Birthday in Batuu

This vacation involved another early wake up call, all in the name of Star Wars. We got ready in time to catch an Uber and arrive at Hollywood Studios by 6am. Again, check-in at the park was very quick and we had a pretty good position on line to make it into the park by opening, which was 7am. However, by 6:20 am, we were allowed into the park and to take our positions to acquire a boarding pass for Rise of the Resistance. It was one of my main goals of the trip to experience ROTR, and I was NOT going to be disappointed on my Birthday trip. You can basically be anywhere in the park to snag boarding passes on the Disney app as long as your park ticket has been scanned indicating that you are, in fact, physically in Hollywood Studios. 

I managed to get into boarding group 63, which was called by 12:30 pm. My main fear was getting into a boarding group greater than  75 since there was a possibility of the ride breaking down with its previous track record. Thankfully, the ride was functioning that day and we were able to get on just fine. My only regret was not trying to use our anytime fastpasses on ROTR. I’m not sure if we would have been allowed to, but it could been worth a shot.

We decided to make our way to our reservation for Oga’s Cantina since you have an hour to make your boarding group for ROTR. I enjoyed my obligatory Blue Bantha, which is basically blue milk served chilled with a vanilla-butter sugar cookie. Miguel was trying to steal the coasters when I told him you are allowed to take them LOL. I love how each experience in Oga’s Cantina is different. This time when the electricity went out, they told everyone to go home and to leave our valuables behind at the bar LOL. Of course, one the bartenders was challenged with hitting the hyperdrive back into commission and it was business as usual at the bar.

ROTR is more of an experience than it is a ride. You go through multiple stages before you actually board the trackless vehicle. This is probably the most visually stunning rides I’ve ever been on. As a Star Wars fan, it was incredibly exciting to see it firsthand in person. The moment you walk into the hangar of the Star destroyer, and see dozens of stormtroopers standing at attention is one of my favorite parts of ROTR. The cast members are great too. They will not break character, and so you actually feel like you are being taken prisoner by the First Order LOL. The whole experience took about 20 minutes, which is probably the longest ride in the parks now. 

Next, I was off to Savi’s Workshop to built my own lightsaber. Thanks to my $150 gift card, I was able to get my lightsaber at about $60 compared to the hefty price of $200. Happy birthday to me! Before you go into Savi’s Workshop, you must pick the type of hilt that you want. The four choices are:

• Peace and Justice
• Power and Control
• Protection and Defense 
• Elemental Nature 

Of course, I went with power and control because Darth Vader is my Lord and Savior, and so I wanted a Sith blade. Once you select your theme, you will be given a pin depending on what category you choose. I’ve seen these pins sell on eBay for $100 LOL, so I guess it’s a unique piece to own. Once inside the workshop, you will hear the history of lightsabers and the many Jedis before you that have wielded them. The building process consists of you customizing your hilt based on the theme you chose, as well as choosing a Kyber Crystal that will determine the color of your blade. The Kyber Crystals you can choose from are blue, green, purple or red. The rare white and yellow Kyber Crystals are available to buy at shops in Galaxy’s Edge. Also, a small percentage of black Kyber Crystals are hidden among the red Kyber Crystal tubes. Obviously, I chose red like Darth Vader. My favorite part of the building process is when everyone gets to activate their lightsaber at the same time. There’s something magical and nerdy about us all picking up our lightsabers in unison, and holding them up to see the glow of all the blades we have built. What is funny is the blade is about the same height as me LOL. Good thing, I had Miguel there to carry my lightsaber around. lmao.

After, I was off to meet my favorite villain with my new Sith blade. I don’t know why, but I’m awfully awkward during character interactions… I mean I’m fucking awkward in most social situations but I don’t know why I’m THIS awkward at character meet and greets. The photos came out terrible because Darth Vader‘s handler was kind of an old bitch LOL. She wouldn’t let Miguel take the cell phone pictures of Vader and I, and then jump in for photos with Vader. I was really confuse since usually handlers let you do what you want because well it’s fucking Disney and I pay a lot of money to be here. Looking back, I probably should’ve taken it up with Disney later on as it was my Birthday trip but whatever. Afterwards, I caught Vader, Kyle Ren, Boba Fett, and Darth Maul in a villain promenade with Stormtroopers. Then, we caught Chewbacca and Rey walking along a few moments after. I like that I’m always catching these random Star Wars moments in the parks. Last time, we got to watch the Stormtrooper march.

I found my BB-8 sipper, and proceeded to dinner at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. I absolutely love the ambience of dining here. It is like eating out at a drive-in movie theater on a starry night. It’s actually very relaxing and quiet in this restaurant, which is nice. I don’t know why, but there’s just something about eating a burger in the dark watching Sci-Fi clips that makes me happy. I also love sitting in the car booths... it feels snug and cozy to me.

I concluded my night walking around Batuu taking pictures, and that to me was a perfect ending to a perfect day at Hollywood Studios.