The Perfect Time to Ride Rise of the Resistance in Disney World

When is the best time to take off for a galaxy far, far away?

Galaxy’s Edge

Nearly 5 years after it first opened, Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge remains one of the most impressive attractions at Walt Disney World, and an E-Ticket jewel in the crown of modern Imagineering. However, that means it’s also one of the most beloved rides at the resort. This popularity, combined with technical issues that see the ride experience significant downtime almost daily, often lead to Rise of the Resistance commanding the second or third highest average weekly wait time in all of Walt Disney World. So, what’s the BEST time to try and hit Rise of the Resistance during a day at Hollywood Studios? We’ve looked at the data and polled the experts so we can tell you!

There are currently two ways you ride Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios: waiting in the standby queue or purchasing an individual lightning Lane. We’ll be tackling the queue first.

Standby Queue

While Rise of the Resistance did originally open with the virtual queue system, the attraction now operates with a traditional standby queue. Our expert advice — which is backed up by wait times data — is that IF Rise of the Resistance is a priority for you, you should try getting to the ride as EARLY as you can – – AKA rope drop it. Arrive at the park for opening and get to the ride as soon as you can and hop in line, as wait times will only grow throughout the morning and afternoon, reaching the 90-100 minute zone on crowded days. This is especially recommended if you’re a Disney hotel guest and can use the Early Theme Park Entry perk to enter the park 30 minutes early.

Rise of the Resistance Line

If Rise of the Resistance is not a priority attraction for you/you’re not a first time rider, you COULD chance trying to hold it toward the end of the day. As night falls and Fantasmic! and fireworks time draws near, Galaxy’s Edge tends to empty out a bit, leaving the ride with a more manageable wait in the 40-50 minute zone, sometimes less. However, we’d again only recommend this if the ride isn’t a priority since there’s a chance waiting until nighttime may backfire thanks to the ride’s most persistent issue.

Rise of the Resistance Lightning Lane and Standby Entry

The elephant in the room when it comes to Rise of the Resistance is the ride’s persistent penchant for downtime. Very few days go by with the ride not being down for some period, and if you push off Rise to the end of the day and it encounters downtime late, it may just close for the duration of the park day. Of course, downtime is often a crapshoot as it is, and can affect riding early as well. For example, on a day in early June, the ride didn’t open for the day until 2:00PM. That said, you’re better off trying early than later.

Rise of the Resistance at night.

Individual Lightning Lane

Of course, you can try to avoid the standby line altogether and buy an Individual Lightning Lane for the attraction, though that brings up its own set of issues. Individual Lightning Lanes are a separate purchase that gives you a specific time to enter the Lightning Lane (a usually shorter) line for the ride.

Usually selling for around $25 dollars a person, Individual Lightning Land go on sale at 7AM for Disney hotel guests. Technically, they are available for non-hotel guests beginning at 9AM when the park opens, but they can be completely sold out by then. The potential bonus of an Individual Lightning Lane is that if the ride is closed during your return time, your reservation will change from a Lightning Lane to a Select Experience Pass. This pass will allow you to return when the ride is open and ride it at any time.

Rise of the Resistance entrance

If you want to ride Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios with the least possible wait – – and can’t get an Individual Lightning Lane – – we’d advise heading to the ride first thing in the morning (if it’s a high priority) or late in the day (if it’s not), but be wary of potential downtime and closure either way.

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