We interrupt our regular post to bring you major breaking news today on the Star Wars front — the official opening date for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World has been set for Aug. 29, 2019! The land will officially open at Disneyland on May 31.

This is big news, as the openings are earlier than anticipated. Disney says they moved up the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge debuts because of “high guest interest,” and they’ll be opening the rides in phases. The new land is set to open with the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in operation. The other headlining attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, is set to open later this year. Disney’s FastPass+ service will not initially be offered for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Guests will need valid theme park admission to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. For Disneyland, a no-cost reservation (subject to availability) will also be required to experience the land between May 31 and June 23. As of now, a reservation will not be offered or required to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios inside Walt Disney World, although capacity is expected to be limited.

Disney confirmed that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be open during Extra Magic Hours at Disney World, available to select on-site Disney World hotel guests. More details about that will be shared later at DisneyWorld.com and the Disney Parks Blog.

Our Galactic Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World

'Sup. Tad here to bring you the full rundown on the most exciting land to ever hit this galaxy, or at least the galaxy known as Walt Disney World. Now I may not be as wise as Yoda or as strong as Luke (that's Skywalker to all of you), but I can tell you Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is toadally gonna rock. This 14-acre land is set to open at Disney's Hollywood Studios in late fall 2019. As if that wasn't enough, Disney World is building a high-end, highly immersive Star Wars-themed hotel (opening date unknown) that will take it to the next level. For now, I've put together this awesome guide that includes everything we know about the land, the rides, the restaurants ... plus, the most important subject — the best time to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World! Be sure to bookmark this post, because I'll be updating it as new "deets" are released. So, my fellow Padawans, let's hop to it!

Overview  | Characters | Rides | Restaurants, Food & Drink | Shopping | When to Visit

Overview of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Disney World

If the name is any indication, Galaxy's Edge will literally be on the edge of Disney's Hollywood Studios, opposite the park's entrance and adjacent to Toy Story Land. Guests will find themselves in the Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu. This once-thriving settlement is now home to smugglers, rogue traders, droids and other strange creatures trying to stay out of sight of the First Order. The remote outpost takes its name from the petrified spires that were once ancient, towering trees surrounding the river valleys and plains. As a fellow traveler, you'll be able to visit a street market, shop in the food stalls and enjoy treats like Blue Milk or head over to the Cantina for a drink. Legendary Star Wars composer John Williams has created an original score specifically for the land.

If you’ve ridden Star Tours recently, you’ve gotten a sneak peek of Batuu in the safe landing in the end scene. Want another look at Black Spire Outpost ahead of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opening? Look for a new comic book series of the same name in April. Toadally cool!

Characters of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World

One of the things I know I'm most excited about is meeting some of the colorful characters and exotic creatures hiding out and making deals in Black Spire Outpost (just keep a lookout for First Order soldiers)! Besides this green frog, there will be aliens, droids and humanoids. Some of the characters that have only existed so far in animation — like the Loth Cat — will be in the flesh and ready to interact with guests. And there will be familiar faces ... Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, BB-8 ... even Nien Nunb and Hondo Ohnaka!

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Disney World Rides

Of course, the star attractions of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Disney World are the rides, and both sound toadally cool.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Ready to ride the fastest ship in the galaxy? Not so fast! Before you board, you'll walk through a full-size replica of the Millennium Falcon. This is one queue you probably don't want to skip! Can you imagine climbing through the hatch and walking through the hallways before you finally arrive to take a seat inside the cockpit? I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it! Try not to get too distracted, because there is a mission. Space pirate Hondo Ohnaka of "Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels" fame has cut a deal with Chewbacca for use of the Falcon. He will lead you on a secret mission to bring back the loot as you hurl through hyperspace. You'll be part of a six-person crew and can take a turn in one of three different flight crew positions — pilot, gunner or flight engineer! The Millennium Falcon ride uses real-time video technology that will respond to the way you use the cockpit controls. Disney creative executive Scott Trowbridge told the New York Times, "It's a personalized intergalactic ride — live your own 'Star Wars' story. If you crash into a wall, that's what you'll see out the cockpit window." Here's the TLDR: You'll see the real-time results of your mission, so make it count!

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

It's hard to top that, but Disney is billing Rise of the Resistance as the biggest and most immersive Disney Parks attraction ever built! This trackless dark ride puts guests in the middle of an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance! Less is confirmed about this ride than the Millennium Falcon, but we do know you'll board an Imperial Star Destroyer with 50 animatronic stormtroopers waiting in formation. Think you have what it takes to face off against Kylo Ren? You'll soon find out!

