Don't think they make you go that way...it's just preferred to ease the flow of those coming in for the party and those leaving the park. From what I could tell, they "only" have a couple of photo opportunities down the right path.
I think the best way back into Galaxy's Edge is to go up the middle of the park and take the path between Frozen and ABC Commissary. That brings you to Sci Fi restaurant you and can take a right after that. Really though, you could easily just go around Echo Lake (past 50s Prime Time/Indy/Star Tours) and get there as well.
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