Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: Traveler's Guide to Batuu

by Eloc Throno, Cole Horton

Set your course for the edge of the galaxy to the planet Batuu, where you’ll be immersed in the alluring offerings of a mysterious outpost and thriving port that is a haven for scoundrels, rogues, and smugglers.

Upon arrival, you will have access to an authentic, in-world environment unlike anything you have ever experienced before! This official guide to Batuu is written completely in-world, as if you are a visitor from another part of the galaxy looking for recommendations on where to eat, shop, and sightsee while on your trip to this exciting location.

Highlighted features:
Full-color photos, illustrations, and maps
Original content from Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Imagineering
Backstories to characters and locations found in Black Spire Outpost
Whether living your adventure in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or simply being an armchair traveler, this in-depth literary companion will delight any fan of Star Wars.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Travel, Fiction, Reference, Media Tie In

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2020

Reviews

[Anissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth it just for the little in-universe snippets. The tiny segment with political propaganda art and mentions of the continuing power struggle were two of my favourites. I have to recommend Star Wars Propaganda: A History of Persuasive Art in the Galaxy , it's another immersively in-universe book with a look at political art and its historical relevance. This reminded me of that in some ways and it's a great book.

This was of interest to me simply because I'm a Star Wars fan. I've no problems with the Mouse but this didn't make me want to check out this particular park feature. There are a million places I'd want to visit in the GFFA but Batuu's nowhere near the top. Still, I'm glad I read this. It has been on my TBR pile for a while and May 4th is this week.

I read this through Kindle Unlimited. Recommended.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. Definitely good for people new to Star Wars and explained Galaxy's Edge well. Very informative.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been about thirty years since the galactic civil war. That puts the era in the time of Poe, Finn and the Resistance. With the destruction of the Hosnian System in Force Awakens, the Resistance is operating openly and fighting for survival. The guidebook is even-handed in its language, calling General Leia a leader of “either freedom fighters or instigators,” perhaps even “warmongers.” This lets the guidebook appear neutral politically, but in the real world supports fans of the Sith as well as the Resistance. Advice on dress, language, and money for traveling (basic language and currency are accepted here; dress in layers) certainly seems geared for Disney visitors while trying not to break the magic.
Batuu is a neutral planet with no formal government, far on the “galaxy’s edge” indeed, as the map reveals. The First Order has landed but outside the outpost “there is even evidence of Resistance forces gathering nearby.”
There’s a quick mention of nearby planets like Endor, aiding to put the planet into Star Wars’ larger worldbuilding context.
A full two-page spread map shows the complete land with all the buildings like the Droid Depot and Black Spire. Many of these are shops and food stands. Colorful pictures reveal the alien flora and fauna. Ship guides, droid guides, stormtrooper schematics, and so on are presumably fun for fans, though they can be found elsewhere as well. There’s also a lightsaber diagram, presumably to aid in individual construction. There are also colorful pictures of all the exotic drinks one can actually order. The book tries to keep t-shirt racks emphasized, but they still appear on occasion, much as in the real park.
Central characters have profiles in brief stories that feel like NPC bios in a computer game. Indeed, NPCs are one of the closest analogies, though the characters show up in Star Wars novels where they gain a little depth. This guide presents deeper histories, tying in fan-favorite characters from the larger universe like Grand Admiral Thrawn and Hondo Ohnaka. The pod racing scenes from Phantom Menace feel a bit incongruous as they are not actually present, unlike the shops.
It’s a nice souvenir guide or virtual visit to the park, weaving its existence into the larger universe. The book ends with a phrasebook, packing guide, gambling guide and so forth – all more fictional than realistic but able to supply a bit more local color.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

My derisive nature stayed away enough for me to really enjoy this book, but it did creep back in when thinking about access to Disneyland and DisneyWorld. I like the idea of experiences being open to all fans and I think books and films allow a good number of people to witness the SW magic. And a short tangent: Is Disney cleaning up or organizing the canon and is the expansion of the brand going to help it reach a broader audience? A lot of questions and opinions can be flashed about in response to this examination… I think this Batuu and books like this are a good test for the Disney brand because it crosses the line to a new and unique experience, one that honestly I was reluctant to try before reading this book.

My verdict is that the Traveler’s Guide to Batuu passes the test. It combines a design style that I have come to enjoy through Star Wars, DK and now with Quirk Books, with great insight. I see this book acting as both a pseudo-advertisement for DLand and a good souvenir to pick up to remember the experience.

