Bob Iger, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, Harrison Ford, Chewbacca, and George Lucas Dedicate Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort

On Wednesday night Bob Iger was joined by Star Wars legend George Lucas for the dedication of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Disneyland Resort. The two were also joined by Billy Dee Williams, Mark Hamill, Chewbacca, and Han Solo during the course of the ceremony. All of them stood in front of the Millennium Falcon throughout the ceremony.

The evening began with Bob Iger sharing about the process of developing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. When the project was getting started, Iger shared how high of standards he set with Imagineers. He was then joined by George Lucas who shared how impressed he was with the new land, in a very George Lucas way. “It could have gone very bad, but it didn’t,” Lucas said as those in attendance laughed.

Billy Dee Williams then came to the stage. He shared how he (Lando) was the original owner of the Millennium Falcon. He shared how rewarding the experience of being Lando was. He also shared how special it was to be hired by George Lucas. “It’s amazing to see her looking so good today, and I’m so excited for you! You’re going to get to pilot the Falcon too and experience your own adventures! You’re going to love it just as much as I’ve loved it being a part of this fantastic franchise,” he shared about the Millennium Falcon.  He concluded by saying “This land is for you.”

Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, was invited to the stage next. He shared about how the last time he was in a Disney theme park with George Lucas was for the dedication of Star Tours. At the time, he couldn’t imagine anything more amazing than that attraction. Now, “look at where we are today! We get our own land!” Hamill continued, “You know, Star Wars for me has always been the gift that keeps on giving and the reason is because of you.” He finished by saying “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Walt Disney and especially George Lucas for teaching the world a new way to dream.”

After the speeches, it was time to start up the Millennium Falcon and open the land. As Bob Iger prepared to do this, Chewbacca appeared in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. Unfortunately, when the ship went to get started… it just couldn’t quite get going. So Iger asked if anyone in the crowd knew how to fix it. Hamill reassured people that this was the Millennium Falcon and it had made the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs! “That’s right, she may not look like much but she’s got it where it counts,” said Harrison Ford as he entered the stage to get the ship working.

“Peter, this one’s for you,” Ford said as he knocked it a couple of times and the ship fired up. After the theme to Star Wars heralded the opening of the new land and fireworks lit up the sky, Bob Iger said: “Ladies and gentlemen, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is now open.” With that, the ceremony concluded as the theme song for the land written by John Williams played.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens to the public on May 31st. From May 31st to June 23rd, reservations will be required to enter the land. Starting on June 24th, the land will be open to the public as capacity permits. DAPS MAGIC will be on hand through all of this to cover Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge news, Disney news, and more! Make sure to subscribe so as not to miss anything and also visit our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge page. What did you think of the dedication ceremony? Share your thoughts in the comments below!