Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run was once one of the most exciting attractions at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But five years after its debut, the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge ride appears to be losing its luster with Disney Park guests, many of whom now bypass the attraction entirely.
The Glory Days of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
When Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run opened at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in 2019, fans marveled at the chance to pilot the iconic ship from the Star Wars saga. The ride allows Disney Park guests to take on roles as pilot, gunner, or engineer during an interactive mission led by Hondo Ohnaka, a character from Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run maintained steady wait times and popularity for a time, particularly as the first operating ride in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Guests can enter the “hunk of junk’s” cockpit via standby queue, Lightning Lane, or single rider line.
Declining Interest Among Guests
Now, five years later, some fans say the ride’s magic has faded. Disneyland Resort guest and Redditor u/jayvancealot noticed that the Disneyland Park ride never topped a ten-minute wait time during a three-day trip during the busiest time of the year:
Are people over smugglers run? Been here 3 days and never saw it go over 10 minutes. Went on literally by myself yesterday at about 4 PM
Are people over smugglers run? Been here 3 days and never saw it go over 10 minutes. Went on literally by myself yesterday at about 4 PM
by indisneyparks
In the comments, discussions among Disney Park enthusiasts highlighted frustrations with Smugglers Run’s repetitive experience and role assignments. Many say the ride’s single storyline offers little replay value, especially for those stuck in the engineer position.
“I don’t wanna wait 35+ minutes just to get engineer again and have to look at a wall the entire time,” said one commenter. Another agreed, saying they only ride Smugglers Run if they can be pilot: “I’m not waiting in line to look at the wall of buttons.”
“Literally exactly what happened on my very first ride and I absolutely had no interest on ever riding again,” one Disney Parks fan replied. Others agreed it was a “one-and-done” ride.
Maintenance Issues and Neglect
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, fans have raised concerns about the Star Wars ride’s upkeep. One Walt Disney World Resort guest (u/weekly_ad83333) shared a photo of a weed growing out of a set piece near the Millennium Falcon, reportedly visible in the queue since June 2023:
This plant growing out of the Millennium Falcon seen from the Smuggler’s Run queue lol
This plant growing out of the Millennium Falcon seen from the Smuggler’s Run queue lol
byu/Weekly_Ad8333 inWaltDisneyWorld
Competition With Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Part of Smugglers Run’s struggle may stem from its competition with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the other major attraction in Batuu. While Rise of the Resistance has its own issues with frequent breakdowns, it remains a technological marvel with consistently high wait times. Many guests compare Smugglers Run unfavorably, calling it “a more interactive Star Tours” without the excitement or longevity.
“I thought it was lame, especially after the awesomeness of Rise,” said one Redditor, summing up the feelings of many fans.
A New Hope for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Smugglers Run may be falling in popularity now, but Disney has plans to breathe new life into the attraction. At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney Imagineering announced a new storyline for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu. The updated version is set to debut at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026, giving fans a reason to revisit the Lucasfilm-inspired attraction.
Do Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort need to update Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments.
I actually prefer Smugglers Run over Rise of the Resistance. I don’t mind any of the positions, and since I’m more focused on the game, a difference in storyline isn’t a huge deal. It would be nice if they could switch ioff storylines, like in Star Wars og, for those who would like more variety.
Rise was basically a one and done for me. I did think the technology and storyline were cool, but unless I can ride it with a wait below 30 minutes without a Lightning Lane pass, I’ll pass.
I actually love this idea. Doing the Battle of Endor and being able to destroy the Death Star with Landon?! Yes please…
Was there last week and wait time was 90 mins unless you had lightning pass, then it was 15 mins.
I didn’t see what they are planning to do in D23, but if you want to fix smugglers run from a fan perspective address these 3 things. #1, give me a story I care about. Stealing some triaxium on some random planet in a glorified spaghetti western train robbery… No thank you, let me participate in a meaningful battle where I saw the falcon in a movie. #2 the controls. As a gunner I want to feel the magic that Luke had when he finally sat in the gunners pod and started taking down tie fighters. I want to solve a mini game on the ship to re-enble the hyperdrive that was locked out at cloud city and/or a mini game to divert power to the deflector shields. These should be dynamic based on damage/storyline. And the pilots… I understand why they split out the controls 2 people moves the line quicker… It kinda kills the immersion though. IMHO, each pilot should have full access to pitch/roll but if the pilots are reasonably in sync the craft responds better. Keeps you immersed and talking to your copilot. #3 stop the repution. Give me a pseudo random story like Star Tours, it’s somewhat different every time I ride. The ride’s been there for 20+ years and we still ride it every time sometimes multiple times in the same visit, because you never know what you’re gonna get.
“Coaxium” – you are definitely not a Star Wars fan.
This ride would be fine if the people who did not get pilot first time could be guaranteed the pilot position on their next ride. Maybe a ticket or hand stamp could be given out.
I agree that the worst part is the 2 pilots thing. It makes no sense at all. Make one pilot while the other sets the jump coords. And the gunner needs a gun!
Heres a great idea Disney will love. As mentioned people have no interest going on the ride and being engineer while the 2 kids in your Assigned party are the pilots and crash into everything. BUT for only $50 you can purchase a Pilots ticket that guarantees you the Pilot seat. And you know that’s not far fetched at all for the disgrace Disney has become, charging extra for everything.
I went on Smugglers Run a few years ago, and had a lot of fun. I was there by myself that day during a 3 day trip to Disneyland, and decided to go as a single rider. When it got to my turn, I was given the option of any of the “jobs”, and shocked the attendant when I requested the engineer position. The guy and the father looked at me shocked, and the attendant said, “lady, you’re the first person who has ever requested to be the engineer”. I ended up being paired with a mom (decent pilot) and her younger kid (a surprisingly good gunner), and I really had a fun time.
After 37 visits over 34 years it is a shame that Disney World has become nothing more than a bad joke. Consistently ripping off its customers with up charges and increase in admittance while giving less and less every year, and worse taking away everything that was good about it
Will never do SR again. Have done it three times over the last couple years, and never got to be pilot. Last time, a 3-year-old was in the pilot seat throwing the controls randomly, and my wife and I had to watch from Gunner and engineer. Just plain boring and frustrating
My son loved it, not my favourite ride myself and I do agree that there should be some process for those wanting to pilot, maybe a separate line? Went on it a few times and once due to me using my son’s age to our advantage was we able to pilot it. We were the only ones there mind, got the ride to ourselves in spite of it seldom falling behind a 60 minute wait as I remember. My favourite was still the rise of the resistance which was awesome in every way imaginable!
It is LAME. I was so excited about this when it first came out. I thought it was going to be something like Avatar flight of passage on a dragon. That’s still probably the best thing you can do anywhere in the world outside of roller coaster. This of course wasn’t anything like that.