4.5 out of 5 stars


For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2020/05/27/st...

For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing Galaxy’s Edge? Pop on your favorite R-3X playlist, put on your casual Star Wars cosplay and read this in-universe travel guide to the ins and outs of visiting Batuu.

This guide is clearly aimed at folks who haven’t yet been to Batuu or the Disney folks who aren’t into Star Wars. It includes a lot of basic info included in the preview content before the park opened (maps, menus, minor backstories of characters).

It definitely feels like this would be a good investment for first-time park visitors since it not only gives an overview of the food and shops, but it also includes phrases to help you talk to cast members, an Aurebesh alphabet for decoding in-universe signage and a landing permit (that one probably won’t get you out of paying for parking at the park, but it’s still pretty cute).

Full review here: https://bookhoarding.wordpress.com/20...

[George Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful guide for understanding the very confusing and un-Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at the Disney Parks. I’m not a fan of Galaxy’s Edge even though I have been a Star Wars fan for more than 43 years. It makes the visit to Galaxy’s Edge better, but I would still rather have them tear it down and build Bespin, Yavin, Tatooine or the Death Star.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not much new here if you've read the Galaxy's Edge/Batuu books up to this point, but it's a well-put-together book. Seeing pictures of the actual park, a place I've been, in an in-universe guidebook is super cool. I wish the "other books by this (fictional) author" listed in the back were real!

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This review is for the updated 2025 version, adding some nice changes/tips since the 2020 original publication.

The book is set up as a traveler's guidebook to Galaxy's Edge - the newest land at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Imagine a Lonely Planet, Fodor's, or Birnbaum type of guide and you get the idea: lots of pictures, factoids, and information all suited for the Galactic explorer looking to vacation at the remote world of Batuu. As with the staff at Galaxy's Edge, the book never breaks its cover as a real and existing guidebook for someone living in the Star Wars universe. That is both good and bad since it means some perspectives about the place can be given an interesting spin while others can't really be explained unless from a actual/real person vantage. The book has many images and you can tell it is definitely an official product.

This 'travel book' breaks down as follows: Explore Batuu; Explore Black Spire Outpost; Land Port; Merchant Row; Docking Bay 9; The Spaceport; The Market; The Forest; Quick Reference Guide. Within these, you'll find subjects such as drinks at Oga's Cantina, The People: First Order, a Millennium Falcon technical file, current affairs and politics of Batuu, a Galaxy map, flora and fauna of Batuu, day trips, the Force, and descriptions of every attraction at the park as if they existed.

Right off the bat, you'll notice that the biggest issue in keeping the story 'in character' as a Galactic traveler is that there isn't an actual map - just one that 'approximates' locations. That's because the two Disney parks, although having identical attractions/shops/restaurants, situate their Galaxy's Edges differently because of spacing issues. Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge is narrower and longer while Disney World's version is more square. So there is no detailed universal map. This lack is kind of problematic when the book discusses places like Smuggler's Alley or a dirt path connecting Dok Ondar's to Oga's. The issue is solved a bit in this new version by having a much closer to actual layout big picture map that sort of gives you an idea of where things are and without being too specific (yes, you will get a map upon arrival at the parks but it is so hard to reference locations in the text blocks without one). Having a google image of either Batuu East (Walt Disney World) or Batuu West (Disneyland) actual layouts during reading can be really helpful.

Similarly, when given background information, we won't know where something is from (book, movie, comic, etc.). For example, on Dok Ondar's wall there are items from the movies such as one of the dogs that chased Qira and Solo and the Solo movie. But you won't know that origin from this book because it won't break the fourth wall to reference a movie. It was frustrating that there was so much more information/perspective that could have been given if only we could be told what movie it appeared in or what book first referenced that item.

Most problematic is that the Resistance is supposed to have a secret base there just outside of Black Spire Outpost and so the book has to hint that there may be Resistance on Batuu but can't really go into more detail (or betray the Resistance, ha!). It's in that aspect that I felt the lack in the book: there is a huge backstory built by Disney about the Resistance as detailed in Delilah Dawson's book Black Spire (and even briefly discussed in the Star Wars book Poe Dameron: Free Fall). But you won't get much info other than suggestions here. It means that a lot of the Batuu-located Resistance's connection to being in an ancient ruins is lost - and that's one of the things that I think most people riding Rise of the Resistance ride won't understand about the queue line (You're in a secret Resistance base that is actually a ruin of an ancient unknown civilization!). As well, you'll never get the connection that the blue haired lady running around Galaxy's Edge in a rebel jacket (Vi Moradi) is the leader of the Resistance presence on Batuu and responsible for setting up the location that will be the Rise of the Resistance ride (Organa sent her there to scout out the ruins to create a resistance base and recruiting operation). There's just a blurb about the 'mysterious person'.

