Ride Review: Rise of the Resistance
Does the latest Star Wars: galaxy's edge attraction live up to the hype? Let’s see!
BY: V. RHODES
(Updated: January 18, 2022)
Hollywood Studios
RISE OF THE Resistance
BREAKDOWN OF OUR RANKING
AT THEFILMTRIPPER, WE FOCUS OUR RIDE RANKINGS ON HOW THE FILM OR source material HAS BEEN ADAPTED FOR A THEMED EXPERIENCE. Thats why ‘Overall interpretation’ is our most important category.
FAST FACTS
PARK: Hollywood Studios
PLACE: ORLANDO, FL
Coordinates: 28.3548° N, 81.5605° W
OTHER LOCATIONS: Disneyland, California
OPENING DATE: December 15, 2019
Based on: Star Wars Film Series
RIDE TYPE: combination trackless dark ride, walk-through, motion simulator, and drop ride system
DURATION: 18 min
Star Wars: galaxy's edge
Rise of the Resistance is the latest attraction added to Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, and we were lucky enough to try it! Over Christmas, we visited Hollywood Studios and were in total awe of the new Star Wars addition to the park. The crowning jewel being the attraction: Rise of the Resistance. Because we had the privilege of experiencing this E-Ticket attraction within the first month of it opening, there were alot of steps we had to take to make sure it could happen. I’m going to talk about how we rode it, how long we waited and if it was worth it!
3AM WAKE UP
** DISCLAIMER ** Since the time of writing this post, an entirely new system for getting ride reservations has been implemented across Disney World theme parks called ‘The Disney Genie’. For more up to date information check out Brooke McDonald’s article, or the Disney Park Blog.
So let me start off by saying, this day was HECTIC. We woke up at 3am, got hyped up on Joffrey’s Coffee, and took an uber to Hollywood Studios thinking we would be the first people there! Well we were wrong. I guess us and about 100 other families had the same idea. But if you want to ride Rise of the Resistance, you need a Boarding Pass.
In order to get a Boarding Pass (aka a place in the virtual queue) we had to get to Hollywood Studios over an hour before the gates opened. Then wait in a giant line to get through the park gates. Then log into the My Disney Experience app exactly at park opening (6 am), and hope our fingers were fast enough to select Rise of the Resistance. Luckily they were, and we got boarding group 72. Meaning we arrived at the park at 4:30 am, and didn’t actually ride Rise of the Resistance until 3pm.
THE RIDE
Let's just say, I LOVED IT! Ride of the Resistance combines four different ride systems: trackless dark ride, walk-through, motion simulator, and drop ride system. It is unlike any other ride I’ve ever ridden. This 18 minute attraction truly immerses you in the Star Wars world! If you want to stay unspoiled then skip down to the bottom of this article, because we are diving right in scene by scene!
THE QUEUE: Rise of the Resistance blurs the line between queue and attraction. These types of interactive queues are truly the future of theme parks. Think about the renovations to Haunted Mansion or Dumbo, having playable elements incorporated into the queue relieves us from that frustration attributed to ‘waiting’. Overall happier guests are willing to spend more money, spend more time at the parks and come back.
This queue specifically is maybe my favorite of all Disney rides. You enter through an outdoor base camp where you see a bunch of large mechanical equipment-type structures. The area is really lush with planing, and the path is lined with rock walls. The main building is disguised by large fake rocking, giving guests the impression that they are going into a sort of hideout. Inside, we see a lot of exposed lighting, abandoned equipment, unfinished walls and lots of that blue-light 70s-style Star Wars tech. The idea is that this is a temporary base for the Resistance fighters. You can hear some of them speaking over the intercom. This is where the traditional queue part ends, and moves into the first pre-show.
THE PRE-SHOWS: The pre-shows are counted as both part of the queue and part of the attraction. As far as Disney is concerned, these pre-shows are counted in the 18 minute length for this attraction.
