On our recent couples getaway to Disney World, checking out Rise of the new Rise of the Resistance Ride at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was our top priority. As adults, we have come to appreciate Star Wars. On our October trip, we experienced the other Star Wars ride Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and although we enjoyed this experience we can say hands down that Rise of the Resistance is the one you must experience. Rise of the Resistance went above and beyond any expectation we had! It was a magical experience!
This ride is truly immersive in experience as one feels like they are a part of the Resistance. The interactions with the cast members in the experience are fabulous and the animatronics and special effects are out of this world amazing.
The Experience
The experience starts in a chamber with BB-8, where there is an incoming transmission from Rey. As a rider, you are a new recruit for the Resistance. Rey tells you that a First Order Star destroyer is on its way to Batuu (the land in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge). Batuu is no longer safe. She tells you that a transport system is waiting to take you to a secret base. She warns you to keep this location a secret.
You then walk outside to enter the transport ship, where Lieutenant Bek is waiting, and then take off. Shortly after the First Order attacks pulling the ship onto a hangar bay full of Stormtroopers. From the hangar bay, you are escorted by the First Order and led into interrogation cells. While in the interrogation cell, the Resistance led by Finn breaks you out of the cell. You are then loaded onto a hijacked First Order Fleet Transport (8 seat ride vehicle) with a robot pilot. Finn appears on screen telling you how you will escape through a pod. From here, you ride throughout the First Order ship and go through various interactions with First Order characters (like Stormtroopers, Kylo Ren and General Hux). Finally, you enter the escape pod, take a brief drop straight down and fly back to Batuu. Once back, the ride vehicle takes you to the unloading zone.
This is a must do experience!
Although it took us two days to get a boarding pass for this attraction, it was well worth the effort and the wait! We highly recommend this ride to anyone who is a Star Wars fan! Even if you are not a Star Wars fan you will enjoy all the amazing special effects and the overall immersive experience of this attraction. This ride really does showcase the wonders of Disney Imagineering! Check out our other post for some tips and tricks for obtaining a boarding pass for Rise of the Resistance. Leave a comment below if you have ridden Rise of the Resistance. Let us know what you love about the ride.
We were able to ride Rise this week. As a Star Wars fan, I was blown away! My wife, who enjoys the movies but is in no way a die-hard, also loved the ride. The level of detail, the scale of the sets (especially the hanger after you are captured and the AT-ATs), and the use of both practical effects and screens come together to completely immerse you in this world and story.