I also wish the photographs were better. Not in quality - they are all nicely presented with a 'futuristic holovid' type of overlay. But it felt like the author had a limited set of photographs (or mock ups) to choose from. Things like: the Black Spire from which the Outpost got its name is photographed close up - so you have no perspective on where it is in Black Spire Outpost outside of Dok Ondar's Den of Antiquities (or even its size). And only a few of the items on Dok Ondar's walls were described - some in detail but most ignored. There are so many items that could have been also described, such as the Wookie shield or the Gamorran axe.

Those were my quibbles - it felt like a lost opportunity to really give a 'big picture' for those visiting and wanting to know more of the hugely elaborate and wonderful back story that Disney has built for Galaxy's Edge. The book stays fast and true with the non fictional 'travel book' theme, which was both an asset and a deficit.

That said, there were several things to learn about the park's backstory or the Star Wars universe. There is a very neat map of the galaxy showing why Batuu is on the outskirts. The Halcyon cruiser is recommended for travel to Batuu still in this volume though it has since been permanently closed. Blaster marks on the walls of Oga's Cantina are reputed to have been from a visit by Admiral Thrawn. Amidala and Darth Vader are said to have visited the outpost. DJ Rex is given more of a backstory. Oga's boyfriend, a Wookie, cheated on her with a Rodian and Oga shot him, leaving a broken railing in the place where his body fell (that is still unrepaired and can be seen when you visit the Cantina). The boba balls we get in our drinks at Oga's are from the Worrt in the aquarium above the bar (they are her 'eggs'). The sculpture outside of Dok Ondar's door is the gravestone of his parents (another mystery). The sculpture inside Dok's entrance way is similar to the one owned by Palpatine when he was a chancellor. Etc. etc. So there are some nice easter eggs and reveals for many things inside Galaxy's Edge.

I also liked that characters from the comics and books were given mentions. Salju (who appears in Black Spire and Free Fall) has a whole page. Mubo (runs the droid factory has a nice write up, Oga (who runs the Outpost) is given an image and whole page, and a lot on Dok Ondar and his mysterious past is here. The Dianoga in the tank at Dok's is referenced as coming from Jabba the Hutt and the Sarlacc that Han and Chewie captured in the comic book series is also noted. A bounty hunter named Harkos was introduced by Disney before the lands opened and was supposed to roam Galaxy's Edge - he's in this book but I have never seen him actually roaming. And of course, Hondo Ohnaka gets more of a backstory as well.

Some of the food/drinks offerings are described but obviously things change enough at the food stalls at Galaxy's Edge that it's best to keep those brief. Which is kind of a shame since there are some great specialty offerings such as the Toydaria Swirl which is available during events.

Also of note, Galaxy's Edge when the book was written was tied to a specific time period - during the First order/Kylo Ren. But now that has been lifted and you may see younger Luke Skywalker and then Rey later on.

So, who is this book intended for? For the first time visitor, it is a decent guidebook to make sure that that all aspects of Galaxy's Edge are available for exploration (it's a fairly large land and easy to miss things since nothing is outright signposted). There is a LOT of Star Wars lore (perhaps more than is needed) and I feel like this book would have been better served concentrating on Black Spire Outpost alone rather than Batuu/the Star Wars universe (do we need to know all the different types of Storm Troopers or First Order ships?). But it will help give perspective to the first time visitor on how there is a whole incredible backstory to Galaxy's Edge. It would make a great read on a plane trip to the park, for example. As well, I can't think of a better way to share time with kids than by sitting down at the park, drinking a green milk, and reading from the book about the various places right in front of them.

For the Star Wars fan and/or frequent visitors to Galaxy's Edge, I didn't find a lot of new information that wasn't already available on the internet. Vlogs/Blogs have done amazing breakdowns of the lore and easter eggs of Galaxy's Edge but without the limitation of having to be 'in character' as this book has done. But at the same time, it is nice to have so much information in one place as in this book. Something that can be brought to the park and brought out at the moment to really appreciate in real time what Galaxy's Edge offers.

