Exploring Black Spire Outpost at Disneyland
** Post updated 6/22/2019 for visiting after June 24th. **
You may have heard that a new land opened at Disneyland on May 31, 2019. Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge (SWGE) in Anaheim, California added 14 acres to the theme park. A star-studded dedication ceremony took place on May 30th and was live-streamed so we could watch from home. Special guests at the dedication included George Lucas (Star Wars creator) and actors Billy Dee Williams, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford. Walt Disney World’s version of Galaxy’s Edge will open in late August 2019. We visited Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge during its opening weekend on June 1 and had fun exploring Black Spire Outpost at Disneyland.
Located to the north of Frontierland, Galaxy’s Edge is where Big Thunder Ranch and some backstage areas were located. Black Spire Outpost is the planet Batuu’s village. There are entrances beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and another entrance along the Rivers of America near Critter Country and beyond the Hungry Bear Restaurant.
Even before Galaxy’s Edge opened, Disneyland is a theme park that takes more than one day to see and experience everything. A multi-day visit to the Disneyland Resort will be your best approach if a stop at Black Spire Outpost is on your itinerary – either before or after SWGE is open without reservations.
If you’ve secured a reservation to visit Batuu prior to June 23, you’ll want to fully maximize the four-hour window. There is a lot to see in the new land, and you’ll probably not experience all of it in one visit. After June 24, a reservation will not be necessary to visit Batuu, although a virtual queue system will be implemented for crowd management.
** UPDATE 6/22/2019: Know Before You Go: Planning Your Visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort Beginning June 24
Reservations between May 31 and June 23, 2019?
- Check in at Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland – able to check in 2 hours prior to reservation start time.
- Color coded wristband has the reservation time frame and which of the three SWGE entrances you’ll use.
- Morning (8:00 AM) reservations have been queuing up for the entrance behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
- Later in the day reservations have been queuing up for the entrance beyond Critter Country.
- Most of the reservation time frames have overlap with the previous group (during the first hour) and with the next group (during the last hour). The middle two hours are when you’ll want to maximize your explorations of Black Spire Outpost when crowds are slightly less.
- According to one source, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 guests visit Galaxy’s Edge during the four-hour window.
- Charge your phone before you enter Galaxy’s Edge.
- Through June 23, 2019, you may not reenter SWGE if you leave.
- The closest Fuel Rod portable device charger exchange stations are in Critter Country (lower level of Hungry Bear Restaurant) or in Frontierland (inside the Westward Ho! Trading Company store).
Traveling to Batuu after June 24, 2019?
- Most of the tips shared in this post will continue to apply after the initial reservation period concludes.
- Aim to visit Galaxy’s Edge first thing in the morning if you want to avoid the virtual queue.
- If you arrive midday, be sure to access the virtual queue as soon as you arrive.
- Decide how much time of your day you want to spend in Batuu – four hours was not enough time during our visit, although your interest level may differ.
Things to Know:
- The time period of Galaxy’s Edge is between The Last Jedi (Episode 8) and The Rise of Skywalker (Episode 9).
- Check the tips from the Disneyland website.
- Galaxy’s Edge has restrooms in two locations – both with companion restrooms.
- Decide if you want to build your own droid (Droid Depot) or create a hand built light saber (Savi’s Workshop). You will most likely not have time to do both. Light sabers are an additional cost and subject to availability. Annual Passholder (AP) discounts do not apply.
- If you want to visit the Cantina, check in straightaway to add your name, group size, and cell phone number to the queue for a text on when to return.
- Traffic flow within Galaxy’s Edge may be limited or restricted based on crowds.
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is the only attraction open for now. Wait times fluctuated from 25 to 60 minutes during the opening weekend. It is a simulator ride where guests play a role on the Millennium Falcon as an engineer, a gunner, or a pilot. The height minimum is 38”, however the attraction may be too intense for younger guests.
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will open later in 2019. It will be a dark ride where guests are involved in a battle between the First Order and the Resistance.
- Look for Disney PhotoPass photo opportunities. Be sure to ask the photographer if there are any Magic Shots. The two I’ve heard about are one with a Porg in the Resistance Camp and one with the Money Lizard at the First Order ship. Update: Photos are known as “image scans” and Magic Shots are “holograms.” So you would ask, “Would you capture a hologram image scan?”
