Smugglers Run Ride Review (The Millennium Falcon at Disney World)
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is an attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. Specifically, the ride is in the Galaxy’s Edge area of the park, on the planet of Batuu. This covert mission allows guests to pilot the Millennium Falcon, widely known by Star Wars fans as the ship originally piloted by Han Solo and his sidekick Chewbacca.
Below, we’ll discuss the specifics of this immersive experience in detail. We’ll review everything you need to know about experiencing Smugglers Run and practical advice for planning this attraction into your day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Below is the quick reference chart listing specifics for Smugglers Run.
| Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run | Disney’s Hollywood Studios |
|---|---|
Location: | Galaxy’s Edge |
Height Requirement: | 38″ |
Lightning Lane: | Yes, with Multi Pass |
Ride Type: | Interactive, Simulators, Video Game |
Seats Per Vehicle: | Six |
Rider Switch: | Yes |
Early Theme Park Entry: | Yes |
Extended Evening Hours: | Yes * |
Single Rider: | Yes |
Good For: | Star Wars Fans Tweens, Teens, Adults |
Scare Factor: | Mild Thrill Ride, Small Drops |
Must-Do List: | High Priority |
Perfect For: | Star Wars Fans |
Special Mention: | Make sure to take your picture at the Holochess table before boarding. |
Additional Info:
- Guests must transfer from a wheelchair or ECV. This attraction offers audio description, assistive listening, and handheld captioning. Details for those with mobility issues (e.g., wheelchairs and ECVs) can be found on Disney’s site.
- Disney’s Posted Warning: “For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.”
- *It is rare to see the extended evening hours benefit offered at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Make sure to check our one-stop Lightning Lane Guide to plan your attractions.
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Disney’s Smugglers Run Ride Review
Seeing the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the first time is one of those blow-you-away type moments. The “hunk of junk” is positioned in the back of the new land. Don’t be surprised if your jaws drop when it comes into view. It’s a surreal experience.
I’ll never forget the first time we were allowed inside Galaxy’s Edge to preview Smugglers Run, which opened at Walt Disney World in 2019. As someone who grew up watching Star Wars, seeing the Millennium Falcon for the first time made me teary-eyed.
The starship was represented in episodes four through seven of the original Star Wars trilogy in the late ’70s. Nowadays, new-age Star Wars fans know it best as Rey’s ship, which she co-piloted with Hans Solo at one point in the timeline.
The Millennium Falcon is massive. Below is a photo of the top of the ship from the Smugglers Run queue.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you can likely anticipate average wait times in the standby line. Waits remain relatively low early in the morning since most guests rush to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash. However, during the busier portions of the day, it’s not uncommon to see a 50-minute wait posted.
Single Rider Line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Smugglers Run has a single-rider line, and we highly recommend using it. The single rider line bypasses most of the queue. The entrance to the single rider line is on the left side of the entrance. However, you’ll want to know that if you elect to do a single rider, you won’t see the preshow, but the wait will surely be significantly lower.
At the entrance, guests are reminded that they’ll be separated from their party before the ride. It is also common for single riders to receive the engineer role. So you probably won’t get to pilot the Falcon unless someone wants to trade.
*Remember Disney’s rules when doing single rider with children. Children under the age of seven must be accompanied by a person who’s fourteen years or older. So if you have kids that an adult must accompany, you cannot get in the single rider line with them.
After entering the single rider line, you’ll come to a divided area where you can go right or left up a set of stairs. Most everyone tends to go right because they don’t see the other option. So we go left because the line is usually shorter.
How to Get the Pilot Role for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
The roles for Smugglers Run are as follows: two pilots, two gunners, and two engineers. Each role is on the right or left of the cockpit. For example, you’ll either be a left or right pilot. When you reach the end of the standby queue for Smugglers Run, a cast member hands you a role card. If you do not receive the role card you want, there might be a few options to change.
First, you can ask to trade roles with the people in your party. Most people who have experienced the attraction before are more than willing to exchange roles with someone. Another option is to request to be the pilot. If so, you will be asked to step to the side while a few groups go ahead of you. Then, a cast member will allow you to take the pilot card and move forward. So, you will wait a few extra minutes, which is standard procedure for most special ride requests.
This practice is not set in stone, so it might not be an option during high-volume times. If having a specific role is a big deal to someone in your party, I recommend asking the cast member. It never hurts to ask, and if it doesn’t work out, don’t be too disappointed.
What if I only want to see the Smugglers Run Queue?
If you only want to experience the queue, you can go through the standby line like a regular guest and see all the features and pre-show. Or you can go through the single rider line. But you’ll only see the waiting room at the top with the Dejarik Star Wars Holochess game table.
When you’re ready to leave, let the cast member know you don’t want a role card for the ride. They will allow you to walk through the holding area and show you to the exit when you are ready to leave.
Smugglers Run Walk Through
When you get to the attraction’s entrance, you’ll see a sign overhead that reads Ohnaka Transport Solutions. This shipping company, owned by Hondo Ohnaka, doubles as the queue for Smugglers Run. You’ll have the option to join the standby, single rider, or Lightning Lane queue. Smugglers Run is part of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass upgrade. If you participate in Rider Swap or Disability Access, you’ll scan your band at the Lightning Lane queue.