One of the best things about Galaxy's Edge is that there is a huge backstory presented in many different media outlets. From the online Play Disney Ap that has games/activities that explore the storylines while actually at Galaxy's Edge, a 5 part Galaxy's Edge comic series that explore different aspects of Black Spire Outpost, books set in Batuu (Black Spire by Delilah Dawson and Crash of Fate by Zoraida Cordova), and 'non fiction' books such as this travel guide and a cookbook. There's so much more to Galaxy's Edge than two rides, some restaurants and shops.

In all, a fun exploration of the land with a LOT of backstory into the places, characters, histories, and offerings of Galaxy's Edge at the Disney Parks. The book is suitable for all ages, with a lot of images and pictures for the younger ones and easter eggs/tidbits for the older fans. It's a fairly quick read and a great diversion option when traveling to the parks or during downtime. Bring it to the parks with you so you can have a more immersive experience and a further appreciation for the depth of the storytelling and fun of Galaxy's Edge. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: Traveler's Guide to Batuu by Eloc Throno and Cole Horton
143-page Kindle Ebook

Genre: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Travel, Fiction, Reference

Featuring: Disney World, EXPLORE BATUU - Galaxy Map, Getting to Batuu, Need to Know: Fast Facts to Help You on Your Journey, Batuu Communities, A History of Batuu, Current Affairs: Politics and Batuu, Flora and Fauna of Batuu, Day Trips from Batuu; EXPLORE BLACK SPIRE OUTPOST - Map of Black Spire Outpost, Must-See: Black Spire Outpost, The Force, The People of Black Spire; LAND PORT - The Land Port, Black Spire Station, Droid Depot, Droid Buyer’s Guide, Savi’s Workshop, Trilon Wishing Tree; MERCHANT ROW - Merchant Row, Oga’s Cantina, Drinks at Oga’s Cantina, The People: Oga’s Cantina, Cantina Creatures, Service Yard, Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, Look Inside: Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, Dok-Ondar and His Apprentices, Dok-Ondar’s Creatures and Taxidermy, Milk Stand; DOCKING BAY 9 - Docking Bay 9, The People: The First Order, First Order Military, First Order Propaganda; THE SPACEPORT - The Spaceport, The Millennium Falcon: Technical File, Bounty Hunters; THE MARKET - The Market, Creature Stall, Jewels of Bith, The Wooden Wookiee, Black Spire Outfitters, Toydarian Toymaker, Docking Bay 7: Food and Cargo, Tuggs’ Grub, Kat Saka’s Kettle and Jat Kaa’s Coolers, Ronto Roasters, Podracing, Savi and Son Salvage; THE FOREST - The Forest, The People: Resistance, Military and Leaders Ships of the Resistance: Intersystem Transport Ship; QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE - Aurebesh, Symbols and Emblems, Local Holidays, Helpful Phrases, Packing List and Luggage, Species, Games on Batuu, About the Author, Landing Permit

Rating as a movie: PG

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

My thoughts: 🔖Page 18 of 143 - Flora and Fauna of Batuu - This is a fictionalized travel guide, it is the Official Guide for Disney's Galaxy's Edge and a perfect companion for the soon-to-be close Starcruiser (nothing about the hotel but the cultural information in the book would have helped a lot). I'm here for Hollywood Studios but they are talking as if this is a real place, I'm going to need more brain power for this.
🔖61 Service Yard - Now that I'm done with the drinks and rules at Olga's Cantina I feel like I can quit this book, but I'll finish.

I was mostly here for the food and language. This is an excellent read for Star Wars fans and/or those planning on visiting Galaxy's Edge. It pretty much reads like a travel book. I'm passing it on for my son to enjoy before our trip. The pictures are fantastic.

Recommend to others: Yes! This was fun, although my eyes wanted to glaze over at some parts. I'm giving credit where credit's due.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the idea of books written completely in-world for a fictional reality. But this one is just ok.

Batuu is a place you can actually visit at Disney parks, but this book has to walk a weird line. It's a real place, but the book can't use any pictures of the real place with people in it because it would be so obviously not real residents of the place. As soon as you see a stroller or fanny pack, immersion broken. So it uses suspiciously vacant photos and concept art instead. It also has to skirt over things like the lightsaber building experience, since that's supposed to be secret and kind of back-alley. It also unfortunately highlights the limits of the in-person experience. Each store is described as being owned by a very interesting looking alien creature, but also the owner is never actually on-site and they've hired cashiers to work in their place.

The book is very, very short and obviously padded. One large section is just a list of different types of stromtroopers, completely irrelevant to the travel guide concept. There's also a few full-page pictures of First Order propaganda art, again completely unrelated to Batuu.

