Bright suns

, intrepid travelers! It’s time to journey to another planet far, far away (in central Florida) because — after years of waiting and watching — Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is open at Walt Disney World!

…and it’s CROWDED.

And we are LIVE from Black Spire Outpost (and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in general) to cover all the news of the day!

We’re bringing you all the scoop on crowds, entry procedures (including the Galaxy’s Edge Virtual Queue and Boarding Pass Procedure), breaking news, and more!

Follow Along With Us Here and on Social Media at @DisneyFoodBlog on instagram, twitter, and facebook!

So, line up…

… grab an Opening Day MAP!

And join us!!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Entrances

We’ll start with where you’ll enter and exit Black Spire Outpost from Earth. For opening day (and we expect many days after), the entrance to Galaxy’s Edge will be adjacent to Grand Avenue.

This entrance has been used through the land’s preview period as well. This entrance is closest to the Resistance area of the land and leads to the Marketplace…

…and the land beyond.

During the land’s opening days, the Toy Story Land entrance will be used for guests going “off planet” (that’s Batuu for leaving Galaxy’s Edge to return to Hollywood Studios). This entrance is near Droid Depot (pictured below).

Tips You Need to Know About Visiting Black Spire Outpost

We assembled a handful of tips you definitely need to review if you’re planning to fly to the Planet Batuu any time soon. We’ve got information about when the land opens (6AM from August 29 through August 31!), where you can get snacks at 3:30AM (!!!), and what happens if Galaxy’s Edge reaches capacity (get those My Disney Experience apps updated ASAP!).

Click here for ALL of our tips — and feel free to drop into the comments if you’ve got more tips for us!

Travel Information

In addition to early quick service Resort times designed to help you fuel your early morning voyage to Batuu, Disney has also extended operation of their boats and buses. Friendship Boats, which service the Epcot-area Resorts Yacht and Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn and Villas, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts, will run from 3:30AM on Thursday the 29 and from 4:30AM August 30 through September 28. They’ll be running late into the night (or early into the morning, as the case may be), too.

Disney buses from Resorts to Disney’s Hollywood Studios are scheduled to begin running guests to the Park at 3:30AM as well.

Click here for more information about Friendship Boat and Disney Resort bus times.

Land Status: Virtual Queues and Boarding Groups

When Galaxy’s Edge opened this morning (well, as of writing this specific sentence the land still hadn’t officially reached its 6AM opening time…but alas) it quickly filled up and boarding groups — accessible via a Virtual Queue — went into effect.

UPDATE [as of 4:00 PM EST]: Guests are no longer required — at this given moment — to utilize the Virtual Queue to enter Galaxy’s Edge, as the land is currently OPEN to all guests! However, this could change at any time if the land reaches capacity, so you’ll want to read on to know how it works if the Virtual Queue is in effect when you visit.

When you get into Hollywood Studios you’ll have the option to (potentially — if they’re not completely sold out) join a boarding group.

When the land dips below capacity and your boarding group is called (via push notifications in the app), you’ll have 2 hours to get over there and enter Galaxy’s Edge.

After you’re in, you can stay as long as you’d like! And note that, along with the app, the land’s status can also be spotted on signs throughout the park.

NOW, let’s say you have a reservation at Oga’s Cantina, Savi’s Workshop (for your handbuilt lightsaber), or the Droid Depot?

In the screenshot above, you’ll notice the final paragraph states that “Guests with an existing reservation” for those locations may proceed to the Grand Avenue entrance one hour prior to the reservation time and do NOT need a boarding group. You’re all set (unless, of course, you’d like to try to get in earlier than one hour prior to your standing reservation time).

Oh, and P.S. NO walkups (at least for the time being; this may change) are being accepted at Oga’s Cantina. You’ll for sure need that Advance Dining Reservation for now!

In any case, you’re now officially on Batuu!!

And you are most welcome to LIVE YOUR ADVENTURE right here!

Along with a few other people 😉 …

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Wait Times

Now, these first wait times were loaded early (before the land officially opened), so keep in mind that some estimations are taking place for Opening Day. But we thought you’d like to see the first listed Wait Times for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (as per the My Disney Experience app)!

And that quickly turned into THIS…

As for our real time results, we encountered a 200 minute wait time posted live and in person within the 9 AM hour.

Within the 10 AM hour, the posted wait was 180 minutes.

Don’t forget to check out the attraction in full with our review (complete with TIPS!) here!

Star Wars EATS!!

There are no shortage of Star Wars-themed goodies popping up all over Walt Disney World to celebrate the BIG DAY! And we’re talking beyond the new eateries you’ll find within Galaxy’s Edge at spots like Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Ronto Roasters, and the Milk Stand.

Themed treats can be located around Hollywood Studios such the Galactic Funnel Cake at Epic Eats (pictured above; click here for our review) and the return of the Lightsaber Churros (below; check them out here)!

Bantha Skewers at Catalina Eddie’s and Two Suns Hummus at Backlot Express provide some savory Star Wars snacking.

But our TOP CHOICE at Hollywood Studios is a dish called A Galaxy Far, Far Away Espresso Mousse found at ABC Commissary and PizzeRizzo!

Find out why here!

And the eats expand outside of Hollywood Studios, too! You can find out all about the Red Velvet Kylo Ren Cake at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts here!

But I’m a little partial to the WOOKIEE CAKE (“Laugh it up, Fuzzball!”) at Contempo Café in Disney’s Contemporary Resort!

And who can resist the Yoda Cone at Pineapple Lanai in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?!

And just take a gander at the Millennium Falcon Chocolate Pop — each one handmade at The Ganachery in Disney Springs!

Oh, and while it’s not on the official snack list, we’re going to let you in on a Galaxy’s Edge food secret… but don’t tell Oga you heard it from us that there’s a secret menu item at Oga’s Cantina.

Intrigued? Well, that’s all we’re telling you right now… you’ll have to find out more by clicking here!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Merchandise

Want to commemorate your time as one of the very first visitors to Batuu during its opening season?

Be sure to keep an eye out even beyond Hollywood Studios for land-branded merchandise! For instance, we found these items at the Beach Club Marketplace well before the sun rose this morning!

But that’s just a small peek… there is, of course, PLENTY more where that came from inside Hollywood Studios!

And for something completely unexpected… in Hollywood Studios, we found Galaxy’s Edge exclusive merchandise right within the main shops at Keystone Clothiers on Hollywood Boulevard!

Check it all out here!

Of course, it’s ONLY inside Galaxy’s Edge where you’ll find the Batuuan Spira Metal Chip Gift Card that’s been such a huge hit in Disneyland…

Get the whole scoop here!

Meanwhile, Outside of Hollywood Studios…

And if you’re wondering what the scene is in the three other Walt Disney World theme parks, here’s your answer…

THIS is what a practically empty Magic Kingdom looks like (this pic was taken around 10 AM this morning)!

Of course, you’re bound to experience something altogether different at Epcot, where the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival also kicks off TODAY!!

Yep. We’re there, too 😉 . CHECK IT OUT!!!

We hope you’ve enjoyed hanging out with us here at DisneyFoodBlog as we explored Black Spire Outpost and brought you all the details from OPENING DAY! Please send us YOUR experiences and photos via social media on instagram, twitter, and facebook!

And that, my friends, was our very first day on Batuu — east coast style! From Disneyland to Walt Disney World, we have loved every minute of sharing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with you. May the Force be with you… and may the Spires keep you!!