With the opening of Rise of the Resistance in Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is officially complete!

Rise of the ResistanceIf you’re looking to make the trek out to Black Spire Outpost to see what all the hubbub is with this Rise of the Resistance business, you’re gonna want to blend in with the locals, right? Not to worry — we’ve got you covered! We’re sharing some pro tips to help you assimilate in Black Spire Outpost!

You’ve packed a bag full of snacks and your Jedi Disney-bound outfit, and you’re boarding a starship for Planet Batuu (err…or or was it a Disney Bus?). But as with any inter-galactic travel adventure, you’re likely wondering how to blend in with the “locals” once you arrive in Black Spire Outpost. Will you know what to say when you’re greeted with “Bright suns!”? Are you fluent in Aurebesh enough to find your way around? What does Ronto meat REALLY taste like?

What’s Aurebesh, and how do I read it?

Aurebesh is the language of the Star Wars universe, and you’ll see it in print on buildings, signs, labels, and more in Black Spire Outpost. Even menus like this one at Milk Stand are partially written in Aurebesh in Galaxy’s Edge.

We admit this was a little confusing when we first stepped foot on Batuu. There were times, before we were familiar with the layout of and landmarks in the land, that the dearth of translations was confounding. But we soon discovered that this detail is central to the intention of immersing guests in a whole new world.

Heads up though, with the Aurebesh everywhere, you won’t find clear names and signs around Batuu. Everything is purposefully lacking clear signage. This aids in the theming of the land but also can make it really tricky if you’re rushing for the bathroom or late for that Oga’s reservation and have no clue where to go! (Note that there ARE signs in English but the font is intentionally wonky to make it blend in. If you don’t know where to look, you can miss it!)

Likewise the use of Black Spire Outpost-specific phrases also immerses Earthy visitors in the oral culture of the land, with common phrases like “‘Til the Spire” and “For the Order” being bandied about by the citizens of Batuu. If you want to know what to expect, check out this DFB-exclusive Guide to Speaking on Batuu!

Do I need a Datapad in Black Spire Outpost?

You may have heard that your smartphone’s Play Disney Parks app will transform your device into a Datapad when you enter the Outpost. And the short answer as to whether you need to have the app (and thus the Datapad) is NO — but it’s fun if you do!

For starters, the Datapad allows you to translate all of the Aurebesh in the land, so if you don’t have time to memorize the alphabet before you blast off (er, we mean arrive at the Park), you won’t be lost! Simply open your Datapad (cough cough…the Play Disney Parks app, that is), and use it to translate the words you see around you. Additionally, your Datapad can capture and translate transmissions in Black Spire Outpost and allows you to hack certain elements in the land.

So while you certainly don’t need to get the app and use your Datapad in the land, if you’ve got time to play with it, it’s a lot of fun.

How will I find my way around Black Spire Outpost?

Good news: there are a few different ways to access maps of Black Spire Outpost. (Even though this village is a haven for those who want to… disappear… in the galaxy, they sure aren’t keeping their hideouts a secret…) Disneyland.com and DisneyWorld.com have both added Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to their online maps. The maps have also been added in the My Disney Experience and the Disneyland Mobile App. (Remember that if you’re using the app ‘on-world’, you can even get walking directions to various locations in the land, so no more wondering where the nearest bathroom is!)

The Play Disney Parks maps — though quite cartoon-y — also include Galaxy’s Edge.

And, of course, you’ll still be able to pick up a Guide Map when you enter the Parks (and just about everywhere else in Disneyland Park or Disney’s Hollywood Studios!), so if you like a paper map to hold onto (and keep as a souvenir!), definitely pick up one of those, too!

At present, Disneyland Park is operating with three entrances to Galaxy’s Edge (Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Critter Country). Disney World has 2 entrances: at Grand Avenue near BaseLine Taphouse and through Toy Story Land. You’ll want to note these locations and have a plan for navigating the parks if your plan is to head directly to Black Spire Outpost.

