Phase Two of Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened January 17, 2020. including the highly anticipated ride, Rise of the Resistance.
I was there for the grand opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the opening week of Rise of the Resistance. I used the virtual queue (also known as boarding groups) to access this ride. My first hand experience all had a play in creating the ultimate Disneyland Rise of the Resistance ride guide.
If you are looking purely for strategy details (and you need one!) on riding Disneyland’s Rise of the Resistance , please visit this article.
Disneyland’s Rise of the Resistance opened January 17, 2020 as part of a 14 acre park expansion. The future of the Resistance is at stake. It’s more than a ride, it’s an entire experience including pre-show elements you experience during the queue.
The second of two rides on planet Batuu, a completely new attraction deserves all the attention it’s been getting and more.
Keep reading for all the details on where to enter, which Disneyland path will get you to Rise of the Resistance quickest, motion sickness, seat configurations, the queue you’ll wait in, FASTPASS details and more.
Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide Quick Info
Getting into Galaxy’s Edge doesn’t cost any extra money, regular theme park admission is all you need. But you may be required to join a “boarding group” to enter the land at Disneyland Park. See how that works in my Star Wars FAQ article, along with other tips for your day exploring planet Batuu. 
More about Rise of the Resistance:
- Height Requirements 40 inches or taller, not recommended for pregnant women (see full list of rides here).
- Seating in Rise of the Resistance transport vehicle with a seat belt. Each pod seats up to 8 guests, 4 in each row.
- Waiting outdoors first in partial shade. Afterwards, move indoors with an entertaining queue and lots of things to see! When it first opens and in the months following you will need to use a virtual queue! Information here.
- Rider Switch available. FASTPASS will be opened at a later date.
- What we love all the surprises filled in this attraction, you have to ride multiple times before you even catch most of them!
- What we loathe the stress of trying to join the virtual queue before all the Boarding Groups fill up.
- Insider Secrets go to the bathroom before hand. It’ll make your ride (and wait) much more enjoyable.
Will this ride make me sick?
I’ll be polling readers like crazy on this question, so please add your experience to the comments.
I don’t get motion sickness, so I’ll do my best to inform once I ride the attraction. There is one small drop, in addition to video simulators during the ride. Here’s a list of other Disneyland rides that might make you sick.
Is this ride scary?
During the queue you will interact with the First Order (aka the Dark Side). They are in character and are very intimidating, especially if younger riders don’t understand they’re playing a role. My youngest (age 9 at the time) actually thought the First Order interrupted our ride and wasn’t going to let us get on the ride.
If your little ones haven’t seen the movies, they might be scared of the First Order, Stormtroopers and/or Kylo Ren.
There’s definitely elements that can make it scary for younger riders. There will also be one small drop that didn’t bother any of my kids. I have one who’s more cautious about drops and she was fine, didn’t even mention the drop afterwards. To hear more of what my kids thought about the ride, play the video above.
Disneyland Rise of the Resistance Entrance
Rise of the Resistance is on Disneyland’s far north west corner. It’s a long route but I want to help you get to the entrance as quickly as possible (without running of course). Making the most of your time on planet Batuu is key, especially during the initial debut of Rise of the Resistance. Remember to read up on all my Star Wars articles to make the most of your time in Galaxy’s Edge.
Where is the entrance to ride Rise of the Resistance Disneyland?
You can find Rise of the Resistance on the far left side of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. In reference to Disneyland Park, it’s closer to Critter Country, home of Splash Mountain. We’ll explore each entry point and the most direct route now.
- If you enter via Fantasyland (pictured below) take the first available left before the Milk Stand. Keep walking on the outskirts of Droid Depot, you’ll walk parallel to the Marketplace on the right. Continue on the winding path to the Resistance camp.
- If you enter via Big Thunder Trail from Frontierland (pictured below), the quickest and easiest path to Rise of the Resistance is make the first left turn available. Continue your exploration on planet Batuu walking that left direction until you arrive at the Resistance camp.
