According to locals, I caught the first really nice days this year to come to Los Angeles. So I’m kind of happy that the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor game event was also postponed by a few weeks due to the game’s postponement. So I’m enjoying the sunshine and a pleasant 20 degrees instead of the constant rain and cool temperatures that have prevailed here in recent weeks. The local population, on the other hand, is looking forward to finally being able to enjoy the current spring holidays, also known as spring break, to the fullest. So just like me, a lot of people, especially families, are drawn to the Disneyland resort in the suburb of Anaheim. For me, the visit is part of the supporting program of the game event. I was looking forward to this part of the journey at least as much as I was looking forward to experiencing the game itself.
The reason for this is of course Galaxy’s Edge, the small paradise for Star Wars fans in the middle of the huge amusement park. Here you can at least immerse yourself a little in the beloved universe. Now this was not my first visit to the Galaxy’s Edge. I was here four years ago for an event for the predecessor Fallen Order. Back then, however, time was quite limited and by no means all of the attractions that exist today were already accessible. This time I had a whole day to look at everything I wanted to see in peace and quiet. I even had a plan for some very special merch items that I would allow myself to weaken on. You will find out later whether this really happened. First of all, I would like to take you on an adventure of my trip to a galaxy far, far away.
In the heart of Disneyland, in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, stands the statue of Mickey Mouse and his creator, Walt Disney.
What: PC Games
parking line
We started with a shuttle from our hotel in Hollywood across Los Angeles to the other side of the city. Sports fans may know the suburb of Anaheim as the home of the Anaheim Ducks, formerly the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. It is here that the Disneyland Resort is the oldest amusement park of the Maus Group, which Walt Disney personally designed and opened in 1955. Of course, a lot has happened since then. Numerous new attractions, such as the Galaxy’s Edge, have been added, a second park called Disney California Adventure has been created across the street and together the facility now covers more than 500 hectares.
The driveway ends at the Toy Story parking lot, about three blocks from the Disneyland entrance. A route that you could actually walk. But in America they don’t walk, so all the people arriving at the parking lot are put on buses to be carted straight to the park. Here I already get a taste of a key element of the quintessential Disneyland experience: queues. It may be Tuesday morning, but thanks to Spring Break, the rush is huge even during the week. So when you wait for the shuttle bus, you have to queue up and wait patiently.
At the entrance to Disneyland, Minnie Mouse greets us with flowers and the historic Main Street Station building.
What: PC Games
Welcome to a world of fantasy
When you arrive at the entrance to the park, it goes surprisingly quickly. After a brief bag check, I have my ticket electronically scanned and I’m already inside. There isn’t much to see here just yet. Before my eyes rises a small grassy mound on which Minnie Mouse’s face is planted with flowers. On top is the iconic Main Street Station building for the Disneyland Railroad, which welcomed visitors to the park as early as 1955. To get to the actual park, there are passages on the left and right under the railway line. A sign hangs over these passages, warning each visitor that they are now entering another world.
“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy.”
On the other side, the famous Main Street USA opens before my eyes, the big main street, on which thematic parades with various Disney characters regularly take place. I wasn’t here for that, though. I wanted to get to the Star Wars corner of the park as quickly as possible. But of course the magic of this place does not remain hidden from me, which always makes me stop, let the scenery work on me and take photos. At the end of Main Street, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle towers over a central square. The princess castles of the Disney parks have always been iconic symbols of the mouse company. On the square in front of the castle stands a bronze statue of company founder Walt Disney together with his most famous creation, Mickey Mouse.
