3. Only two attractions

Image: Disney

While Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge sounds like it will be an expansion unlike any other, it comes with a glaring elephant in the room that many fans have voiced concern over: the park will only house two attractions.

This isn’t particularly unusual for a new Disney parks expansion—the World of Pandora only has two attractions, and Toy Story Land only has three (one of which was already present). However, fans are concerned that Star Wars' extreme popularity, two attractions just isn’t going to be enough to meet guest demand. Indeed, a popular internet meme has even joked that the attractions only take up a tiny corner of Galaxy’s Edge while the rest of the land will essentially become a queue area for those two rides.

Both Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance look like extremely cool attractions. In one, guests will actually get to fly the Millennium Falcon on a smuggling job for Star Wars: Clone Wars favorite, Hondo Ohnaka. On the other, guests will find themselves thrust into the center of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Both attractions will certainly draw very, very long lines.

There is a flip side to this issue, fortunately—the fact that Galaxy’s Edge itself will be an attraction. Similar to Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, just strolling through the streets of Batuu, exploring its shops, and eating its food will all provide elements that add to the experience. In an immersive land, the rides aren’t the only reason to visit—the land itself is part of the magic. We hope this will offset the concerns over the expansion opening with just two attractions.

4. Guests will likely mess with the immersion factor

Image: Disney

Immersion is one of the hottest buzzwords in the theme park industry these days, and with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney will be introducing their most immersive land ever attempted. The idea wasn’t just to make a land dedicated to Star Wars but to truly feel like guests have been transported into that galaxy far, far away.

Batuu, the setting of Galaxy’s Edge, is being treated as an actual in-world planet within the Star Wars universe, a neutral hub on the edge of war with visitors from every corner of the galaxy. The food and drinks served in the park’s cantina will be made to taste and feel like they come from another world (similar to Pandora’s Satul’i Canteen), and even the merchandise will be designed to look like it belongs in a galactic marketplace rather than the typical fare guests would expect at Tatooine Traders or Star Wars: Launch Bay. The concept is brilliant as guests themselves will become part of that immersion—after all, Batuu is a tourist hub.

However, immersion can only go so far. If you’re looking for a full-scale role playing experience, you’ll have better luck with Disney Spring’s Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire. Galaxy’s Edge is going to be very busy, and not everyone will be into the immersive elements as much as others. Some guests are already frustrated that the land is based on something never seen in the films rather than a familiar setting like Tatooine or the Death Star. While we consider the Batuu setting an upside that will make the land feel more timeless, other visitors may end up confused by it. You can also expect any and all of the usual frustrations that will come with crowds at Galaxy’s Edge—cranky guests, that odd parent who uses a stroller as a battering ram, slow-moving families holding up traffic, complaining fans, etc. Some of this runs with the theme, but it will certainly disrupt some of the immersion Disney is attempting to create.