Trip Report June 30 to July 2 - Many Firsts Mixed With Old Favourites

[Skyegirl1999]

Enjoying your write up!


I think there is a huge difference to being a single person at DL than using Max Pass in a group- on our last trip it was instrumental in making our trip a success, it truly was. Not having to have someone take off to get FP's, grabbing open ones as they come up, etc- I thought it was amazing. Had I been just me and using SR lines, I'd prob think differently too, but I was steering a group around

I am NOT of the opinion that Maxpass is a must-do for every group on every day (my standard “recommendation” is to buy day-by-day if you’re doing it, maybe picking one day of a multi-day trip to invest in it)...

But you’re 100% right that a group and a single adult are a world of difference in FP usage.

I know families who come on a strict budget, where the ticket price for DL is a sacrifice, who bring their own food and drinks and give the kids each $10 for a souvenir... would Maxpass be “worth it” for them? Almost certainly not, or at least not for more than a day.

I know other people where money is really no object and if they’re spending thousands on their trip, what’s $150 more to enhance it with Maxpass? Then, yes, get it!

 

[katejc]

Thanks so much for sharing all about your trip! Loved all your pictures and details about what you did and when! We’re heading down in a couple weeks for a quick one-day trip and you info is super helpful!

 

[VandVsmama]

Looks like you had an awesome time!!!

 

[superme80]

Thank you for your report! Glad you had a great time!

 

[julesann]

Loved your trip report--thank you for sharing it!!

 

[BadPinkTink]

cross posting from the Star Wars Galaxys Edge Main Info Thread.
I wrote this on July 1 2019, after spending my first day in Batuu

Cantina Reservation
I was at Harbour Boulevard Security for about 6.30am and there was no line, I just walked up and got checked straight away.
I did a mobile order for Starbucks in Downtown Disney.
After collecting my Starbucks, on the walk back to the entrance turnstiles I opened up Disneyland website on my phone, on my browser, not the App

1. There was a page for Cantina reservations so I clicked into that
2. It was about 6.45am and I was put into a holding page which refreshed automatically
3. At around 7.05 am it refreshed and the reservation page came up
4. I could choose an hourly reservation time, and then when you selected the hour it gave you a few times during that hour
5. I first selected 3pm and then 3.05pm
6. I had had to say how many were in the party ( 1)
7. I had to put my first name and then my last name
8. I had already added a payment card but I needed to manually input the 3 digit security code
9. I had to put in my phone number
10. I put in the wrong phone number so I dont know if I received a text alert for my reservation.
11. When my reservation was confirmed, it showed up in the App where my restaurant reservation was
12. I heard from people throughout the day that all Cantina reservations were gone by 7.15am.

Cantina Arrival / Check In

1. The App says to check in for your reservation 15 minutes before your time
2. However, I picked a very busy time and the CM's would not let anyone check in before their time.
3. There were about 3 CM's working the line and they were very strict about not letting anyone check in before their time
4. They also explained the rules to us, 2 drinks per person, 45 minute time limit, limited seating area, bar snacks only, not a a restaurant, loud music and dark atmosphere
5. The check in line reached from the Cantina door down to the water / drinks cart
6. There was a CM with a Tablet at the end of the line
7. He checked me in at exactly my reservation time of 3.05pm and gave me a Blue ticket and wrote my party size on the ticket
8. I then waited in line for about 20 minutes
9. When I got to the top of the line, another CM took my blue ticket and put me in a group with 5 other people, a party of 3 adults an a party of 2 adults.
10. We were led in a group into the Cantina and brought to a standing table

Cantina Ordering and Drinks
When we arrived at the table, a server appeared to take our orders.
As we were 3 separate parties, he took 3 separate orders.
When we ordered the drinks we had to give our credit cards to the server.
I ordered my 2 drinks at the same time. The other people at my table just ordered drinks one at a time
I had
Fuzzy Tauntaun - $15
Cîroc Peach Vodka, Bols Peach Schnapps, and Simply Orange® topped with Tangerine, Pure Cane Sugar, "Buzzz" Foam

Blue Bantha - $13
Blue Milk served chilled with Bantha-inspired Vanilla-Butter Sugar Cookie

Overall thoughts
I entered Batuu from Fantasyland entrance at about 2.30pm
Walking up I just loved the first sight of the land
The Millennium Falcon is just WOW, seeing it for the first time from the Cantina side , with the rock backdrop is a real heart stopping moment
While I waited for my Cantina reservation I sat in the shade under the bridge and did some people watching.
The majority of the people were NOT the typical Disney family, it seemed alot more males, alot more older teenage and upwards couples.
Some citizens of Batuu came by and many people did not know how to interact with them. People were trying to talk to them like regular CM's and couldn't understand why they didnt know anything off land
I couldnt fully interact with the land as my phone is not compatible with Disney Play App
I loved the uniqueness of the land, I loved that it wasnt like the other land, I loved the sounds, the plane noises. It felt more real and immersive WITHOUT the music. Its like when you travel to a new country, people speak a different language, there is new food to try, new experiences, and things are not like what you are used to.
I loved all the tiny details, however I feel that the details are lost on many people. You really need to look up, look at different angles, and explore everything. There really is so much to see, but again it seems than many people are not really fully appreciating or experiencing the land.

