It’s no surprise that Rise of the Resistance, Disney’s newest ride and one of the most technologically advanced attractions in the world, is exceedingly popular. Guests are consistently waiting hours to ride this attraction. To cope with this high demand, Disney has developed a brand new “virtual queue” system to allow guests to enjoy other areas of the park while waiting for their opportunity to experience the ride. While this new system certainly has many benefits – you can eat a meal and even book a FastPass+ for other attractions while claiming your spot in line, there are also some drawbacks. Primarily, guests can no longer physically join a queue at any time during the park’s hours. If you want to ride Rise of the Resistance, you’re going to have to plan a strategy, stay on top of it, and get up early – because your chance to join the virtual queue will be short-lived.
The Day Before…
Yes, that’s right. If you want the best chance at experiencing this attraction, your preparation needs to start at least the day before your visit.
Make sure everyone’s tickets are gate ready.
While most tickets are ready to be scanned, others require a visit to the guest service desk before you can enter. Make sure your ticket is not a voucher or other document that requires an agent’s assistance. This will delay your entry into the park, and a few minutes at the desk could be the difference of joining the virtual queue or not. If you do need to convert your ticket, visit a guest services location before your visit.
Download the My Disney Experience App
If you haven’t already, make sure everyone in your party has the My Disney Experience application. This app will not only be integral in joining the virtual queue, but it’s also the best way to book FastPass+ or check schedules while in the parks.
Add Everyone’s Tickets to their My Disney Experience App
Make sure everyone’s tickets are added to their personal profile on their app. This is vital for your access to the attraction.
Link Your Party as “Friends and Family”
On the My Disney Experience App, use the “Friends and Family” feature to make sure everyone’s accounts are linked. You can search for your party’s accounts by your vacation reservations, entering their names, or letting Disney suggest people you might know. Designate the person most comfortable with the app to act as the “point person” once you’re in the park. This person will join the virtual queue for all party members.
The Morning Of…
Arrive at least 40 Minutes Before the Park Opens
You need to be inside the gate before park open to ensure you have a chance at entering the virtual queue. Because of this, allow at least 40 minutes to pay for parking, find a space, travel to the gate, go through security, and scan your tickets at the turnstiles. Once you are in the park, you can wait anywhere security will allow until you hear the opening announcements. You might want to open up your My Disney Experience App and locate the Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group option, so that you’re ready for action!
At Park Open, Refresh, Refresh, Refresh!
As soon as it hits park opening, begin clicking on the Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group option. (As of this writing, you’re looking for a box like the one below. You’ll find it on the homepage.) You might have to click into and out of this option a few times before the app is completely refreshed. As soon as you see the virtual queue is active, jump on a boarding group and add the rest of your party (much like you would a FastPass+).
Don’t get distracted while you’re trying to get into a boarding group. The morning I visited with my family, the park opened at 6:00am and all guaranteed boarding groups were full by 6:05am. If you do not get into a guaranteed boarding group, your party may be put into a backup boarding group. These groups are not guaranteed access to the ride. Technical malfunctions, guest issues, or other complications may prevent backup boarding groups from riding, but don’t give up right away. If everything goes smoothly, there could still be a chance at experiencing this attraction.
Enjoy the Park!
Once you have your boarding group number, you can relax and enjoy the rest of the park. I don’t recommend visiting Galaxy’s Edge immediately as that is where everyone will be heading. Instead, visit Slinky Dog Dash, Tower of Terror, or another large attractions that will be harder to visit later in the day.
Keep an Eye on Your App and Park Signage
You can check your boarding group’s status on your phone, or you can use one of the multiple signs around the park. These digital boards are constantly updated with the current boarding groups.
One More Note: This attraction might require a little extra planning and a lot more headache, but it is more than worth it! We hope these Rise of the Resistance tips were helpful, and good luck on your journey to Batuu!
