BATUU TO BATUU: Why Batuu East and West Should be the Same but Different

 BATUU TO BATUU: Why Batuu East and West Should be the Same but Different

Hello Readers,

Today I would like to discuss a concept of mine that has been dawning on me as I regularly visit Black Spire Outpost here on the East Coast at Walt Disney World Florida once a weekend. This concept comes with much love and excitement as I have been wanting to share this concept for a while and since haven’t gotten to. As many of you know, Galaxy’s Edge is a love of mine, it is my happy place, my second home in a way, and I love “Batuu east”(Hollywood Studios) with all my heart, and haven’t yet been to “Batuu West”(Disneyland). One thing however that I had learned following the lack of Life Day Festivities on Batuu East in November and December of last year, is that Disneyland seems to celebrate more and introduce more events, Merchandise ,Foods and Beverages while Batuu East gets the short end of the stick in this regard. While i understand that Batuu West is less popular than Walt Disney World and the need for such events is more valid for them to have such new experiences, i think Disney Imagineering had a wasted opportunity when they Decided to build two Black Spire Outposts(two Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge). 

The fact is aside from an entrance Batuu East and Batuu West are exact Replicas of one another(aside from the Galactic Star Cruiser Entrance, now a covered seating area, at Batuu East also). Disney had a unique opportunity to make something same but different when designing these two lands to experiment with Star Wars in a unique way, that in hindsight could have been the determining factor between the success of not only Galaxy’s Edge but also any future Expansions (including the Galactic Starcruiser). While the attractions would have remained essential the same and the aesthetic of the land and locations remained the same, what If Disney Imagineering had invested its money differently and rather than making two identical twins on opposing coasts, make one small change that would have been more profitable in the long run. 

In this scenario Batuu West would remain the same, being set in the sequel Era. while Batuu East’s Era was changed, taking place during the Original Trilogy Era, between episodes 5 (The Empire Strikes Back) and 6( The Return of the Jedi).  In this analysis I will discuss my minor changes to details that could have or still could be made to Batuu East to change its era and why this would have created success for the land.

Merchant’s Row and Docking Bay 9

I will begin by Discussing Merchant’s Row the area that Connects to the Galactic Star Cruiser, where First Order Cargo, The Milk Stand and Oga’s Cantina are all Located. To start lets talk about the Tie Echellon. Concept art from the Art of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Imagineers originally had a Lambda Class Imperial Shuttle in this area, this concept art still to this day blows my mind and would have for many fans brought back memories from classic Star Wars. While this is a built in stage that cannot be changed, it would be simple for Disney to Ask Dave Filoni to slip an Echelon into The Bad Batch making it Canon to the Imperial Era and for the LucasFilm Story Group to create and design a new character for the parks who utilizes a Tie Echelon into lore. The Red Banner of the first order could also be replaced by the White and Black Banner of the Empire. First Order Cargo can easily change from a shop focusing on First order supplies to Imperial Loyalist Supplies(since majority of it already is Empire and not First Order anyways). The characters who can march around this area could include Imperial Officers(rather than First Order Officers) and Imperial Stormtroopers, who would do the same as they do today. Another character who can meet guests in this area is Garindan( the imperial Spy from Tatooine in Episode IV), who would use his Imperial Comlink to relay messages to the Empire,and as such boost the sales of the Bluetooth Comlinks sold at First Order Cargo which will be renamed Imperial Cargo. The final two characters would be a new Imperial General who the Echelon belongs to created for this land and Darth Vader, who would replace Kylo Ren.

As for Oga’s and the Milk Stand, they will remain Relatively the same as neither is affected by this era. However by changing to this era the Milk stand would be able to have new flavors of Milk and different colors monthly aside from the Canon Blue and Green(and the Tenoo Swirl), although they should already be doing this anyways. Oga’s Cantina also could have bounty hunters such as Fennec Shand and Boba Fett who existed during this Era visit it from time to time. 

