Star Wars fans all across the world have been waiting for the opening of Rise of the Resistance in Galaxy’s Edge. With visitors from around the world, no extra magic hours and life-size AT-ATs -it’s no surprise that the wait times are long! But with these insider tips won’t need a Rise of the Resistance Fastpass to secure your spot in line.
I was in the D23 Expo audience when it was announced that “Star Wars Land” was being built at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. And the excitement rumbling through the thousands of fans was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
When I walked into Galaxy’s Edge for the first time – I cried. My childhood dreams were right in front of me. It was my chance to create my Star Wars story in a land no one else had visited yet.
Now another dream is a reality. The E-ticket attraction, Rise of the Resistance, is open for all to enjoy. And the reviews have been glowing.
But there isn’t a Rise of the Resistance Fastpass. And Disney World guests are lining up HOURS before the park opens to gain access to the newest Galaxy’s Edge ride. So, how can your ride Rise of the Resistance without a Fastpass? Here are some tips.
When do you need to get in line at Hollywood Studios?
When Rise of the Resistance first opened guests were lining up HOURS before scheduled park opening. We’re talking as early as 4 am. And some are still getting there very early to line up so they are the first to enter the park. But that isn’t necessary.
Disney has been opening entry to the park about 30 minutes before park opening and then queuing guests up for popular areas (Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land) so they can safely escort them once Hollywood Studios opens.
So, if you get there 30-60 minutes before the scheduled park opening, you’ll be able to enter the park with minimal wait at the ticket scanners.
How to secure a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance
Disney World isn’t utilizing Fastpasses for Rise of the Resistance at this time. But instead, they are using a virtual queue that can be accessed through the My Disney Experience app or by visiting a Guest Experience Team kiosk.
To secure your place in the virtual queue you must have scanned your ticket into Hollywood Studios and be in the park.
Log on to your My Disney Experience App and click on “find out more” under Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Access by Boarding Group. This should show up at the top of the home screen.
Once on the next screen, click “join boarding group” and select those in your party. Once done you will be assigned a Boarding Group number anywhere from 1-100+.
You will receive a text and/or notification on your phone once your boarding group is called. At that time you will have 2 hours to return and enter Rise of the Resistance.
In the meantime, you can explore the rest of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or venture to other areas of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Rise of the Resistance boarding groups are limited. And all groups have been assigned within minutes of Hollywood Studios opening.
What is a backup boarding group?
In all your research you’ve probably heard “backup boarding group” thrown around. So, what exactly is it?
There are a certain number of boarding groups given out each day and backup groups start around 90-100+. We’ve seen them start at 120, 110 and 93, so it doesn’t seem that they have a set starting number.
Backup boarding groups are only called IF they get through all the regular boarding groups before park closing.
Do you have to wait in line once your boarding group is called?
Yes. There are other boarding groups in line at the time, so there will be a wait. The average wait time is about 60 minutes.
Can you use the Disney Disability Access Service (DAS) on Rise of the Resistance?
No and yes. You can’t use DAS to get a boarding group, but you can use it once your boarding group is called to return.
When you get to the ride talk to one of the Cast Members at the ride to get a return time attached to your DAS pass like normal. You’ll enter the Rise of the Resistance Fastpass+ return line (yes, they have one even though Fastpasses are not available) once it’s your return time.
READ MORE: 6 Tips for Surviving Disney World and Autism.
Insider tips to get a good boarding group for Rise of the Resistance
Once in the park open the app to make sure you are signed in but close it out.
You don’t want to have it open and refreshing leading up until park opening! You just might get stuck in a loop and not be able to access the boarding group or your app could freeze… I might be speaking from experience.
Open your My Disney Experience app exactly at opening time
Or a few seconds before. If you have a watch with a second hand, you can open your app 5 seconds before park opening click on “find out more” on the home page. If timed correctly you should be hitting “join boarding group” right as it opens. “Join boarding group” will be red if it’s open. If it’s greyed out click back and do it again.
Remove all “friends & family” except those in your traveling party
When you’re trying to get a boarding group quickly having to scroll through a massive list of people can be time-consuming. So if you remove everyone but those in your immediately traveling party you can quickly click “select all” and continue your quest for a low boarding group number.
Have at least one other in your group trying at the same time
I know. I know. You’ve read that only one person should try per group. I call BS based on our experience!
I followed all the tips but my app wouldn’t update that the park was open for about 3 minutes. But my daughter was able to swoop right in and grab us boarding passes. If she hadn’t we would have ended up with a backup boarding group.
Find a spot where you have the highest bars on your internet
Don’t follow the herd! Explore and find a spot where the crowds are lower and your internet is the best. Inside a store, over by Hollywood Tower of Terror and by the main entrance seem to work best of us.
Most of the guests head straight back and get in line for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or Toy Story Land – more people = slower internet, so I avoid those areas like the plague.
Have your Travel Agent try
I haven’t tried this but the rumors are that as long as you’re in the park and your travel agent has access to your MDE, they can try for a boarding group for you. The advantage here is that they aren’t fighting with anyone for internet speed, so they might be able to snag an earlier boarding group.
You don’t have to stay in Hollywood Studios
As of right now, they are giving guests a two-hour window to return, so that should give you plenty of time to get back no matter where you are on Disney World property.
They have been hinting at shortening that return time to just an hour, so make sure to keep up to date on any changes that may happen leading up to your Disney trip.
Make sure to have notifications enabled for the My Disney Experience App
You don’t want to miss your boarding group return window, so make sure you have notifications enabled on the MDE app or that you consistently check the app to keep tabs on the boarding groups being called.
Have you ridden Rise of the Resistance? I’d love to hear your thoughts about the ride and/or how you feel about the virtual boarding groups. So, don’t be shy and share your thoughts in the comments!
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