On the other hand: I have read a lot about Galaxy's Edge. Like, a LOT. I haven't managed to go in person yet (Thanks COVID), I'll admit. But this book managed to teach me things I didn't know about the themeing & setting. It made me aware that the blue/green milk stand is actually the "Bubo Wamba Family Farms" stand, which is delightful and I will be forever grateful for. It also gives a brief backstory for how R3x got from Star Tours to his DJ gig, and adds some background info for the static elements around the land.

For a superior immersive Star Wars experience, see Star Wars Propaganda: A History of Persuasive Art in the Galaxy

[jedioffsidetrap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read on flight down to Orlando for first visit to Galaxy’s Edge. Learned about Dok-Ondar, the rebel spy person (Vi Moradi), the smuggler guy (Honda Ohnaka, a Weequay) and other back story. Came in handy at cantina, talking with bartender. First Order newly arrived, he still thinks they’re ok. He told us the worrt in the tank above the bar who lays the “eggs” (popping boba) for the drinks is named Kevin.

Has alphabet for Galactic Basic (Aurebesh) which the signs there are written in. Oga Garra is the local kingpin, everything happens through her & she gets a cut of everything. Says Thrawn got into shoot out in cantina before her time.

Describes stuff displayed around Dok’s Den. Backstory on Wamba Family’s Milk Stand. Bubo Wamba, an Aquqlish originally from Tatooine, runs a Batuu farm & opened the milk stand. Blue milk is bantha milk from his farm.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is fun and goofy guide to the Star Wars Galaxy's Edge park!

Approaching the park as a guide for tourists, this book is fun and creative. It has maps of the planets nearby as well as maps that show you where to find food, shopping, etc. within the park. Of course, the guide treats the park as a planet and the author tells us all their favorite tips and tricks about visiting.

We get pictures of the food, drinks, shopping opportunities, and even local species! There's information on the local tavern owner and history of the rules. We get insight into the kind of characters, figurative and literal, you may encounter on your visit.

There's great pictures and even a translation page to help you decipher local language and signs. There's also a guide to droids, alien species, and anything else you're curious about in the area!

Yes it's a plug to spend the money to visit, but it's a really creative way to highlight parts of the park and help you plan what to see!

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went to Batuu with my friends last year, Nov 2019 -- and this year for Christmas, they got me this traveler's guide as a gift with the note: "Because you can't go in-person right now" and the promise that we will go back once it's safe to :')

Anyways, I was really impressed with how detailed the guide is. It felt immersive with all the pictures and descriptions, and it almost felt like I was really back there. I also like the little mentions of Anakin/Vader and Padme. However, I do wish there were more mentions/pictures of Kylo Ren and Rey, especially since they are the main characters that visitors would most want to meet/interact with there.

And with this, I complete my 2020 goodreads challenge :D
'Til the Spire

[Sal Perales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone out there longing for bright suns will find some comfort in this Travelers’ Guide!
I love in-universe material.

I mean, Black Spire Outpost is kind of the ultimate in-universe experience so this handy little guide filled with info and tidbits is something to thank the skies for!

If you’ve always wanted to visit Batuu or they know your name and drink order at Oga’s Cantina, this guide has plenty of fresh info on Black Spire Outpost. An organized, illustrated, detailed guide highlighting locations, important people, and local customs!

Plan your next journey or just to learn about Batuu from that in-world point of view!

Till the spires!
-Sal P.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Constructed to resemble an actual travel guide, segments read like an insider's tips on a visit to a planet in a galaxy far, far away. Having already visited the park in Disneyland, it's an enjoyable reading experience reliving the places I've already been while learning new details to look for on future visits (post-pandemic). I appreciated the updated galaxy map for the new-canon worlds and the appendices around Batuuan lingo for playful responses to cast members at the park. Til the spire!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book, but definitely designed for a very specific type of person. I'd recommend it to people about to visit Galaxy's Edge who want to know about the land and places so they can soak in every detail. I'd also recommend it to people like myself who have visited Galaxy's Edge, loved it, and want to reminisce.

If you're not really a Star Wars fan, then this is likely not worth your time.

[Dermot Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t been to Galaxy’s Edge yet but I have been there in my head. I’ve enjoyed all the novels and comics set there and this book reminded me of them and it felt good I don’t know when I’ll be able to try the food and drink so that wasn’t a big favourite of mine. It’s a beautiful book with a gorgeous layout. It’s almost like being there. Dive in.

