The brand new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opened this morning in Disney World. It will open in Disneyland Janurary 17, 2020. It is THE hot ride. So how do you get on without waiting? A few things to know.
Join a Boarding Group Online AFTER YOU ARE IN THE PARK
This was not announced prior to the opening, however we just learned that the only way to get on the ride is to join a boarding group on the Disney App. Photo credit: LivingByDisney
Disney reps have not confirmed how long the boarding group method will last or when Rise of the Resistance will be added to FastPass.
The first step is to make sure you download the My Disney Experience app if you don’t already have it. Already have a MyDisneyExperience account and also just signed up for Disney+? Your Disney+ password is now your MyDisneyExerience password.
YOU CANNOT GET IN A BOARDING GROUP BEFORE YOU ARE IN THE PARK.
Once you enter the park, open the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge section and go to “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Access by Boarding Group.”
Click on “Find Out More” The next screen will share the current boarding status of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
If boarding groups are available, you should be able to tap “Join Boarding Group” There will also be a display indicating which boarding group may now enter the attraction. Yes, like FastPass, but not FastPass, got me?
If “Join a Boarding Group” is grayed out, that means the boarding groups are full for the day and are no longer available. SO, get to the park at rope drop. They have also announced that the ride is not part of Extra Magic Hours, but if the only way to get in the virtual queue is by being IN the park, then….
As long as your My Disney Experience account is linked to park tickets for you and the others in your group, you’ll be able to get everyone in your boarding group at the same time.
Make sure push notifications are turned on for My Disney Experience so you will be alerted if your boarding group is called to return. Don’t run, you get up to two hours from the time of the alert to go to the entrance of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Book a Disney VIP Tour
Disney reps make no promises that VIP tour guests will get on The Rise of the Resistance, however, your guide can manage boarding groups for you and the one thing I know about Disney is that they make magic.
A little more information about Disney VIP Tours.
What to Know About Star Wars: The Rise of the Resistance
It’s not scary, it’s thrilling and exciting, but no scarier than Pirates of the Caribbean
The ride is not intense physically, there is a small drop and some movement on a trackless ride. It won’t make you sick, I promise.
The line feels like the ride, or the ride and the line all blend together, it’s a multi-dimensional ride and lasts over 20 minutes, but the majority of that time is being held captive or moving from one transport pod to another.
The scale of this attraction is absolutely massive. It is one of the largest show buildings ever constructed at any Disney park in the world.
The ride vehicle seats eight passengers who must be at least 40 inches tall. An R5 droid mounted to the center front of the vehicle reacts with squeals, head-spins and other movement based on the surroundings.
There’s been lots of hype about the drop on this attraction. This isn’t a roller coaster-type drop. It’s more like a Tower of Terror-type drop, although not as big.
It takes place toward the end of the ride while guests are seated in the ride vehicle on the descent back to Batuu from the Star Destroyer.
Disney officials described it as “a new simulator experience (that) gives the sensation of falling from space.”
You’ll see familiar faces everywhere. Actors from the Star Wars movies reprise their roles for new scenes and dialogue, including Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) and Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux).
Watch the Full POV of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Keaton and I were hosted this week for a media preview of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. We both agree this is one of the best rides Disney has ever done.