3. Theming unlike we’ve seen before

Image: Disney

In Disney’s World of Pandora, Imagineers went out of their way to transport visitors to another world. From food to merchandise, immersion was the goal. With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s brightest minds are taking things even further.

In Galaxy’s Edge, imagineers have described a theme park experience where bounty hunters, stormtroopers, alien locals, and Resistance fighters will intermingle seamlessly with guests. In the past, theme park guests might have felt like unseen spectators peeking in on a fantasy world. In Galaxy’s Edge, you will become a very part of Batuu’s atmosphere.

As a bustling spaceport, Batuu will be no stranger to busy streets and huge groups of tourists, and guests will find themselves caught smack in the middle of the war between The First Order and The Resistance to claim this unique outpost. Every element of the land’s design has been finely tuned to contribute to this and make it feel as immersive as possible. The concept remains similar to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but with a new unexpected element—a story where guest actions have consequences.

4. Taking attractions to the next level

Image: Disney

We’ll get to what those consequences are shortly, but the places where guests will be able to make these choices start at Galaxy’s Edge’s two flagship attractions: a battle against the First Order and the opportunity to pilot The Millennium Falcon itself.

In the first attraction, guests will find themselves swept away from the immediate area of Batuu by troop transport, taken directly into the war between The Resistance and The First Order. While details on this attraction have been scarce, Imagineers have hinted strongly that guests will have choices to make regarding allegiance to either The Resistance or The First Order. This multi-part simulation experience will almost certainly push the boundaries of what guests thought was possible in a Disney ride.

As for the other attraction, even well before Disney purchased Star Wars, rumors had long circulated that Disney overlords were exploring ideas for a Millennium Falcon attraction. Most guests expected something along the lines of Star Tours, but it looks like The Millennium Falcon experience is going to be something wholly unique. Pulling from the vast well of previous attractions with “gamified” elements (such as Test Track and Toy Story Mania), as well as the immersive “quest” feel of Avatar: Flight of Passage, guests will partner together to pilot the Falcon. You will walk through its halls then be given a position within the ship—piloting, co-piloting, navigating, or manning the guns. Details are still being released, but judging by the set-up of similar attractions like Mission: Space, there are a lot of possibilities.

Most importantly, Disney has confirmed that guest actions on this attraction will have consequences, whether you’re the best pilot in the galaxy or leave the poor Falcon as a crumpled hunk of junk. The experience will feel very personal to your group, and the stakes are high—so high, they will affect the remainder of your time in the park.