• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • TravelingDad

Traveling Mom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • ROAD TRIPS ACROSS THE USA
    • ROAD TRIP PLANNER
    • ILLINOIS ROAD TRIPS
    • TEXAS ROAD TRIPS
    • GEORGIA ROAD TRIPS
    • CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS
    • NORTHEAST ROAD TRIPS
    • MIDWEST ROAD TRIPS
  • Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
    • US Cities
      • New York City
      • Chicago
      • Los Angeles
      • Orlando
      • San Diego
      • San Francisco
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Outdoors
    • Skiing
    • National Parks
    • RV/Camping
    • Beaches
  • Travel Resources
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Free Things to Do
    • Packing
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Ticket
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Grandparents
    • Cruising
    • TravelingDad
  • Search
  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • Road Trips Across the USA
    • Road Trip Planner
    • Illinois Road Trips
    • Texas Road Trips
    • Georgia Road Trips
    • California Road Trips
    • Northeast Road Trips
    • Midwest Road Trips
  • US National Parks
  • RV and Camping
  • Beaches
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Cruises
  • Skiing
  • Free Things to Do
  • Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
  • Traveling Grandparents
  • TravelingDad
  • US Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
  • US Cities
    • NYC
    • Chicago
    • Los Angeles
    • Orlando
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
  • International
  • Travel Resources
    • Book A Trip
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Packing
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
You are here: Home / Disneyland / Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland: 11 Tips for Taking Your Autistic Child
Every part of Galaxyโ€™s Edge has something to see.
Every part of Galaxyโ€™s Edge has something to see, but it can get overwhelming. Photo credit: Christy Emanuel

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland: 11 Tips for Taking Your Autistic Child

August 19, 2019 //  by Christy Emanuel//  Leave a Comment

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • 11 Tips for visiting Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge with an autistic child, or sensory processing disorders
  • 1. Get your DAS pass.
  • 2.  Consider a stroller tag
  • 3.  Use your DAS pass to sign up for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • 4. Go later in the day
  • 5. Bring noise cancelling headphones
  • 6. Sit outside to eat at Docking Bay 7
  • 7. Take advantage of the distractions.
  • 8. Make a reservation well in advance to Savi's Workshop and the Droid Depot
  • 9. Know what to expect on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • 10. Consider skipping Oga's Cantina
  • 11.  Take advantage of mobile ordering on the Disneyland park app.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the newest land from the Walt Disney Company in Disneyland park (until Marvel opens next year), and it is completely unlike any other land at the theme park.  For those Star Wars fans that have sensory needs, taking a few steps in advance of your visit to a galaxy far far away and knowing what to expect when you arrive will make the whole trip more enjoyable for everyone.

Theme Parks like Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland can be overwhelming for those guests with sensory needs.
Theme Parks can be overwhelming for those guests with sensory needs. With a little planning, everyone can have an enjoyable day! Photo credit: Christy Emanuel

11 Tips for visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with an autistic child, or sensory processing disorders

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

If your family theme park travels look anything like mine, we have to plan ahead for our son’s sensory needs.  This list is exactly what we did to help him have fun, and not feel overwhelmed visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park, in Anaheim California!  Here are 11 tips on how to maximize your trip to Star Wars Land.

  • 1. Get your DAS pass
  • 2. Consider a stroller tag
  • 3. Use the DAS pass to sign up for rides
  • 4. Go later in the day
  • 5. Bring noise cancelling headphones
  • 6. Sit outside to eat at Docking Bay 7
  • 7. Take advantage of the distractions.
  • 8. Make a reservation well in advance to Savi’s Workshop and the Droid Depot
  • 9. Know what to expect on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • 10. Consider skipping Oga’s Cantina
  • 11.  Take advantage of mobile food ordering on the Disneyland park app.
Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park
Magic awaits in every corner of Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park! Photo credit: Christy Emanuel

1. Get your DAS pass.

DAS stands for Disability Access Services.  It is a pass meant for those Disney theme park guests that have disabilities that make it hard for them to wait in line, or have physical needs that require assistance.  At City Hall in the Disneyland resort, we waited in a short line for our pass and and our stroller tag.  The DAS pass allows us to sign up at the information stations and wait in line for the next ride (without actually waiting in the line).  It works similarly to a FastPass.

