If you’re going to Disneyland or Disney World Park and are looking for rides to add to your itinerary, let me tell you what you shouldn’t miss out on.
The Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the best attractions ever. No I’m not exaggerating. It is a part of the Galaxy’s Edge, in both the Disneyland in Anaheim and Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida.
The ride was first announced at the D3 expo in Anaheim in 2015 and the storyline is set in the Star Wars Sequel universe and features a battle between the galactic Resistance and the First Order.
It is something that I’ve never experienced before. No ordinary roller coaster this one. The ride is very large scale and features heavy audio-visual effects, motion stimulators, animatronics and more!
Here’s everything you need to know about this ride.
| Ride Info | Details |
| Location | Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA |
| Ride type | Immersive Star Wars dark ride with multiple ride systems |
| Height requirement | 40 in (102 cm) or taller |
| Who can ride? | Guests meeting the height and safety requirements |
| How to ride | Standby queue or Lightning Lane Single Pass |
| Lightning Lane | Single Pass available; also included with Premier Pass |
| Cost | No extra fee for standby; Lightning Lane costs extra |
| Ride duration | Multi-stage experience; includes pre-show and ride sections |
| Wait time | Varies throughout the day; check the Disneyland app |
| Drops | Small drops |
| Health/comfort factors | Darkness, loud sounds, scary elements and sudden movements |
| Roller coaster? | No |
| Rider Switch | Available for eligible families |
| Single Rider | Not currently available |
| Virtual Queue | Not currently used |
| Best for | Star Wars fans and guests who enjoy immersive thrill rides |
What Is the Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland?
In Disneyland Park there is a Galaxy’s Edge far far away…Okay sorry, I couldn’t resist! The Rise of the Resistance is a large-scale, multimodal, multiphase attraction in the Galaxy’s Edge part of Disneyland and is based on the Star Wars universe. The entire Galaxy’s Edge is designed to imitate the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, so you can get the full Star Wars experience.
The storyline of the Rise of the Resistance goes as follows. It features a battle between the galactic resistance which you, a guest, are now a part of and the First Order, the authoritarian bad guys.
So the mission starts in a Resistance area hidden outside Black Spire Outpost. You are shown a holographic projection of Rey and BB-8 which briefs the recruits (you) for the mission, which initially appears to be a relatively straightforward assignment.
That changes quickly.
Now, your ride is intercepted by the First Order and all the guests on the ride are brought aboard a Star Destroyer. From there, the attraction turns into an escape mission where you have to battle wits against the Stormtroopers, then the First Order forces and finally Kylo Ren himself.
The entire ride lasts over 20 minutes and features 4 levels. One of Disney’s largest rides, it uses about 300 animatronics and several ride systems.
In Disney’s own words the Rise of the Resistance is “one of the most advanced and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering.”
Where Is Rise of the Resistance Located?
Don’t worry, you can find the Rise of the Resistance in both the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge inside Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California and Disney World in Orlando, California.
The Galaxy’s Edge, in my opinion, is one of the most well-designed parts of the Disneyland parks. It’s so immersive and is more than just a couple of rides. You can find shops with Star Wars merch, food stalls inspired by Star Wars and one of my favorite Disneyland restaurants, the Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.
And another thing, the Rise of the Resistance is not the only ride in this area! I’ve also loved going on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction. It is so fun! The entire Black Spire Outpost area is so vast and enjoyable, I highly recommend setting aside a few hours of your vacay time in Disneyland for this part.
How Long Is the Rise of the Resistance?
The entire Rise of the Resistance ride is designed to be about 20+ minutes long. However, if you’ve ever visited Disneyland before you know that this is not the only thing you should consider.
The total time you spend experiencing the Rise of the Resistance also includes the queue time, the pre-show, the operating conditions. You can use your Lighting Lane Single Lane Pass for this ride and I highly recommend you do so.
But even this can be subject to the attendance, capacity and operations. So be very careful to check the Disneyland app for the timings. Yes, even if you have checked it the day before, check it once again when you’re in the park. Trust me!
Are There Any Requirements To Go On The Rise of the Resistance?
There are some things you need to know before you decide to include the Rise of the Resistance in your Disneyland schedule.
