Batuu East Anniversary Lightsaber Meetup

Join us Saturday, August 24th for a lightsaber meetup to celebrate the Batuu East anniversary. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened at Disney’s  Hollywood Studios in Florida on August 29, 2019, roughly three months after the land opened at Disneyland park in California.

We will tentatively meet at 9:00 PM ET at the TIE Echelon. Please arrive promptly, as photos may start any time after the meetup time. We will then take photos at the Millennium Falcon as soon as the Disney Parks team gives us clearance to move.

Please follow instructions from all SWGEDiscord volunteers as well as all Disney Parks cast members. Our volunteers will help line you up at each location, give instructions on different photo poses, and provide crowd control for both sabers and spectators.

Look for volunteers wearing SWGEDiscord shirts, buttons, and other official identification.

All lightsabers are welcome as long as they are not actual weapons. Per Disney Parks requirements, blasters are not allowed. We also encourage Batuu Bounds and other appropriate clothing as long as it meets the Disney Parks restrictions on costuming.

This lightsaber meetup is free but requires admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you want to volunteer to help with the event, please post in the #Reservations-And-Meetups channel on our Discord server or via Direct Message on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

As a reminder, every member of our team is a volunteer. We do not hire or pay our crowd handlers, photographers, videographers, streamers, content creators, or even celebrities who attend our event.

Anyone is welcome to take personal photos or videos during the event.

Content creators are also welcome. Please check in with our volunteers at least 15 minutes early so we can help facilitate a spot for you during the event. However, we do request that you do not attempt to sell your content to event guests.

Here are a few reminders specific to this meetup:

• Lightsaber dueling is strictly prohibited, and we will ask guests to leave.
• Meet in the courtyard by the TIE Echelon promptly at 8:30 PM.
• Please do not gather early, as it makes non-saber meetup guests think there is a show. If you are hanging out, please consider the marketplace, the garage, or the pathway leading off-world.
• Depending on how many beings come, we may break into smaller groups.
• SWGEDiscord volunteers will be wearing glow bracelets and SWGEDiscord buttons if you have questions.
• As always, please be kind and respectful of other guests, Disney cast members, and SWGEDiscord volunteers.
• If you see something or feel uncomfortable, please talk to a SWGEDiscord volunteer.

If this is your first lightsaber meetup, here is what you can expect in terms of the photos:

• Photos take place right after the park closes and usually take about 30 minutes.
• We will have SWGEDiscord photographers at the TIE Echelon and the Millennium Falcon.
• Disney’s Photopass photographers will only be at the Millennium Falcon.
• We start with full group photos in front of the TIE Echelon.
• Lightsiders then move to the Millennium Falcon for Lightside group photos.
• At the same time, Darksiders stay at the TIE Echelon for Darkside group photos.
• Once both groups finish, Darksiders move to the Millennium Falcon for full group photos.
• There are opportunities for individual photos once we finish with all group photos.
• We kindly ask that you wait until both SWGEDiscord photographers are done before taking photos. SWGEDiscord volunteers will direct when you can take your photos.
• Photos from SWGEDiscord photographers are usually available within a few days. The added time is needed to process their photos so they look amazing.
• Links to the photos from our photographers will get posted on the SWGEDiscord website, the SWGEDiscord Facebook Event and Group pages, and the SWGEDiscord Twitter and Instagram accounts as soon as possible.

What Is a Lightsaber Meetup?

A lightsaber meetup is a fan gathering to celebrate lightsabers. The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord group is best known for hosting lightsaber meetups in the Disney Parks and at some Star Wars-related conventions. However, we are not the only group that hosts meetups.

Each meetup is a fun and safe environment to show off lightsabers and talk about Star Wars with other fans. While they are the focus of the event, you do not need a lightsaber to participate in the events. We also encourage cosplays, Batuu bounds, or other Star Wars themed clothing.

We coordinate our events with the Disney Parks events team or convention organizers in advance. Our lightsaber meetups are always free, but you may need to pay to attend events at the Disney Parks or certain conventions. Ticketing requirements are outlined in each event listing.

Our team is comprised entirely of volunteers. No one is paid or compensated to work or appear at our events. This includes our event coordinators, crowd handlers, photographers, videographers, streamers, content creators, and celebrities. Also, we are not compensated for hosting our events.

For complete details, see our ultimate guide to lightsaber meetups.

What Is the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord?

The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Discord is a fan-run group celebrating all things Star Wars and Disney parks. Perhaps best known for hosting lightsaber meetups at Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland and Disney World, the SWGEDiscord is a family-friendly and inclusive space where fans can discuss all aspects of Star Wars and Galaxy’s Edge safely.

In addition to our saber meetups, we host in-person and virtual events, including a book club, watch and listening parties, trivia nights, and more. Our Discord server has channels dedicated to planning your visit to Galaxy’s Edge on either coast, the latest stock updates, and talking about your favorite Star Wars shows, movies, books, and comics.