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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge may be situated on the same plot as Disneyland, but stepping into the new $1 billion attraction feels like an entirely different world
On Friday it will be unveiled to guests with a pre-reservation, finally allowing them to experience the largest single-themed land ever made by Disney
Disney officials said it took more the five years to develop and finish the attraction, with costs estimated as being in excess of $1 billion
Guests can build their own droids and lightsabers. They can also take a swig of the same kind of blue milk that Luke Skywalker drank in Star Wars: A New Hope
Adventure-seekers can also fly the Millennium Falcon, a to-scale replica of the ship from the films, measuring more than 100 feet long

By Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com and Associated Press

Published: 01:33 EDT, 30 May 2019 | Updated: 17:11 EDT, 30 May 2019

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Stars from the Star Wars franchise helped to launch Disneyland’s new $1billion attraction, Galaxy’s Edge, in style on Wednesday night.

Harrison Ford paid an emotional tribute to longtime friend and Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew, who died aged 77 last month, during the opening ceremony.

Ford, beloved for his portrayal of Han Solo, was accompanied on stage by other familiar faces, including his co-stars from the original trilogy Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams, as well as Star Wars creator George Lucas.

The sci-fi quartet, along with Disney CEO Robert Iger, helped cut the ribbon on the 14-acre attraction, declaring the not so far, far away immersive experience officially open for business.

‘Peter, this one’s for you,’ Ford declared, before banging on hull of a to-scale model of the Millennium Falcon to prompt a stunning firework display to echo out across the skies above.

(Left to right) Star Wars creator George Lucas, Billy Dee Williams, Mark Hamill, Disney CEO Robert Iger and Harrison Ford helped cut the ribbon on the 14-acre attraction on Wednesday night

Harrison Ford paid an emotional tribute to longtime friend and Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew, who died aged 77 last month, during the opening ceremony

‘Peter, this one’s for you,’ Ford declared, before banging on the Millennium Falcon’s hull to prompt a stunning firework display

Harrison Ford, right, addresses the crowd as Walt Disney Co. Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, center, and fellow cast member Mark Hamill look on

The Chewbacca character from the Star Wars film franchise sits in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon starship during the dedication ceremony for Galaxy's Edge. Pictured right is Peter Mayhew at the Solo: A Star Wars Story film premiere in Los Angeles, May 2018

The firework display erupts in spectacular fashion behind Iger, Lucas, Hamill and Ford

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge may be situated on the same plot as Disneyland, but stepping into the new attraction feels like an entirely different world altogether.

Disney offered media a glimpse into Galaxy’s Edge on Wednesday with an exclusive tour that included a Star Wars-themed food tasting, a stroll through the Black Spire Outpost marketplace and four-minute ride on the Millennium Falcon.

On Friday the immersive experience will be unveiled to guests with a pre-reservation, finally allowing them to experience the largest single-themed land ever created in a Disney park.

Disney officials said it took more the five years to finish the attraction at the California theme park, with costs estimated at more than $1 billion.

'I’m very excited about being this close to inviting guests and our biggest fans to join us at the edge of the galaxy,' said Scott Trowbridge, portfolio creative executive and studio leader at Walt Disney Imagineering. He spoke in front of the First Order TIE echelon spaceship.

'We had the fans in mind the whole time,' he said. 'We’ve been able to kind of open it up to them and invite them to kind of join us on this remote outpost planet.'

The firsthand glimpse took place just two days before the grand opening of Galaxy’s Edge at the California theme park

On Friday the immersive experience will finally be unveiled to guests with a pre-reservation, finally allowing them to experience the largest single-themed land ever created in a Disney park

Disney officials said it took more the five years to finish the attraction, with costs estimated as being in excess of $1 billion

Galaxy’s Edge is an adventure through the grungy planet Batuu, a remote world from the newest Star Wars trilogy, and the war between the Resistance and the evil First Order.

The sprawling land is divided into three areas, with one themed on the Resistance, another on the First Order and a third location called the Village.