How will I meet characters in Black Spire Outpost?

Note: Characters are currently appearing in Galaxy’s Edge through socially-distanced sightings. 

Character meet and greets in Black Spire Outpost are much more organic than is typical in the Disney Parks these days. Rather than having static meet locations, icons like Chewbacca, Rey, Stormtroopers, and Kylo Ren wander the land (in their respective sections: First Order or Resistance) as they would naturally wander the village in the Star Wars universe.

The characters will still have a ‘handler’ nearby, and you can still ask for a pic with your favorites, so no worries there. You’re just unlikely to find any sort of formal queue or structure designed solely for the meet. The point is that these characters are going about their everyday lives — and you’ve stumbled upon them in their natural environments.

If you approach a character and they don’t stop, don’t be discouraged (especially smaller kiddos in your group!) — these characters just going about their day. Give it a few minutes and you’ll likely spot someone else!

What should I wear on Planet Batuu?

This one’s a little tricky. Since Planet Batuu is still technically Southern California or Central Florida, you’ll want to be cognizant of any climate or weather issues. But if you’re looking to Disney Bound (i.e. using regular clothes in a way that evokes a character or film), Disney has established some (kinda confusing) rules. In fact, fewer than two weeks after Galaxy’s Edge opened in Disneyland Park, Disney released a guide to dressing the part in Black Spire Outpost without breaking the “no costumes” rule that Disney has for adults.

While the permitted clothing items include dresses designed to resemble characters and lots of belted shirts and vests, the excluded attire includes actual costumes (yes, even those available for purchase IN Black Spire Outpost!) and anything that looks too costume-y. Even those Jedi Robes available throughout Batuu are unfortunately a no-no.

We think some of the permitted examples look really similar to styles worn by citizens of Batuu, so clearly there’s still a little gray area…

Click here to read about Disney’s clothing restrictions in Black Spire Outpost!

What do I eat if I want to nosh like a Batuuan?

Black Spire Outpost has several counter service-style eateries and a bar for those citizens of Batuu who choose to dine out rather than cook at home. 😉 As a visitor to the land, you’ll want to sample all the culinary (and drinkable) options!

The main restaurant is Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo, a counter-service spot that offers up surprising flavor combinations and intergalactic interpretations on comfort food like chicken tenders, ribs, and mashed potatoes. Check out our full review of Disneyland’s Docking Bay here, and our focus on the quick-service restaurant’s breakfast items here! And when you’re making lunch or dinner selections, our favorites include the Fried Endorian Chicken Tip Yip, Batuuan Beef Pot Roast, or the Smoked Kaduu Pork Ribs. 

Check out our full review of Docking Bay 7 HERE!

Nearby, Ronto Roasters is a counter-service spot with a focus on delicious roasted Ronto meat — known in Earthling terms as pork. 😉  The specialty of the house is the Ronto Wrap, with a thick pita stuffed with roast sliced pork, roasted pork sausage, tangy slaw, and a creamy peppercorn sauce. 

A plant-based wrap, a breakfast wrap, and even a chicken wrap are also now available on the menu. All of the wraps, especially the original Ronto Wrap, are delicious and we highly recommend picking one up!

See how Ronto Roasters does breakfast here and how they keep the pit spinning with all-day eats here!

The next food stop is Kat Saka’s Kettle, where you can pick up some out of this world popcorn. The Outpost Mix is the star here. This mix of sweet and spicy flavored popcorn is…unique. It’s kind of like sweet Fruity Pebbles cereal mixed with hot red chili. It wasn’t really our thing, but thankfully they recently introduced a more tame offering with Galaxy Green Popcorn. It’s your standard Disney popcorn, only green colored!

Check out what we thought of Outpost Mix here!

