Star Wars fans can agree on at least one thing. The movie that started it all, Episode IV: A New Hope is a true masterpiece. The film introduced us to the characters that we still all know and love. Naturally, there are MANY A New Hope references in Galaxy’s Edge.

Dewbacks

A Stormtrooper riding a dewback in A New Hope — Looking for droids on Tatooine

At the beginning of A New Hope, we see sandtroopers riding on the backs of large reptile-like creatures called dewbacks. These creatures have appeared several times in the Star Wars Universe but we see them for the first time in A New Hope. Dewbacks are native to Tatooine and a few other outer rim planets. The Dew Backs connection to Galaxy’s Edge that smaller versions of these large creatures are available for sale at the Creature Stall in the Market.

Numbers on Docking Bay 7 Cargo Containers

Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo's rooftop ship with numbered cargo containers — Those numbers look familiar…

On top of the roof of the quick service restaurant Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo sit three shipping containers. It’s hard to see all three of them but I’ve found the best view to be in front of the staircase near Savi’s Workshop. The containers themselves are nothing special but what’s written on them is. On the containers, you can see large numbers 77, 80, and 83. Those numbers pay homage to the original trilogy. The numbers symbolize the years that the original trilogy movies A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi premiered.

Blue Milk

A New Hope is the first time we see Blue Milk. It is not mentioned by name but can be seen in the movie during a scene where Luke, Aunt Beru, and Uncle Lars are enjoying a meal in their home on Tatooine. Movie-goers didn’t know it then but now Blue Milk can be enjoyed by travelers to Galaxy’s Edge.

The Blue Milk on screen in A New Hope was Long Life milk, which is milk that has been treated in special ways so refrigeration is not needed right away. The Long Life milk had blue food coloring added to it. Travelers to Batuu can try Blue Milk at the Milk Stand. Blue Milk at Galaxy’s Edge is a plant-based concoction made from coconut and rice milk. There is also a green version that has a different flavor profile.

Banthas

Banthas are large, hairy mammals with sharp teeth and spiraling horns. They are native to Tatooine and are used by the Sand People as mounts and companions. Banthas have a few Galaxy’s Edge connections. The first one is that Bantha milk is the blue milk mentioned above. The logo for the Milk Stand displayed on the souvenir milk jugs you can purchase there, feature a bantha in the design.

The second link to Galaxy’s Edge is that smaller versions of these large animals are available for purchase at the Creature Stall in the Market.

Trash Can Number

The trash cans at Galaxy’s Edge seem ordinary but they are actually another way Disney has found to pay tribute to A New Hope. All the trash cans in the area have the number 3263827. Star Wars fans will recognize that number is the same number of the trash compactor that Luke, Han, Leia, and Chewie are trapped in on the first Death Star. Luke yells for C-3PO over the comlink to “shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level”. Once R2-D2 is able to shut down the garbage masher, Luke asks C-3PO to open the pressure maintenance hatch on unit 3263827.

Dianoga

Speaking of the trash compactor scene, early on a creature grabs Luke by the leg and drags him under the water. Han and Leia quickly start searching for him. At one point the creature pops out of the water and viewers get to see it’s one eye look around the room. The dianoga is an octopus-like creature with seven arms and a long eyestalk.

At Galaxy’s Edge travelers can see a dianoga inside a water tank near the bathrooms in the Market. The dianoga pops up out of some dark water every once in a while and looks around. The event happens randomly, but can also be trigger by hacking the water tank in the Datapad game on the Disney Play app.

You can also find a dianoga in a container at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. At the Walt Disney World location, the container sits on the end of the legacy lightsaber counter. Old-school gamers will also remember the dianoga as a creature fight from Nintendo 64 classic Shadows of the Empire.

Cantina

In A New Hope the cantina scene is one of the most memorable scenes from the movie. Movie-goers got to see a variety of alien species all hanging out at Mos Eisley’s Cantina. In this scene, Obi-Wan defends Luke from Cornelius Evazan and cuts off his arm with his lightsaber. Later in this scene, Han and Greedo have their infamous shoot out where we still can’t figure out who shot first.

How does this all relate to Galaxy’s Edge? Mos Eisley’s Cantina looks very much like Oga’s Cantina. In the scene, viewers get a look behind the bar which looks very similar to Oga’s. In Oga’s Cantina, travelers are treated to the sounds of DJ R3X. One of the most popular songs played in Oga’s is a remix of the song from this famous scene, “Mad About You.”

The band in the cantina, Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes, are made up entirely of Bith. The species is also referenced by Black Spire Outpost’s resident gift shop, Jewels of Bith, whose sign features an iron-work Bith sculpture.

Chewbacca and Han Solo

Chewbacca and Han Solo are staples in the Star Wars Universe. They also have Galaxy’s Edge connections. Chewbacca is one character’s travelers can meet in Galaxy’s Edge. You might see him walking around or helping Rey fix the X-WIng in the Resistance area. You might be asking yourself how does Han fit into Galaxy’s Edge? In the timeline, he has already passed on at the hands of Kylo Ren. As it turns out, Han Solo is featured in the comic miniseries based on Galaxy’s Edge.

In the first issue, Dok-Ondar is telling the story of how he got the baby sarlacc that is on display in his Den of Antiquities. Dok paid Han and Chewie to get it for him. The issue details what Han had to go through to get it. It was not easy but he brought it back to Batuu for Dok-Ondar and travelers can see it inside his shop.

Millennium Falcon

The icon of Galaxy’s Edge is the famous Millennium Falcon. The only ship to do the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs. Travelers are able to see the awe-inspiring ship outside the entrance to the Smuggler’s Run attraction and can actually fly it on the attraction. The Falcon has appeared multiple times over the years in seven different Star Wars movies, including its first appearance in A New Hope.

Luke’s Training Remote

Various supplies in a sleeping bunk on the Millennium Falcon — Look closely and you’ll see something familiar

In a case in the main hold on the Millennium Falcon on Smuggler’s Run is a training helmet and Marksman-H combat remote or seeker droid, like those that Luke Skywalker used while learning the ways of the Force in A New Hope. Luke practiced using a lightsaber with the blast shield down on his helmet while deflecting blasts from the droid.

Rey would later use similar remotes while training with Leia on Ajan Kloss as seen in Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.

R2-D2 Tracks

As travelers walk through Galaxy’s Edge you may look down at the ground and see what appears to be Astromech droid tracks. Walt Disney Imagineering used an original 1976 Star Wars production R2 model’s feet to create the “roll marks” on the ground.

Leia’s Dress and Necklace

At the end of A New Hope during the Medal Ceremony to honor Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca for their help with the Rebel victory at the Battle of Yavin, Princess Leia is presenting Luke and Han with medals she is wearing a white dress and silver necklace. The dress and necklace are both available for purchase at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Galaxy’s Edge.

Yavin Medals at Dok-Ondar’s

The medal ceremony after the Battle of Yavin — Chewie didn’t get one?!

The military decoration hangs on a stand near the staircase leading to the upper level of Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. The medal of bravery was awarded to Luke Skywalker and Han Solo by Princess Leia at the end of A New Hope.