This morning we were lucky enough to be among the first to experience Rise of the Resistance, the crown jewel of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The ride officially opens tomorrow. This article contains lots of photos and spoilers of the entire attraction, all the way up until you board the trackless ride vehicles mid-way through the experience, We save the best part of the attraction for you with just some general comments, so please consider yourself warned and view at your own risk!
The Resistance Forest
Your journey begins in an elaborate outdoor forest, where the Resistance fighters have established their camp.
Resistance Caves
You then transition to the other side of the waterfalls inside the cave structures and into the indoor portion of the queue.
First Pre-Show Room
The intensity of the queue has been slowly building until you suddenly find yourself in the first pre-show room. The attraction has really begun at this point because important details begin to be revealed.
On to the Action . . .
Having been convinced to join the cause, you are whisked onto a troop transport and into the air. What could possibly go wrong?!
It’s a bit like a gentle version of Star Tours that you stand in.
Into the Star Destroyer!
What happens next is going to fill you with awe. I’ve seen people cry when they catch their first glimpse at rows of Storm Troopers on the deck of the massive landing bay.
Captured!
You know you are in trouble when you leave the safety of your ship behind and head down a long corridor with the First Order.
This is end of the road for our photos, as we don’t want to spoil what happens when you get on the trackless portion of the ride.
Overall, the ride is a complete experience, and is pure sensory overload. There are so many details that it just gets better each time you ride and find more of the details you missed after the first go. The trackless system allows the ride to go places and do things that are very unpredictable and thrilling. It really feels like you’re in a Star Wars movie and on an actual adventure.
One other major plus about this ride, compared to the rest of the land, is that from the minute you get to the first pre-show, there is Star Wars music everywhere. Star Wars music is something sorely missing from the rest of Batuu and makes you wonder why it’s OK for there to be music here and not elsewhere.
Speaking of Batuu, this attraction does help flesh out the land, and changes the overall experience entirely. It now feels like a place that is much larger that you can spend more time in. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run also no longer has to try to bear the weight of being the main attraction. Rise of the Resistance is something beyond an E-Ticket and is one of the most impressive attractions Disney has built, and they have every right to be as proud of it as they are.
I’m still soaking it all in, and we’ll be back with more from Batuu and Rise of the Resistance soon.
Rise of the Resistance Video (SPOILERS)
If you want to see the rest of the ride, we are going to make it a little more difficult for you to see the spoilers. I’ve got a video of the trackless portion of the ride below. Again, PLEASE DON’T CLICK UNLESS YOU WANT TO SEE THE SPOILERS:
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Let’s Hear From You!
What do you think? Will you be braving the crowds here in Orlando or at Disneyland next month to check out this epic new Star Wars attraction? Does this new attraction make the land feel more complete to you? Let us know in the comments below. Thank you for reading and sharing!
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