[Denise Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This travel guide is both an advertisement to visit Batuu (which is amazing and you should) and also part education into the land, the history of it and the books about it. I loved the descriptions of everything and having been there a few times, it was so much fun to put the place and name together. And it gave me little extra details that I can use on my next trip. May the Spires Keep You!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very creative and clever! Includes mapa and references. A fun read for Star Wars fans! I wish I could go to Galaxy’s Edge!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this guide is actually really cute and it was the perfect thing to armchair travel to Batuu while I can't be there in person. One day!

[Daniel Cooksey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice bonus book that enriches the lore of Galaxy's Edge. Recommended reading before you go so that you can look out for easter eggs and make sure you hit the highlights.

[Sean Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

I loved it. I loved a nice in Galaxy guide to Batuu. I just went there in June so very cool to see.

[Jared Mayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this book isn’t quite the same thrill as laying eyes on Batuu’s black spires for the first time or jumping to light speed in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, it’s a great way to prepare for your adventure or relive it once it’s over. As someone who had a spectacular trip to Galaxy’s Edge, this had me reminiscing about my adventure to a galaxy far, far away and looking up prices on flights so that I can go all over again! As a massive Star Wars fan, going to Galaxy’s Edge was a dream come true. I crashed the Falcon, received my appropriate and subsequent scolding by Hondo. I taste-tested the blue and green milks. I danced along with DJR-3X in the cantina. I rose with the Resistance. I watched countless hours of YouTube videos to plan my trip perfectly and purchased all the souvenirs I could lug onto the airplane. Only now, having read Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Traveler’s Guide to Batuu, do I realize the significance of so many of the pieces of set decoration hanging on the walls of Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, how many cantina beverages I didn’t have the chance to try, and how many pieces of exclusive merchandise absolutely belong in my collection—especially a lightsaber!

Ultimately, this is a fun book packed full of helpful information, lore, and charm that makes Galaxy’s Edge so special. As a Star Wars reference book, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Traveler’s Guide to Batuu is exactly what tourists planning a visit to this hive of scum and villainy are looking for. It’s rewarding for die-hard fans, with the inclusion of a planet from the Legends continuity and a reference to the High Republic, even a snide remark about C-series droids like Chopper from Rebels being outdated. It seamlessly blends elements from the Original Trilogy, Prequel Trilogy, Rebels, Rogue One, and Solo as it fuels the imagination for what can happen in this brand-new corner of the Star Wars galaxy. The book has an interesting mix of the old and the new—a guide on how to take care of your droids as well as information about the different parts of a lightsaber. It breaks up the information with gorgeous artwork, including a detailed Black Spire Outpost map, a galaxy map pertaining to Batuu’s positioning as a fueling station for adventures into Wild Space, and stunning photography of the outpost itself.

While much of the guide is playful, enhancing the lore of Black Spire, some sections are actually helpful for would-be travelers: the map is accurate for what you’ll encounter in the park, the drink menu for Oga’s Cantina is detailed and descriptive, and the glossary of terms will make you sound like the most committed tourist to Disney cast members, I mean, Batuu’s residents! As someone who thought they knew everything there was to know about Galaxy’s Edge, the Traveler’s Guide illuminated some details I had somehow missed.

The book isn’t just about locations and history, however. It also fleshes out the core cast of characters who bring Black Spire to life—Dok Ondar the antiquities merchant, Oga Gara the cantina owner, Savi the “scalvager,” and more. I can’t imagine what more this reference book could have included to make it any more thorough.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Traveler’s Guide to Batuu would make the perfect companion to Zoraida Córdova’s A Crash of Fate , Delilah Dawson’s Black Spire, Ethan Sacks’s Marvel miniseries, or a great gift for a Star Wars fan planning a trip to a certain theme park. Having this guide at hand while reading the tie-in stories will be a perfect resource to feel like you’re in the know. Especially as you play the John Williams symphonic suite he wrote exclusively for the theme park on a loop while you read.

Till the spire and may the Force be with you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

[Dominic]

I had the opportunity to visit the Star Wars Galaxy's Edge theme park in Disney World last December, just a few months before it closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, it was an incredible experience. I cam away extremely impressed with the attention to detail and the quality of the merchandise, food, and other amenities. Disney's Imagineers went the extra mile to make the park feel immersive; once you enter, you can't see anything to remind you that you're still on Earth. 

I had read Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire novel and the Galaxy's Edge comics before I went, so I understood the importance of Batuu to the Resistance and the First Order. I loved having read about Dok-Ondar and then seeing him. My wife and I had fun trying to identify the Resistance spy.