Guests can build their own droids for around $99.99 and even fully custom make their own lightsabers for $199.99. They can also interact with aliens and take a swig of the same kind of blue milk that Luke Skywalker drank in 1977's Star Wars: A New Hope - which is a dairy-free frozen blend with dashes of citrus.

Additionally, adventure-seekers will be given the chance to commandeer the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, a to-scale replica of the ship from the films, measuring more than 100 feet long.

Six people can operate the spacecraft at any one time, with a number of buttons and controls making for an engrossing interactive experience called 'Smugglers Run'.

Some familiar faces including Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren and fan-favorite Chewbacca will also feature as part of the adventure in Batti, as visitors explore the expansive world.

Galaxy’s Edge is an adventure through the grungy planet Batuu, a remote world from the newest Star Wars trilogy, and the war between the Resistance and the evil First Order.

Stormtroopers watch over the Tie Echelon Stage during the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge media preview

Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, discusses Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge during the media preview

A visitor exits the Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities store during the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge media event

The sprawling 14-acre land is divided into three different areas, with one themed on the Resistance, another on the First Order and a third location called the Village.

Guests can build their own droids in the attraction's 'Droid Depot' for around $99.00 plus tax

Park-goers can even custom make their own lightsabers for $199.99 in Savi's Workshop

Some familiar faces including Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren and fan-favorite Chewbacca will feature as part of the adventure in Batuu, along with the iconic Stormtroopers

18 Easter eggs to spot during your visit to Galaxy's Edge

1. Hidden in a cubby hole behind the Dejarik holochess table aboard the Millennium Falcon, eagle-eyed guests will find the blast shield helmet and combat remote Luke Skywalker used during his early Jedi training with Obi-Wan Kebobi in 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope.

2. Real fans will notice a familiar looking face in Hondo Ohnaka, the host of the interactive experience Smuggler's Run. The Outer Rim-raised Weequay pirate featured in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, the animated television series.

3. The polar-furred wampa, which almost killed Luke on Hoth at the beginning of Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back can be seen at Galaxy’s Edge at DokOndar’s Den of Antiquities.

4. Also inside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities sits another, more obscure nod to the original trilogy: a relief depicting the battle between the Jedi — then peacemakers of the Galactic Republic — and the Sith Empire at battle during the Great Hyperspace War of 5000 BBY. Senator Palpatine had a version of artwork hanging in his office.

5. Last seen nearly thwarting Luke Leia and Han inside a trash compactor on the Death Star in A New Hope, the dianoga can be found inside a tank in Batuu above a drinking fountain at the Black Spire Outpost.

6. A replica of the necklace worn Princess Leia during the award ceremony after the Battle of Yavin can also be found near-by, along with a necklace Anakin gave to Senator Amidala when they fell in love.

7. Hidden away inside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities is a Medal of Bravery, the award bestowed upon Luke Skywalker and Han Solo after they destroyed the Death Star at the end of A New Hope.

8. The second level of Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities also plays host to the bounty hunter disguise Leia uses to infiltrate Jabba’s palace in Return of the Jedi.

9. Some familiar faces look out at visitors to Dok-Ondar’s: There's a tauntaun on the upper right and a wampa on the lower left, both seen on Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back.

10. Batuu may have a desert-like terrain, but those who recall the chilly Rebellion days on Hoth may recognize the mask and glasses Luke wore before he was nearly eaten by a wampa hidden away in a cage

11. A proton grenade used by Han Solo during the Battle of Endor and in Star Wars: Legends by Anakin Skywalker before the Clone Wars may also strike accord with hardcore fans

12. A number of B1 battle droids from the Clone Wars are also stored away in a cage near the Droid Depot

13. In Oga's Cantina, the bar, DJ booth, and lights are all powered by the grace of a hyperdrive. It's an old machine, and when it occasionally dies, Oga's staffers require the crowds to shout to restart the generator

14. The DJ at Oga's is RX-24, last seen piloting the StarSpeeder 3000 in Disneyland's Star Tours

15. R5-A2 last seen rolling around Tatooine in A New Hope can be spotted along Battu's pathways

16. A Jedi statue believed to have been inside the Jedi Temple on moon Jedha, may also catch your eye. The historic monument also featured in Rogue One.