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Foods & Drinks

So far there have been very few details released about the food and drinks coming to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World. We know that you'll be able to find Blue Milk, the refreshing drink made famous by Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars IV: A New Hope."

Oga's Cantina

Local Black Spire Outpost watering hole Oga's Cantina will be the it-spot for adult drinks, mocktails and other beverages, including Blue Milk. It will offer mostly standing room only, with Captain Rex, formerly of Star Tours fame, playing DJ.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

This will be the place for exotic tastes and flavors procured by one Chef Strono "Cookie" Tuggs, who has traveled the galaxy far and wide after his time at Maz Kanata's castle on Takodana.

Ronto Roasters

Former smelter droid 8D-J8 will be turning the spit on tasty meats at Ronto Roasters. A recycled podracing engine does the roasting for this dining experience.

Milk Stand

Get your farm-fresh blue milk (or green!) from this stand direct from Bubo Wamba Family Farms. The frozen concoctions promise to be refreshing and unlike any milk you’ve ever tasted.

Kat Saka's Kettle

Much on the Outpost Mix, a blend of sweet, savory and spicy popcorn.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Shopping at Disney World

It's now been well-reported that Disney imagineers made trips to Istanbul and Marrakesh for inspiration in creating Black Spire Outpost's marketplace, a collection of shops and merchant stalls. More animatronics will serve as shop keepers, like the Toydarian presiding over the toy store.

A first round of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge merch, including T-shirts and hats, is already for sale in select shops around Disney World, but expect to see much, much more.

Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities

Wheeler-dealer Ithorian Dok-Ondar presides over rare and unique items and antiquities from across the galaxy.

Savi's Workshop - Handbuilt Lightsabers

This is one of the things I cannot wait to do! Inside Savi's Workshop, you will be able to customize your own lightsaber under the guidance of one of the Masters, who have extensive knowledge in Jedi lore.

Droid Depot

Get ready to build your own astromech droid!

First Order Cargo

The First Order is taking up shop in a spaceport hangar bay on the outskirts of town. Look for gear, uniforms and other supplies.

Resistance Supply

Stock up or resupply! You'll find Resistance uniforms, pins, jackets, tools, training supplies and more!

Street Market Stalls

Toydarian Toymaker - This "Star Wars: the Phantom Menace" character presides over this stall that sells toys.

Creature Stalls - You'll find unique "critters" to take home.

Black Spire Outfitters - Clothing fit for space travelers to commemorate their adventures.

The Jewels of Bith - Accessories, trinkets and other treasures.

When to Plan Your Visit to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Disney World

Late Fall and Winter 2019

With Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge set to debut in late fall, it's likely that this will be the busiest Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season Disney World has ever seen. Many vacationers who are set on experiencing the land soon after it opens will likely set their sights on the holiday season. We cannot blame them. If you're among these folks and you haven't yet booked your trip, we recommend you hop on it ASAP. And we do recommend you plan to stay on-site at an official Disney World hotel (lucky for you, we offer discounts on Disney World hotel rooms). Like they did for the opening of Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom, we would expect Disney will introduce additional Extra Magic Hours just for on-site guests to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Although it is not confirmed, we would also expect that Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be added to the FastPass+ lineup of Tier 1 options. While everyone will be eligible for these FastPasses, we know that on-site guests have a (frog) leg up on those staying off-site because of their earlier booking window.

Early 2020 and Spring 2020

We anticipate that this late fall opening will mean a busier 2020 in general, especially during the early part of the year through spring break. While this is generally one of the best times to visit Disney World, it will be busier than usual. This doesn't mean it's a bad time to go; it just means higher than normal crowds. This will be true for late spring, as well, although we think mid-April to May, especially weekdays, will be a pretty good bet.

Summer 2020

Most Star Wars families will schedule their visits to Disney World during summer 2020. It will be busy, but it should be manageable. Again, if you're already getting the itch for a vacation during this time, we recommend you hop on hotel reservations and stay on-site. Booking for Disney World hotels generally opens a year in advance, so start checking this May and June to book online.

No matter when you plan to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World, we will be bringing you our best tips and advice so you can experience this exciting new destination with the least amount of time in line.

So don't stress and stay cool (remember what Yoda says, "there is no try") while you wait for what I think is the biggest opening in Disney World's history.

Disclaimer: Capacity for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and its experiences is limited. Access to the park, land and experiences may be restricted or unavailable depending on guest demand and other factors. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction opens later this year.

While you're waiting for this galactic opening, drop us a line in comments and let us know what you're most excited about!

Related: What's Coming to Disneyland and Universal

Related: Best Time to Visit Disney World

Stay cool!