Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is one of the most popular themed areas at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. It sits on 14 acres of land, and it is probably one of the most immersive experiences at Disney. In addition to breathtaking decorations, stunning design, and epic music and sound effects, it has two iconic rides “Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run” and “Rise of the Resistance.” The designers of the park thought through everything and even stylized all signage font to look like the fictional Aurebesh language. Restaurants, walkways, and even bathrooms looked like a trading post from the planet Batuu, inspired by real-world locations such as Jerusalem, Istanbul, and Morocco. As you stroll through the park, you will see a lot of Star Wars characters such as Rey Skywalker fixing a spacecraft or Chewbacca waiving at you and interacting with park guests. Please keep in mind this experience may be too intimidating for young kids, and our five-year-old daughter got really scared when she saw Chewbacca and heard loud plane engines at the park. Our favorite attraction at the Galaxy's Edge was the Rise of the Resistance ride. It is an immersive 18-minute experience with an exciting ride on a charming R5 droid that “saves your life” on multiple occasions. Kids need to be 40in (102cm) or taller, and we highly recommend explaining to your little ones that this is a fantasy world, and nobody will get hurt before you start the ride. You will encounter over 300 animated objects throughout the ride, including 65 very realistic audio-animatronic figures. There will also be explosion effects, and some of the “enemies” will shoot at you or try to slash you with a light saber. The experience is so dynamic and real, and while it is exhilarating for teens and adults, it may be very scary for young kids. The experience starts with the walk through the caves of Batuu and ride pre-show. Several Star Wars characters, including Rey who appears as a 3D hologram, will explain your role and mission. Next, you will proceed to the I-TS shuttle and pass by dozens of storm troopers. The things get really fun when you board R5 droid and start your escape from the Star Destroyer. There will be chase, lots of twist and turns, and an unexpected drop at the end of the ride. It was the most memorable experience in the entire Hollywood Studios for our family. A few tips for Families with Kids:
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Port Aransas is a city on Mustang Island that has one of the best beaches in Texas. This small town with the population of slightly above four thousand people is one of the most family-friendly destinations on the Texas coast. Less than 4 hours away from Austin and Houston, and 6.5 hours away from Dallas, Port Aransas is within a reasonable driving distance for most Texans. We found Port Aransas quiet and charming. We loved that it has a few high-end communities like Cinnamon Shore or Palmilla Beach that offer very nice cottages, houses and condos on par with Florida’s Rosemary Beach. For budget travelers, there are plenty of vacation rentals on Air B&B and VRBO for a fraction of the cost. You can even camp out on the beach or bring an RV for up to three nights. Thing to Know Before You Go:
Our Favorite Kid-Friendly Activities: - Surfing and swimming - Flying kites - Fishing - Building sand castles - Building a fire on the beach (allowed if no larger than 3 ft. x 3 ft.) |
AuthorFamily-friendly travel tips from the Hupps ArchivesCategories |