A huge wave of new information has been released about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! Disney has officially revealed a ton of details about the land that will open at Disneyland this summer and at Walt Disney World this fall. They’ve opened up about the food, drinks, merchandise and even the attractions that guests will experience during their visit.
That last item – the attractions – particularly caught our eye. Specifically, new details on the Rise of the Resistance ride shows off just how large and immersive the full experience will be.
Warning – there are spoilers ahead.
Early rumors suggested that the Rise of the Resistance was a 28-minute experience. Disney has now stated that it will not be that length, but they aren’t providing an exact figure. However, we do know that the ride will provide a lengthy experience that will start before you ever board a ride vehicle.
Entering Rise of the Resistance
The experience reportedly begins in an area just outside of the ride where guests will see the iconic X-wing and A-wing starfighters. Resistance members (cast members) will be seen working and servicing these vehicles throughout the day.
The Queue
The Rise of the Resistance sounds like it took a page out of Flight of Passage’s playbook and enhanced it, providing a detailed and immersive experience for guests waiting in line. Guests will pass through chambers and ruins carved from the rock, strung together with hastily assembled cabling and technology by the group of Resistance fighters.
Guests will pass through a briefing room with messages from Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron.
“Takeoff”
Guests will then “board” a transport ship that will unfortunately be halted by the First Order.
Captured!
Captured and pulled aboard a Star Destroyer, guests will see the incredible – and very real – view below in a grand reveal.
See the TIE Fighter on the far right of the image? It’s the same one that the workers can be seen near in the image at the top of this page. That should give an idea of just how immense this area is.
Things get really interesting following the grand reveal. Instead of the traditional experience of a cast member asking how many are in your party and separating you into ride vehicles, Disney came up with an extremely clever way to connect story and functionality.
TechCrunch reports:
“You are split up into groups by First Order officers — played by real cast members in uniform by the way — and led down perfectly rendered corridors to a holding cell the (sic) spitting image of the one Poe Dameron was held in. At this point, you have an encounter with a nearby Kylo Ren and your adventure continues.”
What’s next?
That’s where the media tour ended and the mystery continues. The folks on the media tour didn’t even reach the stage of the ride where they will board a transport vehicle and have a memorable encounter with some AT-AT.
Sounds pretty incredible, doesn’t it?
Based on the early reports, Disney has mastered the art of making an attraction that stretches well beyond the bounds of a normal attraction. We can’t wait to experience it later this year!