17. Han Solo's gambling habits are laid bare as you wait in line for Smuggler's Run.

18. Parts from three landspeeders are stacked in a hanger in the marketplace. On top site is the X-34 Landspeeder, one of which was owned by Luke as a boy on Tatooine. On the bottom site is Han Solo's Mobquet M-68 Landspeeder, which fans first saw him ride in 2018's Solo.

Source: SFGate

Josh D'Amaro, the president of Disneyland Resort, posted a photograph to Instagram on Wednesday of the workers of the attraction with the caption: 'So proud to introduce you to the inhabitants of Batuu! I want to thank this amazing team for their incredible dedication and passion. Yesterday's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge cast rally was unforgettable. This photo is one for the ages!'

The picture was then re-posted by John Boyega, the actor who plays Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and its sequel, Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

He promised that the 'amazing cast' is 'ready to give the fans all around the world the most immersive Star Wars experience!'

And then revealed that he was not only personally involved in developing the attraction, but will be there in person for the opening.

He added on his Instagram post: 'Don’t you worry I’ll be there to help guide you through one of the most insane rides! It was a pleasure to work with the team on this. Enjoy and may the force be with you.'

Hidden in a cubby hole behind the Dejarik holochess table aboard the Millennium Falcon, eagle-eyed guests will find the blast shield helmet and combat remote Luke Skywalker used during his early Jedi training with Obi-Wan Kebobi in 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope

Galaxy's Edge is the largest and most technologically advanced single-themed land expansion ever in a Disney park

Real fans will notice a familiar looking face in Hondo Ohnaka, the host of the interactive experience Smuggler's Run

Additionally, adventure-seekers will be given the chance to commandeer the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, a to-scale replica of the ship from the films, measuring more than 100 feet long

Six people can operate the spacecraft at any one time, with a number of buttons and controls making for an engrossing interactive experience called 'Smugglers Run'

'Don’t you worry I’ll be there to help guide you through one of the most insane rides! It was a pleasure to work with the team on this. Enjoy and may the force be with you,' said current Star Wars actor, John Boyega, who plays Finn in the latest trilogy

The California resort is expecting massive crowds when it opens and has revealed detailed plans on how it will accommodate guests.

For the first three weeks, guests must have a reservation to enter and will be limited to four hours inside the immersive new land, the largest single-themed land inside a Disney park.

A special wristband will identify a visitor's time window, and once it expires, Disney said it will shut off access to key attractions and merchandise locations.

Park employees dressed as Star Wars characters will ultimately ask visitors to make their way toward one of the three exits so a new group can enter.

Kris Theiler, vice president of Disneyland park, said: 'There might be some First Order officers out there helping us or maybe some Stormtroopers asking people to move along.

'We'll employ the First Order maybe later in the reservation period if we need to.'

The California resort is expecting massive crowds when it opens and has revealed detailed plans on how it will accommodate guests

John D. State, culinary director for Disneyland Resort, discusses the new food options at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

For the first three weeks, guests must have a reservation to enter and will be limited to four hours inside the immersive new land, the largest single-themed land inside a Disney park

A view of The Market Place where guests will be able to try and buy a series of outer-galaxy foods

Star Wars-themed apparel is displayed inside the Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities store

What does Blue or Green Milk actually taste like? That question and more will be answered when guests visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the first land within a Disney park designed to integrate with the Play Disney Parks mobile app

The Black Spire Outpost marketplace features the Creature Stall dedicated to the plethora of rare and fascinating creatures that populate the galaxy. Pictured is a beverage station

A panel of the Millennium Falcon deck. The ship is known as 'the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy'

Disneyland employee Drew Mortazai displays a Kowakian monkey-lizard toy

An animatronic Dok-Ondor character watches over the Dok-Ondor's Den of Antiquities store

A visitor peers down the marketplace of the Black Spire Outpost. The music for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge consists of a suite of all-new themes composed by John Williams