Unfortunately, the park itself doesn't make that backstory accessible to most visitors. The planet Batuu never appeared in any of the films or TV shows. Aside from Chewbacca, you won't find any of the iconic characters like Darth Vader walking around. There is a cantina, but it's not the hive of scum and villainy seen in A New Hope. I couldn't help but wonder if the lack of such familiar Star Wars characters and locations confused some visitors. How many actually appreciated everything that the Imagineers built? 
 
Cole Horton's authorized Star Wars Galaxy's Edge: Traveler's Guide to Batuu could help those visitors who lack the time or inclination to read the tie-in novels and comics to better appreciate experience. The book is, as the title suggests, written like a traveler's guide. It doesn't summarize the stories in the novel and comics, but it does provide background information about certain locations. The book has useful photos from around the parks to help visitors orient themselves. If anything, I wish the book had been a bit shorter so it could be condensed into a pocket-sized version that visitors could take with them while walking around the park. 

In addition to serving as a guide once you visit Galaxy's Edge, I suspect this book would also be a a great gift for any Star Wars fan who wants to go to the park but hasn't yet had the opportunity. Horton does a good job providing an informative overview of the park without spoiling some of the surprises (notably, most of the photos are of the exteriors of buildings, not interiors). He tries to give readers a sense of what it's like to be there, such as the frequent toasts at Oga's Cantina or the mysticism of Savi's. The book is easy to follow along, even if you've never visited the park. Given the coronavirus pandemic, Horton's traveler's guide might be all most of us see of Galaxy's Edge for quite some time. 

[Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]

[Zandt McCue · Rating 1 out of 5]

What Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: Traveler's Guide to Batuu tries to accomplish is to walk the line between Theme Park pamphlet and exotic travel guide. The end result is a roughly 142 page advertisement whose effort only hardcore Star Wars fans will appreciate.

Interspersed throughout the "Guide" are details about Batuu. A Map shows us where Batuu sits in the Star Wars Galaxy and then we are advised different options of getting there. The eleventh page introduces us to the Star Cruiser which will end up being the Galaxy's Edge Hotel when that eventually opens. The next page is where the separation between guide and ad becomes more apparent. Under the Fast Facts section it talks about a "temperate climate that is enjoyable by most species." The air is "dry, but tolerable" and "the occasional afternoon rain shower is possible" Under the dress section, they post a picture of Star Wars styled clothing hanging in a shop which even in a galaxy far far away looks like any other Disney store.

The maps of the outpost are some of the more interesting parts of the guide. Again, you are looking at a map of the theme park land. A disassembled lightsaber is our hint that you will be able to build your own while you are there. Following this, we are shown vehicles and even different types of droids. As a Star Wars fan, this is really cool. There's tidbits about the people who live on Batuu like Oga who runs the Cantina. The section on Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities gives us a closer look at the oddities around his shop. There's sections on Stormtroopers and Imperial Vehicles. We also get cool propaganda images such as Stormtroopers in front of a First Order banner with the words Legitimate Power at the bottom. More photos of the shops and food courts follow. Lots of odds and ends flesh out the rest of the book included a guide to translate the Star Wars symbols into our own language.

The guide is written to be in-universe but it doesn't read that way. Too much of it comes across as trying to sell us the Disney experience. Anyone who has a description about who they are don't cross over from being two dimensional. These are people and creatures I can drive two hours to see in person, and I won't have any feelings for them. I don't see how this guide differs from the months of promotional material we were shown of the parks. A YouTube video of someone walking from location to location barely differs from this supposed "in-universe" guide. There's too much content that's selling us a product. The person that would buy this book and enjoy it would be someone that loves Galaxy's Edge and wants to be reminded of their time there. Everything else in the book can be found in other places. It doesn't work at bringing Batuu to life.

[Jay Gabler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new Traveler’s Guide took me back to Batuu, with photos of actual spaces accompanied by detailed notes that elaborate on the Galaxy’s Edge mythology.

The genius of Galaxy’s Edge is that it allows visitors to imagine themselves part of a story — even if they don’t see it unfolding before their eyes. The Traveler’s Guide reminds you, for example, as a server reminded my party when we visited, that some of the scars on the walls of Oga’s Cantina were made during a violent visit by Darth Vader and Grand Master Thrawn (see: Thrawn: Alliances).