Smugglers Run
I did Smugglers Run 3 times, each time single rider and waited no more than 20 minutes, when standby was 55 minutes
Again I think this is getting a rough time in reviews
All 3 times, very few people actually realised about the chess table, and I saw hardly anyone taking photos. Alot of the time, it was empty, most people not even realising the significance of this seated area.
I was engineer all 3 times
It didnt seem to matter that I was a single rider, everyone got into the spirit of the ride and it was great fun
The engineer has a a button console on the side and its basically like Simon Says, when the buttons light up you press them
The ride itself is just awesome, sitting in the cockpit, with that view then lightspeed, it wow. Again, after reading alot of peoples opinions who havent been there and who have been watching YouTube videos, you really need to experience it, before you form an opinion.

People really need to stop expecting it to be like the other lands.

 

[FrazierFamily]

Tink, how did you enjoy going to the Cantina solo? I am thinking about skipping it at this point. The drinks seem fun but not sure they will be worth it alone if I am around people who don't talk to me. I don't expect or would I be upset if someone didn't talk with me... I just worry it will be a waste of money if I end up just hanging out by myself...

 

[BecAus]

Tink, how did you enjoy going to the Cantina solo? I am thinking about skipping it at this point. The drinks seem fun but not sure they will be worth it alone if I am around people who don't talk to me. I don't expect or would I be upset if someone didn't talk with me... I just worry it will be a waste of money if I end up just hanging out by myself...

Not Tink, but thought I'd share my observations. I'm sure Tink will share hers as well.
My husband and I went to Oga's on Monday 8th July. When we were lining up to get in there was a girl (mid 20's I'd say) who was in line near us and was by herself.
When our group was let in we were taken to an area of the bar and kind of directed to find a spot somewhere near where we were lead.
- It was right in front of DJ Rex actually - took me a while to realise this. I am a complete SW novice but I knew about him from reviews here so I was looking around for him, took me a stupid amount of time to work out he was directly behind us -

The girl I'd seen alone in the line ended up one couple over from us. I noted that the couple next to us interacted with her quite a bit. I really think it is just that kind of place. People order drinks and then will ask each other what they got. I got the Carbon Freeze which is a non-alc, steaming and fizzing type drink (for want of a better description) and the couple next to me asked what it was.
YMMV, but from what I saw, particularly where I was at the bar, lots of people were interacting with each other.
I still think it's worth it for you to go and see myself. As I said, I'm not into Star Wars, AT ALL, but I still enjoyed the experience. We just had the one drink and left so you can always do that if your experience is different and you find you're not enjoying it that much.
Service is super quick and very friendly - I think if other patrons aren't talking to you, you will find that the bartenders will. Even though it's reasonably busy they are very quick and efficient and still had time to have a chat with the patrons.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Tink, how did you enjoy going to the Cantina solo? I am thinking about skipping it at this point. The drinks seem fun but not sure they will be worth it alone if I am around people who don't talk to me. I don't expect or would I be upset if someone didn't talk with me... I just worry it will be a waste of money if I end up just hanging out by myself...

My first experience wasn't the best. I'm a chatty person naturally, when I'm in line or in attractions and rides I generally end up talking to random people. My first experience I was put at a standing table with a group of two people and a group of three people. I did try talking to them, asking about the drinks etc but they were not really interested in talking to me, just among themselves. I didn't even get to talk to the CM, my drinks were just put in front of me and that was that.

The second time I was brought to the bar and I had a much better experience. I had great interactions, in character with the bar tender and I had a great conversation with an adult mother and daughter.

I agree with @BecAus the drinks make a great ice breaker, they are just so different than in a normal bar.

Being a solo, yes you will will have a different experience than with a group. But it is still worth experiencing it. Its just so unique and yes I did spend alot of the time just soaking up the atmosphere and not talking but that's just part of being solo. I didn't go there to talk to people, I went there because I wanted to experience the Cantina and try the drinks. I guess it depends on how comfortable you are just getting a drink, standing there watching the bartenders, watching DJ REX and people watching.

TBH it kinda annoys me when I see other solos saying, oh because I'm solo I don't think I should do x or y. You have paid your money and have as much right as anyone else to be there and experience the Cantina. You should not limit yourself or miss out on experiences just because you are solo

Even the non alcohol drinks have something unique about them, so you don't have to order alcohol if you don't want to.

I plan when I go back next year to request to be assigned a bar area.

 

[DizMe]

Loved your whole report!! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing the details!

 

[Indiana Scott]

Different touring styles for different people.
We wouldn't even consider not using MP - saves us miles of walking every day.

 

[Bossy22]

Thanks for your trip report. I am a family of 5 that also goes with our inlaws. For us we prefer not having maxpass. We like to do all the rides and not be in a rush to go for one headliner to another. We love to do all the fantasyland rides, jungle cruise, etc. Not just the headliners. Sure it would be convenient no matter what, but for the price it makes no sense. We go from rope drop till about 9 pm and never wait more than 20-25 minutes (thats our max). In a 5 day trip we do every ride in the park, watch most of the shows and still have time to do our favorites multiple times (we did screaming (now incredi.coaster) and big thunder over 20 times each. MAX PASS is not necessary. Could we afford it, yes. Would it take away money from other things, yes. For us it just isn't worth the cost. If we had unlimited budget we would probably do it, why not. But no, families do not need it. Thanks for the perspective!!!