Waiting in line at City Hall for our DAS pass before visiting Galaxy's Edge.
Waiting in line at City Hall for our DAS pass. We always are waiting in line at 7:30 when they open the gates, so that we can get right in! Photo credit: Christy Emanuel

2.  Consider a stroller tag

Assuming your stroller is within the new Disney requirements for size (and cast members do check), I recommend getting it tagged with a stroller tag.  It then is essentially a wheelchair, and you can take it most places.  When our son gets overwhelmed, he likes to sit in there, and unwind.

Stroller tag at Galaxy's Edge.
This is our first time renting a stroller at Disneyland, and the red tag is the wheelchair tag. It meant that we could take the stroller more places, in the event that he needed a safe place to calm down. Photo Credit: Christy Emanuel

3.  Use your DAS pass to sign up for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Currently, there are no FastPasses available for Millennium Falcon.  The only exception is the DAS pass.  For Millennium Falcon, the only place that you can sign up for that ride is the information station in the new Star Wars-themed land.  It is outside of the Droid Depot, before the pathway ends at Thunder Mountain. Once Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens in January 2020, use your DAS pass to sign up for that ride as well.

Disney parks are all inclusive for families with special needs but what about the newest Land, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge? Find out what to see and do here with autistic children. #TMOM #Disney #DisneyTips #SpecialNeeds #Autism | TravelingMom | Disneyland | Disney World | Family Travel | Autism Travel
Photo Credit: Christy Emmanuel

4. Go later in the day

Currently, Galaxy’s Edge is not a part of the extra magic hour.  Even if you are staying at a resort hotel and have early access to the park, you cannot enter until Galaxy’s Edge opens at 8 a.m. with the rest of the Star Wars fans.  We went first thing, and the crowd was unbearable.  There were hundreds of people waiting, and then (despite cast member warnings) many ran to the new Star Wars Land.  When we went again later in the day, the crowds were much lighter, and the lines weren’t long.

A view of the crowd running in to Galaxy’s Edge when the rope dropped at Disneyland.
A view of the crowd running in to Galaxy’s Edge when the rope dropped at Disneyland. It was overwhelming, and very crowded through some of the tighter areas in the park. Photo Credit: Christy Emanuel

5. Bring noise cancelling headphones

My son can be sensitive to lots of sound, and inside Star Wars Land, there is a lot of piped in sound.  As opposed to lots of lands (like Fantasyland, or Frontierland) Disneyland’s Star Wars themed Galaxy’s Edge is an immersive experience.  The imagineering is incredible, but it is very overwhelming to the senses.  Those noise cancelling headphones helped to dull the experience and he still enjoyed it!

6. Sit outside to eat at Docking Bay 7

Docking Bay 7 food and cargo was so good!  We all loved the rising moons overnight oats.  The interior is like a working hangar bay, which is cool, but the kids found it to be scary.  It is a bit dark, and is very loud.  Fortunately, after ordering, we headed outside to a much quieter (and shaded) table.  It was the perfect spot to decrease the sensory overload.

The inside view of Docking Bay 7 at Galaxy's Edge.
The inside view of Docking Bay 7, it is so cool! We thought it was a little bit loud and dark inside. Fortunately the patio was perfect. Photo Credit: Christy Emanuel

7. Take advantage of the distractions.

There are several places where you can sit in the shade and regroup.  I recommend trying the blue milk or the green milk from the milk stand, and watching all of the activity.  The kids loved it, and we watched the storm troopers escort Kylo Ren around the black spire outpost on the planet of Batuu.  If you aren’t careful, you may end up being questioned by a storm trooper!

Another great distraction is the Play Disney Parks app.  Within the app, we were activating droids, and playing with the games while we waited.  If you are feeling brave, or the crowds are lighter at the end of the day, venture into one of the really cool shops.  Our favorites were the Toydarian Toymaker, First Order Cargo, and Black Spire Outfitters (where you can outfit your resistance supply).

Merchandise for sale at Galaxy's Edge.
Checking out all of the cool merchandise for sale. Tiny chewbaccas everywhere! Photo Credit: Christy Emanuel

8. Make a reservation well in advance to Savi’s Workshop and the Droid Depot

We were unprepared, and unable to build our own droid, or light saber.  Now we know that, in order to build our own take-home piece of the outer rim, and reduce frustrations, we need to make reservations in advance.  We ended up at the Den of Antiquities, and browsing the creature stall (across from the very cool Ronto Roasters), which was a nice compromise.  There were lots of neat looking light sabers all over the park, but keep in mind that they are pretty expensive. But totally worth it for fans of a galaxy far far away.

9. Know what to expect on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

With the DAS (FastPass entry), getting onto the ride was easy.  There is some chaotic waiting in an ante room, where each of the six passengers from the planet Batuu are given a card with a job on it. Then we all waited until our color-coded boarding card was called. Upon entering, we sat with the pilots in the front, the gunners in the middle row, and the engineers in the back two seats.  Much like Star Tours, it is a VR ride, with more interactive participation from the Star Wars fans. We each get a score based on following the instructions (with blinking lights if following verbal directions is too complicated).  But like Star Tours, the whole ship moves around.  If loud and startling noises are bothersome, it may be a skip.

They do offer an air conditioned kennel for service dogs! We are so looking forward to joining the resistance in their fight against the first order when the new ride (Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance) has its opening day on the planet Batuu on January 17, 2020.

Droid-shaped soft drinks in Galaxy's Edge.
Even the soft drinks were droid shaped, but they limit every purchase to three. So cute! Photo Credit: Christy Emanuel

10. Consider skipping Oga’s Cantina

Oga’s Cantina is located next to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and across from Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.  It requires advance reservations, and isn’t sensory friendly.  It is dark, loud and overwhelming.  There are a lot of neat things and a DJ droid to see, and it is the only place in Disneyland that offers alcoholic beverages.   It also doesn’t offer any food, just some crunchy snacks.  I was able to get a sneak peek, and it isn’t very child friendly.  If the sounds and lights aren’t a problem, the wheelchair tag on the stroller means that it can come inside (in case of a sensory meltdown).

11.  Take advantage of mobile ordering on the Disneyland park app.

Avoid wait times by using the mobile ordering option on the Disney Parks app.  On the Disneyland app, you choose your arrival window, place your order, and pay with a credit card.  It is that simple to order all over the park, but particularly on Batuu, where the lines are overwhelming at times.  Currently they allow mobile ordering at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, the milk stand (where you can order that green milk frosty, and ready to go), and Ronto Roasters.

Green milk at Galaxy's Edge.
The green milk was our favorite, and though the line was long, using the mobile app meant we only had to wait a minute or two. Photo Credit: Christy Emanuel

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has its opening day in Walt Disney World in Florida on August 29, 2019.  It is located in Hollywood Studios (near the new Toy Story Land), and while we haven’t yet seen it, I am sure that many of the tips that apply to Disneyland will also apply to Walt Disney World.  We have done the DAS pass in both places, and while there are minor differences, it should be similar!

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Disneyland

You May Also Like

  • Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland
  • s Star Wars virtual reality right for families?
    A Mom's Guide to Star Wars Virtual Reality at Disney World
  • Fighting the Force at the Star Wars Day at Sea.
    Is Star Wars Day at Sea Worth the Price?
  • Riding the Millennium Falcon at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
    9 Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World
  • Star Wars Galaxy's Edge Batuu Revealed in Star Tours
    Experience the New Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, Now!
  • Disneyland castle at Christmas
    11 Tips for Navigating Holiday Crowds at Disneyland
Previous Post: «Time for apple picking in New York Best Places to Go Apple Picking Near NYC
Next Post: Want a Great Hotel Deal? Book Direct! How to book a hotel room online the right way.»

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Manage Push Notifications
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2021 Traveling Mom ยท All Rights Reserved