Guides & Essentials
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Related Tickets
Ready to book? You can check pricing and availability directly.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the most ambitious theme park attractions ever built - and it delivers. Combining live theatre, cutting-edge technology and some of the most impressive animatronics you'll ever see, this is a 20-minute experience unlike anything else at Disney's Hollywood Studios or anywhere else in the world.
Early reviews placed it among the greatest theme park attractions of all time, and it's easy to see why. Every detail has been considered, every scene crafted to pull you deeper into the Star Wars universe - and there's enough going on throughout the ride that even the most observant guests will spot something new on repeat visits.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you go - from what to expect on the ride itself to tips for keeping wait times down and making the most of every moment.
About Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
You’ve heard the hype, but I bet you’re wondering: What type of ride is Rise of the Resistance?
Well, it’s the latest attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In a nutshell, it’s a journey that blends four discrete ride systems, an immersive walkthrough experience and photo opportunities with elements of theatre. Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks said, “This is our most ambitious attraction ever, and promises to be unlike anything you’ve witnessed at Disney”. And he’s not wrong.
The journey begins on the planet of Batuu, a remote terrestrial planet covered in jungles, oceans and petrified remains of ancient trees. Also, home of the galaxy’s scum and villainy blue milk peddlers. The multi-platform attraction tells a well-thought-out story of battling to escape the First Order after capture. As you embark on the first of four ride systems, you’re transported from the Black Spire Outpost to a sprawling Star Destroyer Hangar, complete with a TIE fighter and a pack of stormtroopers standing to attention – watching over your every move. (The term “full-sized” springs to mind a lot on this ride – it really is insane how realistic it feels).
If you’re a fan of the current Star Wars trilogy, you’ll appreciate seeing characters like Rey, Kylo Ren, Poe Dameron and Domhnall Gleeson, who all play a big part in escaping the First Order. Arguably, the true stars of the show are the ride operators (or should I say, Resistance troops and First Order officers). The Cast Members, who are very much in character as stern, scowling, tough First Order officers transform Rise of the Resistance from a theme park ride to a riveting real-life experience. They don’t ask, they command.
TIE Fighter in hangar – Solo Photographer
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance completely sucks you in from start to finish, and because of its fast pace and trackless motion, you’re never quite sure where you’re headed, which adds to its authenticity.
What is the ride system really like?
Rise of the Resistance is the single largest attraction we’ve ever seen, consisting of 18 areas and 4 ride system types. The main “ride” part is where it’s all kicking off. When talking about a thrilling ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we think roller coaster immediately. But Rise of the Resistance is everything but a roller coaster.
Granted, it is a ride. By that, I mean that guests do, for some part, get onboard a motorised vehicle. Like most new attractions, it uses an autonomous trackless vehicle, allowing it to sweep a space like a drone, moving in any which way to interact with its environment and other vehicles. Disney also use trackless tech to create a character: A scared Droid who is at times slightly weird and in charge of piloting your vehicle. After a flurry of skittish movements which all feel improvised and uncertain, you (and itself) make it to safety.
Often, rides that feature new technologies instantly face the firing line from critics, or quickly become outdated. But not this one, Rise of the Resistance uses trackless tech in a really clever way.
Best of all, the re-rideability factor. The trackless technology takes you on a different route every time, with lots of unexpected twists, turns, backtracking and movements in almost every direction.
“Traditionally in an attraction, we settle on one ride system and that might become the main drive,” says Cory Rouse, Creative Director for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Rise of the Resistance has four different ride systems, and we had to tie them all together to serve the story.” And he’s right, each system feels like it’s there for a reason. This new technology plays a big part.
The Animatronic Figures
All 65 of them – including Droids and Stormtroopers. Rise of the Resistance is among the first to feature a new model of Auto-Animatronics, which Disney say works for more lifelike movements a deft expression of emotion. I can guarantee, like myself, there will be times in this ride where you will mistake a robotic figure for a live actor – albeit for a second.
To use Disney’s favourite word, there are also subtle “magic” tricks that, to this day, leave me open-mouthed. Such as when Stormtroopers fire their blasters at you, and moments later a foot-long blaster bolt shoots through the air; followed by its iconic sound effect. And then there’s the part when you enter a transporter vehicle from a walkthrough, and somehow, moments later it opens onto the deck of a Star Destroyer. Simply put: Mind blown.