On December 5th, 2019, at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, the final announced addition to their Galaxy’s Edge lands opened to the public, an attraction called Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Featuring a brand new trackless ride vehicle system, the ride carries guests through an original story set in the current sequel trilogy of the Star Wars universe. Because the ride opened several months after the official opening day of Galaxy’s Edge, the anticipation has been building ever since the land opened its gates. And from everything that is being reported about the brand new attraction, the ride is more than worth the wait.
The ride’s grand opening was celebrated with an amazing display on the night of December 4th, 2019 for invited guests and the media. Among the celebration was an elaborate stage show split into multiple parts. The first part of the event was part of the dedication live stream that Disney broadcast on the Disney Parks Blog. The event kicked off with an amazing display of drone technology in the form of real-life X-Wing fighters the size of cars flying above Galaxy’s Edge, communicating with the Resistance, and blasting into Hyperspace. Once the X-Wings had flown off, the leader of the Resistance unit stationed on Batuu took the stage and gave a rousing speech to the new “recruits” –the media– about how the recruits will be evacuated off of Batuu due to the base’s location being compromised and the First Order being on their way. He informed the recruits that during the evacuation effort, they should expect some trouble, and if trouble should come, they must be prepared to fight.
After the Resistance crew left the stage, they were replaced by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek. Chapek spoke about how Star Wars has remained a phenomenon for generations, and how the Disney parks are thrilled to be able to present guests with the opportunity to step into the films firsthand. Calling Rise of the Resistance “the most ambitious, most immersive and most advanced attraction” Disney has ever created, Chapek spoke about the breathtaking special effects, vivid and meticulous detail, and the innovations the ride has brought to the industry. “This is immersive, experiential storytelling on a massive, cinematic scale,” Chapek said, while adding that the attraction is one of the longest Disney attractions ever, as well as being housed in one of their largest show buildings ever, as well as being powered by some of the most advanced technology ever incorporated into the parks.
After the dedication event ended with an explosive fireworks display, the media was treated to a spectacular stunt show featuring the Resistance pilots as well as Rey, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Stormtroopers and other First Order personnel. The characters battled it out on an enormous elevated stage in a live show featuring pyrotechnics, real blasters, lightsabers, smoke effects and more. Even though this event was specifically for the media presentation, it is an event that could really bring Galaxy’s Edge into the next level of immersion if presented on a regular basis. Even a smaller scale lightsaber-centric battle occurring every few hours spontaneously in the land would bring Galaxy’s Edge to a new standard, so it will be interesting to see how or if Disney plans to continue this type of show during regular operations.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and will open to the public at Disneyland on January 17, 2020. May the Force be with you!
If you’ve had the chance to experience this attraction, let us know how your experience was by telling us in the comments below.
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