swamp Slug
Native to the bogs of Dagobah, this creature has thousands of teeth capable of grinding up plants and animals—but not necessarily droids, as R2-D2 fortunately discovered in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Those keeping a close eye will find a swamp slug in one of the Oga’s Cantina tanks.
Wampa
This large, white, furry, carnivorous predator hails from the ice planet Hoth. It often sneaks up on prey prior to attack, as experienced by Luke in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities has a taxidermic wampa in its collection.
Womp Rat
This pest is native to Tatooine, and as Luke noted in Star Wars: A New Hope, it isn’t much bigger than two meters. Guests can see a taxidermic womp rat in Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.
Worrt
A carnivorous amphibian typically found in the sand dunes of Tatooine, it famously made a brief cameo outside Jabba the Hutt’s palace in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. It waits for unsuspecting rodents or insects to pass by, then whips its long tongue out to snatch prey! At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests can observe a worrt in one of the Oga’s Cantina tanks, as well as at the Creature Stall.
DROIDS
8D-J8
As a former smelter droid, 8D-J8 was reprogrammed to do one thing: turn the meats on the spit at Ronto Roasters, ensuring they are cooked to perfection.
DJ R-3X
This former Star Tours pilot droid, known affectionately as “Rex,” crash landed on Batuu and was reprogrammed into a DJ by Mubo at the Droid Depot. Mubo gave Rex to Oga Garra to pay off a debt, and “DJ Rex” now provides the musical entertainment inside Oga’s Cantina… and he’s still as chatty as ever!
R5-P8
This sassy droid is Hondo’s most capable astromech at Spaceport, and serves as an automated repair mechanic on the smuggler’s many starships. He calls Hondo out on many occasions, always keeping the pirate on his toes.
With the opening of the epic new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park on May 31, 2019, (August 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida), the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” is primed and ready to take guests on the biggest adventure of their lives! Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run puts you right in the middle of the action with interactive gameplay that makes you the star of your own Star Wars adventure in a more immersive way than ever before.
Lovingly described at various times as a “piece of junk” or “bucket of bolts,” the Millennium Falcon is the most famous of all the ships in the Star Wars universe. On Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, guests 38 inches or taller climb aboard the Falcon in all her ramshackle glory and settle into the cockpit where they discover the ship still has a few surprises left in her.
Following the events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Chewbacca brought the Falcon to Black Spire Outpost for repairs at this spaceport on the edge of the galaxy. In exchange for some much-needed replacement parts, Chewie is loaning the Falcon to Hondo Ohnaka, a smuggler who is now making good use of the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. It is at this point that guests enter the story of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Here are few helpful facts to help get you into the story of this brand-new adventure.
Who is Hondo Ohnaka, and What Does He Want?
He’s a fan-favorite character from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels animated television series. Hondo is a Weequay pirate, running a “legitimate business” called Ohnaka Transport Solutions. He enlists our help to deliver cargo for him, hoping that we won’t ask too many questions.
This is the first time Hondo Ohnaka has been seen outside the animated TV series. Lucasfilm’s Dave Filoni, who created Hondo, consulted with Imagineers to help capture the essence of Hondo’s Audio-Animatronics figure inside the attraction.
Step Aboard the Falcon
Aboard the Falcon, guests will spend some time in the ship’s main hold and lounge, where they can sit at the famous Dejarik (chess) table. But once inside the cockpit, groups of six will each be assigned one of three critical roles to complete the mission. They’ll either be a pilot, a gunner, or a flight engineer. It’s important that guests work together. If the ship sustains damage, either by hitting obstacles or taking enemy fire, the handling will be affected, and the ship’s hallways will show damage as guests leave the attraction.
You’ll also notice that modifications have been made. For example, Hondo has altered the control sticks for the pilot and co-pilot, and he’s added a harpoon to the Falcon’s weapons, among other tweaks.
Authenticity in the Détails
Walt Disney Imagineers worked with Lucasfilm to ensure authenticity in every detail of the Millennium Falcon—down to the hoses, pipes, switches, and even the stickers on the exterior hull. Imagineers pored over archival Lucasfilm photos of the ship, and they visited Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom—where many of the movies were shot—to study Falcon film sets. Rest assured, this IS the Falcon you’ve been wanting to see, and she’s ready for her next adventure. Or in the immortal words of Han Solo: the Millennium Falcon “may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts.”