Rise of the Resistance — the massive Star Wars-themed E-Ticket that headlines Galaxy’s Edge — is rightfully hailed as a modern marvel of Imagineering… when it’s operational on all cylinders. However, that’s not always the case.
Since opening at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland in 2019, Rise of the Resistance has wowed guests with a multifaceted experience that includes an in-depth queue, a simulator, a second queue, and a trackless ride experience. However, on the flip side, long waits, frequent downtimes, and malfunctioning effects have caused issues. So, how could Disney improve the experience with new rules? Let’s find out!
Theme the Single Rider Line Just a Bit
Over the last several years, Disney has experimented with a single rider line for the attraction. While this has meant slightly shorter waits for some riders, it also means missing out on large sections of the queue and (in most incarnations of the line) the simulator portion to instead move through unmarked, formerly backstage corridors.
While missing much of the queue may be a “necessary evil” to using the single rider line (sidenote, we really would recommend only using single rider if you’ve experienced Rise of the Resistance in full previously), Disney could at least find a way to theme the halls just a bit to at least hold on to some of the immersive qualities.
Timeline Changes?
When Galaxy’s Edge first opened, the land — including Rise of the Resistance — was pretty solidly locked into taking place during the sequel trilogy of Star Wars films. While this made for a thematically cohesive land, it angered some guests who wished the land featured characters and settings from across the saga. Disney has begun to break that timeline in recent years, first with appearances of the Mandalorian and Grogu, then with the announcement that said characters would be added to a new mission on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Finally, in early 2026, Disney announced that the Disneyland version of Galaxy’s Edge would see a massive change beginning that April.
According to the company, “Black Spire Outpost will roll back in time several decades, thoughtfully introducing beloved characters from across the Star Wars timeline, new props and graphics in some areas, musical selections from Star Wars film scores throughout the land and more. Each era will be brought to life with the same care and attention to detail that the land was originally designed with, masterfully weaving together stories from across time and space in one location.”
Characters including Han Solo, Princess Leia, and even Luke Skywalker will be coming to the land, along with Darth Vader. While these additions haven’t been confirmed for the Walt Disney World version, it seems like only a matter of time until these changes — and a potential change to Rise of the Resistance could arrive.
Grow the Resistance
Speaking of characters, the area around Rise of the Resistance would definitely benefit from some character infusion. Perhaps some Resistance soldiers, droids, or even a few pilots milling about the docked A-Wing starfighter.
Get All the Effects Working!
Perhaps the biggest thing Disney can do to make Rise of the Resistance even better is to get all of the ride’s effects in working order, including the various Kylo Ren animatronics and the massive cannons.
Rise of the Resistance is already one of the best ride experiences at Disney World, but a few small tweaks and changes could make it EVEN better! Stay tuned to AllEars for more thoughts on Disney World.
UNBUILT: Disney’s ORIGINAL ‘Star Wars’ Land Almost Took Over Tomorrowland 40 Years Ago!
How would you improve Rise of the Resistance? Let us know know in the comments below.
DEFINITELY need to get the cannons working, especially since Disneyland fixed theirs.
I would love to see original trilogy characters in Disneyworld, having grown up with those movies.
The cannons not working is really disappointing. We decided to not go to Disney at at for ’26 due to the building of lands and waiting for things to be as completed as they can. Florida residents so we did not renew our annual passes. When I speak to people about this ride and ask about the cannons, most didn’t even know they moved and flashed. What once made my 50yr old jaw drop in awe is just a cool hallway to another scene. But when you rounded that corner and the cannons were firing it was truly magical and like being in the movies. The most movie like ride for that park. It kills me that that scene has been down for it seems like two years now. For this who don’t know. If you have ever been on Mickey and Minnies Railway. The tradition from the theater to the screen exploding and you walking into a cartoon, that awesome traditional magic is about 10% of what that cannon room was like when it worked.