With a rough date now scheduled for the grand opening of the Star Wars area of its theme parks, Disney revealed more new details tonight as part of its Galactic Nights celebration at Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida. As part of a panel introduced by franchise MVP Warwick Davis, a team of Imagineers gave us some all-new sneak peeks (via Inside the Magic) that have us, like Luke before he became a Jedi, always looking to the future, never our minds on where we are or what we’re doing. Look, that leads to the dark side, we know, but can you blame us?
We already knew the planet was called Batuu, but the specific village where the action takes place is called Black Spire Outpost. Nien Nunb will play a role (with the original Kenyan voice actor from Return of the Jedi), which gives us hope he won’t meet the same fate as Admiral Ackbar come Episode IX. But what fans have wanted to know for a while now is how the rides will work: we already know one is based on the Millennium Falcon. The other has been reported as taking place in a First Order Star Destroyer hangar, and it appears now that it might include full-scale, practical AT-ATs. Yes, AT-ATs, as opposed to AT-ACTs and gorilla walkers. This matters. The riders in the concept art don’t appear to be wearing 3D glasses, so it’s likely to be one intense simulation.
“We are actually building AT-ATs. Full scale AT-ATs.” #GalacticNights pic.twitter.com/IU7VFlTPb4
— Inside the Magic (@InsideTheMagic) May 28, 2018
There’ll be a mini-Blockade Runner you can enter, and it seems to be the entrance to the second ride.
Galaxy’s Edge will also feature a Resistance transport that you will step into and go on your own Star Wars adventure! #GalacticNights pic.twitter.com/jbVSCKGlIH
— Inside the Magic (@InsideTheMagic) May 28, 2018
Here’s a full video of the panel:
Are you ready to book your tickets right now? Let us know in comments.
Image: Amy Ratcliffe
More on Galaxy’s Edge:
- Here are your opening dates.
- Aerial footage of construction.
- And everything else we know.
