Galaxy's Edge: Day One

Patience is a Jedi trait.  So we were patient and followed the plan to use a LL additional purchase to go on the Rise of the Resistance in the mid-afternoon and venture into Galaxy's Edge at that awe-inspiring hour.  We walked through the market place taking in the sights there and first went to Smuggler's Run, where we were met by our good friend Hondo Onaka from Star Wars Clone Wars and Rebels.  Being inside the Falcon with all the authentic areas like the chess table and the medical bay and the main communication area with the ship was an amazing experience and well worth the wait.  On the first flight, we went together as a family with Brett and Joy flying the ship and the boys filling in as gunners and engineers.  Next, we rode Resistance and marveled at all the detail of the deck of the First Order Star Destroyer, the Stormtroopers, Kylo Ren, and what we eventually discovered were two different tracks with two different stories!  Wow.  Well done and impressive.  In the evening, the four boys returned to investigate the Docking Bay 7, talk to one of the workers, and explore the high-end item gift shop which included many things super cool not for sale too.  Finally, Griffin and Brett accompanied by Garrett and Bryce built lightsabers at our reserved time.  Griffin built a red sith lightsaber featuring power and control elements, while Brett build a blue lightsaber with peace and justice elements.  Then we filmed some lightsaber duels at night in Disney.

Entering Galaxy's Edge via the marketplace.

R2-D2 was motoring around.

Droid market for sale.

Hondo Onaka greets us before Smuggler's Run.

 

Anna, Griffin, Luke, and Bryce prepare for their interrogation.

In the Millenium Falcon hallway--authentic!

What an image to capture for the imagination.

Taking a seat at the galactic chess table.  No Wookies to pull our arms out of their sockets!

The cockpit of the Millenium Falcon.

Brett pilots the Falcon.

Griffin and Garrett give Bryce a push to get the Imperial Police Bike going.

Standing in front of the Sith artwork that was in Palpatine's office in Episode III.

Jedi Holocrons for sale?

The underground reality of the Sarlacc.

The Wampa ice creature from Empire Strikes Back.

Grand Admiral Thrawn artwork for sale, $395.

Outside the speeder bay...Luke's landspeeder.

The little-seen Jakku speeder.

Waiting to make our lightsabers.

Cargo crates #77 and #83 with #80 in the Docking Bay, for the year numbers of the release of the original trilogy.

Bryce was Brett's videographer for the lightsaber building project.

 

Lightsaber duel underway.

In line with the Jungingers for our first trip to Rise.

Poe's first X-Wing in Episode VII which gets blown up on Jakku.

A-Wing fighter, as flown in Episode VI and in Star Wars Rebels.

Griffin getting his X-Wing pilot helmet on.

Command post guarded by First Order Stormtroopers.

Entering the AT-AT bay, time to get out of here.

That is a lot of Stormtroopers, we are not escaping this time!

I have the high ground, don't try it Anakin!

Poe's Black One X-Wing as seen in Episode VII and before it was modified for VIII.

First Day at Disneyland

We began our first day at Disneyland arriving early enough to get in line for the opening of Tomorrowland where we would first ride and redeem Space Mountain (our first time we took Bryce and Garrett on it 10+ years ago was not enjoyed very much), but this time they loved it and the 5-10 minute walk-up line was great!  Our next stops were at Star Tours and Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters.  Within the first 45 minutes, we had hit three rides that we had wanted not to miss!  Then we got some "filler" rides while we waited on our Lightening Lane availability for the Indiana Jones ride.  Fortunately, we had Eric helping to coordinate the order of rides to try to get as many in as possible, we didn't spend much time in line, instead riding filler rides in between LL rides and saving some LL for later in the day when ride times became longer.  Great strategy!  We had a nice sit down lunch at the Golden Horseshoe Review and dinner was back in Tomorrowland where we used our LL to re-ride Space Mountain, Star Tours, and Buzz Lightyear.

When you get in early enough, you can stop to take a nice picture as a family.

Waiting with the masses in front of Tomorrowland entrance.

Griffin tries on his Star Tours glasses early and pretends to have his vision disrupted.

Garrett and Bryce ride the Tea Cups with Caleb...nobody had their hips crushed.

We occupied an entire Indiana Jones car..party of 11, nice picture taking Grace!

The Winnie the Pooh ride, a memorable favorite of Eric's mom.

Grace, Joy and Garrett ride the Alice in Wonderland ride together.

 

Taking a rest on It's a Small World.

Bryce takes Dad for a drive on Autopia.

Enjoying some Mickey Mouse pretzels for a snack.

Riding Roger Rabbit...possibly for the last time?

Getting some exercise while we paddle the canoe as a group.

I was not the first one to use this warped paddle, says Bryce.

Getting a rare on-the-ride picture:  Brett and Joy, Garrett, Caleb and Sharon.

A waterfall picture...where are Brett's glasses?

Riding another favorite:  Thunder Mountain Railroad!