Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is an attraction like we've never seen before with multiple ride systems and is a truly thrilling, one of a kind experience. No spoilers here (aside from some pictures), but this attraction is absolutely amazing! Unfortunately, it can also be challenging to actually get to experience.
Rise of the Resistance is currently the only Walt Disney World attraction that requires guests to join a virtual queue. There is no standby line, FastPass+ or Single Rider Line available at this time. (This was true even before COVID-19.) So, how do you join this virtual queue and get assigned to a boarding group? We at Kingdom Konsultant Travel have compiled some of the best tips and tricks to improve your chances of joining the virtual queue.
It's important to know that for this post we're focusing on Walt Disney World's version of the attraction, but many of these tips can be used for the Disneyland version of the attraction as well.
TIP #1: Check your My Disney Experience Account
TIP #1: Check your My Disney Experience Account
Make sure to check your My Disney Experience app the night before you are trying to join the virtual queue to check that everyone in your party has a Park Pass Reservation for Disney's Hollywood Studios AND a valid theme park ticket. Make sure you're also connected to everyone in the My Disney Experience app under the My Family & Friends tab. While you're checking that, you'll also want to make sure you have the most up to date version of the app.
TIP #2: Check your Internet Speed
After you check your My Disney Experience account and make sure everyone has their theme park tickets and Disney Park Pass reservations, go ahead and check your internet speed on your smart phone the night before. If you simply Google "internet speed check" you will find a lot of options to run a speed test. Run the speed test first on Resort Wi-Fi and then turn off the Resort Wi-Fi to check your cellular connection. Go with whatever option is showing the faster speed. You may have to leave your Resort room to get a faster speed so don't be afraid to walk around your resort to find the best spot for the fastest internet connection.
TIP #3: Wake Up Early
You can start trying to join the virtual queue at 7am so make sure you don't set your alarm too late, like 6:59am! Wake up a little earlier so you're wide awake and your brain is ready to go. Set multiple alarms if you need to. The last thing you want to do is oversleep or wake up with just seconds to spare.
TIP #4: Watch the World Clock and Get Ready to Refresh
Guests with a valid ticket and a Park Pass reservation for Disney's Hollywood Studios can access the virtual queue starting at 7am on the day of their reservation. Have someone else in your party open up the world clock on their phone or look at the second hand on their watch to help you count down to 6:59:59. Open up the app a few minutes before 7am and keep hitting the refresh button.
TIP #5: Just Keep Clicking, Just Keep Clicking
As soon as you see the ability to join, JUST KEEP CLICKING! Do not stop to read anything on the screen. Don't stop to look at who's selected. Don't stop for even a second. JUST KEEP CLICKING! Everyone you are traveling with and who has a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney's Hollywood Studios should automatically be selected so don't stop to check. Don't stop to remove anyone from who's selected, even if that person is too short to ride. If you stop, you could quite possibly miss out on getting a boarding group at all.
| The Join button on the homepage of the MDE App |
| Success! The screen you see when you've secured a boarding group. |
TIP #6: If At First You Don't Succeed, Try Again
If you miss out on the 7am boarding group distribution, don't get too discouraged. There is another opportunity to get a boarding group at 1pm. The 1pm distribution time is only available to guests who have a Park Pass reservation for Disney's Hollywood Studios and are inside the park at 1pm.
TIP #7: Have Multiple People Try
If you have multiple people in your party who have My Disney Experience accounts, have each of them try to get a boarding group. You can't have multiple people logged in to the same account so don't try that route but if people have their own accounts that are linked to yours through the My Family & Friends, they can try to get you a boarding group.
TIP #8: Book Multiple Days at Disney's Hollywood Studios
If experiencing Rise of the Resistance is the main objective of your vacation and said vacation would be ruined if you weren't able to get a boarding group, then I highly recommend making Disney Park Pass reservations for multiple days of your stay. If you have the Park Hopper Option on your ticket, you could make Park Pass reservations at Disney's Hollywood Studios for every day of your stay and then plan to visit other parks after 2pm during Park Hopper hours. This would increase your odds of getting a boarding group and potentially give you the chance to experience the attraction multiple times. Only guests with a Park Pass reservation for Disney's Hollywood Studios can join a boarding group at the two distribution times.
TIP #9: Hope for Some Luck
Even if you follow all of these tips, getting a boarding group can still take a little bit of luck. Sometimes you do everything right, and you're unable to join the virtual queue. If you would like some extra luck on your side, try finding a four leaf clover, think happy thoughts or wish upon a star.
We hope those tips help you secure a coveted boarding group so you can experience this amazing attraction. May the Force be with you!
Ashley Lehman
Ashley has been a Disney Parks fan from an early age and loves anything vintage Disney. You can email Ashley at [email protected].
