You’ve FINALLY planned the Disney World trip of your dreams. You’ve got a list a mile long about the rides to go on, the treats to eat, and the characters to meet. At the top of your ride list is the ever-popular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. But how do you get on the ride? Is there a height limit? What safety info should you know? We’ve got you covered!

We already shared with you our Rise of the Resistance reviews (read both our spoiler-free and spoiler-alert versions here!) but we also know you’ve got A LOT of questions about this popular ride, so we’re here to answer them ALL!

🚨 Warning, though — there may be RIDE SPOILERS here so proceed with caution if you’re looking to be surprised!

What is Rise of the Resistance?

Rise of the Resistance is a Star Wars-themed attraction located in Hollywood Studios in Disney World and in Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort. The ride is designed to take guests on a very unique galactic adventure.

Rise of the Resistance serves as the major headliner in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at both Disney parks. Aside from Rise of the Resistance, both Galaxy’s Edge areas have just one other ride — Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.

Rise of the Resistance is one of the most ambitious undertakings from Disney, incorporating three unique ride sections and tons of animatronics, holograms, and special effects, all on an enormous scale!

Read about our first ride on Rise of the Resistance here!

Can I Skip the Standby Line for Rise of the Resistance?

Previously, Rise of the Resistance offered a virtual queue. That is no longer the case. Now, Rise of the Resistance has a regular standby line that all guests can wait in. But what if you don’t want to wait in the standby line? Well there’s another option.

Rise of the Resistance is available through Individual Attraction Selection (pay-per-ride). Basically, this is a new service (that debuted with Disney Genie+) which allows you to PAY to skip the standby line at Rise of the Resistance. If you purchase an Individual Attraction Selection for Rise of the Resistance, you’ll be able to select what time you want to come back and go on the ride.

When your time arrives, you’ll get to use the Lightning Lane (a.k.a. the old FastPass+ lane) for the ride, skip the standby line, and get on the ride. Note that the Individual Attraction Selection only allows you to do this (skip the standby line) once.

A maximum of 2 Individual Attraction Selections can be purchased per day (only 1 per ride). In terms of pricing, that can vary. We’ve generally seen Rise of the Resistance at $15 in Disney World, but it has been more expensive (around $20) in Disneyland.

Click here to see our full guide to Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection

Can I Access Rise of the Resistance OUTSIDE of Regular Park Hours?

YES! While you can join the regular standby line or buy an Individual Attraction Selection to experience Rise of the Resistance during regular park operating hours, you may also get the chance to ride it at other times if you qualify.

Early Theme Park Entry is a hotel perk that was introduced during Disney World’s 50th Anniversary and is set to last through 2023. This perk allows guests staying at Disney World Resort hotels (and select other hotels) to enter any theme park 30 minutes early any day (provided the guest has a valid park pass and park ticket). Rise of the Resistance is open and available during Early Entry.

In addition, during one specific day in April of 2022, Hollywood Studios and Rise of the Resistance specifically, was open late as part of the Extended Evening Hours offering. This is a separate hotel perk (also introduced for the 50th Anniversary) that lets guests at Deluxe Disney Hotels, Deluxe Villas, and select other hotels, stay in certain parks a few extra hours on select nights.

Rise of the Resistance was offered as part of this perk when Hollywood Studios stayed open late in April. The park really hasn’t been available through Extended Evening Hours since, but it’s something to keep checking up on since things can change!

Click here to learn more about these hotel perks

Is There a Single Rider Line?

While there IS a single rider line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge, at this time Rise of the Resistance does NOT appear to offer single rider.

Click here to see whether single rider lines are actually any faster at Disney World

Is There a Height Limit?

Yes. Guests must be at least 40″ tall to ride.

Any Other Safety Information I Need to Know?

Just the usual stuff! You must be in good health without any high blood pressure, heart, back, or neck issues to ride. Motion sickness or other conditions may occur if you have a sensitivity to rapid motion, sudden turns, abrupt stops, and a “swift drop!” Expectant mothers should not ride and children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by a person aged 14 or older.