Firstly, you need to be at least 40 inches or 102 centimeters to get on the ride. You can be either a kid, tween, teen or adult, but you must meet the height requirement.
This is also a very long ride that is filled with darkness (literally), small drops, thrills, loud noises and more. So it is not suitable for expectant mothers, people with high blood pressure and those with motion sickness issues.
The ride can also be very scary at times for small children. So if you have kids under 7, you might want to take special care of them during the ride. They can find the dark, loud AV effects and the Stormtrooper animatronics scary.
Rise of the Resistance vs. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
If you’re asking me, should you go on the Rise of the Resistance or the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, I’d say, just do both!
The Galaxy’s Edge part of Disneyland is one of the most fun there is and yes, the two rides are long. But c’mon when are you ever going to get this chance again. No one goes to Disneyland everyday.
Anyway, the two signature attractions in Galaxy’s Edge offer very different experiences. On one hand the Rise of the Resistance is a very story-driven attraction. The guests are now the new recruits of the Resistance and eventually find themselves trying to escape the First Order.
However, Smugglers Run is more interactive. You have to take part in the ride and not just sit and watch. As guests you take roles aboard the Millennium Falcon and participate in a simulated mission.
If you want a cinematic, story-heavy experience, Rise of the Resistance is probably the better choice.
But, if you want to actively control parts of the Millennium Falcon experience, Smugglers Run offers something different.
If you ask me, both are worth experiencing if you have enough time to explore Galaxy’s Edge.
You Don’t Need To Be a Jedi To Get on This Ride!
So, personally this is one of my favorite rides in Galaxy’s Edge. Actually, scratch that. It is one of my favorites in the entire Disneyland park!
What I love most about this ride is that it keeps the thrill element without going into the intense, vertigo-inducing, roller coaster territory. It combines physical thrills with a fantastic storyline and special effects to create a memorable attraction.
It is very immersive and makes you feel as if you’re one of the Resistance, stepping into your own Star Wars Adventure.
Of course, the Star Wars nerds will love it. But you know what? It is a very, very fun ride otherwise too. I’d definitely recommend you check it out on your next Disneyland vacation.
Just keep in mind the height requirements. Also this ride is a part of the Lightning Lane, but always check the current wait times and availability on the Disneyland app before your visit. And may the Force be with you!
FAQs
Is Rise of the Resistance open at Disneyland?
Yes! You can absolutely ride the Rise of the Resistance in Disneyland right now. However, there might be unforeseen changes and attraction hours can change. So be sure to check the Disneyland app before planning your itinerary.
Where is Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland?
You can find the Rise of the Resistance attraction in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge part of Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. The entire Galaxy’s Edge part is based on the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu from Star Wars lore.
How tall do you have to be to ride Rise of the Resistance?
The Rise of the Resistance ride has a height limit. You have to be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall to ride Rise of the Resistance. So make sure you have something else planned for the smaller kids (and petite adults!) of your group.
Is Rise of the Resistance a roller coaster?
No, the Rise of the Resistance is not a roller coaster. It is, however, a large-scale attraction that uses multiple ride systems, physical sets and various special effects. The attraction is less about thrills and more about an immersive experience of a Star Wars lore.
Does Rise of the Resistance have a drop?
Yes, but it’s nothing too drastic. Disneyland’s website lists Rise of the Resistance as having small drops. But it is not a conventional roller coaster with a series of large drops. However, some children might find the sudden movements intense.
Does Rise of the Resistance have Lightning Lane?
Yes, the Rise of the Resistance ride does offer Lightning Kane Single pass. However, this is subject to availability. You might have difficulty getting your hands on it during peak season. So always check beforehand. The Ride of Resistance is also included with Lightning Lane Premier Pass.
Is Rise of the Resistance scary?
This is subjective. It doesn’t have any physical mechanism that is too drastic or shocking. It’s not a roller coaster or physically-challenging ride.However, there are dark, loud and scary special effects, small drops and thrill elements. Especially during the part of the ride where The First Order and Stormtroopers make an appearance there are a lot of dramatic effects and sudden movements. So this can make the experience intense for some guests.