Most fans will want to experience the Smugglers Run queue at least once. The queue consists mainly of ramps that steadily lead to the ship.
Thankfully, the majority of the queue is indoors.
But you could end up waiting for a while in the exterior portion of the queue on busier days. It’s not uncommon to see Rey working on her ship. She is one of the roaming Star Wars characters throughout the land.
As you ascend, you will eventually be able to take in some fantastic views of the Millennium Falcon.
Eventually, you’ll reach the preshow area. It is presented by Hondo Ohnaka, from Disney Channel’s Star Wars: Clone War series. Hondo is a Weequay pirate sending you on a mission called “Smugglers Run.”
Chewbacca makes an on-screen appearance during the pre-show, arguing with Hondo. First, he states that maybe it isn’t the best idea to send you on this mission. But eventually, the space pirate wins out on the argument, and you continue to another waiting area.
Your excitement will grow as you begin to feel like you are inside the Millennium Falcon.
This is where you’re assigned a flight crew and a role card. All groups stay together unless you elect to do the single-rider option. This is where single riders are grouped with larger parties. Role cards come in different colors. Everyone in your party should have the same color. There will be two pilots, two gunners, and two engineers per cockpit.
After receiving your assignment, you’ll enter into a holding area where you’ll find the Dejarik Holochess game table. You can sit down and have your picture made. But you’ll likely want to do so quickly. It’s almost time to board the ride.
Soon, your group is called by the color of your role card.
When you enter the Millennium Falcon cockpit, you might get a little choked up. It feels and looks like the real deal.
The cockpit has three rows that seat two people, one on each side. Pilots sit in the front row. The primary pilot sits on the right-hand side, controlling the ship’s up-and-down movements. This lever works like an airplane. Pull the control toward you to go up and away from you to go down.
The pilot on the left-hand side controls right and left motion. This control is standard: move right to go right and left to go left. This pilot will also pull the lever that jumps the ship into light speed.
Since this is a motion simulator, it’s easy to get caught up in the experience. But each person has a job to do. The first time I experienced the attraction, I concentrated heavily on the overall experience. Then I realized my co-pilot was prompting me to “HIT THE BUTTON!” It was all good fun. They had promised ahead of time not to judge me for my mad piloting skills.
If you were to miss flipping the switches or pressing a button, it’s not a deal-breaker. However, you might crash and cause the group to score poorly. But again, it’s all in good fun…unless you’re with “that group of people.” You know what I mean.
The main thing is that you secure the coaxium and get it back to Hondo without completely crashing the ship. But don’t be surprised if he tries to short-change you on credits. He is a pirate, you know.
Will I experience motion sickness on Smugglers Run?
It’s not common for guests to experience motion sickness on Smugglers Run. The ride is simulated enough not to crash. But the pilots have a fair amount of control. To me, the ride felt similar to riding in a car. When I was the pilot, I felt like I was the driver and didn’t feel a ton of movement or jerking motions.
I felt more movement when taking on the engineer role in the last row. That ride was bumpy and shifted you around a bit more than the pilot. Regarding restraints, there is one buckle across your lap as if you are riding in a car with a lap belt. This is more of a “feeling” ride than a true motion.
Here are a few more photos as we approach the exit.
The Resorts Gal Spin on Smugglers Run
We give Smugglers Run the green light. While it’s not our favorite attraction, it can be a lot of fun, and we feel like it’s worth experiencing at least once. Remember to take advantage of the single-rider line if you don’t have to ride with the rest of your group. It’s almost always significantly shorter. But if you want to see the queue, you’ll definitely want to walk through the standby line on your first go around.
Resorts Gal Traffic Signals
Green Light
We give an attraction the green light if we consider it a must-do, regardless of the posted wait. We also give the green light for attractions we deem suitable to experience anytime. For example, some attractions have high capacities. Therefore, the lines continuously move and you shouldn’t have a long wait unless the attraction experiences downtime.
Red Light
We recommend checking the posted wait times for red light attractions. Then, make a quick judgment call on whether to wait, skip it, or return later. We also red light some attractions that we feel might not be suitable based on our experience.
Final Thoughts on Smugglers Run
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride is a fun experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, especially for fans. If you have the time, it’s worth going through the standby queue or Lightning Lane at least once. However, as regular guests, we often experience this attraction via the single-rider line. Rarely do we encounter a wait. Whatever you decide, have fun, enjoy the experience, and pause to take in that moment of seeing the Millennium Falcon for the first time!
You might also be interested in our Hollywood Studios planning guide. Or try these individual ride reviews:
- Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios
- Alien Swirling Saucers Ride Review
Those planning to spend time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios might consider staying at one of the Epcot Area Resorts. The following resorts are within walking distance of the theme park.
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort Review
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort Review
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Review
In the Comments
Are you looking forward to experiencing the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run? Or do you only plan to see it in person and not ride? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
