January 2020 – present
LOCATION
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Rise of the Resistance is hidden on the outskirts of Black Spire Outpost, tucked away from the First Order. To find the attraction, head toward the Critter Country side of Galaxy’s Edge. You’ll see the entrance across the walkway from some docked ships, just before the path narrows as it routes you to Critter Country.
BACKGROUND
When Disney announced plans for Galaxy’s Edge in 2015, they offered only a brief teaser of what would become Rise of the Resistance:Â the middle of a cinematic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Fans waited 3 more years for more info, finally getting the attraction’s name and some concept art in 2018. And in 2019, the Hollywood Studios version in Florida finally opened, giving anxious Disneylanders glimpses through social media. The west coast version finally opened in 2020, operating for only two months before the park shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And in April 2021, the park reopened, allowing the masses to step into the resistance and join the fight against the First Order. For many fans, that was 6 years of waiting with baited breath!
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Single Rider Line – no
- Lightning Lane – yes
- Height Requirement – 40″ (102 cm)
- Duration – 18:00
The journey into resistance recruitment begins in the abandoned woods outside of Black Spire Outpost on Batuu. Guests wander through ancient ruins and caves, before reaching a resistance control center. In the control center, Rey and BB-8 seek help to find General Organa without compromising the secret location of a rebel base. They send their new recruits onto a transporter ship, headed to find General Organa.
Unfortunately, the mission does not go as planned. A First Order Star Destroyer attacks the ship, pulling guests into its hangar bay for interrogation. All on board are escorted through the ship and locked into cells, awaiting interrogation from Kylo Ren. But Finn, disguised as a stormtrooper, breaks down one of the cell walls, allowing recruits to board into vehicles bound for escape pods.
Once in the vehicles, recruits narrowly avoid peril, escaping AT-ATs, stormtroopers, and an angry Kylo Ren. Ultimately, recruits must find their way to the escape pods, flying through hyperspace and making their way back to Batuu…even if the landing is a little less than smooth.
MY RATING: ★★★★★
This attraction is just mind-blowing. Even if you are not remotely a Star Wars fan, you’ll be amazed by the scale, detail, and excitement of every step of this ride. The sets are AMAZING, with a scale unlike anything I’ve seen before. The First Order cast members are in character and add a whole extra fun element to the experience. But for me, the biggest “wow” moment was stepping into the hangar (pictured below). I audibly gasped – pictures don’t do that moment justice.
I absolutely love Rise of the Resistance, and it’s a sincerely unique experience not remotely similar to anything else you’ve seen in a theme park. I can’t recommend it enough.
VISITING TIPS
Right now, your options to ride are a virtual queue (when available), a lightning lane, or a standby line (when available). Since the riding methods have been changing frequently as of late, it’s hard to give specific tips for getting on the ride. My best advice is to keep tabs on riding options for your selected trip dates (and ask a cast member if you’re not sure what your choices are), and plan ahead. If all that’s open during your trip is the standby line, get into it as soon as the park opens; the line will only grow as the day goes on.
TRIVIA
Daisy Ridley, John Bodega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, and Kipsang Rotich all provided the voices for the attraction versions of their characters.
This is the most complex attraction in Imagineering history, including:
- 65 animatronics
- 4 interconnected ride systems
- motion simulators and CGI screens
- holograms and puppet effects
- a drop shaft and turntable
- trackless vehicles
- 5 million lines of code!
WOW!!!