Be sure to ask a Cast Member if you have any concerns that aren’t listed.

What is the ECV and Wheelchair Accessibility Situation?

Guests can use ECVs (scooters, essentially) and wheelchairs up until boarding the ride vehicle and then must transfer.

If you’re unable to transfer from your ECV you can still enjoy the in-queue interactivity, initial capture, and scope out the Stormtroopers in the airlock hangar, but you’ll be required to take the last chance exit before boarding the actual “ride” portion.

Can I Opt-out Before the Ride?

Like many Disney attractions, should you change your mind while waiting in the queue, you can “opt-out” before boarding the ride vehicle. This way, you can enjoy spending time with your traveling party waiting in line, but don’t have to partake in the actual ride experience should you choose not to.

Since the buckled-in, prisoner transport ride vehicle section happens so far into the experience, you can even experience the hangar with all the Stormtroopers if you’d like to well before exiting!

Can I Do a Rider-Switch/Swap?

Yes. Should you be traveling with a small child or children who do not meet the safety requirements to ride (or simply don’t want to!), adults may “swap” places without waiting in line again. Ask a Cast Member at the entrance for more info.

Note that Rise of the Resistance is not listed on the Disney World website that contains the list of attractions offering Rider Swap. But, a planDisney post from January 31st, 2022, confirms that Rise of the Resistance offers the Rider Swap service and that guests should find a Cast Member at the front of the attraction’s line to get more information.

Click here to learn about how Rider Swap works with Pay-Per-Ride and Genie+

Does Rise of the Resistance Have an Interactive Queue?

Sort of. There are cargo bins to scan and Aurebesh words to translate on the Play Disney Parks app from time to time in the queue.

You’ll want to utilize the app’s DataPad function to access these features in the Rise of the Resistance line and other areas of Galaxy’s Edge.

Are There Restrooms or Water Fountains in the Queue?

Restrooms: no!

Water fountains: yes!

In the past, Cast Members have said that you could leave the queue to use the restroom and then return. Sounds kind-of awkward and difficult though, so we’d recommend hitting up the restrooms before you get in line.

How Long is Rise of the Resistance?

By our estimation, the duration of Rise of the Resistance is around 18-20 minutes long, with significant portions of the attraction being walkthrough areas and holding rooms.

Note however that if the ride is malfunctioning or there’s a backup in guests, your wait time to be sorted into your prisoner groups (after the transport is caught in the tractor beam and you’ve hung out with all those stormtrooper dudes) can be LONG.

Yes, Rise of the Resistance is going to break down — Here’s what to do when it does

What is the Ride Vehicle Capacity?

Each standard Rise of the Resistance ride vehicle accommodates 8 people in two rows of four — plus one R5 Astromech Droid who serves as your guide!

The seats are a similar shape and size to the ones you’d find on DINOSAUR in Animal Kingdom or Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland with seat belts as the restraint. There’s a good amount of legroom and the floor space has enough room to accommodate a large backpack.

Are There Animatronics?

Yes! There are tons of animatronics, the vast majority of which are Stormtroopers, but you’ll see lots of other Star Wars characters as you make your harrowing escape!

Be on the lookout for Kylo Ren…

…Finn…

…and others!

You’ll really want to keep those eyes open at every turn!

Wondering what is the BEST time to ride Rise of the Resistance? Click here to read our post all about it.

Are There Live Actors?

We’ve received a lot of questions about if live actors are INSIDE the ride. We get it — many of the animatronics we’ve shown you are super life-like, but there are only a few parts in Rise of the Resistance where you’ll encounter live actors.

After you’ve been taken captive by the First Order, you’ll interact with Cast Members dressed like First Order Officers who will help you get loaded onto your prisoner transporter. But don’t worry, the officers aren’t scary or mean at all (think of the bellhops at Tower of Terror or the butlers in the Haunted Mansion).

During the ride, some Resistance fighters will come to aid you in your escape (meaning, they’ll help load you into the ride vehicle!).

But the rest of the characters you’ll see are generally animatronics.