- If you enter via Critter Country, this will be your quickest option to find Rise of the Resistance. Follow the path into the Resistance camp and arrive at your destination.
All riders including standby, FASTPASS return, DAS pass holders and Rider Switch parties will enter the queue at the main checkpoint. The current time and wait time is displayed on the left of the entry point, along with signs directing you to the proper queue overhead. Shop Star Wars merch here.
STOP HERE!! SPOILERS AHEAD. CONTINUE READING FOR WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE LINE AND RIDE.
Disneyland Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide Standby
Standby is the traditional, regular queue most people will experience and it’s something you want to experience. The queue is not only visually entertaining and offers extensive photo ops and interaction with Disney Parks Play app, it also acts as part of the attraction itself.
Currently no FASTPASS is available and all riders will enter via the standby line once their Boarding Group has been called (more on that here). unless you choose to utilize Rider Switch (more on that later).
In the standby line you will experience the attraction/queue in this order:
- Outdoor and indoor queue, including tunnels of the Resistance camp.
- Holoscreens featuring images from the Star Wars Universe.
- BB-8 greeting and hologram Rey who tells us about our mission.
- Lieutenant Bek, Nien Nunb and Poe Dameron greet us via video transmission.
- Board the Intersystem Transport Ship (I-TS), a shuttle-like system with 30-50 other guests, standing room/vehicle that slowly takes you to the next point in your journey. Nien Nunb, Lt. Bed and Poe make an appearance here as well.
- First Order commanders take over the ship and lead you to your detention cells.
- Doors open to reveal a hanger bay filled with Stormtroopers that opens to space.
- You are then shown through interior corridors of a Star Destroyer where a few more Stormtroopers stand guard and lead to your integration.
- First Order General Hux and Kylo Ren are ready to handle our spy case personally, but then the Resistance appears to help us escape!
- See a full video of the queue walk through here.
You’ll also see these Star Wars universe character during the actual ride portion:
- Two full size AT-AT walkers
- Kylo Ren
- Finn
- R5 Droid
Toward the end of the ride, your escape pod will be ejected from the Star Destroyer with a small drop. Every line exits through various passages but eventually leads back to one exit point which is just to the left of the entrance.
Still need tickets to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort? Discounts are available here.
Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide FASTPASS
Is there a FASTPASS for Rise of the Resistance? There is currently no Disney MaxPass or FASTPASS option for riding Rise of the Resistance. While there is a permanent queue for FASTPASS returns, it is not being implemented at this time.
I still strongly encourage guests to purchase Disney MaxPass because you will have plenty of time outside Galaxy’s Edge to explore both Disneyland park and California Adventure park. MaxPass will allow you to secure FASTPASSES for other rides even while your group is on Batuu. 
In the FASTPASS line you will experience these entertaining highlights:
- Merge with standby line where BB-8 and hologram of Rey describes the mission.
- Lieutenant Bek, Nien Nunb and Poe Dameron greet us via video transmission.
- Board the Intersystem Transport Ship (I-TS), a shuttle-like system with 30-50 other guests, standing room/vehicle that slowly takes you to the next point in your journey. Nien Nunb, Lt. Bed and Poe make an appearance here as well.
- First Order commanders take over the ship and lead you to your detention cells.
- Doors open to reveal a hanger bay filled with Stormtroopers that opens to space.
- You are then shown through interior corridors of a Star Destroyer where a few more Stormtroopers stand guard and lead to your integration.
- First Order General Hux and Kylo Ren are ready to handle our spy case personally, but then the Resistance appears to help us escape!
You’ll also see these Star Wars universe character during the actual ride:
- Two full size AT-AT walkers
- Kylo Ren
- Finn
- R5 Droid
Every line exits through various passages but eventually leads back to one exit point which is just to the left of the entrance.
Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide Single Rider
Will Rise of the Resistance have a single rider line? The best answer I can give you right now is it does not appear to have that option. Of course, official details have not been released and I will update this article as soon as I know.
Single Rider is a great way to ride other Disneyland attractions often with minimal wait times. Enter via the labeled Single Rider line at the entry point of the ride.
Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide Rider Switch
If you have a member of your party who does not meet the minimum height requirement for Rise of the Resistance, please arrive with your entire party at the entry to the ride.
Cast Members will explain your options for activating Rider Switch pass which generally follows this pattern:
- First party rides by waiting in the regular queue.
- Second party waits for their return. I suggest a designated meeting point. Confirm everyone knows the meeting place before splitting up.
- When first party escapes, they switch roles and the second party can now ride without waiting in the standby queue. Even though FASTPASS is not being used now, you will use that pathway for Rider Switch.
Using the FASTPASS line will allow you to merge with the standby line where BB-8 and hologram of Rey describes the mission. You will also see and experience the following:
- Lieutenant Bek, Nien Nunb and Poe Dameron greet us via video transmission.
- Board the Intersystem Transport Ship (I-TS), a shuttle-like system with 30-50 other guests, standing room/vehicle that slowly takes you to the next point in your journey. Nien Nunb, Lt. Bed and Poe make an appearance here as well.
- First Order commanders take over the ship and lead you to your detention cells.
- Doors open to reveal a hanger bay filled with Stormtroopers that opens to space.
- You are then shown through interior corridors of a Star Destroyer where a few more Stormtroopers stand guard and lead to your integration.
- First Order General Hux and Kylo Ren are ready to handle our spy case personally, but then the Resistance appears to help us escape!
Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide DAS & Wheelchairs
Navigating Disneyland Resort in a wheelchair or scooter shouldn’t hold you back and visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in a wheelchair is entirely possible. Read my Disneyland in a wheelchair article for plenty of tips to make the most of your entire visit here.
If you’re visiting Disneyland Resort and someone in your party has special needs, see my special needs section here.
Approach the entry to the attraction and a Cast Member will direct you to loading and transfer information. The standby queue is large, wide and wheelchair accessible up to a certain point in the line.
If using a wheelchair or EVC in line you might experience these entertaining highlights:
- Outdoor and indoor queue of Rise of the Resistance accommodates wheelchairs and scooters, including tunnels of the Resistance camp.
- Holoscreens featuring images from the Star Wars Universe.
- BB-8 greeting and hologram Rey who tells us about our mission.
- Lieutenant Bek, Nien Nunb and Poe Dameron greet us via video transmission.
- Board the Intersystem Transport Ship (I-TS), a shuttle-like system with 30-50 other guests, standing room/vehicle that slowly takes you to the next point in your journey. Nien Nunb, Lt. Bed and Poe make an appearance here as well.
- First Order commanders take over the ship and lead you to your detention cells.
- Doors open to reveal a hanger bay filled with Stormtroopers that opens to space.
- You are then shown through interior corridors of a Star Destroyer where a few more Stormtroopers stand guard and lead to your integration.
- First Order General Hux and Kylo Ren are ready to handle our spy case personally, but then the Resistance appears to help us escape!
- Please help us refine this list, if something needs editing, added or removed let us know in the comments.
Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide Magic Morning
Magic Morning is an early admission option offered with advance 3+ day tickets at Disneyland Park. Guests with Magic Morning get access to Disneyland a whole hour earlier than the general public. But wait . . .
Galaxy’s Edge is not open during Magic Morning or Extra Magic Hour. Disneyland Park will continue to open Fantasyland and Tomorrowland during Magic Morning. Be sure you’re ready each day to join the virtual queue.
Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide Final Thoughts
I waited an entire week (more if you count the opening at Walt Disney World) to ride the new attraction. Now that’s not normal for me. I usually like to be the first to report things to you, but I wanted to take my kids with me this time. When I opened Galaxy’s Edge in May 2019, it was a marathon work weekend and I simply couldn’t get everything accomplished with the family tagging along.
This time, my kids came along to ride Rise of the Resistance opening (a week late) together! See our reaction to getting a Boarding Group assignment in this live video replay here.
What do you think of our Disneyland Rise of the Resistance ride guide—let me know and ask your questions in the comment section so I know what to report on when I go in person at Disneyland Resort.
