Seven years after opening at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge has fans asking Disney to finish Batuu rather than make it bigger.
Walt Disney World is in one of its busiest construction periods in years. Magic Kingdom is preparing for Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land, both bringing new attractions, the latter including a Maleficent-themed coaster, and dining. Disney's Animal Kingdom has Tropical Americas on the way, and Monstropolis is rising on Hollywood Studios' former Grand Avenue site.
At Hollywood Studios, Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets debuted earlier this year, and The Magic of Disney Animation opened last month in the overhauled Animation Courtyard. Before this, the park's last big additions were Toy Story Land in 2018 and Galaxy's Edge in 2019. Seven years on, with the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel experience now closed, fans are eyeing Batuu's future.
Reddit Weighs In
The top comment in a recent Reddit thread, with more than 750 upvotes, read: “They don't need to expand it. They need to fill it. We need the table service restaurant and live entertainment that we were supposed to have in the first place.”
That frustration dates back to 2019. While Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance both opened within the land's first few months, some fans have long argued that elements discussed during development never materialized.
Reddit user mdnightman94 pointed to uneven crowd flow: “Yeah, it feels very empty if you aren't by the rides. Seems like the area closer to Toy Story Land needs something to draw people over there.”
User jedislurpee wants Disney to “liven it up more. More characters, more action (some firefights taking place on the rooftops or something, maybe a little drone action that looks like space battles, idk). A Yoda meet & greet on Dagobah would be awesome.”
User Markymarcouscous added that the land “could do with a slow-moving ride, as was originally designed. A full-service restaurant would also be fun.”
Original poster Jayzone456 agreed: “I agree that a Bantha people mover like ride that was originally planned, where you take a nice tour around the land, would do wonders for Galaxy's Edge. Especially since Hollywood Studios is lacking in these smaller-scale, non-E-Ticket, more relaxed rides.”
Blog Mickey reported on the idea in 2024: “The ride has been talked about quite a bit, informally referred to as the ‘Bantha ride', and would feature a giant creature named Elee that would interact with guests and give some guests a ride around the land.”
Former Walt Disney Imagineering employee Frank Mezzatesta, who worked for Disney for 41 years, confirmed plans were “pretty far along” before the ride was cut as a “cost-saving move.” It's a familiar gap at Hollywood Studios, where thrill-heavy rides dominate and families with young children or guests wanting a slower pace have fewer options.
Commenters also debated which land comes next. User WorldlinessThat2984 asked, “A better question might be what you think gets expanded first: Pandora or Galaxy's Edge (both could benefit from a TSR and a third attraction)…”
Jayzone456 replied, “My guess would be Galaxy's Edge gets expanded before Pandora. If they were to expand one.” Disney Experiences has not confirmed new dining, entertainment, or attractions in either land, and with so much underway across Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, an announcement is unlikely soon.
Let Inside the Magic know in the comments: what would you add to Galaxy's Edge?
