Update from the Dark Side: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Coca-Cola

We probably should have expected this, but somehow I didn’t.  Disney, Lucasfilm and Coca-Cola have worked together to create specially themed beverage packaging for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  I have to admit, I really love this.  I can’t shake the feeling that the Dark Side is DEEPLY involved, but I still really love this!

Coca-Cola has been partnered with Disney Parks since the grand opening of Disneyland Park in 1955.  That partnership has worked really well for both Empires, I mean corporations 😉.  Disney and Coca-Cola have both made lots of money from this relationship, and I think we can fully expect that to continue WELL into the future.

Disney Springs Coca-Cola Store
Coca Cola Store, Disney Springs (Photo Credit: elisfkc, Orlando, FL)

Total Immersion in EVERY Area

For months we have been talking about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  We’ve talked at length about how much farther Disney Imagineering is going with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in terms of details and guest immersion in the Star Wars experience.

Disney Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Millennium Falcon- Smuggler’s Run (Photo: Disney Parks)

We’ve seen pictures of cast costumes that enable cast members to build characters and make themselves part of the story, and we’ve seen photos and videos that show us that Galaxy’s Edge will truly be unlike anything Disney has done before.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Costumes
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Costumes              Photo Credit: Disney Parks

We’ve learned there will be beverage stations selling the famed blue milk from Star Wars, and we’ve seen pictures of specially themed drinks and cocktails–all designed to keep guests fully immersed in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge experience.

Marketing for a New Galaxy

But the Imagineers and marketing gurus planning all the magic for us in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge knew there was one area that was a glaring “meanwhile, back on earth” disruption.  Coca-Cola and other coke products for sale in the parks.  Guests want their bottled water and their cokes, but can you imagine those bright red paper cups with the Coca-Cola logo on them?  Or all those blue Dasani water bottles everywhere.  Not exactly what Resistance fighters would expect to see, that is for sure.

Fortunately for us, Disney, LucasFilm and Coca-Cola were two steps ahead.  They worked together to create a solution that fits right in to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  Even better, it WON’T immediately remind you that you’re at a theme park.

Check these out!

Disney Star Wars Coca Cola Products
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Coca-Cola Products                                                     Photo Credit: Disney Parks

Are these creative or what??  I am honestly blown away with the detail and the look and feel for these.  These bottles are PERFECT for Black Spire Outpost merchants to be selling on the streets and in the restaurants.  I love that Disney and Coca-Cola planned for this.  You just KNOW people are going to be collecting these.  I bet there will be special editions for special events or years or something.  And of course I noticed that the soft drink bottles look a little on the small side.  Which means we will all be buying LOTS of them.  Yes, the Empire will be getting ALL our money.  But we already knew that, didn’t we?

This is a relatively small detail, but it shows just how far Disney is going to make sure that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is truly exceptional.  Every single piece of information we get just further demonstrates that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be like no other land that Disney has ever given us before.

Disney Imagineering is known for creating magic with details, but with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge looks like the details are just the beginning.  I truly believe that we are all going to absolutely lose our minds when we finally get to be inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  At least those of us that are Star Wars fans, that is.

I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke

I know it’s only soft drinks and water.  But to me, it feels like really fabulous frosting on a truly amazing chocolate cake.  The cake is really, really good, even without the frosting.  Oh my goodness, that frosting adds that extra YUM.

What do YOU think?  Is this a detail that gets you excited to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?  Or is it one step too far for the Dark Side?  Please like this post and comment below.  I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!

Happy Dreaming!

Brooke

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P.S. If you’d like to check out some of my other Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge updates, here are some links:

HUGE NEWS: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge OPENING May 31st and August 29th!!!!

March 2019: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Updates: March 2019 PART I

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Update January 2019

November 2018: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge UPDATE

HUGE NEWS: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge OPENING May 31st and August 29th!!!!

This is really big news all my lovely Disney trip planners and dreamers!!!  Just moments ago, Disney announced Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge OPENING DATES at BOTH Disneyland and Hollywood Studios!!!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open, AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, on May 31 at Disneyland in California.  At Hollywood Studios in Florida, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open AUGUST 29–this is MONTHS before we’d anticipated!

Disney Star Wars Disney Hollywood Studios Disney Galaxys Edge
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Artist’s Rendering

This is so exciting, I am freaking out right now.  However, this isn’t ALL rainbows and roses.

Disney has decided to open ahead of schedule in response to the overwhelming response and interest from guests that want to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is terrific.  BUT the reality is that everything will not really be ready by these earlier than projected dates.  So Disney has decided to open Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Phases.

Phase One, Opening Day

On opening day, guests will be able to get into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  You’ll explore merchant shops and talk to the people living and working on Black Spire Outpost.  You’ll taste galactic food and beverages unlike anything you’ve tried before.

Disney Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Millennium Falcon- Smuggler’s Run (Photo: Disney Parks)

Perhaps most importantly, you’ll be able to experience the first attraction of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.  You’re going to be able to get on board the Millennium Falcon, and take the controls and have your own adventure aboard the ship that has starred in so many of our beloved movies and our dreams for so long….

Disney Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Millennium Falcon – Smuggler’s Run (Photo: Disney Parks)

Phase Two, Later This Year

Later this year, the second attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will open.  This attraction has been touted as the most ambitions, immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined.  It’s going to put you in the middle of a battle between the Resistance and First Order.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance (Photo: Disney Parks)

Disney released this video earlier today:

What We Can Expect: Limited Capacity

Guests planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland between opening day (May 31) and June 23, 2019 will need valid Disneyland park admission and they will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access Galaxy’s Edge.  Disney has not released information yet on how to make these no-cost reservations; I will update you as soon as I know more!

Guests staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels during this period (May 31-June 23) will received a reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest); Disneyland Park admission is still required.

Capacity will be limited for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for both Disneyland and Hollywood Studios.  Currently, Disney says no reservations will be required to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios.  Also, Disney says Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be open during Extra Magic Hours for resort guests.  More details will be released soon (and as soon as they are, I will share!).

Star Wars Galaxys Edge Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance (Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks)

So…Who’s Going to Be There Opening Day?

I cannot begin to tell you guys how excited I am about this news!  I honestly believed Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge would open in late June at Disneyland, and most likely would open at Hollywood Studios in mid December.  This is CRAZY to me that they are this close to being ready to open, even in Phases!!!  I will keep scouring all my Disney sources for more news, and will update you as soon as I know more!

How excited are you by this news?  I’m about to BURST!  Are you currently checking your calendar and rearranging your life to see if you can be there for opening day?

Happy Dreaming!

Brooke

Disney Launches Free Dining Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!

P.S. Don’t forget, if you’d like to book a Disneyland or Walt Disney World vacation, I’d love to help!  Using me to book your reservation ensures you get the best availability and rates Disney has to offer, and booking with me doesn’t cost you anything–Disney pays me!  AND, if any discounts come out that could save you money before your trip, I’ll apply those discounts in the Disney system to save you money!  Contact me today at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com!

P.P.S If you missed last week’s article on cast member costumes for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you can check it out here.