Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure are both filled with rides that impress, play on nostalgia, or a combination of both. But when it comes to the Southern California theme park, it’s hard to top Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Part of the Galaxy’s Edge land within Disneyland, Rise of the Resistance shows what imagineering in the modern era can look like and has become a hot ticket for every park guest. It’s a must-ride anytime you visit Disneyland and, for those who might only get to the park once, it’s well worth the upcharge for the individual Lightning Lane. Put plainly, Rise of the Resistance highlights what makes Disneyland feel magical.

Rise of the Resistance Stats

Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Opened: January 17, 2020

Height Requirement: 40 inches

Average Wait Time: 87 minutes

Capacity: 8 guests per ride vehicle (2 rows of 4)

Rise of the Resistance Queue and Briefing

The Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance queue can be something of a marathon depending on how long it is. It’s typically not the longest wait in both parks – that usually belongs to the Cars-themed Radiator Springs Racers – but it can get up there. On top of that, waiting can be risky because Rise of the Resistance is known to break down at least once per day.

Still, the queue is guests’ first foray into this world, and it’s well-designed. As guests enter the caves, they will be greeted by a bunch of props and set dressings themed around Star Wars. There are helmets, blasters, and star maps to attract your attention as you are moving along. More importantly, Disneyland has been smart about installing air conditioning throughout this section of the queue and carving out places for people to sit as they wait. Obviously, if the line is moving you won’t get but a few moments to sit, but when the wait is over an hour it can be nice to take a load off every so often.

NOTE:

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance operates on its own hours, typically opening at 8 am with the park and closing at 10 pm before Disneyland closes.

After making it through the cave portion, you will enter the resistance briefing room. Here, is where the first pieces of Disney magic are revealed. In a presentation by a Rey hologram and a BB-8 animatronic, the ride will reveal its setup: escaping Batuu to reach General Organa’s secret base. The briefing sets up the stakes and features a cameo by Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron and it’s all very well done. Where many of Disneyland’s ‘00s rides used videos as a briefing, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ups the creative ante tenfold.

Escape and Capture by the First Order

Disneyland and Disney World have a few clever transitions that bridge the gap between waiting in the larger park and the “world” of the ride. For Rise of the Resistance, that transition takes place on a transport vehicle captured by the First Order. But while many of the queues tend to use video to distract you and then usher you into another queue, Rise of the Resistance’s troop transport feels like a mini-ride.

And after capture, the first jaw-dropping moment of the ride presents itself. Onboard the First Order ship, the immersion level is cranked to the maximum and Rise of the Resistance should reveal to everyone why it’s such a popular ride. If there is one element that helps Disney Theme Parks stand out from the pack, it’s that sense of immersion. Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout are some examples of rides that typify that mantra but no ride at Disneyland can hold a candle to what Rise of the Resistance can do to bring its guests into another world.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - The Ride

It’s crazy to think that everything experienced thus far is merely the “wait” to get on the actual Rise of the Resistance Ride, but that’s what makes this a special Disneyland experience. After an interrogation scene involving an intimidating Kylo Ren and a Resistance breakout, guests will enter their ride vehicles. From here, Finn will give a rundown of the goal of the ride, which is for guests to make their way to an escape pod and get out of the First Order ship.

The ride itself is easily one of the most varied experiences that Disneyland has on offer. There are incredibly detailed animatronics, unique gags, and a twist that is not worth spoiling here. There is a portion of the ride that involves a series of laser canons that doesn’t work as advertised because it was causing frequent shutdowns but outside of that, there is so much about Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance that feels unlike anything else you’ll experience at Disneyland.

Is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Worth It?

There is a reason the ride consistently has one of the longest waits and its popularity prevents Disneyland from closing it for refurbishment; it's just that good. It says a lot about the ride that Disneyland believes that not having Rise of the Resistance available might impact park attendance.

Combined with the setup and the way that the “waiting” sections don’t actually feel like waits, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance currently stands as the best ride at Disneyland. You don’t need to be a Star Wars fan to enjoy all that it has to offer, but it does enrich the experience. Even then, the storytelling and design are second to none and make Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance a must-ride anytime you visit Disneyland.