Thanks to a little clever wordplay, Star Wars fans have turned early May into a full celebration. “May the Force be with you” becomes “May the Fourth be with you” for the light side, and “Revenge of the Fifth” gives a nod to the dark side. However you choose to celebrate, it has become a fun excuse to dive deeper into everything that makes Star Wars so iconic.

In 2019, that celebration found a permanent home inside the Disney parks with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Both versions of the land are set on the planet Batuu, with fans often referring to them as Batuu West (at Disneyland) and Batuu East (at Disney's Hollywood Studios park).

What makes Batuu special from a photography perspective is how immersive it feels. Everything is designed to look like it belongs in that world. That includes the merchandise. If you are hoping to photograph items with the Star Wars logo for May the Fourth, you will not find them inside the land itself. The shops in Batuu are meant to feel like they serve locals and travelers within that universe. If you want those more traditional souvenirs, you will need to look just outside the land at locations like Tatooine Traders near Star Tours in Florida or the Starcade area in Tomorrowland in California.

That said, there is still plenty to photograph within Batuu itself.

Food is often overlooked, but it can be one of the most fun ways to capture the spirit of the day. Limited time offerings sometimes appear around this time, and even the standard menu items feel unique enough to deserve a photo. The presentation alone makes them feel like they belong in another galaxy.

If you are visiting Disneyland, you may also encounter special ticketed events like Disney After Dark Star Wars Nite. These events transform the park into a themed celebration with exclusive entertainment, character encounters, and additional photo opportunities that are not available during regular park hours.

Beyond the special event offerings, the everyday experiences inside Batuu are packed with photographic potential.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the most visually impressive attractions in any theme park. From the moment you enter the queue, you are surrounded by detailed environments. The Star Destroyer hangar bay, filled with rows of Stormtroopers, is one of the most striking photo opportunities you will find anywhere. Later in the experience, the massive AT-AT walkers create another moment that feels larger than life.

Over at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the queue offers unique angles of the Millennium Falcon, especially from the upper levels where you can see parts of the ship that are not visible from the ground. Inside, stepping into the Falcon itself gives you the chance to photograph one of the most recognizable interiors in film history, including the circular game table and surrounding seating area.

The land itself is filled with distinct zones that each tell a different part of the story. The marketplace area feels like a busy outpost filled with handcrafted goods. The Resistance area at the far end of the land has a quieter, hidden feel as if you have stumbled onto a secret base. Throughout the land, characters may appear, adding life and spontaneity to your photos.

If you are looking for something more personal, the premium experiences offer some of the most memorable photo opportunities. Building a droid or creating a lightsaber at Savi's Workshop turns into a full storytelling experience. One of the most powerful moments comes when everyone raises their newly built lightsabers for the first time. It is a moment that feels almost cinematic.

If you can, bring a friend or family member along so one person can focus on the experience while the other captures the photos. Trying to do both at the same time can take away from the moment.

Do not overlook the cantina either. Oga's Cantina is full of atmosphere, from the lighting to the music. Keep an eye out for DJ R3X, a familiar face for longtime fans of Star Tours, now reimagined as the cantina’s DJ.

When it comes to photographing the land itself, timing makes all the difference. Sunset brings warm tones that enhance the natural textures of Batuu, and as the sky shifts into deeper blues, the artificial lighting begins to glow. This transition from golden hour into blue hour is when the land feels most alive through the lens.

If you are at Disneyland, nighttime can offer even more opportunities with projection and fireworks elements adding another layer to your photos.

There is no shortage of things to capture in Galaxy’s Edge, but the real magic comes from slowing down and letting yourself explore. Look for the small details, the interactions, and the moments that feel unique to your visit.

And if you capture something you are proud of, I would love to see it. Come join the Fairy Tale Photo Academy Theme Park Photography community on Skool and share your favorite Star Wars themed park photos. It is a great place to connect with others who are just as passionate about capturing these unforgettable moments.