NEWS: Disney Makes Welcome Change to Virtual Queue Process for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the most popular attraction at Walt Disney World! Enjoying this attraction can prove difficult as you can’t simply just join the queue and line up. You must get a boarding pass by joining the Virtual Queue. Up until now, you were required to be in the park to gain access to the virtual queue. Disney has announced this process will be changing beginning November 3, 2020. Learn more below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Jeremy Schoolfield:

It’s clear the Force is strong with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since its debut last year, this spectacular experience inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has proven to be one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World Resort.

To better help guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios plan ahead for their day at the park, we’re piloting a new approach to the virtual queue system for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Starting Nov. 3, 2020, here’s how it will work:

• Guests with a valid ticket or annual pass and a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to access the virtual queue system and check for an available boarding group starting at 7 a.m. on the day of their park reservation. This can be done before you leave your Disney resort hotel, or wherever else nearby you might be at that time.
• Just as we do today, the virtual queue will reopen daily at 2 p.m. for anyone who wasn’t already able to join a boarding group earlier in the day. Note: Guests must be inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios to access this second virtual queue opportunity, and access to a boarding group is subject to availability and not guaranteed.

This new approach will make a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios more enjoyable and relaxing, as guests no longer need to be inside the park each morning to request a boarding group for the first virtual queue opportunity. As a reminder, you need to be inside the park to request the 2 p.m. boarding groups.

To try to maximize the number of boarding groups we’re able to accommodate while adhering to current health and safety guidelines, we recently added a clear barrier between the two rows of seats on each First Order Fleet Transport vehicle inside the attraction (see below for photos). This enables us to invite more guests to board Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance each day.

The attraction’s virtual queue is only accessible via the My Disney Experience mobile app. To maximize your opportunity to secure a boarding group, here are some tips we recommend you check off your list prior to your day at the park:

• Register an account in My Disney Experience
• Download the My Disney Experience mobile app on your smart device or ensure you’re using the most updated version of the app before you arrive at the park.
• Link and assign all park tickets in your party to a My Disney Experience account
• Have a valid Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the day you’re visiting
• Select one member of your party to access the virtual queue for everyone in your group; if multiple people in your party try to join the virtual queue simultaneously, that may complicate your ability to secure a boarding group
• Remember, virtual queue boarding groups are limited and subject to availability

This new pilot approach to the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance virtual queue is designed to give guests the best possible experience during a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. We look forward to seeing you on your next trip to a galaxy far, far away.

Editors Note: The information given by Disney states you may join the queue “before you leave your Disney resort hotel, or wherever else nearby you might be at that time.” Disney has not clarified how close you have to be in order to get a boarding pass for the virtual queue. Local annual passholders and even guests staying offsite Walt Disney World property will need to be on the lookout for details on how close to the park or Disney property they need to be in order to join. We will update this article as soon as we have more information on how close you need to be to join the virtual queue. 

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Must-Do Experiences for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

by Chad and Cindy Nykamp

At more than 14 acres, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the largest single-themed land in Disney Park history, packed with immersive storytelling that allows guests to live their own Star Wars adventures. There is so much to take in while exploring the new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida! To help, here are 10 “must-do” experiences for guests inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge:

10 – Craft a Lightsaber and Build a Droid 

Constructing a lightsaber is a rite of passage in the life of a Jedi, as this elegant weapon from a more civilized age is attuned to its owner through the Force. Guests in Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers feel the presence of the Force as they craft their own lightsabers, customizing them with various hilts, décor and the all-important kyber crystals.

Pro tip: This is an amazing experience that will likely be a huge draw Star Wars uber fans. While the experience is expensive, being able to build your own lightsaber while being instructed by a master builder is an unforgettable experience. One builder and one observer may enter together. Reservations are strongly recommended. Click here to check for availability.

Droids can be some of the most loyal companions in the entire Star Wars galaxy, and now guests have the chance to build and customize their own astromech friends at the Droid Depot. Patrons pick pieces and parts off a conveyor belt to construct one of two core models (R-series or BB-series), which can then interact with elements throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Pro tip: This experience is a whole lot of fun, especially for the younglings. Take your time and enjoy the process. Reservations are strongly recommended. Click here to check for availability.

9 – Hack Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with the Paly Disney Parks Mobile App

When accessed inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Play Disney Parks app transforms guests’ mobile devices into their very own Star Wars: Datapad. You can then scan the contents hidden inside containers, translate languages, and tune into communications happening throughout the land. Guests can also use this tool to hack into droids and door panels (what the locals call “slicing”) to unlock additional stories.

Pro tip: This is a great activity for the whole family. Be sure to stop by the Droids to bring them to life! See the app in action by watching the short video below.

8 – Stroll the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace

Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is home to a bustling marketplace, full of vendors showcasing wares from across the galaxy. Guests can pick up authentic Batuuan attire with a stop at Black Spire Outfitters, start a collection of toys at Toydarian Toymakers, or peek into the cages in the Creature Stall. The marketplace’s twisting pathway is just waiting to be explored, with something new to see seemingly around every turn.