Blackspire Station Savi’s Workshop and the Droid Depot

While not much would change in Black Spire Station two things in particular would change in Savi’s Workshop and Droid Depot. BB units would need to be Disneyland Exclusive to Batuu West and instead by replaced by a new type of Droid, possibly The D Series(D-0) BD Series(BD-1), or the GNK droid(Gonk) since they exist in this era and are popular amongst fans guests and fans,being exclusive to this coast. Further the merchandise and limited theming would change in the droid depot aside from the removal of the BB units and the replacement of them with GNK’s and BD units that would sit on the walls and shelves where the Current BB units are. 

As for Savi’s workshop the story will change, not to feature Kylo Ren or Rey’s names instead making Luke the new Jedi and Vader the Force to be reckoned with playing on Nostalgia and Clone Wars and Original Trilogy love instead.  This would also provide and opportunity for the design of New Savis Workshop Scrap Metal Pieces that are exclusive to each group on both Coasts. The Kembay would also have fun as they would be in the Era of the original trilogy, and this would test their improv skills as they converse with guests. At the end of the show, while Yoda is still a viable option for guests to hear (thanks to the Show Star Wars Rebels) Old Obi Wan’s Voice and Qui Gon Jinn's voice could also emanate through the halls as well as the Voices of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine if majority of the Crystals Chosen are Red. this would also allow the opportunity to give out the Yellow Crystal within Savis on the East Coast, something they do not do today but could. 

An idea I had with Regards to BlackSpire station is to have Jawa’s meet guests there as well as R2-D2 and C3-PO bringing Droids to Galaxy’s Edge.

The Spaceport: Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run

Due to this being the Era between episodes 5 and 6 Han Solo is Frozen in Carbonite, meaning Hondo Ohnaka can still be part of the Ride as he assists Chewbacca with Stealing Coaxium for the Rebel Alliance instead of the Resistance. The ride wouldn’t need to change at all except for a few bits of dialogue and perhaps a secret message from Lando Calrissian in regards to the infiltration of Jabba’s Palace. Limited digital events would also need to change including the First Order Ties being replaced by imperial ties and the star destroyer being replaced by an ISD or Executor class instead of a FIrst order Destroyer in the rides finale. In this area, Chewbacca is known to make appearances as Do the Stormtroopers,except now Princess Leia and the bounty hunter Boushh can also make appearances, as guests encounter the place between episode 5 and 6 where Leia obtains Boushh’s outfit prior to rescuing Han on Tatooine. Also Hondo would make an awesome interactive character for guests to meet in this area.

The Marketplace: Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo/Ronto Roasters

There would be very few additions made to the Market Place Area, except for the fact that the toys in the Toydarian Toymaker would change to exclusively Prequel and Original Trilogy era dolls, and the outfits sold in the shops would be more aimed at being within the Era of the Original Trilogy. As for Docking Bay 7 and Ronto Roasters, these can also remain the same, with new food added to the menu seasonally like they do at Disneyland. Good characters to meet here would be Din Jarin(without the child), Chopper, Nien Nunb, Lando Calrissian and Hera Syndula. I would love to see a cast member as Lando sees guests playing Sabacc and go over and play Sabacc with them or give out pointers. Also due to the fact that Porgs are non-era specific(even though they still only appear in the sequel era) we all know that Bina can get her hands on any Creature in the Galaxy.

Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities

While many may argue that Dok Ondar’s may need to change the most infact I’d argue that only it’s merchandise would need to change. Rey,Kylo Ren, and Leias lightsabers would no longer be allowed to be sold for starters neither would the Kylo Ren outfit or Rey Outfit, which are currently being sold which could then be replaced by costumes inspired by Characters from the Clone Wars and prior times to this Era. The only kyber crystal that would need to change or be deleted is the Black, Snoke Crystal; however, while we know Palpatine created Snoke we do not know how long Snoke has existed in the Galaxy. Also all they imperial merch sold there would be moved to the Imperial Cargo Shop and all the Rebel Merch to the Rebel Supply stands(to be mentioned in th next part) allowing  this shop to be dedicated completely to the Clone Wars and Prior, which could prove useful to sales selling a variety of CIS, Republic, Clone trooper, Padme Amidala inspired and other prior to the Empire Merchandise, which would fly off the shelves.

