Star Wars Rise of the Resistance - And More On Galaxy’s Edge!
At age 26, for the first time ever, I visited Disney World in November of 2020. Our first day there we visited Hollywood Studios because my husband was very excited to check out Galaxy's Edge. Don't get me wrong, I loved the experience myself! I have to say, the best part about it was their newest ride - Star Wars Rise of the Resistance.
If you are a Star Wars fan, even if you aren't, you need to experience this ride! At the time we went, I had only seen a few of the new movies. Even so, I still enjoyed this ride more than any other I experienced.
Star Wars Rise of the Resistance Breakdown
The Queue
The first thing to know about Star Wars Rise of the Resistance is that you have to sign up for the ride on a queue. For us, the queues opened at 7am and 2pm. In order to get on the queue at 2pm we sat down on a bench about 1:50 and pulled up our account. We both started trying to join the queue over and over about five minutes before 2. Luckily, we were able to snag a spot on the queue to ride later that afternoon.
We were able to follow our spot on the queue with the DisneyWorld app to see our time nearing. Once we saw that our number were up for the ride, we made our way over to Rise of the Resistance. We presented our queue number and headed in.
The Resistance Base
When we headed in we walked through an area that displayed resistance suits and other details making it feel like you were at the resistance base. The first thing we did was go into a room with a realistic BB-8 accompanying a hologram of Rey. She was asking us to help the resistance in their fight.
Following the hologram's request, the doors on the opposite side of the room opened up, leading outside. Here there was a resistance ship ready for us to board. When we hopped on we could stand closer to the front or the back. Both of these had different "window views." An electronic Lieutenant Bek was in the front of the ship as well.
He explained things to us and informed us what to do as our ship became "captured" by the First Order's Star Destroyer.
The Star Destroyer
Once our ship was officially taken onto the Star Destroyer, employees dressed as First Order stormed the ship to take us off. When exiting the ship we were in a huge room that looked exactly like the First Order's Star Destroyer. There was a giant screen giving you the impression you were looking out into space with other ships flying around. In front of that screen there were multiple storm troopers on guard and TIE fighters parked on the walls.
In this room was where our experience became interesting! There were actually some technical difficulties ahead of us and we had to wait in the Star Destroyer until they were fixed. I must say, if there was anywhere on that ride to be stuck for a bit - that was definitely the room!
Once this was figured out, we were lead farther into the Star Destroyer down the hall and into a cell block. In this cell block, there was a screen above us showing Kylo Ren looking down on us, "using the force" and demanding the location of the secret base. A few seconds after he left, we were broken out of the cell and lead into a droid-driven cart in order to escape. This is where the ride part of things really began!!
The Escape - The Route to the Escape Pods
This part seriously took me by surprise! I have to admit, after the beginning I was thinking, "Is this it?" However, after experiencing the rest of the ride it easily became my favorite.
The cart showed Finn directing us where to go to reach the escape pods and then began moving through the ship. Some storm troopers spotted us and began "shooting" at us. The shooting was so realistic, I literally ducked at one point! There were laser lights accompanied by sounds, but when they hit something, it really looked like that area had been hit.
We then drove into a room where there were HUGE AT-ATs. The two carts went separate ways and ours went under the AT-AT and up through it which was insane! When we got through the AT-AT, you could see storm troopers inside. They spotted us and then began shooting at us as well! I was seriously laughing like a kid and ducking from the shots at this point.
The cart then pulled up behind Kylo Ren looking out from the ship and being informed that we had escaped. He turned around, saw us, and as soon as he began walking toward us the cart pulled away.
One of the coolest parts for me was when he followed us and the doors shut. Then, through the ceiling above us came his lightsaber, slicing through and attempting to strike us! Seriously... the details of this ride absolutely amazed me!
While the droid-driven cart was attempting to reach the escape pods, we ended up in the hands of Kylo Ren again. This time he used the force to pull our carts in, insisting for the location of the base. All of a sudden, what looked like a window behind him was "broken" and caused him to almost fly out. We were then taken away from him and heading to the escape pods!
The Escape - Escape Pods and Batuu
As our cart entered the escape pod, there was a screen making it look like we were looking out into space. We could see all of the fighting going on outside of the ship! Then, out of nowhere, the escape pod released and if felt like we were dropping out of the ship!
It showed us flying through space, back to Batuu before landing there! After we landed, the cart drove out of the escape pod and past Bek - who was in another pod. He was thanking us for our help.
This is where the ride came to an end and I remember feeling absolutely giddy! Like I mentioned above, I really hadn't seen much Star Wars. Although that was the case, it was easily still my favorite ride. The details of the ride still amaze me when I think about it! And honestly, I can't wait to go back now that I have been all caught up with the Star Wars of it all.
More on Galaxy's Edge
Galaxy's Edge in general was just absolutely amazing! Although Rise of the Resistance was easily my favorite, there are so many other amazing things included.
The whole area is covered in amazing details out of the Star Wars movies. There were ships everywhere, footprints in the ground beneath us, and sounds of ships flying by.
Along with the details there were multiple things to do while in Galaxy's Edge.
Of course, there was Smuggler's Run - the Millennium Falcon ride. The details of this ride were absolutely stunning as well. It looked JUST like you were walking inside of the ship! On this ride you were able to drive and/or shoot through your run. My husband probably thought I did a terrible job, but hey - we had fun!
They also had Oga's Cantina, which we unfortunately were unable to get reservations for, but will definitely go back for. They have a droid depot where you can build your own droid as well!
Along with these, there is SO much more to see and do in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. I would highly suggest visiting and spending a good amount of your time really taking in the experience.
And of course, do everything you can to get on that queue for Star Wars Rise of the Resistance!!
