By It would turned out that I lied just a little when I said that nothing interesting has really happened over the past few weeks. In fact, something amazing happened just over a week ago.
I got to travel to a whole new planet!
As many people know, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening here in Florida this coming week. Over the past few weeks, however they have been holding exclusive previews for both cast members and passholders. As I recently downgraded my pass, I wasn’t eligible for the preview which left me a bit bummed out. In a stroke of luck, Kevin was able to bring me along when his boyfriend wasn’t able to make it.
To say that I had a blast would be an understatement. To say that I cried multiple times would be the complete truth. It was nothing short of amazing.
Rather than blather on, I want to just share some photos from my time at the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu! This is a small sampling, I had to refrain from going shutter happy with my phone while we were there.
Our first stop was a reservation at Oga’s Cantina where this guy was our DJ while we enjoyed our drinks.
The drinks we amazing and our server was the sweetest! I took a picture with him but I looked like the hottest of all the messes so here’s a picture of The Outer Rim cocktail that I ordered.
We wandered around just taking in the scenery. There were fun little easter eggs at each and every turn. We spent forever just walking around and I could have done so for hours!
These were the droids we were looking for!
We ended up riding Smuggler’s Run three times. It was amazing! The queue wasn’t overly thrilling but once we were into the main waiting area, we were IN the Millennium Falcon. I cried again.
Before we entered the Falcon we had a little pre-show where I learned they used my likeness to create a droid. This is me in droid form and I’ll fight anyone who tries to say otherwise!
The waiting area before we went in was the iconic sitting area in the Falcon. I took a picture of me sitting there, but again, looked like a mess. So here it is empty.
Like I said, we were able to ride Smuggler’s Run three times. Within the ride there are different positions for the riders. Our first time around we were engineers which wasn’t overly thrilling but I was so overtaken by the beauty of what was happening that I was okay with being a terrible engineer. Our third time around we were gunners and I kicked some serious Tie-Fighter ass!
The second ride I learned that I am a terrible pilot. Mostly because I didn’t believe that we really had any control over the ride. I was wrong. But at the end of it all, I can say I flew the Millennium Falcon and it was the best!
The hardest part of it all was leaving. I likely would have stayed longer but I was tired. I really would have enjoyed seeing the place at night. Good chance it’ll be a long while before I get back there once it opens. But who knows!
I will say this for the experience. I wasn’t in Hollywood Studios. I wasn’t in a theme park at all. I was on an entirely different planet for the hours that we were there. Disney did such an amazing job creating a beautifully immersive environment. I’m looking forward to going back especially once the new ride opens at the end of the year.
I’m also super grateful for Kevin who invited me along for the cast member preview. We had so much damn fun.
All said and done it was a grand adventure and a reminder that I have some of the greatest friends in the world… possibly even the Galaxy!
Avoiding Neverland 