The Ancient Ruins: Rise of the Resistance(Alliance)

The resistance base in the Ancient Ruins will now be a Rebel Base, and a new activity would be available in this area where guests purchase a blank X-Wing or A-Wing Pilot helmet and would be able to customize their own Helmet, with stickers and decals with the assistance of Castmembers. The remaining Rebel Alliance Merch would be sold here(which currently is the Majority of the Resistance Supply today). The smugglers run merch would be moved to a new stand by the Millenium Falcon and the Poe Dameron and other Resistance Era Helmets will be discontinued at Batuu East allowing Guests to get the authentic Original Trilogy Era Experience. Limited painting will be done to the X-Wings and A Wings in this area to make certainguests understand this is a Rebel Base not a resistance base.

Rise of the Resistance is the biggest attraction in Disney History and besides being as large as it is . few things in the cue would need to be changed, as the resistance and Rebels use alot of the same supplies. This brings us to the preshow. Currently BB-8 greets guests in the preshow, and this can be replaced with R2-D2 or forgo the droid all together as it isn’t needed as noted by B-Mode on the Attraction. Rather than retrieving a message from Rey, and being transported to Leia's base on Bacara, I would argue a better character to get message from would be either Admiral Ackbar or Mon Mothma’s base on Bacara or any planet the imagineers want it really doesnt matter, as for those of us who have ridden it we won’t make to Bacara anyways. Rather than Finn infiltrating the Star destroyer this would need to be replaced with a character like Lando Calrissian, Wedge Antilles or Luke Skywalker same goes for Poe Dameron who should be replaced by either Wedge Antilles or Luke(Preferably Luke).

The Rebel Intersystem Transport Ship wouldn’t need to change minus maybe some Red Paint instead of the Blue and neither would the characters of Nien Numb or Lieutenant Bek as both are capable of existing during the era of the Rebellion, General Hux Would need to be replaced with Admiral Piett as rather than being brought aboard the finalizer in this version it would be better to be aboard the Executor which would require limited Retheming to the star destroyers interior, but still a costly amount to undress and re-armor the Animatronic Stormtroopers inside the hanger and Cell Block as Imperial Stormtroopers and to re-costume the First order Castmembers as Imperial Officers, Engineers and Imperial Navy Troopers. 

On the ride limited digital effects would need to be changed as well as the Finn animatronic being changed out for Lando, Luke or Wedge and Kylo Ren is replaced by Darth Vader, while General Hux is replaced by Admiral Piett with mostly everything else remaining the same(except Kylo’s Lightsaber in one part of the ride.

The rest of the ruins area could also have one final character added as a meet and greet character, that being Luke Skywalker who will make appearances in his Rebel Pilot uniform or in an outfit similar to that worn in Return of the Jedi.

Does the story of the Land Change?

The story of the land wouldn’t change much. The characters would just be altered to fit this era of Star Wars. the only story element changed perhaps would be the final boss on Batuu Bounty Hunters which is currently DJ which could easily be changed to a fan favorite character like LOBOT or even Jar Jar Binks. 

Perhaps Vie Moradi may disappear but this would give Imagineering a new opportunity to design a new Bothan Rebel Spy character perhaps one who intends to steal Death Star Plans from the Empire who are Posted on Batuu?

Conclusion:The Halcyon?

While the Land and the Lands story doesn’t change the Halcyon will as Guests would now be on an adventure set during the Original Trilogy Era, with the familiar characters such as Boba Fett, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, R2-D2, C3–PO and a Final Battle With Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader being in the Finale with ties to Guests uncovering intel on Han Solo, The Death Star II and Perhaps two endings depending on who guests decide to join with. By utilizing the love of the Original Trilogy perhaps the Halcyon will be more successful, but we will never know unless Disney were to experiment with Star Wars and Make Batuu East Original trilogy and Batuu West Sequel Era.