As for how to stay hydrated? There are a few unique options in Black Spire Outpost. Oga’s Cantina is a popular watering hole serving up creative drinks on tap (most of them very sweet), a couple of menu items for breakfast, and lots of Batuuan charm. This place is a total party! Stop in (be sure to make a reservation!) and have a drink while you rock out to the boppin’ tunes courtesy of DJ R-3X (or as many of you OG Star Tours fans may better know him, your old StarSpeeder pilot, RX-24!).

This spot has so much detail to check out and the drinks are fun and surprising!

Check out our full review of Oga’s Cantina here!

What would a trip to Galaxy’s Edge be without that infamous milk? The Milk Stand pours out Blue Milk and Green Milk in soft-frozen form. Both of these iconic drinks are rice and coconut milk-based. Blue Milk is a mix of fruits, while Green Milk is a slightly floral citrus. We found both to be relatively bland, but we think Star Wars fans will still be into them. In Disney World’s Black Spire Outpost, the Milks can also come boozy as Coolers.

When in Batuu, ya gotta say you tried the milk at least once, right?

See what we thought of the Blue and Green Milks here!

Can I shop ’til I drop in Galaxy’s Edge?

Shopping in Galaxy’s Edge is a lot like the land itself: familiar but also not. There are several shops in Black Spire Outpost, with the bulk of them situated in the Marketplace area of the land (adjacent to the Resistance section). These shops are small and open, with no storefronts to speak of. Toydarian Toymaker sells ‘hand-made’ toys of all kinds, including plush, figures, and small games.

Jewels of Bith and Black Spire Outfitters are additional Marketplace shops, and they offer up clothing and collectibles straight outta Planet Batuu.

First Order Cargo is located (where else?) in the First Order region of Black Spire Outpost. Here you’ll find what you need to join the Order. And over in the rebel-held section of Galaxy’s Edge, you can join forces at Resistance Supply.

And don’t forget, you can build your very own BB-series or R-series droid at Droid Depot (see how here!), and you can channel the Force with your own custom-built lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop — Handbuilt Lightsabers. (We walk you through the Savi’s ceremony here!)

But watch out if you carry a lightsaber around with you on Batuu — you might be questioned by Stormtroopers. Nothing to see here, just an unusually long flashlight, right? Right. 😉

Follow along with us as we build our very own Droid here!

Can I do it all in Galaxy’s Edge?

With all there is to see and do in Batuu, you need to figure out your priorities. Wanna ride all the rides? Is a trip to Oga’s a must-do for you? Maybe you’re destined to build your own lightsaber.

As far as the rides, Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is available through standby lines or with an Individual Lightning Lane Attraction Selection (IAS), Disney’s pay-per-ride service. These spots usually sell out quickly, so if Rise of the Resistance is at the top of your list be ready to make your selection right at 7am. If you’re opting for the standby line, getting to the parks as early as possible (use that 30 minute Early Entry perk for Disney resort guests!) is your best bet at minimizing wait times.

Rise of the Resistance down again? Here’s what to do. 

You can jump in line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, on the other hand, any time of the day.

For food, the only spot requiring a reservation is Oga’s Cantina. Reservations in Disney World and Disneyland can be made 60 days out. Note that most Cast Members won’t even let you in to peek inside without a reservation, so if you’re itching to check it out, get that rezzie!

If a lightsaber is what your after, be sure to make an advance reservation 60 days out for Savi’s Workshop. Like Oga’s, guests aren’t permitted inside unless they have a reservation. Since groups are limited to 14 guests per session, these spots can fill up quickly! Note that while advance reservations are recommended, this isn’t that difficult to get a same-day reservation for though. If it’s a must-do for you, you may want to book ahead to be sure.

And now you’re ready to carve out a space of your own in Black Spire Outpost, fortified with language skills, high-tech tools, a full stomach, and a plan! Have a wonderful trip to Planet Batuu, and may the Spires keep you.

Will you jump into your experience in Galaxy’s Edge or just pass through? Let us know in the comments!