Step away from the ride entrances at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the crowds thin out fast. That observation is driving a recent Reddit discussion about Batuu’s future.
Reddit user mdnightman94 put it simply: “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.”
Talk of an expansion continues, but many fans believe Batuu’s biggest issue isn’t its size. The top comment, with more than 750 upvotes, agreed: “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.”
Fans have raised this since 2019. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opened within the land’s first few months, but some feel elements discussed during development never arrived.
Others want more atmosphere. User jedislurpee suggested Disney should “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.”
A Ride for Every Pace
Hollywood Studios leans on high-intensity experiences, leaving younger children and guests who prefer a slower pace with fewer options. Several commenters see Galaxy’s Edge as the fix. User Markymarcouscous wrote 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 covered 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 spent 41 years with the company, has confirmed plans were “pretty far along” before being cut as a “cost-saving move.”
Part of a Bigger Picture
Any change would join a crowded slate at Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom has Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land ahead, the latter including new attractions, such as a Maleficent-themed coaster. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is getting Tropical Americas, and Monstropolis is rising on Hollywood Studios’ former Grand Avenue.
Hollywood Studios itself opened The Magic of Disney Animation in the revamped Animation Courtyard last month and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets earlier this year. Its previous major additions were Toy Story Land in 2018 and Galaxy’s Edge in 2019, whose Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel has since closed.
Some commenters looked further ahead. 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.”
For now, Disney Experiences hasn’t confirmed plans for new dining, entertainment, or attractions at Galaxy’s Edge or Pandora. Given the projects already in motion at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, guests shouldn’t expect news anytime soon.
How would you expand Galaxy’s Edge? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
