It’s no secret that I’m a huge Star Wars fan. I have my own mini-hoard of collectibles (like many other fans). I have also been lucky enough to visit Batuu East twice now. I was luckier to find my way aboard the Halcyon Starcruiser before it closed.
Batuu is a unique experience, regardless of your placement on the Star Wars fandom scale. There’s something for everyone, and the memories it creates can last a lifetime. Plus the shopping, don’t even get me started on the shopping!
Exploring Batuu (For the Second Time)
Since this was my second time on Batuu, it felt right to not worry about running around and doing everything. I already had my own built lightsaber and even got to build a droid on my last experience (C1-IRP is very happy in its new home).
That said, there were a few things on the must-do list. For starters, there was no way I could pass up on the Rise of the Resistance ride. I know this ride probably has countless articles about it already, so I won’t spend too much time on it.
I will say that it is my favorite ride of all time. This ride is perfect for fans. It’s one-part walking experience and one-part ride. It doesn’t have the same thrills/speed as a rollercoaster, but that isn’t a bad thing (though there is one part that will always make me scream for dear life).
The other thing I had to do? Smugglers Run. I hadn’t done it before, so it was already high on my list. Plus, a group of friends were meeting up so we could do Chewie Mode together, meaning I needed to get a good idea of how to do this.
Smugglers Run
I learned a few things from this. First, rope-dropping Smugglers Run is a strange experience. The line went so fast that we barely saw all the sights (and videos) available before the ride. Actually, we did miss a few things.
Second, it’s fun. Like, a lot of fun. I was worried about how it would go, given that the first time we went, we were going with four virtual strangers. But it worked out. Sure, our score wasn’t that great — but I’ll only take a little blame for that. Anybody who thinks it’s a good idea to put me in the pilot seat should pay the price.
Going almost right back into the line for Chewie Mode changed my view on the ride. For one thing, we got to see the videos this time around. We were also with friends, which heightened the experience.
So, how was Chewie Mode? Let’s just say that if/when I do Smugglers Run again, I will insist on this mode (hint: to anyone wanting to try Chewie Mode, simply tell the attendant your goal and ensure all six members are on the same page).
Outer Space Shopping
I know I implied that I wouldn’t get into the shopping, but to be fair, it is one of the biggest draws for Batuu. The Disney adults love Star Wars and all the goodies we can bring home and hoard. (I hope/think Disney has picked up on this).
The Marketplace is probably the most visually stimulating area in the park, if only because there is so much going on. It really feels as if one is wandering into another world’s bazaar. Other shopping highlights include Dok-Ondar’s (a great place to buy high-value and rare collectibles) and Droid Depot (the one-stop shop for all your droid and droid part needs). Depending on your affiliation, I would also suggest swinging by the Resistance Supply and First Order Cargo.
Oga’s Cantina
No trip to Batuu is complete without a bit of time spent in Oga’s Cantina. They have a fantastic collection of space-themed alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and it takes time and effort to get through them all.
As a little loot gremlin, one of my biggest goals at Oga’s was to try and get my hands on some extra coasters. And boy, did I succeed big-time! The bartender was open to trading with me. For a handful of coasters, she received a rare kyber crystal necklace. We both walked away happy and now I have a new resin project on the horizon.
Making Memories
If there’s one tip I can leave potential Batuu explorers with, it’s to take advantage of the Memory Maker package. It’s not cheap, but doing so gives you access to all the photos you have taken at the park. For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, professional photographers are all over every Disney park. They’ll take your photos at strategically placed locations, where you can purchase/download them later.
These photo experiences are worth it! They look fantastic and will help create the perfect way to remember the moment forever. Other than that, remember to have fun and stay in the moment. Shopping and taking photos is fun, but the people you’re with are even better.
