So I guess the big question is, if you visited twice a year for two or three days each time, would you always make sure to hit this land at least once a trip? Once a day? What about if it was always busy and lines were always 45 min plus? Because I think that’s the target; it’ll always be packed, but is it exciting enough to make a must do over and over again?
I haven't been there yet but I visit the parks between 2 and 6 times a year for usually 2-3 days at a time, though occasionally even just 1 day trips and I expect that SWGE will be on my "must do" list, even with waits. I am excited about the interactive nature of the land and the "story" which is most definitely something they can add to. As for MF:SR, I am very excited to try the different positions and excited about flying the Millennium Falcon as a team with my family and friends. It also sounds like your ride experience varies some depending on your crewmates and how the mission goes so every ride is not the same. Don't forget that this is a simulator ride that should be relatively easy to modify- I'd bet there will be other missions on the ride in the future- kind of like Star Tours where you can end up on a variety of different planets.
As far as droid depot and Savi's, well yes those may not be repeat visits for everyone but I have no doubt that they will also evolve the offerings in those places to keep them fresh (Savi got in a new load of "scrap metal" from XXX planet...). Do people need 3 or 4 light sabers? No. Will some people do it more than once anyway? Yup. Because its also about the experience. Just like people paying multiple times to take their kids to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Does their child really NEED another premium princess dress (that will be a PITA for the rest of the day in the park but their child is still gonna love it), their hair pulled in the tightest bun imaginable and a glitter shower? No. But people go back more than once anyway.
And perhaps most obviously, everyone has different "must-do" attractions or activities. You have listed Pirates, Indy and HM (all of which are the same ride every time, I might add) among yours but none of those are on my "must-do" list. There is another regular poster here who rides Buzz repeatedly every week but almost never even enters DCA which has several of my "must-do" attractions whereas I could give or take Buzz- I like it, but I would never ride it repeatedly in a day. Different strokes and all that.... So perhaps what you're reading and seeing so far doesn't seem to YOU like a must-do repeat area but I don't understand how that translates into the whole land is a waste of space and money for everyone?
And if not... again, how expensive was it and how many square feet did it take up?
Ok, I'll bite. SWGE is stated to be 14 acres. Carsland, to which I think comparison was previously drawn, is 12 acres. Some of that acreage for SWGE is also lost in necessary pathways to access the land beyond the DL RR whereas Carsland is right off the "main drag" in DCA.
Carsland has 3 rides but two of them, while fun and amazingly themed, are not on the level of MF:SR much less what is expected with ROTR.
Carsland has one CS restaurant (Flo's), one area halfway between food carts and CS (Cozy Cone), one fruit/drink stand (Fillmore's) and the new slushie spot they added to the back of Ramone's.
SWGE has a CS restaurant (Docking Bay), an "in between" location (Ronto), a specialty popcorn and drink stand (Kat Saka's) and a specialty drink stand (Milk Stand). Plus a lounge which also happens to be the only place in DL the average guest can purchase adult beverages (Oga's).
Carsland has 3 shops (Sarge's, Ramone's and the Curio shop)- none of which are particularly large and none of which offer any kind of customized building experience.
SWGE has Savi's (which is both experience and shop), Droid Depot (again, experience and shop), Dok-Ondar's, the Toymaker, the Creature stall, First Order Cargo, Black Spire Outfitters and Resistance Supply.
I'm just not seeing how SWGE is a huge waste of space when compared to Carsland and what both have to offer (and don't get me wrong- I LOVE Carsland and think its very well done)? There are lots of other wasted spaces in both parks I'd like them to do something with before packing too much into a new area like SWGE (or Carsland)- I'm looking at you old power boat ride area and unused buildings in Hollywoodland...