Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide (Disney World)
If you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you don’t want to miss Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. It’s one of the most popular rides not only in the park but in the entirety of Walt Disney World. Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan, you’ll likely still want to take a spin on this remarkable trackless ride system. There’s nothing like it.
In this Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride guide, we’ll discuss the attraction in detail. You may remember that when Rise first opened, guests needed to join a virtual queue to experience this attraction. However, now guests can ride via the standby line or purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass.
Here is a quick reference chart for Rise of the Resistance.
| Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance | Disney’s Hollywood Studios |
|---|---|
Location: | Galaxy’s Edge |
Height Requirement: | 40″ |
Lightning Lane: | Lightning Lane Single Pass |
Ride Type: | Immersive, Highly-Themed, Thrill |
Seats Per Vehicle: | Two rows that seat four each. |
Rider Switch: | Yes |
Early Theme Park Entry: | Yes |
Extended Evening Hours: | Yes, when available to eligible guests. |
Good For: | Everyone who meets the height requirement. |
Scare Factor: | Medium |
Must-Do List: | High Priority |
Perfect For: | Star Wars Fans |
Special Mention: | It’s worth it. |
Accessibility: Guests must transfer to a wheelchair and then to the ride vehicle. A transfer access vehicle is available. Handheld captioning and audio descriptions are available.
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Tips for Riding Rise of the Resistance with Minimal Waits
Rise of the Resistance is a top priority attraction for the majority of guests visiting Walt Disney World. Previously, guests had to obtain a boarding group to experience it. However, now guests can experience the attraction via the standby queue or purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass to skip the standby line. Here are a few suggestions for minimal waits.
- Resort guests who want to purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass can do so via the My Disney Experience app before their vacation. (See our Lightning Lane Guide for specifics on purchasing Multi Pass and Single Pass Lightning Lanes.)
- Resort guests can use the 30-minute early theme park benefit to experience the attraction at the park’s opening. You’ll want to get to the park’s entrance at least an hour before opening and head straight to the attraction.
- Lastly, you can join the standby line right before the park closes. For example, you might get in line at 8:55 p.m. on an evening the park closes at 9:00 p.m. While you will still have to wait, the time should drop considerably after the park closes.
Non-Disney Resort guests will have the best opportunity for riding this attraction at the end of the evening versus first thing in the morning. However, if you don’t feel like staying in the park that late (and don’t purchase a Lightning Lane), your best bet is to get in line as early as possible and wait.
*Pricing to secure a Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance will vary day-to-day.
Review
Rise of the Resistance is an immersive experience, more so than the average ride. It’s not a roller coaster or anywhere near similar. The attraction uses a trackless ride system similar to what’s used at Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot. However, Rise of the Resistance has an added thrill factor. If you haven’t experienced this kind of attraction, you’ll likely be blown away by the technology. It’s incredible what Disney has been able to do with these types of attractions.
When you join the queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, you’ll walk through a forest in the Black Spire Outpost before entering a cave with a waterfall. This is the hidden headquarters of the Resistance.
The Rise of the Resistance queue is long and winding. Depending on the length of the line, you can expect to spend some time waiting outdoors. However, the majority of the queue offers shade.
Eventually, you’ll make your way into the Resistance Headquarters, where you’re greeted by Rey Skywalker. She appears as a hologram and petitions for your help on the next Resistance mission.
BB-8 makes an appearance as well.
You’ll also see a few other well-known characters from the Star Wars franchise, like Poe Dameron, Nien Nunb, Finn, and Lieutenant Bek.
After your rendevous with Rey, the doors open, and you board a Resistance fleet ship.
Inside the starship, you’ll be asked to hold on or lean on something to keep your balance. After takeoff, you’ll experience a bit of movement. This is a light-simulated motion with minimal gravity loss. I don’t think it would bother anyone, but you might not expect it.
The scene changes from flying off the luscious planet, jumping to light speed, and then approaching the Star Destroyer. Think of a Star Wars movie where you get too close, and they pull your ship in for examination. Yeah, big-time trouble!
From the ship, you can see out the window to outer space. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the Empire to seize your ship. I guess someone in your group should have remembered that clearance code. Things go from exciting to intimidating as you disembark to an army of stormtroopers. While these are animatronics, make sure to pay close attention to their subtle movements.
Eventually, you’ll be called into a holding area as you wait for interrogation.
Once inside the containment room, a stormtrooper is assigned to guard you.
Before long, General Hux and Kylo Ren show up to apply pressure. Thankfully, an issue occurs that causes them to leave with warnings that they will soo return.
As you wait for the pair to return, things seem dire. It’s probably a good time to practice using the force. At about that time, a laser starts to cut through the wall. Right when you think Kylo Ren is going to destroy you with his lightsaber, someone else steps through the wall.
It’s the Resistance, and they’ve come to rescue you. Somehow, they have taken over the system’s mainframe and have secured droids to help you reach the escape fleet. This droid (R4) is your new best friend who’s ready to whisk you away to safety.
This is where the thrill of the experience begins as you try to escape. Guests board their ride vehicle and are instructed to quickly secure the seatbelt-like restraints. A cast member will make sure everyone’s secured and provide a briefing on where you’re headed. You soon find yourself dipping and dodging through some of the most recognizable Star Wars weaponry. Expect an elevator-style drop and surprise lift during the experience. It’s thrilling, but not in a scary way.
Unfortunately, along the escape route, the droid takes a wrong turn and lands you back on the main bridge of the Destroyer.
Kylo Ren is not happy. He’s determined to put an end to the entire fiasco. Imagine him coming after you, and your only protection is a confused droid. (On a side note, from time to time, this scene does not work. If so, you’ll enter what’s called b-mode and encounter an entirely different scene.)
Thankfully, the droid narrowly escapes again, but as you can see, Kylo Ren isn’t far behind.
In all the commotion, a window shatters, causing Kylo Ren to use the force to keep from being sucked out.
While he’s distracted, you reach the launch pods and quickly take off by jumping into light speed. (While exciting, you will remain in your droid vehicle the entire time.)
Next thing you know, you are safely back at Resistance Headquarters.
As you can see, there’s quite a lot that goes on during the entire experience. Most guests will be blown away by the technology, but it really takes experiencing the attraction a few times to grasp the entire concept. Additionally, you’ll notice the cast members do an astonishing job at role-playing. These fine touches and extra elements really help make Rise of the Resistance come to life.
The Resorts Gal Spin on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
We give Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance the green light and recommend that you experience it at least twice during your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We also say that this attraction is worth the Lightning Lane purchase. It’s also worth experiencing, even if you have to wait a considerable amount of time.
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
Disney did a phenomenal job creating Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. It’s one of those attractions that every guest should get to experience at least once. But most will want to ride it time and time again. For more Galaxy’s Edge info, check out these other reviews:
- Disney’s Smugglers Run Review (Millennium Falcon)
- Oga’s Cantina Review
- Where to Meet Star Wars Characters at Disney World
Resorts Gal specializes in providing reviews of the Disney World Resorts. If you plan to spend several days at Hollywood Studios during your vacation, you might consider one of these options within walking distance:
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Review
- Disney’s Yacht Club Review
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort Review
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort Review
In the Comments
Have you had the chance to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? What are your thoughts about this attraction? Let us know below in the comments.
