8 Tips for Riding Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland

Eight Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance tips for Disneyland! What time should you get to Disneyland to ride Rise of the Resistance? What’s the best way to access a Boarding Group?

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland

1. Download the Disneyland mobile app BEFORE you go

Instead of using FastPass or having everyone wait in a long line, Rise of the Resistance uses a virtual boarding pass. To obtain one of these passes, you’ll need to be inside of the park and have the Disneyland mobile app ready. Disneyland allows guests into the park at least 30 minutes before posted opening time. So, download the Disneyland app before you go, register an account, and link your tickets to the app. After you’ve done that, have the app ready just as opening time hits!

2. Get there EARLY

How early? We recommend at least an hour before opening time. Guests flock to this attraction, so getting there early ensures that you’re inside Disneyland before opening. However, if you’re parking at Disneyland, try to be at the parking area at least 100 minutes before park opening. That way you’ll have enough time to pass through security and travel to the theme park. If you are staying at a Disney-owned hotel or have access to Morning Magic, you may have entry to Disneyland before posted hours. In that case, you’ll rush through the lines much faster than other guests.

Magic Tip (Rise of the Resistance tips for Disneyland): We don’t recommend going on a Morning Magic day at Disneyland (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) as boarding groups run out faster these days.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance queue at Disneyland
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance queue at Disneyland

3. Pick a Spot

There are several unconfirmed tips for getting an early boarding spot for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. We recommend standing away from the bulk of the crowd that forms near the castle. Pick anywhere else on Main Street, but try not to stand inside of a building. We also don’t recommend using Disneyland’s free wifi as it could get backed up.

4. Boarding Passes go FAST!

How fast? Boarding passes run out within seconds! Disneyland makes boarding groups available right at posted park hours. Expect all of the boarding groups to fill quickly after this time – so be ready and be quick! We recommend having the app closed and opening it just a few second before posted park opening hours. At that moment you should see the “Join Boarding Group” appear in the Disneyland app.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Disneyland app
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance tab in the Disneyland app

5. Back Up Boarding Groups

If you don’t get into the first set of boarding groups, you may be assigned to a backup group. The backups are only used once the previous boarding groups have gone. Meaning, a backup boarding group won’t ride until the evening – if it rides at all. Standard Boarding Groups are usually issued 1-82 and backup groups are numbers after (although standard groups have been in the 70s as well). Nonetheless, most of the regular groups are called by 6PM, so we’ve seen most backup groups utilized. If Disneyland won’t get to your number, they likely will send you a pop up message explaining so.

6. You’ll only get to ride once

Disneyland blocks guests from accessing more than one boarding group. So, unfortunately, once you’ve ridden, that’s your one chance for the day.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance tips for Disneyland
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance entrance at Disneyland

7. It Won’t Be Forever

If all of this sounds too stressful, you can always wait. The attraction has experienced some technical difficulties resulting in the need for Boarding Groups. Once Disney can get the ride fully functional, then we’ll see standard lines and FastPass used to ride. It’s difficult to say when this may happen. If we had to guess, we’d say spring 2020, but it could be much sooner or later.

8. Yes, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is worth the fuss

We truly cannot believe that Disney has pulled a ride off like Rise of the Resistance. The nearly 20-minute attraction is a fully immersive experience from start to finish. There’s a reason the boarding groups go so quickly – because this ride is one of the best.

Enjoy Rise of the Resistance and may the force be with you!

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