What is The “Drop” Like?

You are seated for the drop a la Tower of Terror, but the drop is significantly shorter. According to a Cast Member, it’s about 23 feet, but it felt less than that to us because it happened SO QUICKLY and only lasts barely a second!

If you’re not anticipating the drop (which happens towards the end of the ride when you enter the “escape pod”), it could catch you off guard. But the set-up is pretty obvious. Your vehicle clearly moves into the escape pod (it has a screen at the front like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run), and your vehicle is “locked in,” which is obvious. It’s big enough for a “tummy flip,” but it’s over so fast you’ll barely know it happened with everything else going on.

Will I Be Scared?

We found Rise of the Resistance to be very thrilling. If you think Pirates of the Caribbean is too thrilling, Rise of the Resistance is definitely more intense, but whether you’ll be scared or not really depends on what kind of stuff spooks you.

Some of us here at DFB aren’t big fans of drops, but none of us have been too freaked out by the one on Rise of the Resistance. And while Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run can feel a bit claustrophobic at times, there aren’t very many parts during Rise of the Resistance where we feel “closed-in”. Even though there are some live actors, none of them jump out or sneak up on you.

Note that children or folks with sensory issues, such as those who are sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights, and frantic motion might not be able to ride Rise of the Resistance. You guys know yourselves and your kiddos better than we do, so use your best judgment and check out this post so you’ll know what to expect!

How Bad is It if I’m Sensitive to Motion?

Most of Rise of the Resistance is walking, so although the attraction is quite long, there’s a good amount of time to stop and get your bearings. The “spinning” on the actual ride portion is similar to Magic Kingdom’s Buzz Lightyear’s Space Rangers Spin, only you have no control over the motion of your ride vehicle.

We’ve definitely felt more queasiness after rides like Star Tours or even Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run then we did after riding Rise of the Resistance.

On Scale of One to Lightspeed, How Fun Was It?

Lightspeed, friends. Lightspeed!

If I’m Not a Diehard Star Wars Fan, Will I Still Enjoy It?

Yes, we think so! Because of how ambitious, immersive, and exciting this attraction is as a whole, we think you’ll find something you like about it — even if you’re only vaguely familiar with the new Star Wars movies!

Who knows, after riding it, you might become a diehard Star Wars fan after all!

If I Only Have Time to Ride Either Smuggler’s Run or Rise of the Resistance, Which One Should I Choose?

Rise all the way, BB-8! The two Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attractions couldn’t be more different, so don’t make the assumption you don’t need to ride Rise of the Resistance if you’ve already ridden Smuggler’s Run!

There’s a short part on Rise where you’re riding in a flight simulator, but that’s the only scene that’s remotely close to Smuggler’s Run — the rest is all VERY different! Of the 2, hands down this is our favorite!

Is Rise of the Resistance BETTER Than Avatar: Flight of Passage?

We’ve been asking ourselves this question ever since stepping off Rise of the Resistance for the first time, and it’s a tough one! They’re hard to compare, but if we had to choose, we’d probably go with Rise! (But not all of our team or all of you might agree!)

Generally, though, the storyline takes us into the ride even deeper and there are a lot more components to Rise of the Resistance than Flight of Passage.

For us, riding Rise of the Resistance is like being inside one of the Star Wars films, and it doesn’t get much better than that! (Flight of Passage is still mega fun and awesome and go ride that too though! 😉 )

Is Rise of the Resistance the Same at Disneyland as It is in Disney World?

Technically, yes. Although there are a few differences in the queue lines, the rides themselves are basically the same. So, you’ll be able to experience the same awesome ride on both coasts!

As always, things in Disney World and Disneyland are subject to change. We’re constantly looking for updates, so be sure to check back with us for all the latest information on Rise of the Resistance and Disney’s other rides.

A lawsuit has alleged that Disney STOLE the Rise of the Resistance ride design — Click here to learn more about that

Still got questions about Rise of the Resistance? Tell us what you’d like to know in the comments below, and we’ll get you the answers!