- If you find yourself waiting in line, try your hand at the Disney PLAY app.
- Keep your eyes open for characters to meet – Chewbacca, Rey, Storm Troopers, and more.
Recap of our visit to Batuu:
During our visit on opening weekend, we had reservations from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. We checked in at Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland at 3:00 PM. The process was very organized and efficient. Our queue area was by Critter Country and we joined the lineup area at 4:45 PM. Right at 5:00, we entered Galaxy’s Edge and were greeted by Chewbacca. The path we were on took us past the Resistance Camp and we saw the future queue site for the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride that is scheduled to open later in 2019.
Next, we walked through the marketplace area and saw the merchant and food vendors. We discovered an area that looked out over the Millennium Falcon and then wandered over to the Droid Depot. After checking out the premade droids, we decided to create a custom-built droid, so got in that line. After approximately 40 minutes in line, it was our turn. Building the droid was one of the highlights of our visit.
From there, we rode Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The wait time was about 30 minutes and the queue area has many Star Wars details. After we helped Hondo Ohnaka with his mission, we were ready for a beverage. The line to Oga’s Cantina was too long, so we opted for a Coca-Cola in a spherical orb. I also decided to sample the blue milk. We had our images captured in front of Kylo Ren’s command ship and visited the First Order Cargo shop.
While we waited for sunset, we returned to the marketplace and explored each stall. We sampled the outpost popcorn mix and picked up a set of Han Solo’s dice. Once the skies had darkened, we walked around Galaxy’s Edge some more so we could check out at Black Spire Outpost at night. We purchased a few more souvenirs and then headed out when our reservation time ended.
Food Guide for Black Spire Outpost – Comfort Food with a Star Wars Twist
The Market–
Kat Saka’s Kettle (popcorn) – We tried the popcorn and it is a tasty blend of sweet and spicy. The multi-colored Outpost Popcorn Mix was served hot and fresh. We opted for the MSE-6 Series Repair Droid souvenir popcorn vessel option. The popcorn sold for $6.49 per serving, or for $19.99 in the souvenir bucket option.
Ronto Roasters (exotic meat stall) – Located at the end of the Market area, the theming is larger than life. We did not eat anything at this stand during our visit. Food options include savory grilled sausage and roasted pork wraps.
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (variety of dishes and desserts with ingredients from across the galaxy) – There was at least one dessert that looks good on this menu, but there was a line to get in and we didn’t have a chance to check it out yet.
Milk Stand (blue and green milk) – This stand is located near the First Order section of Black Spire Outpost and serves a frosty plant-based concoction. We tried the blue milk, which is a blend of coconut and rice milks. It was a bit pricey at $7.99 a serving, but it was refreshing and makes for some fun Instagram-worthy photos!
In an interview posted on Restaurant Hospitality, the blue milk is described as a “blend of coconut and rice milk mixed with passion fruit, pineapple and watermelon.” The green milk version is also a semi-frozen dairy-free beverage with pineapple and lime juice. A souvenir Milk Bottle Sipper will be available later.
Custom bottles for Coca-Cola products and Dasani water–
The Coca-Cola Company created custom bottles for Black Spire Outpost. The spherical orb bottles are available for Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Sprite sodas. Dasani water bottles are also in special bottles for Galaxy’s Edge. The labels look scuffed and rusted and include text in Aurebesh, the language featured in the Star Wars film franchise.
According to a statement from Coca-Cola, the goal was to “create a package that would appear like it was pulled off a ship or left behind and repurposed as a bottle of your favorite Coca-Cola beverage – all with visual cues that keep you in the Star Wars storyline.”
During our visit, we bought three of the Coca-Cola bottles at a stand between The Milk Stand and Oga’s Cantina. They were $5.50 each – a bit pricey for a 13.5-ounce bottle – however it was a refreshing beverage and a fun souvenir.
Oga’s Cantina –
The local cantina at Black Spire Outpost is definitely a crowd favorite with visitors to Batuu. It’s been so popular that during the first week changes were made in how people queue up and wait to experience the notorious local watering hole. We did not have a chance to go inside the cantina during our visit because the line was too long, and we were told only guests who were buying something could enter.
As of June 2, 2019, a virtual queue with a text-based wait list was put in place so that guests could experience more of Galaxy’s Edge during the four-hour window rather than waiting in line for most of the time. Cantina patrons are limited to 45 minutes in the cantina and a two-drink maximum. There is an expansive menu of exotic concoctions for all ages – including young travelers. If you’d like to experience Oga’s Cantina during your four-hour visit, be sure to go in the first few minutes to register for the virtual queue.
Merchant & Shopping Guide for Black Spire Outpost:
Hand-built Lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop – Even the high price-point cannot keep die hard Star Wars fans from wanting to experience building their own lightsaber. Not to be confused with the lightsabers available at Star Traders in Tomorrowland, these are one-of-a-kind creations that help you become one with the Force. Prices start at $199.00 and are subject to availability.
Build Your Own Droid at Droid Depot – The Droid Depot is the place to visit if you want to construct your own droid and bring it home. During our visit, the line to build a droid was somewhat long, approximately 40 minutes, but was the highlight of our visit.
You have the choice of building an R series or BB series droid. The R series droids have five pieces and there are six options for the dome. The BB series droids also have five pieces with three options for the dome. After selecting the pieces from the conveyer belt, you build the droid at a station with the help of an attendant as needed. After powering up the droid, and checking that it works, it’s placed in a carry box along with the remote controller. Prices start at $99.00 and are subject to availability.
The Droid Depot also offers premade droids, model kits, and accessories. A popular accessory was the backpack for carrying the custom droids.
Resistance Supply – Located near the site of the future Rise of the Resistance attraction, these outdoor carts offer merchandise for members of the Resistance so you can join the cause to defeat the First Order.
The Market–
Creature Stall– Stop here if you want to bring home an exotic creature or critter.
Toydarian Toymaker– This small shop was one of my favorites with several Star Wars themed toys that I hadn’t seen before. It was a bit challenging to take in all the displays since the line to pay was somewhat blocking most of the store.
Black Spire Outfitters– If you’re looking for a new outfit that will help you blend in with the locals, this is the place for you. This shop has an eclectic selection of robes and other clothing that will transform your look.
Jewels of Bith– This was another one of my favorite shops. We brought home a set of Han Solo’s dice that now hang in our personal transport vehicle.
First Order Cargo – Browse for gear and other products to show your support of the First Order at this shop. It’s located near the Milk Stand on the opposite side of Black Spire Outpost from the Resistance Supply.
One of the highlights of our visit was interacting with the inhabitants of Black Spire Outpost. The villagers stay in character perfectly and it evenfelt odd to pay with U.S. cash at the milk stand when told how many credits the blue milk cost. We had villagers offer to “capture our image” several times. One Batuu inhabitant said he disliked having to “go off planet for a charging device” when we asked if there was a fuel rod charger station at the outpost.
Some other villagers noticed Monkey’s Mickey Mouse ears and commented,“Check out the visitors who worship the mouse god…” In a previous post, you may recall some of my Confessions of a Star Wars Fan. Even though I consider myself a fan by default, we all enjoyed our visit to Galaxy’s Edge. If you’re planning to visit Galaxy’s Edge with younger guests, you may find the tips from Mom Rewritten’s SWGE post helpful. Another good resource is the SWGE post from Disneyland Daily. You may also find this SWGE review from Trips with Tykes informative. A complete daytime photo gallery from Mice Chat, , “Postcards from Batuu”, may also inspire you to visit.
As stated earlier, a stopover to Black Spire Outpost could easily take over four hours, especially if you plan on seeing and doing most or all of what Galaxy’s Edge offers. If going to Batuu is part of your visit to Disneyland, you’ll want to plan on spending at least five hours and be sure to pack your patience. If you plan on also going to Disney California Adventure, a visit to the Disneyland Resort will ideally be a multi-day trip, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.
What are you looking forward to seeing or doing at Galaxy’s Edge? When do you plan to visit? Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments!
Updates: June 19, 2019 – Links added about Droid Depot, Disney PhotoPass Magic Shots (aka “holograms”), details about Batuu’s inhabitants, and Disney Play App.
Comments welcome and shares appreciated. Find me on Facebook to discuss this post and more. Subscribe for email notifications when new posts publish. Please feel free to leave me a message with suggestions for future blog posts – I love hearing your ideas!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.