Pro tip: This area is a lot of fun and worth exploring. You’ll find a lot of unique items you won’t find anywhere else. Looking for Star Wars souvenirs? You won’t find any! The items you’ll find in the marketplace are items that inhabitants might buy, and so you won’t find items that say, “Star Wars.” The one exception to the “no Star Wars” rule is the reusable bags available for purchase within the marketplace. However, you will find plenty of items (patches, magnets, keychains, bags, postcards) with “Black Spire Outpost,” just like you might find those kinds of souvenirs when traveling to a new destination.

7 – Discover Hidden Gems to Look for In the Land

While Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set during the current trilogy of Star Wars films, the land features elements representing many different eras of the Star Wars films. Examples include:

• Several creatures seen throughout the land will be familiar to some fans, such as the dianoga from the Death Star trash compactor in “Star Wars: A New Hope” found in a tank above a Black Spire Outpost drinking fountain, or the taxidermic wampa from the ice planet Hoth in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” in Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.
• A podracing engine in the Ronto Roasters food stall calls back to “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace,” while the former smelter droid turning the spit of meats is similar to a droid seen in Jabba the Hutt’s palace in “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.”
• A mural on the wall of Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities depicts an ancient battle between the light and dark sides of the Force. The original bas-relief of this mural was seen in Chancellor Palpatine’s office in “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.”
• Hondo Ohnaka, best known from the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels” animated television series, gives guests their mission in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

Pro tip: There are many “Easter Eggs” throughout the land that are just waiting to be found. There are Hidden Mickey’s and plenty of nods and artifacts from the films that make the whole experience feel like you’ve just stepped into the Star Wars Universe. Take the time to explore the land for these fun finds during your visit.

6 – Grab a Bite to Go at Ronto Roasters

Whether it’s the large podracing engine hanging overhead, the former smelter droid turning a spit of meats or just the savory smells wafting by, Ronto Roasters is sure to grab guests’ attention. This quick-service location offers mouth-watering Ronto Wraps and sweet-or-spicy Nuna Turkey Jerky, as well as a selection of specialty beverages.

Pro tip: The offerings at Ronto Roasters are tasty and filling. Be sure to use the Mobile Ordering service if the line is too long!

5 – Take a Swig of Blue Milk

Ever since Luke Skywalker sat down for a family meal in “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Star Wars fans have had this burning question: What does Blue Milk taste like? Now at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they finally have their answer. The Milk Stand in Black Spire Outpost offers both Blue Milk and Green Milk, delicious frozen blends with dashes of fruity accents. The Blue milk has berry and melon flavors while the green milk has lemon and other citrus flavorings. Not a milk fan? Don’t worry! This “milk” is actually a non-dairy frozen plant-based blend of coconut and rice milk so that all guests can enjoy it!

Pro tip: We don’t want to spoil the experience for you, so we’ll let you decide which one you prefer. Both are good and which one is better is up to you. Cindy went into it hearing one was worse than the other and ended up liking the one that was supposed to be not as good. We also suggest asking for an empty cup and mixing them together. Cindy preferred the blended flavor the most. When buying both flavors, you’ll have a lot of milk on your hands, so grab some friends for taste testing! Also, while you can get Blue Milk at Oga’s Cantina, it is not frozen like it is at the Milk Stand.

4 – Be on the Lookout for Kylo Ren, Rey, and Other Star Wars Characters

Guests should keep their eyes open as they explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, because they may encounter heroes of the Resistance or agents of the First Order. Supreme Leader Kylo Ren lands at Black Spire Outpost and gathers Stormtroopers to help him hunt for Resistance fighter Rey. Guests may also encounter Millennium Falcon co-pilot Chewbacca or Resistance spy Vi Moradi.

Pro tip: It’s a lot of fun watching and interacting with the characters, especially the Stormtroopers!

3 – Drop by for a Drink at Oga’s Cantina

The heartbeat of Black Spire Outpost, Oga’s Cantina is a place where even the blaster-bolt scorches on the walls tell a story. Guests can gather to share their own tales from around the galaxy as they enjoy exotic beverages served in unique vessels and listen to spirited musical entertainment from DJ R-3X, the former droid pilot from Star Tours. Whether sidling up to the cantina’s counter or sliding into one of the establishment’s back booths, this is the best place to catch up on local gossip, make a new friend or form a new alliance.

Pro tip: This was our favorite experience on opening day. The atmosphere is lively and reminded us a bit of Trader Sam’s. This will be a popular hangout for many. Reservations are recommended. Click here to check for availability.

2 – Fly the “Fastest Hunk of Junk in the Galaxy” in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

The Millennium Falcon is a Star Wars icon, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge makes dreams come true for guests who’ve wished to step aboard the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.” In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, they strap into the Falcon cockpit and take the controls as pilots, gunners or flight engineers on a mission to deliver smuggled goods while avoiding any … unnecessary entanglements.

Pro tip: For those who suffer from motion sickness on rides, this attraction is less much intense than Star Tours. Cindy was able to ride it without too much trouble but did feel a bit uneasy afterward. Since everyone reacts differently, proceed with caution.

1 – Fight the First Order with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance