The hotly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens its doors at the Disneyland resort in California today, following a three-year construction project.
First announced in 2015, work on the 14-acre attraction began in April 2016 and it's believed the final cost could top US$1bn (€898m, £793m).
It is the first of two Galaxy's Edge attractions, with the second set to open at the Walt Disney World in Florida on 29 August.
Disney describes the attractions as ones which will “transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before Wild Space, where
Star Wars characters and their stories come to life."
Rides and attractions within the area include Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which will give guests the opportunity to get behind the controls of the
Star Wars franchise's most iconic spaceship in one of three flight crew roles. Elsewhere, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will put visitors in the middle of an epic battle between Resistance and Imperial troops.
Guests will also be able to visit the Cantina – featured in Star Wars Episode IV – where they can meet creatures and characters that are hallmarks of the
Star Wars universe, as well as immerse themselves in a host of dynamic elements and interactive integrations with the Play Disney Parks app.
Oscar-winning composer John Williams, who composed the original iconic Star Wars music, has been commissioned to create new musical themes exclusively for the parks.
The project is being led by Disney imagineer Scott Trowbridge, who oversees everything Star Wars-related for the operator's parks.
"What we wanted to do was to create this universe, laying out and introducing new stories, characters and places, and to include the guest in these stories should you want to take part," Trowbridge said, describing the experience.
"A significant part of our audience who want to feel more engaged and more connected to the stories they are experiencing, so we’re trying to find ways to take that and extend it to our parks."
Access to the new area at Disneyland will be limited until 23 June, and guests hoping to gain entry with a Disneyland park ticket will be disappointed.
Those wanting to visit before 24 June will have needed to make a reservation to access the Star Wars section of the park – but reservations have already been sold out for the period.
Guests staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels during June can still get a reservation to access Galaxy's Edge. Starting from 24 June, no reservation will be needed and anyone with a regular park ticket will be allowed in.
