New Disney area to showcase Star Wars story

The world of Star Wars is coming from a galaxy far away to become the largest single-themed land created in a Disney park.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is an adventure through the grungy planet Batuu where guests can build their own droids and lightsabers, interact with aliens and climb into the cockpit of the massive Millennium Falcon, where you will discover your mission and engage in a dogfight with Tie Fighters.

The sprawling 5.7-hectare land focuses on a remote world in the newest Star Wars trilogy-so don't expect appearances by Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader. But some familiar faces including Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren and fan-favorite Chewbacca will be a part of the adventure as visitors explore the immersive world.

Galaxy's Edge is set to open this summer at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, then in the fall at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. The lands at both parks are nearly identical and offer a mix of trading outposts, a cantina and even a wooded area where Resistance fighters have set up camp. Entry is included with a park ticket, but it'll cost more for guests who want to create their own lightsaber or purchase their own droid modeled on R2-D2 or BB-8.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Bob Chapek says guests inside Galaxy's Edge will have persistent interaction with Star Wars elements, whether it's Stormtroopers barking orders or the up-tempo, swinging music of a grimy cantina that yes, serves Star Wars-themed alcohol.

"You will not think you're in a theme park," he says. "Every cast member will be in character, the food and beverage and language will be in story. The merchandise inside the shops won't be in boxes that say Disney on them. Everything is very immersive."

In a behind-the-scenes look, a tour of Batuu shows the land is also filled with smugglers and traders hoping to avoid the First Order, the successor of the evil Galactic Empire.

Here are some of the land's key features:

Millennium Falcon

Selfie opportunities will be abundant inside and out of the "fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy". The spaceship is the exact replica of the ship from the films, measuring more than 30 meters long.

Inside the cockpit, a team of six people operate the spacecraft during an interactive experience that, just like the movies, will get a little bumpy.

Rise of the Resistance

This is where it gets real. On a full-size starship, guests play as new Resistance recruits and go on a journey. A hologram image of Rey will appear with a message before guests board their ship and take off from Batuu and head into the orbit.

Savi's workshop

Even though Skywalker, Vader and Yoda won't show up in Galaxy's Edge their lightsabers will. Guests will be able to purchase their popular weapon or hand-build their own.

Droid depot

Who doesn't want their own personal R2 unit? Guests-for an undisclosed cost-can either purchase a pre-built droid or build one in the colors of their choosing by picking pieces off a conveyor belt.

Taste of Star Wars

There's no such thing as chicken in Galaxy's Edge. That's Tip Yip, and the cornbread that you might eat with it is blue, gravy is green and cauliflower is orange. Much of the food is plant based with dairy-free mash potatoes and vegan meatballs.

Oga's cantina

While talkative DJ R-3X spins music, bartenders pour beverages. The cantina will be the first location to serve alcohol to the general public in Disneyland's 60-plus year history.

Play Disney parks mobile app

Galaxy's Edge is the first land within a Disney park designed to integrate with the app. It can help translate Star Wars languages and scan crates to discover contents within them. The app can also be used to interact with droids, media screens, door panels and drinking fountains.

ASSOCIATED PRESS