Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance stands as one of Disney's Hollywood Studios headline attractions and is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious theme park experiences ever built. Since opening in December 2019, it has drawn huge crowds eager to step inside the Star Wars universe and join the fight against the First Order. This is a ride that regularly tops must do lists.

The attraction sits within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the immersive land themed around the remote planet of Batuu. From the moment you enter the queue you are no longer a guest in a park, you are a new recruit reporting for duty with the Resistance. Everything around you, from the costumed cast members to the towering scenery, is designed to make you believe you have truly travelled to a galaxy far, far away.

The Rise of the Resistance Experience

Rise of the Resistance is not a simple ride, it is a multi stage adventure that runs for roughly 18 minutes from start to finish. The experience blends a walkthrough, a simulator style sequence, a full size hangar bay and a trackless dark ride, all woven together into one continuous story. Few attractions anywhere in the world attempt this much, which is exactly why it has become so celebrated.

Your journey begins as you are recruited by the Resistance and board a transport ship. Without giving too much away, things do not go to plan, and you soon find yourself captured aboard a First Order Star Destroyer. The scale of the sets is genuinely jaw dropping, including a hangar lined with dozens of stormtroopers. The trackless ride vehicles then carry you through a series of dramatic scenes, dodging blaster fire and coming face to face with some very familiar characters.

Top Tip: Take a moment to look around during the queue and the pre show rooms. The detail is extraordinary, and rushing straight through means you will miss some of the finest theming Disney has ever created.

Essential Ride Information

Height Restrictions

Riders must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall to experience Rise of the Resistance. While the ride is more about story and immersion than speed, there are a few sudden movements and drops, so the height limit is firmly enforced. If you are travelling with younger children, it is worth measuring them before you queue to avoid disappointment.

Queue Times by Season

Peak: During school holidays and busy periods, waits can stretch to 120 minutes or more, and the standby queue sometimes opens and closes throughout the day.

Moderate: On quieter weeks you can expect waits of around 60 to 90 minutes, particularly in the morning and late evening.

Quiet: At the very quietest times, typically early on a weekday in the off season, waits may drop to 45 to 60 minutes, though this ride rarely has truly short queues.

Lightning Lane Information

Rise of the Resistance is offered as an Individual Lightning Lane, which means it sits outside the standard multi pass and must be purchased separately. Prices vary by date but typically range from around $15 to $25 (roughly £12 to £20) per person, per ride. Given how popular the attraction is, many families consider this premium well worth paying to skip the longest queues.

Best Times to Experience Rise of the Resistance

The single best strategy is to arrive for rope drop, meaning you are at the park gates before official opening time. Galaxy's Edge fills quickly, and being among the first guests through the turnstiles gives you the best chance of a shorter wait on this hugely popular ride.

If you would rather not rush first thing, the final hour before park closing can also be a good window, as crowds thin out and many families with young children have already left. Whatever you choose, keep a close eye on live wait times throughout the day so you can pounce when the queue dips.

Top Tip: Download the My Disney Experience app before your holiday and check it regularly. It shows live queue times and lets you buy Individual Lightning Lane access on the day, which can save your family a great deal of standing around.

Who Should Ride Rise of the Resistance?

This attraction suits Star Wars fans of all ages and anyone who loves richly detailed, story driven experiences. It is far gentler than a traditional rollercoaster, so it appeals to guests who enjoy immersion and spectacle rather than high speed thrills. Children who meet the height requirement and are comfortable with dark, occasionally loud scenes will find it magical.

It is not recommended for expectant mothers or anyone who suffers from motion sensitivity, as there are some quick movements, a brief drop and flashing effects. Guests who are nervous in dark or enclosed spaces should also bear this in mind before joining the queue.

For everyone else, it is close to perfect. The combination of beloved characters, stunning sets and clever ride technology makes it a true highlight of any visit. If Rise of the Resistance is fully booked or down for maintenance, it is well worth exploring the many other attractions across Walt Disney World to fill your day.

The Magic Behind the Attraction

Rise of the Resistance is a showcase for Walt Disney Imagineering at its very best. The team spent years developing the trackless ride system, which allows multiple vehicles to move independently and unpredictably, creating the sense that anything could happen at any moment. This freedom of movement is what makes each scene feel so alive.

The theming extends far beyond the ride itself. Lifelike audio animatronics, realistic lighting and carefully designed soundscapes all work together to convince your senses that you have stepped onto a real Star Destroyer. Even the temperature and smells inside certain rooms have been considered to deepen the illusion.

It is this obsessive attention to detail that has earned Rise of the Resistance its reputation as a benchmark for modern attractions. For many guests, it is not simply a ride, it is the closest they will ever come to living out their own Star Wars adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does Rise of the Resistance last? The full experience, including the walkthrough and pre show elements, runs for around 18 minutes, making it one of the longest attractions at Walt Disney World.

Q: Is Rise of the Resistance scary for children? It can be intense, with dark scenes, loud noises and a brief drop, but most children who meet the 40 inch height requirement and enjoy Star Wars will find it thrilling rather than frightening.

Q: Do I need to pay extra to ride? The ride is included with park admission via the standby queue, but you can pay for an Individual Lightning Lane (around $15 to $25 per person) to enjoy a much shorter wait.

Q: When is the best time to ride? Arriving at rope drop before the park opens gives you the best chance of a shorter queue, with the final hour before closing offering another good opportunity.