Whether you are planning your very first trip to Batuu or looking for updated day-of strategies, this guide combines everything you need to know: wait times, how the ride system works, where to find the entrance, and answers to your biggest questions.
Quick Ride Overview
Before diving into full strategy, here is a quick snapshot of what to expect:
| Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (Disneyland Park) |
| Height Requirement | 40 inches (102 cm) or taller |
| Access Options | Standby Line or Lightning Lane Single Pass |
| Lightning Lane Multi Pass? | No. Not included in Multi Pass. |
| Virtual Queue? | No. Virtual queue is no longer used. |
| Rider Switch Available? | Yes |
| Ride Duration & Type | ~18-minute immersive experience (trackless vehicle, motion simulator, and a brief drop sequence) |
The 2 Ways to Ride Rise of the Resistance
There are currently only two ways to experience Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland Park:
1. Purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass
- How it works: This is an à la carte paid option separate from Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
- Requirements: You must be scanned into Disneyland Park (or Disney California Adventure with a valid Park Hopper ticket and reservation) to purchase it on the Disneyland app.
- Limit: You can purchase a Single Pass for this ride once per day, per ticket.
2. Use the Standby Line
- How it works: Simply enter the regular line at no extra cost.
- Best Strategy: Watch wait times on the Disneyland app throughout the day and jump in line when you see dips (often during afternoon parade times or later in the evening).
For our family, we almost always use the Standby line since there is no Single Rider option. I watch wait times during the day and generally consider it a success if we get in line at 40 minutes wait time (or less). Before getting in line we stop at the restrooms near Hungry Bear, stock up on snacks and drinks and be ready for in-line games.
A Note on Rope Drop: Heading straight to Rise of the Resistance at park opening is a popular tactic, but it comes with a risk. The ride frequently experiences delayed openings in the morning. If it isn’t running when the park opens, walking all the way to the back of the park wastes valuable early morning strategy time. Check the app right at opening to confirm it is operating before walking over!
How to Find the Ride Entrance in Galaxy’s Edge
Rise of the Resistance is tucked into the far northwest corner of Disneyland Park. You can reach the entrance via three primary paths:
- Via Bayou Country (Quickest & Direct): Walk past the Bayou Country pathway directly into the Resistance encampment.
- Via Frontierland (Big Thunder Trail): Enter Galaxy’s Edge and take the first left turn available, following the path straight toward the Resistance camp. This is also the best path to take if you’re Rope Dropping this ride.
- Via Fantasyland: Keep left in Fantasyland and take the first right you can after exiting Fantasyland which will take you into Galaxy’s Edge. Follow the winding path to the left and toward the Resistance side of the land.
Motion Sickness, Scare Factor & Accessibility
Will it make you sick?
Rise of the Resistance uses a combination of physical trackless ride vehicles, surrounding projection screens, and a small, sudden vertical drop sequence. If you are sensitive to motion simulators, keep your eyes on fixed physical props rather than screen elements when those appear. Most people prone to motion sickness can ride this with minimal modifications.
Is it scary for young kids?
While the small drop is usually gentle enough for most kids who meet the 40-inch height requirement, the theming can be intense:
- First Order Cast Members remain strictly in character and behave sternly toward guests.
- The ride features life-sized Stormtroopers, dark environments, loud laser fire, and encounters with Kylo Ren.
Ride Walkthrough & Storyline (Spoiler Alert)
If you prefer to go in completely blind, skip ahead to the FAQ section! Otherwise, here is what the multi-part experience entails:
- The Resistance Encampment Queue: You queue through outdoor caves and tactical rooms filled with Resistance gear.
- The Mission Briefing: An animatronic BB-8 and a hologram of Rey inform your group that you must board a transport ship to meet General Organa.
- The Transport Ship (I-TS): You step aboard a standing transport shuttle piloted by animatronic Lt. Bek. During transit, your ship is intercepted and captured by a First Order Star Destroyer.
- The Hangar Bay: The transport doors open to reveal a massive First Order hangar bay filled with dozens of Stormtroopers and a view out into space.
- Detention Cells & Escape: First Order officers march you into interrogation cells. Soon, Resistance fighters cut through the walls to free you into 8-passenger, trackless escape vehicles.
- The Main Ride Sequence: Your trackless pod navigates past giant AT-AT walkers, evades turbolaser fire, encounters Kylo Ren, and enters an escape pod that plunges down a drop shaft before landing safely back on Batuu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Rise of the Resistance break down so often?
Because of its complex systems (combining trackless vehicles, elevator drop towers, audio-animatronics, and sync systems), small disruptions cause automatic safety shutdowns. Something as simple as a guest dropping a hat or pair of sunglasses onto the trackless floor requires a full system pause and lengthy reboot process.
Be sure to secure all your belongings before you ride so the ride stays open for everyone. This includes phones.
Is Rise of the Resistance accessible?
Yes, you can ride this if you’re using a scooter, ECV or wheelchair.
Is Rise of the Resistance ever closed for scheduled refurbishment?
Yes, like all major Disneyland attractions, it periodically undergoes maintenance. Always check Disneyland’s official refurbishment calendar or my regular ride closure updates when planning your travel dates.
Can I park hop and buy a Single Pass for Rise later in the day?
Yes! If you start your day at Disney California Adventure, you can purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass for Rise of the Resistance as long as they are available. And chances are good they will be, it rarely sells out.
Historical Vault: The Virtual Queue Era
For Disney history lovers, Rise of the Resistance originally opened on January 17, 2020, using a Virtual Queue (Boarding Groups) system instead of a traditional line.
Guests had to log onto the app at exact times (originally at park opening, and later at 7:00 AM and 12:00 PM) to race for a spot using what I called the J.E.D.I. method:
- J: Join a boarding group via the app.
- E: Everyone’s tickets linked in advance.
- D: Don’t open the app until 1 minute before time.
- I: Immediately tap “Join Boarding Group.”
While Boarding Groups were a helpful way to manage crowds during the ride’s initial years, the current system of Standby Line and Lightning Lane Single Pass gives guests much more flexibility to plan their day!
