For the last four years Disneyland’s newest attraction, “Star Wars: Galaxy Edge” has been under construction leaving Disney fans all over the world anticipating its reveal on May 31. Announced on August 15, 2015, the 14 acre extension is located behind ToonTown and has been estimated to have cost the Disney Company over one billion dollars to build. This will be the largest expansion to Disneyland Anaheim since the park opened in 1955.
The new land will resemble Batuu, an outpost planet covered with forests and mountains located on the edge of the galaxy in the series. It will feature two rides, four restaurants, one bar and five retail shops. Visitors will only be able to ride one of the two rides on opening day, the interactive Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The second ride, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will not open until late 2019.
For the first three weeks the after the new attraction opens, visitors with reservations will be the only ones allowed inside. Guests at the Disney resort’s three hotels will be allowed one four-hour window to visit the new park, regardless of the duration of their stay.
Parkgoers who want to visit Star Wars land but don’t stay at the resort can book reservation times by creating an account on the resort’s website, where all reservations are free.
After June 23, reservations will not be required to enter, but Disneyland representatives say that they will install a new “virtual queuing system” similar to the park’s Fastpass system.
Overcrowding has often been a problem for the park, but it reached crisis levels in the last few years with new attractions being launched. Since California Adventure opened the new Pixar Pier and Cars Land opening back in 2012 Disney has been dealing with the overflow of nearly 44,000 people a day.
As a result of the increase in visitors they are estimating to see, Disney officials have acknowledged that they have increased prices. Ticket and annual pass prices have gone up along with an increase of blackout dates for pass holders.
A one-day ticket to visit either Disneyland or California Adventure park rose from $97 to $104 for low demand days. The price for a daily ticket for high-demand days rose from $135 to $149. Yet, with the rise of ticket prices attendance at either of the parks has not changed.
With the demand for entrance so high Disney, with over 30,000 employees, expects an increase of 1,400 employees as a result of the new land opening.
All ages are expected to attend opening day where characters such as stormtroopers and Darth Vader will be interacting with guests. With the optimism of good food, fun rides and an unforgettable experience, Disney and Star Wars fans all around the world are looking forward to the new opening in Anaheim.
The Plaid Press 