In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run guests take the controls of the Falcon in one of three unique and critical roles as the ship hurtles through space

The heads of creatures from various Star Wars films are mounted on the wall of the Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities store

Disneyland employee Julia Millard wears a Kowakian monkey-lizard toy during the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge media preview

This is the snap you were looking for: An incredible picture posted to Instagram by Disneyland president Josh D'Amaro

This image was posted to Twitter by the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Robert Iger, with the caption 'best way to impress your friends... give them a personal tour of @starwars Galaxy's Edge!' The man taking the snap on the right is JJ Abrams, who directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Mr Iger (far left) posted a picture to Twitter of him inside the replica Millennium Falcon with director Steven Spielberg (second from left), JJ Abrams (middle), Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy and Galaxy's Edge creator Scott Trowbridge

Wook who it is! Mr Iger, Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams pose for the camera outside the legendary Millennium Falcon

With a few days to go before the opening, Disneyland released a video giving fans an amazing sneak peek

Batuu is a far-flung destination along the galaxy’s Outer Rim, on the frontier of Wild Space – the uncharted region beyond all known star systems

When guests arrive at Black Spire Outpost, they will come across aliens, droids and other inhabitants of this planet as they search for rare and unique goods, discover unusual food and drink, or join a crew seeking adventures

Another view of the interior of the Millennium Falcon - the constant thorn in the side of the Empire

The famous main hold lounge is one of several areas Disney guests will discover inside Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Guests will be able to wander the lively marketplace of Black Spire Outpost and encounter a robust collection of merchant shops and stalls filled with authentic Star Wars creations

Welcome to the dark side: Kylo Ren makes an appearance at the theme park

A special wristband will identify a visitor's time window at Galaxy's Edge, and once it expires, Disney said it will shut off access to key attractions and merchandise locations

For more than four decades, fans of Star Wars films have imagined what it would be like to blast across the stars inside the Millennium Falcon or race through the halls of a Star Destroyer. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge features two signature attractions that turn those dreams into reality

The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of Disney: The resort features a stunning model of a rebel X-wing starfighter (pictured)

Park employees dressed as Star Wars characters will help to marshall the crowds at the attraction. Pictured is a still from the Disney video of the park

An image of the Millennium Falcon from one of the nearby rooftops. The ship is used for smuggling by Han Solo and Chewbacca in the movies. And for blowing up the occasional imperial craft

Tatt's amazing: Star Wars Galaxy's Edge represents the biggest expansion in Disneyland history

This picture of the interior of Galaxy's Edge, taken before it opened, was posted to Twitter by Parks And Cons was @ Galaxy's Edge with the caption 'launchBay has full lights on as CMs continue working on the new #GalaxysEdge store for the upper level'

John Boyega as Finn in 2015's The Force Awakens. His character is a disillusioned stormtrooper who turns to the light side

A map showing the location of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge within Disneyland Resort. Many Bothans died to bring MailOnline this information

The park has plenty of other, more subtle ways to manage crowd flow. Theiler said walkways were widened from three to about six feet in different areas, and stroller parking is available.

Around 7,500 new parking spaces along with new parking lot entrances and toll booths were added. A new pedestrian bridge was also built to help avoid jams.

Disneyland was the second most popular theme park in the world last year with 18.6 million visitors.

It is second only to Disney World in Florida, where a version of Galaxy’s Edge is scheduled to open Aug. 29.

Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Bill Dee Williams and creator George Lucas open Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

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In a theme park not so far away... Star Wars heroes Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and creator George Lucas open the $1BILLION Galaxy's Edge experience and dedicate it to Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew, who died last month

18 Easter eggs to spot during your visit to Galaxy's Edge

Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Bill Dee Williams and creator George Lucas open Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

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In a theme park not so far away... Star Wars heroes Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and creator George Lucas open the $1BILLION Galaxy's Edge experience and dedicate it to Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew, who died last month

18 Easter eggs to spot during your visit to Galaxy's Edge

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Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Bill Dee Williams and creator George Lucas open Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

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