Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland: Complete Guide, Wait Times & Tips
What Makes Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance One of Disneyland’s Most Popular Rides?
Over at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, there’s a whole land built around the world of the Star Wars films: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
And of all the attractions in the park, one of the most popular by far is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
In this guide we’ll walk you through what the ride is actually like, what to expect, and a few things to keep in mind before you board.
Whether you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan or someone who’s only seen a movie or two, this is one of those rides that pretty much everyone walks away from grinning, so it’s well worth checking out.
What Is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance?
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a massive flagship attraction inside the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land at the Disneyland Resort.
Rather than a single ride, it’s really a multi-stage experience that strings several ride systems together, so it genuinely feels like you’ve stepped into the Star Wars universe.
It first opened at Walt Disney World in Florida, then officially debuted at Disneyland in Anaheim on January 17, 2020.
The story is set in Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, and the whole thing is built to immerse you in the world of the sequel trilogy and the broader Star Wars saga.
What really sets it apart is the way it blends a dark ride, a motion simulator, a trackless ride, and even a drop-ride element into one continuous adventure. It’s an ambitious project built around a single dream: actually putting you inside the movie.
So What’s the Ride Actually Like?
Calling Rise of the Resistance a “ride” almost undersells it. It’s more of a story you move through, broken into several distinct scenes.
Here’s roughly how it unfolds:
1. The Pre-Show (Briefing)
You start out as a new Resistance recruit getting your mission briefing.
A hologram of Rey appears alongside BB-8 to explain just how important the job ahead of you really is.
2. The Transport Ship
Once the briefing wraps up, you board a small transport to evacuate Batuu and rendezvous with the wider Resistance.
That’s when things go sideways: your ship gets captured by a First Order Star Destroyer, and the tension ramps up fast.
3. Capture and Interrogation
Inside the Star Destroyer’s hangar bay, you’re met by row after row of Stormtroopers.
The sheer scale of the set is jaw-dropping, and while you’re taking it all in, First Order officers pull you in for an “interrogation.”
You’re treated as part of the story the whole time, which gives it that movie-like sense of suspense.
4. The Escape (Trackless Vehicle)
To make your getaway, you board a small trackless vehicle and tear through the interior of the Star Destroyer.
You come face-to-face with towering AT-AT walkers and find yourself pursued by Kylo Ren, so the action barely lets up.
Because the vehicle is trackless, there are no visible rails and it darts around unpredictably, which cranks up the immersion and the thrills.
5. The Finale
It all builds to a climactic escape, complete with an escape-pod sequence that gives you that stomach-flip moment.
The instant you reunite with the Resistance, you step off the ride still riding the high of the victory.
The way it seamlessly weaves a moving dark ride together with a motion simulator is the whole point: you don’t just watch the scenes, you live through them.
Along the way there are animatronics, projection mapping, and clever mirror illusions everywhere, so no matter which way you turn, the Star Wars world stretches out around you.
How Long Is the Wait?
Since Rise of the Resistance is one of the most popular attractions at the entire Disneyland Resort, the wait tends to run long. Here are a few ways to cut down on the time and ride more efficiently.
Standby Line (The Regular Queue)
These days you can generally just hop in the standby line, but on busy days that can mean anywhere from one to two hours, and sometimes even longer.
Heading over first thing in the morning or later in the evening tends to mean a shorter wait.
Lightning Lane (Paid Option)
A Lightning Lane Single Pass usually means a much shorter wait, though it isn’t necessarily a walk-on.
Rise of the Resistance isn’t included with the Lightning Lane Multi Pass — it’s available through a separate Lightning Lane Single Pass (or a Premier Pass), subject to availability. Disney’s paid line-skip system and its pricing change from time to time, so check the official Disneyland app for current prices and return times before you go.
If riding it is a must for you, it’s well worth considering.
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The Setting and Story
Rise of the Resistance is set during the sequel-trilogy era (Episodes VII–IX), in the thick of the conflict between the First Order and the Resistance.
The story kicks off at a secret Resistance base hidden in the forest just outside Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu.
Your Role
You join up as a new Resistance recruit.
During the briefing, a hologram of Rey — relayed through BB-8 — tells you that you’ve been handed a critical mission, and just like that, you’re pulled into the story.
As things unfold, you cross paths, directly and indirectly, with familiar faces from the films like Poe Dameron and Finn, as well as Kylo Ren and General Hux.
Why Batuu Matters
Batuu is written as a remote frontier world, a smugglers’ haven, and a place that’s seen all kinds of factions clash over the years.
That backstory is exactly why it makes such a fitting hideout for the Resistance.
You get to experience what it’s like to push back against the First Order in that harsh, lawless environment.
The Story Arc
The plot moves through a full arc: you join up, get your mission, get captured by the First Order, attempt your escape, hit a climactic showdown, and finally make it back, basically a feature film’s worth of story packed into one ride.
From coming face-to-face with towering AT-AT walkers to the genuine dread of fleeing Kylo Ren, each scene delivers a different kind of thrill.
One thing that’s unique to this attraction: the cast members playing First Order troopers actually “interrogate” you in character, which keeps the tension high throughout.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
1. Crowds and Wait Times
As mentioned, this one’s so popular that the standby line tends to stretch out.
Standby waits vary widely and can run well over an hour on busy days, so check the Disneyland app for live wait times and plan accordingly.
If you absolutely want to ride and don’t mind paying, consider a Lightning Lane Single Pass.
2. Age and Height Considerations
It’s not a steep, scream-your-head-off coaster, but it does include a drop element along with some dark, intense moments.
There’s also a height requirement: guests must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall to ride, and kids 7 and under need to be with someone 14 or older. If anyone in your group can’t or would rather not ride, ask a cast member about Rider Switch so the rest of you don’t lose your place in line.
If even a little stomach-drop sensation isn’t your thing, or you’re traveling with small kids or anyone who gets motion sick easily, keep that in mind.
3. Technical Hiccups and Downtime
Because the ride leans on so much cutting-edge tech, it does occasionally pause for technical issues.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the official Disneyland app or website for status updates.
4. The Cast’s Roleplay
The cast members playing First Order troopers and officers can come across as stern, but it’s all part of the show.
Their stern act is all part of the experience, though the scene can still feel intense for younger or more sensitive guests.
The Resistance-side cast members will often pull you into the story too, so leaning into those interactions makes the whole thing even more immersive.
Planning a Disneyland day trip? Anaheim is an easy drive from the LA area, and having your own car makes that early-morning rope drop — your best shot at a shorter Rise of the Resistance line — a whole lot simpler. Our Hybrid Rental keeps fuel costs down on the round trip and is a comfortable, eco-friendly pick whether you’re visiting for a few days or you live right here in Southern California.
Final Thoughts
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance offers a genuinely groundbreaking ride experience at Disneyland in Anaheim.
Since it opened in Florida in late 2019 and then in Anaheim in early 2020, it’s drawn the attention of Star Wars fans and theme-park lovers from all over the world.
The biggest draw, hands down, is how completely it lets you step into the story as a member of the Resistance, standing up to the First Order yourself.
So next time you’re at Disneyland, definitely carve out time to experience this one.
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