Looking to pilot the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy? Well, then you’ll want to head over to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Each cockpit in this ride can sit up to 6 guests. With the addition of plexiglass on the ride vehicle, a group of 1-4 and a separate group of 1-2 could potentially sit together. But, these cockpits are pretty small, and you might not get that 6 feet of distance between yourself and the other party. So, can you and your party just sit by yourselves on the ride? We did some digging and here’s what we found out.
A quick recap: The loading procedures for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run changed last year. There are now colored dots on the floor to direct guests — orange and blue. The first party stands on the first of a color and the second party stands on the second of that same color. The orange dots go to the left cockpits and the blue dots go to the right cockpits.
Follow the Dots!
Your party is called up by color and then instructed to stay on their respective dots. These dots continue up to the point to where you load. The loading process now ignores the pilot, engineer, and gunner markers on the floor. Instead, there are now the sets of corresponding dots.
So Many Dots!
Don’t worry if that sounds SUPER confusing. Cast Members help guide you through the process.
Aside from the new loading procedures, last year, Smugglers Run also got a plexiglass makeover. There is now plexiglass in the cockpit, but it’s only around the gunners’ seats — separating the gunners from the engineers.
Plexiglass
A Cast Member explained to us that this set-up could potentially allow for a group of 1-4 people plus another group of 1-2 all sitting in the same cockpit at the same time. Essentially, it would be 1 group of 1-4 in the front, with another group of 1-2 in the back seats (engineer seats).
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
But, the cockpit is pretty tight. You might not be able to keep that 6-foot distance between you and the other party. What if you don’t feel comfortable being in such a small space with another party, despite the plexiglass diving you? Can you ride Smugglers Run alone?
Millennium Falcon
Well, we visited the ride recently and asked. The Cast Member there told us that if you are 1 person, a couple, and/or a party that wants to be completely alone in the cockpit — you can ask. Otherwise, you’ll be seated in the front half of the cockpit, or the back half, with the plexiglass in between.
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Keep in mind, that while you can ask to be seated alone, that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get the seating arrangement you want. The Cast Members might not be able to accommodate your request depending on what’s going on, the crowd levels, or other reasons.
Smugglers Run
You could also potentially ask to be seated alone or with more space between you and other parties on other rides in Disney World. But, again, you’re not guaranteed to get the seating arrangements you request. It’ll likely depend on the Cast Member there, what the crowds look like, and other factors.
If everyone were to ask to be seated alone though, that could cause the lines to get quite long, particularly when it comes to popular attractions. So, again, the Cast Members might not be able to accommodate your seating requesting.
We’re sorry we don’t have a more solid answer when it comes to things like this but it really is situational. It will depend on the Cast Member, the day, the crowds, etc. But we do want you to know that it’s not entirely out of the question and may be possible. It never hurts to ask, but if told no, please be respectful to that Cast Member! They have a lot of working parts that they are trying to keep in motion.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run FastPass Queue
We’ll keep an eye out for more updates all around Disney World with their ride experiences. If we spot any major changes, we’ll be sure to let you know. Stay tuned to DFB for more updates!
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Was there alone in early February. The couple in front of me DEMANDED to be seated alone in the vehicle, and was quite obnoxious to the cast member. He told them he would try. Then he turned to me ( looking quite stressed) I said I really didn’t care where I was seated, just having a great day and happy to be on the ride. He then proceeded to seat me totally alone in my own cockpit! The couple in front of me got seated with another party. Always be polite and kind to the cast members!!