Completists who’ve read Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire and A Crash of Fate will be familiar with characters like oppressive head honcho Oga Garra, daring rebel spy Vi Moradi (I gasped when she walked past me on a Black Spire street), and hammerhead antiquity dealer Dok-Ondar. Traveler’s Guide lists those characters, as well as pulping some other essential knowledge like a droid typology.

All the better for you to pick which one to buy, of course. Whether it’s listing drinks at Oga’s Cantina (“local business owner Hondo Ohnaka is quick to recommend the Gamorrean Ale”), pets for sale at the Creature Stall (“not everyone is cut out to own a rancor”), or comestibles cooking at Ronto Roasters (yes, there’s a picture of a ronto), Traveler’s Guide doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a book-length advertisement for Galaxy’s Edge.

I reviewed Traveler's Guide to Batuu for The Tangential.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently Target stores around the United States released an entire line of Star Wars Galaxy's Edge tie-in products including books like this super fun one. While this book has been available for awhile, I think this is the first time its being sold at stores outside of Disneyland and Disney World. I snatched it up quickly, not interested at all in all the other toys, clothes, and items released alongside this book. I was super excited to read all about Batuu and Black Spire Outpost and this gives me even more of an appreciation for this land. I already loved everything about this newest area in Disneyland, and I just adore it even more now.

For those who have visited this new land at the theme parks, this is a great book that reveals a lot more details about the park. It's written as a Traveler's Guide like one someone would buy if they were traveling to London or Los Angeles or San Francisco. The writer describes the planet, the flora and fauna, and how to travel there. He also writes descriptions of BSO including the restaurants, the marketplace, and other points of interest such as the milk stand. He also touches upon the people who run BSO and why visitors don't always see them around the area. It cleverly explains why the marketplace is run by helpful attendants ("cast members") rather than the owners.

Of course, the author also brings in details about The First Order and the Rebellion and why they are being seen on the planet. The author also touches upon events from all of the movies which is very cool as if they were real events in history. What I also appreciate about this book is how it ties in with the Black Spire novels and graphic novels. This guide helps build on what was learned in those other books and just adds more details and information.

Such a great purchase! I can't wait to get back to Galaxy's Edge!!

[Lamadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a travel junkie. I love planning for travel and will plan other people's travel for fun. I also love Star Wars and had a great trip to the new Star Wars area of Disneyland that I have to go back to. So when I saw there was a travel guide for Batuu, and it's all in-universe so I can LARP! Sign me up! OMG this is everything I've ever wanted! When will the hotel immersive experience open?! BTW, the guide does mention the "cruises" that stop there, which is a reference to the future hotel that is done in the style of a cruise ship and you go on day excursions to Batuu. Now, the question is, do I put this on the shelf with my travel guides, nestled in between my Lonely Planets, or with my TV/movie tie-in books? If I put it with my travel guides, so I take bets on how long it takes for someone to notice?

It's fun and it does actually give some useful information for when visiting Batuu in the Disney Parks. You can actually take some of the stuff seriously, like where the bathrooms are and what they call them, and don't take a blaster. Even replica weapons are not allowed in Disney parks. I only found two small typos, so that's not bad for a book like this. It's even super sly about Savi's workshop, which is supposed to be all underground, and a guide book wouldn't know that that's where you can make a light saber, but it does suggest that he's heard people say certain phrases at the door and come out with something that looks like a light saber, but that can't be right. It's full of good stuff like that.

[Rachel Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever been interested in the politics, horticulture, and spacecraft of Batuu, this guide is absolutely essential. Not only does it include information about Batuu, but there are a TON of references to the Star Wars universe as a whole, and this book really helps piece more of the world together. The artwork is great-- including a small section on propaganda during the First Order (I was a history major, so I loved this section). In the event you don't live near a Disney park, there are some photographs that give a glimpse into a couple of the attractions... which I think is so nice, especially now during a time when the parks have been closed. I absolutely loved reading through this. If you're looking to glean more information about Star Wars species, food recipes, and the way of life for the people of Batuu, I'd definitely suggest reading through this.

[Heidi Ingalls · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this as I love both Disney World and Star Wars. I'm getting married there on December 1st and cannot wait to visit Galaxy's Edge! With that being said, I was disappointed in this book. I felt like I was reading a historical novel. As creative as it was for the author to make up Batuu's history and as much as I felt immersed in this world as if it were real, I thought this was a "traveler's guide" in the sense that it would take the reader through the different attractions, restaurants, etc. It wasn't a bad book, per se, for someone who's looking for the history of this fictional world. It's just not what I was wanting.
*I recieved a free ARC of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.