OMG, YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES.
YES to ALL of this. We went yesterday and walked away with, essentially, the same feelings. Where was the music???? I asked the same thing.
Your MF ride review is spot on. The trench run would have been absolutely amazing, but instead we got this random mission that really made no sense.
After visiting the land, I am really wondering if it is going to be as popular as Disney wanted. I just don't see it. It doesn't have a "must do" feeling like all the other lands in the park, for me. Plus, I feel like the media coverage REALLY oversold it. Grown men crying? Really? Not so much. Maybe crying because it isn't what they wanted...
I think ultimately, it will be as popular as Disney wanted.
I think the current issue is, as you mentioned, the media hype & coverage.....but also there's the connection with the way it was presented. The reservation system was put in place for good reason....but I think this added to the grandeur of the land....and expectations.
"One month ago, you had to race to make reservations....so exclusive!" "Reservations we're gone in under 2 hours! You can only stay 4 hours! Not a second more! So thrilling & exciting!
"Then once you're at the park, you must quickly sign in early, get wristbands, we need the names of everyone in your party. ID's, etc."
There was so much prep, so much "showmanship" at just getting IN TO the land. And ALL of this added to the scope, scale & anticipation for all those early visitors. If ANY other land was initially opened like this (in any park), the reaction would most likely be the same.
Even if the land was really good / great......all that prep played out like there was no other theme entertainment like this in the world.....which, no how much marketing is done.....will never be true.
All that being said, once the facade wears off & Rise of the Resistance opens (reportedly to be one of the most impressive Disney attractions to date).....I think Disney has one of its most popular lands on it hands.
If you look at Galaxy's Edge as a PART of a
Disneyland trip to the park & not the only reason for going it will settle into it's place as must do for most guest when they are there.