Star Wars Food and Merchandise Landing in a Galaxy Not So Far Away

by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

March 2, 2019

On February 27 and 28, the Walt Disney Company unleashed a flood of information about Galaxy’s Edge lands coming to both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios later this year, including food options and assorted merchandise.

So, what’s worth highlighting?

Well, when visiting Black Spire Outpost, the stop for traders, adventurers, and smugglers, on the planet of Batuu, a variety of eating establishments will be available. As Disney reported:

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has traveled throughout the galaxy following his longtime gig as the chef at Maz Kanata’s castle on Takodana and brings exotic flavors and unusual dishes to his traveling diner “Tuggs’ Grub.” [This will be a fast-casual restaurant, where diners can dine in the hangar bay or outdoors in a shaded courtyard.]
Ronto Roasters – A recycled podracing engine fires up a spit of exotic meats, meticulously turned by a former smelter droid, 8D-J8. Guests can even sample some of the tasty Ronto fare.
Milk Stand – The place to go to get your farm-fresh blue milk or green milk, direct from Bubo Wamba Family Farms.
Kat Saka’s Kettle – One of the many street market stalls, this grain vendor sells the ever-popular Outpost Mix (sweet and salty popcorn snack with a hint of spice).

As for outposts selling merchandise:

Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities – For those in the know, Dok-Ondar is the Ithorian you seek for selling and buying rare and uniquely-valued items from across the galaxy and spanning all eras.
Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers – Guests come to the workshop to meet with the Gatherers – a secretive group of people who have dedicated their lives to restoring balance in the galaxy by passing on their knowledge of Jedi lore and the Force. The workshop Master guides guests to customize and build their own unique lightsabers, and instructs them on the ways of the Jedi.
Droid Depot – Visitors to Mubo’s workshop can choose parts and construct their own individual astromech droids to accompany them on their journey, and then take them home with them.
First Order Cargo – A spaceport hangar bay serves as the temporary base and landing spot for the First Order. First Order officers have brought in crates of gear, uniforms and other supplies to win the hearts and minds of locals and visitors to Black Spire Outpost.
Resistance Supply – Resistance members and local sympathizers oversee a makeshift stall that supplies Resistance uniforms, pins, badges, hats, helmets, jackets, maps, tools, training supplies, food rations and other items.

But there was still more information released over at StarWars.com. For example, there were more detailsabout assorted characters, as well as building one’s own lightsaber:

You’ll even be able to build your own lightsabers and droids at Savi’s Workshop and the Droid Depot, respectively. “Everything was created through the lens of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” said Brad Schoeneberg, director, merchandise strategy and new park experience development at Walt Disney World Resort. “The product that you leave with is the one that you’ve designed based on the choices that you’ve made, and reflects the one that really is inherent to your Star Wars adventure.” In a clever in-universe detail, packaging will either fit with the story of the store, or be non-existent. After all, Luke Skywalker built his lightsaber — it didn’t come in a box. And the story continues: your lightsaber will contain a kyber crystal that contains a message that can only be unlocked when paired with a holocron; your droid will know a lot about Black Spire Outpost, and can react to your experiences.

And lots more was served up about food and drink, including:

Beverages will be available at Oga’s Cantina, Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, and select stands. They’re colorful, with hues ranging from pink to orange to yellow and beyond: the non-alcoholic Tatooine Sunset, a reddish pink, is tea-based and smooth. Moof Juice, a pinkish fruit juice, is cool and refreshing. Oga’s Obsession falls somewhere between beverage and snack, and tastes the most other-worldly; contained in what looks like a petri dish, you scoop your serving, and the garnish pops in your mouth. The alcoholic selections are sometimes frothy, sometimes steamy, and sometimes delightfully bubbly, like The Fuzzy Tauntaun, The Bespin Fizz, and The Outer Rim. The Bloody Rancor, of course, comes with an edible bone.

Of course, as we know from endless discussions about the movies, many Star Wars fans excel at complaining, but, at least as far as one can tell at this point, even the most jaded Star Wars fan will have a tough time complaining about Galaxy’s Edge. 

Indeed, the big concern about Galaxy’s Edge in both Disneyland and at Hollywood Studios is how the crowds will be handled. That’s the kind of problem any business would like to have.

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels, with the three latest books being Reagan Country: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Storyand Shifting Sands: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story. He can be contacted at raykeating@keatingreports.com.