May the 4th Be With You – Where to find amazing ways to celebrate Star Wars Day at Hollywood Studios!

“A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,” there was a girl who had never seen any of the Star Wars films. Trust me, I know this is a controversial statement! Fear not, however, for when Disney announced that they would be bringing the world of Star Wars to life in Hollywood Studios, that same girl finally made her way through the films of the franchise!

As I studied the screen in preparation for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, I finally understood how the series had so many fans around the world! It’s a larger-than-life story full of excitement, interesting and remarkable characters, and out-of-this-world landscapes and settings that launch your imagination into hyperdrive! So, seeing as Star Wars Day, May the 4th, is just a few days away, let’s take a look at the different ways you celebrate at Walt Disney World!

When Batuu opened at Hollywood Studios in August 2019, fans of the franchise finally found a place where they could be fully immersed in an environment inspired by the films. Even as a newer fan, I was awe-struck by the amount of detail found in Galaxy’s Edge. From building a droid to tasting food and drinks inspired by the movies and even taking a ride in the Millennium Falcon, there’s something cool to see around every corner!

I’ll never forget my first entrance into Galaxy’s Edge in the very early, pre-dawn hours of the morning on opening day. Eager visitors from all over the world were decked out in costumes with their lightsabers at the ready as we made our way into the new area. You could almost see the sparks of anticipation in the air! Within seconds we spotted Chewbacca waving to welcome us all, and as we approached the Millennium Falcon, Storm Troopers were waiting to question us about our intentions and reasons for visiting Batuu. 

The first thing we did was check out Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, where guests are recruited on a mission by Hondo Ohnaka and must pilot and protect the ship during a daring journey through hyperspace. I got to be a pilot on that first mission while others filled the roles of gunners and engineers, and while we might not have been the most successful, we didn’t crash, so I count that as a win! Since that first adventure, Smugglers Run has been on my must-do list for every trip!

If you’ve worked up an appetite or thirst during your galactic journey, the first thing that probably comes to mind is blue or green milk. I have to confess that I have not tried this, but it is a treat that many of my teammates have enjoyed! If, like me, it’s not quite your cup of tea (or milk, in this case), there are a bunch of other options for you to consider!

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo offers quick bites such as Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs and Pirjanad Hot Chicken Tip Yip. Ronto Roasters is also a fan favorite, with the Ronto Wrap, which is roasted pork and grilled pork sausage wrapped up in pita bread alongside peppercorn sauce and slaw, being a favorite for many. 

My personal pick, though, is to visit Oga’s Cantina. What’s not to love about a unique menu of bevies and bites set in a cool, dark hole in the wall with droid DJ R-3X spinning some tunes?! A friendly word of advice, though, on the Fuzzy Tauntaun: the foam on that concoction is super cool but will leave your mouth feeling, well, fuzzy, as it creates a tingling sensation!

If you’re like me and shopping is one of your favorite hobbies, there are plenty of opportunities to pick up some unique souvenirs from your time on Batuu! You’ll find Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, First Order Cargo, and Black Spire Outfitters, just to name a few, but if you’re looking for something extra special, you might want to visit Savi’s Workshop or the Droid Depot. 

At the Droid Depot, you can customize and design your very own droid! You pick the parts, put them together, and once assembled, you’ll watch your droid activate. There are also accessories and other elements you can purchase separately to give your new droid a personality. This was a really cool experience, and it was especially fun to see excited young fans get creative and bring new droid friends to life!

Savi’s Workshop might be the coolest shop in the galaxy because this is where you can create your very own lightsaber! How amazing is that?! There are four different hilt themes to choose from, and you also get to select your kyber crystal, the heart of the lightsaber, which determines the color of its blade.

Now, I know he’s kind of the bad guy, but my favorite Star Wars character is Kylo Ren (with the Storm Troopers coming in at a close second). As a result, I will admit, if I were in the Star Wars universe and had to choose… I’m probably going for the Dark Side. This means that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, which heavily features characters from the First Order, has become one of my favorite attractions in all of Walt Disney World! 

Rise of the Resistance blew my mind the first time I experienced it as it is, in my opinion, unlike any other ride out there. This is another attraction in Galaxy’s Edge that sends you on a mission, but this one finds you face-to-face with the heavy hitters of the First Order, including Kylo Ren, General Hux, and an entire army of Storm Troopers. For those of you who lean more towards the Resistance side of the fight, you’ll also spot some friendly faces like Rey, Poe Dameron, and BB-8. I won’t give anything away, but I will say, be prepared for a battle unlike any other!

Of course, these are just some of the things you’ll find in Galaxy’s Edge, but there are some Star Wars offerings in Hollywood Studios that are located back on earth in other areas of the park. 

Star Tours, a beloved 3D experience and the very first element of the franchise that I ever experienced as a kid, is located in Echo Lake, not far from the entryway to Galaxy’s Edge. This ride has evolved over the years, and new stories have recently been added, but you’ll still find yourself on an amazing adventure with C-3PO (and if you’re me, always hoping you’ll be the Rebel Spy!) 

You’ll also find a character meet and greet, a short film, and exhibits of props, concept art, costumes, and more at Star Wars Launch Bay in the Animation Courtyard. 

Whether you dream of being one of the Rebels of the Resistance or pledging your oath to the First Order, there are myriad of ways to experience the worlds of Star Wars at Walt Disney World! No matter how you celebrate it, May the 4th Be With You!

~Stacy