Opening dates announced for 'Stars Wars: Galaxy's Edge' theme park area

By Genevieve Shaw Brown

The opening dates for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge have been announced, the new Disney theme parks area.

Bog Iger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, shared the dates with the annual meeting of shareholders in St. Louis, Missouri.

At Disneyland, the opening date is May 31, 2019. At Walt Disney World, it's Aug. 29, 2019.

Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks

Disney Imagineers view a life-size TIE fighter as they work on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Disney Parks

Artist rendering of a massive hangar inside a First Order Star Destroyer, part of the "Rise of the Resistance" attraction at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

The highly-anticipated theme park areas are opening earlier than originally expected. The two lands had previously been slated to open in summer and fall, respectively.

The opening dates represent phase one of a two-phased opening. On opening day, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will be open. Phase two, which will take place later this year, is when guests can experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks

Guests readying to fly the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy will walk its iconic circular hallways leading to the cockpit in the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run attraction opening at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge this summer at Disneyland and in the fall at Walt Disney World.

Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks

Smuggler's Run attraction at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, including the famous Dejarik holographic chess table made famous in 1977's Star Wars. Guests will be able to explore this space, and take pictures, before heading to the cockpit.

Two attractions and a restaurant are the focal points of the new lands. On Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, guests will join a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. On Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, guests take control. At Oga’s Cantina, alcohol will be served -- a first for Disneyland.

Disney Parks

At 14 acres each, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will be Disney's largest single-themed land expansions ever, transporting guests to Black Spire Outpost, a village on the never-before-seen planet of Batuu. The lands will have two signature attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will let guests take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, while Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance puts guests in the middle of an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks

Paint detailing appears mostly complete in this section of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, where a transport shuttle is docked on top of a large hangar.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which will be 14 acres, will be Disney's largest single-themed land expansion ever, transporting guests to live their own Star Wars adventures in Black Spire Outpost, a village on the remote planet of Batuu, full of unique sights, sounds, smells and tastes.

"Good Morning America" got a top-secret look at the area last month. From the new food to the new toys, there's plenty to be excited about.

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