Guests are loaded into a room where they are facing a series of screens, BB-8 and a large machine. Rey soon appears as a hologram, she thanks us for joining the cause and informs us of the mission. Poe and Lieutenant Beck speak to us through the screens to tell us more about the mission. The doors open to the outdoors.There is a giant clearing and a blue and grey ship that you are ushered on to.
This ship has an animatronic of lieutenant beck, and screens at the front and back to help simulate take off into space. When you load on, go towards the right in order to be close to Beck, but don't move too far in. Complications arise while we are on board and our ship is taken by the First Order. The ship is a bit bumpy, but not more than taking the subway, there's lots of places to hold on.
The same door you entered from opens again, except this time you are looking at a team of stormtroopers. Take as much time as you want in this room, it is meant as a photo-op. There is even a ride-vehicle to take pictures with, since you won't have a chance later.
Once you move through the grey hallway on the First Order ship, a crew member will sort you into your batching rooms. These crew members are supposed to be mean to you, they poke fun at the guest and do a great job of staying in character.This whole section of the queue feels very tense and hurried, which is very really fun, but also anxiety inducing.
Once your group is in this batch room / containment facility, Hux and Kylo appear on the bridge above. They try to extract information from you about the rebel base location. Just as they leave a glow comes from the wall on your right, and the Resistance has busted you out! This is where you get on the actual ride vehicle, and the official ride starts!
THE RIDE: I don't want to go too in depth because honestly going in blind for this portion is so worth it! Rise of the Resistance operates with a trackless dark ride system. What that means is, each individual vehicle can operate independently of the rest. They have the ability to stop, start, spin, and weave in and out of other vehicles. Without the presence of a physical track, guests don’t know which path they are on. This creates a more thrilling and unique experience while still operating a vehicle geared towards that 8-80 demographic.
The most impressive scene is where your vehicle is being shot at, and you are weaving in and out of the AT-AT legs, while seeing blaster holes appearing on all the surfaces. It's here where you go on our first level change of the ride.The second level change happens as the escape pods. Prepare for a small drop as your vehicle turns into a motion simulator as you escape the grasp of the First Order!
REcommendation + TIPS
UPDATE: As I mentioned before, rules for fastpass / Lightning Lane are constantly changing. So stay up to date by following the Disney Parks Blog, or another Disney News outlet. Typically, theme park journalists like Brooke McDonald and Carlye Wisel are on top of any changes. They usually will put out an article about getting boarding passes or Lightning Lane reservations.
WOULD WE RECOMMEND?
Needless to say, I could not recommend this ride more. Not only is it my favourite Star Wars ride, but it might be my favorite ride in all of Hollywood Studios. And a MUST for Star Wars fans.
UPDATE: My biggest tip would be, that if you have an opportunity to ride it, RIDE IT!. Even if you have to pay the extra $15 though Genie+ to get a Lighting Lane pass. This is one of the view rides I would recommend paying that upcharge for. That way it guarantees you a ride.
KIDS, GRANDPARENTS, ACCESSIBILITY:
If your kiddos have done similar rides, like Dinosaur, they will most likely be ok on this. The scariest part is the unexpected drop towards the end, or the idea that you’re being chased and shot at through the whole ride.
I personally wouldn't take my grandma on this ride. We brought her on Star Tours when she was 75, and she had severe motion sickness from it. I think this would be a similar experience. Especially with that drop.
The entire queue line is accessible for ECV and wheelchairs up until the actual ride where guests are asked to transfer. If guests are unable to transfer from their ECV or wheelchair to the ride vehicle, there is a place just before loading where they can exit. Speak with a cast member and they will help you through the process.
MOTION SICKNESS:
Overall the average person won't feel much motion sickness. There are no 3D glasses, and the motion simulator at the end is less than a minute long.
HAVE YOU RIDDEN THIS RIDE? IS IT YOUR FAVOURITE? Let us know in the comments!
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REFERENCES
McDonald, Brooke. “How to Get a Boarding Group for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney World”. Better, 5 January, 2021.
McDonald, Brooke. “Everything You Need to Know About Disney Genie”. Travel Pulse, 2 Nov 2021.
Disney Park: Disney Genie