Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is an incredibly immersive experience at Hollywood Studios in Florida. The project took three years to complete and had an amazing launch. However, the momentum for the land is decreasing. Because of that, Disney announced they will be closing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge permanently.
Galaxy’s Edge is a themed land located in both California and Florida. It’s an immersive Star Wars experience with rides, shops, and restaurants designed to make guests feel like they are on the planet of Batuu. The land includes two major attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, where guests can pilot the Millennium Falcon in a thrilling interactive adventure. It also features Rise of the Resistance, where guests join the Resistance in a battle against the First Order.
Galaxy’s Edge is also home to shops that sell unique Star Wars merchandise, including customizable lightsabers and droids. The restaurants serve Star Wars-inspired food and drinks, such as blue milk and a variety of intergalactic delicacies. The entire land is designed to be an immersive experience, with cast members in character and hidden Easter eggs throughout the land for Star Wars fans to discover. However, what once was an amazing experience has turned into a financial nightmare.
Why is Disney Closing Galaxy’s Edge?
Galaxy’s Edge is an expensive bet on Disney’s part. They took the world of Star Wars and put it in Disney World and Disneyland. However, this bet is no longer paying off. Initially, Galaxy’s Edge was considered the best land at Disney. However, that love slowly trickled away. Now, Galaxy’s Edge is more of a burden than it is an asset.
Galaxy’s Edge has the highest operational cost of any land across all Disney parks around the world. This is partially due to the power required to operate Smuggler’s Run and Rise of The Resistance. These are both technologically advanced attractions and resource intensive. Also, the land is filled with paid actors to add to the immersion. This labor cost is driving Disney to an unprofitable territory.
This is not a new issue. As we reported here, Disney is closing the Star Wars Hotel for similar financial reasons. The Star Wars bet is not paying off like Disney originally imagined. It also stems from a lack of market demand. Disney went too deep into Star Wars and ultimately it isn’t paying off.
What is replacing Star Wars Land When it Closes at Disney World?
The replacement for Star Wars Land is going to excite a lot of Disney fans. Disney will be replacing Star Wars Land with Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Studio Backlot Tour, and Streets of America! They will also be rebuilding Studio Catering Co. for dining. This is truly a Disney purist’s dream.
Essentially, Disney will be rebuilding the classic and well-loved area of Hollywood Studios that Disney removed in order to build Galaxy’s Edge. This area of the park is nostalgic for many Disney fans. Nothing beats a relaxing ride on the Studio Backlot Tour or sitting down for Lights, Motors, Action! This is one of the most iconic parts of Hollywood Studios, so it’s great Disney is bringing it back.
According to an insider, Disney kept most of the props of this part of the park in case something like this happened. Fortunately, it did. We expect Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to close permanently by the end of 2023. Disney will then break ground on demolishing it and rebuilding a better and more loved area of the park. It’s about time Disney does something their fans want.
What do you think of Galaxy’s Edge closing and reopening with some of the classic Hollywood Studios rides? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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