The Differences Between Galaxy's Edge In Disneyland Vs. Disney World

One of Disney's most ambitious theme park expansions in recent years has brought the galaxy far, far away closer to home at its domestic locations in Anaheim, California and Orlando, Florida in the form of Galaxy's Edge, which now exists in Star Wars canon as a trading outpost known as Black Spire on Batuu. This location has since been featured in some print stories set between Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi and Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker.

Galaxy's Edge at both parks boast the same rides and attractions, such as Smuggler's Run, which gives you the experience of piloting the Millennium Falcon with a small crew, and Rise of the Resistance, which takes guests on a special mission against the First Order. Both parks also have shops for guests to build and purchase realistic lightsabers and droids. However, as is the case with many of its rides and attractions at Disney's parks here in the US and others worldwide, there exist some minor but noticeable differences between the two different iterations of Galaxy's Edge here in the US:

1. Geography

The most obvious difference between the two iterations of Galaxy's Edge is the geography, which is largely the result of the overall differing layouts and locations of the two parks. Whereas Disney World in Orlando, Florida is a conglomeration of different parks spread out within the same geographic area, Disneyland in Anaheim, California is essentially one huge amalgamation of rides and attractions spread out though a single large area, the only exception being California Adventure, which exists in its own section of the park.

In Disney World, Galaxy's Edge is incorporated into Hollywood Studios, which previously only contained the hugely popular Star Tours ride and a Star Wars shop known as Tatooine Traders. Details such as the location of the life-size X-Wing and A-Wing on display at both parks, as well as the contours of the "countryside" in each of the two parks, give a somewhat different look to Galaxy's Edge, depending on which park you might be visiting.

2. Coloring

Another difference is with the color scheme between the two parks. While both locations are made to represent the same place, the colors seem to stand out more at Hollywood Studios, whereas the colors used at Disneyland are more muted, quite likely due to how the land stand outs between the two different states with their different climates. Even the color scheme used on the oven at Ronto Roasters to cook meat (cleverly disguised as a podracing engine) appears colored a paler blue at Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland as opposed to Disney World. The engines also do not sport the same Aurebesh symbols either. Subtle differences to be sure, but differences nonetheless.

3. Entrances

Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland has multiple entrances, as opposed to its counterpart in Disney World, making Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland feel bigger. Whereas Disney World's version has two entrances, Disneyland's version boasts three of them. I visited Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland in 2019 and can confirm at least two entrances, but did not know about the third.

4. Alcoholic Beverages

Galaxy's Edge boasts Oga's Cantina, which exists as a fully themed Star Wars cantina where guests are able to purchase snacks and beverages inspired by the galaxy far, far away. Both versions of the cantina allow for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, which, at least in Disneyland, is an exception to a long-standing rule of prohibiting alcoholic beverages in the park since its opening in 1955. Disney's Hollywood Studios park, by contrast, has never had such a rule. In addition to standard roster of concoctions available at both parks, Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios boasts the distinction of allowing guests to purchase blue and yellow milk mixed with various forms of alcohol.

I had the opportunity to visit the cantina at Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge in 2019 and, while I cannot comment on the quality or taste of their alcoholic beverages (I don't drink), I did get to sample their delicious "Carbon Freeze," while my wife got to try their "Jabba Juice." The drinks, paired with the immersive Star Wars theming of the inside of the Cantina (complete with music) tied the experience together nicely. You do need to have a reservation for the cantina and you are only allotted a certain amount of time to sit and drink, but it was definitely a special part of our Galaxy's Edge experience.

Pro tip: As we learned the hard way, while they have some snacks, they are primarily about the drinks, so don't plan on having a full-course meal there. The staff did let us bring in other food purchased elsewhere in the area, however, but it did cost us a little time there.

5. Galactic Starcruiser

While this has yet to be completed, eventually, Galaxy's Edge at Disney Word will exclusively boast the Galactic Starcruiser, a combination hotel and theme park made up to resemble the experience of traveling on a luxury starcruiser. It will also include a "shore excursion" to Batuu.

As I've previously mentioned, I have already gotten to experience Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland in 2019. Regrettably, Rise of the Resistance had not been completed there as of that time, so we have more to explore there and definitely plan to return to Galaxy's Edge at some point. Due to distance and cost, we will likely be exploring Galaxy's Edge at Disney World next, so we will be able to note some of the differences discussed here. Of all of the reasons to decide to go to one park over another discussed here in this article, I would have to say say that, at least for me, the Galactic Starcruiser might wind up being the most significant reason to pick one park over another, although that might depend on how many credits we're able to amass before going.

Written By Mara Butler

Source(s): Cinema Blend

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