What’s Really Happening at Disney’s Rise of the Resistance Ride–Here’s What’s To Know
Disney World has ushered in yet another change in Hollywood Studios!
A significant update has arrived for one of Walt Disney World‘s most iconic rides, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, found in the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu.
This attraction, housed within the expansive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, has been a fan favorite since its debut. Alongside familiar characters from the sequel trilogy—Rey, BB-8, and the menacing Kylo Ren—this ride offers a breathtaking, immersive experience. With its innovative trackless vehicles and cutting-edge technology, it quickly became one of Disney’s most popular rides.
Though Rise of the Resistance’s early days required guests to navigate a virtual queue system, the ride now operates under a traditional standby line. For those seeking faster access, the Lightning Lane option remains available.
Guests can purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass for Rise of the Resistance, and the resort recently rolled out a new approach to this service. Rebranding its Genie+ offering from 2021, Disney now offers the Lightning Lane Multi Pass alongside the Lightning Lane Single Pass. This change allows visitors to secure passes up to seven days before their trip, easing the planning process, but only for domestic guests.
However, this isn’t the only shift concerning Rise of the Resistance. After a trial run in July through early August, Disney World recently reopened the Single Rider line for the ride on September 20.
This change, while welcomed by some, brings a new dynamic to how guests experience the attraction. Reports indicate that while the Single Rider line can provide shorter wait times, it may come at the cost of missing some of the pre-show elements that help immerse riders in the Star Wars universe.
The ride’s pre-show features an interaction with Daisy Ridley’s Rey and the droid BB-8. During the previous iteration of the Single Rider experience, guests missed this interaction entirely, joining the ride in the Star Destroyer hangar instead.
However, the updated Single Rider line now allows guests to witness this crucial pre-show briefing, which fans have lauded as an essential part of the attraction’s story.
As this revamped Single Rider line continues to operate, it raises questions about how long this feature will be available. Guests can access the Single Rider line from the ride’s exit and are escorted through unthemed areas before joining the queue just in time for the Rey and BB-8 pre-show.
This behind-the-scenes look might break the immersion for some guests, but for those wanting to get on the ride quicker, it remains a valuable option.
Walt Disney World Resort’s use of Single Rider lines is relatively limited. As of now, only four other rides, excluding Rise of the Resistance, offer this option. These rides include Test Track at EPCOT, which is currently closed for re-theming, Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
This update comes amid other major news at the Walt Disney World Resort as Florida braces for the arrival of Hurricane Milton. Escalating to a Category 5 storm before settling into a Category 4, Milton poses a severe threat to the region with a serious threat to life.
Disney World is preparing for the hurricane just two weeks after Hurricane Helene brought destruction to parts of Florida. The resort remains vigilant as it braces for potential impacts from Milton, ensuring the safety of guests and cast members.
In light of these changes and challenges, how do you feel about the recent adjustments to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? While some might appreciate the opportunity for shorter wait times, others could feel that skipping parts of the experience diminishes the magic if the pre-show exclusion returned.
Regardless, the reintroduction of the Single Rider line is a notable shift for one of Disney’s most beloved attractions, and fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on how it continues to evolve.
Let Disney Dining know your thoughts, and stay tuned for further updates on how the Walt Disney World Resort adapts to upcoming changes and challenges.
