Jo W.
Yelp
I'm not the biggest Star Wars fan. I mean, I've watched the movies and know enough to know who's who and laugh at Star Wars memes, but it's not a ride or die franchise for me. Even so, I can comfortably say that this is definitely one of the best rides in Disneyland, and a fantastic addition to the long canon of iconic Disneyland rides.
My boyfriend loves Star Wars, and this was the one ride he really wanted to check out in Disneyland. He hadn't been to Disneyland since high school, before Disney had acquired Star Wars, so he was in for a real treat.
If you want to go on Rise of the Resistance with a shorter wait time, you have to shell out additional money for the Genie+, since I guess it's so popular, Disney thinks they can squeeze out more money for this ridiculously popular ride. It's so popular, that when we came to the park at opening time on a Thursday morning, wait time already shot up to 75-90 minutes.
What I do not love about this ride: the ridiculously long waits (though there's a game you can play on the Disneyland mobile app while you're waiting that's unique to the queue for this ride), the fact that it constantly broke down in its early days (I came for Mother's Day weekend last year, and my mom and I never got to ride it because it kept breaking down), and the fact it costs an additional $25 for the Individual Lightning Lane.
I find it funny that the cast members are clearly instructed to be "mean" to riders. I'm sure that's part of the experience. One of the female First Order officers barked at the people to line up and how they're wasting her time, which would NEVER fly by if any of the other cast members said that. In fact, I decided to see what different First Order reactions would be if I approached them for a selfie during one of the times we went on the ride.
Me, approaching a First Order officer to see how he stays in character: Can we take a selfie with you?
First Order Officer, looking hella surprised and stays silent for a moment: You may.
Me, after taking the selfie: Thank you!!!
First Order Officer: Proceed forward.
Me, approaching a second First Order Officer when we're waiting to be herded into the prison cell: Can we take a selfie with you?
Him: NO!!!!
Lol, straightforward I see.
The ride itself is just so immersive and you REALLY feel as though you've been transported into the Star Wars Universe. The surroundings are sleek, the army of Storm Troopers is a must-take photo op while you're here (if the First Order guards don't shoo you along), and you can request to sit in the front row of your car if you so desire.
The Kylo Ren animatronic is really impressive and feels real, like he's actually chasing you. However, I cannot unsee the TikTok of the malfunctioning Kylo Ren animatronic spinning around and around set to the 1985 hit song "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive, and laugh whenever I get to that part of the ride.
There's a bit of a small drop that might take people by surprise, so if you're filming this ride on your phone, hold onto your phones!
Definitely one of the best rides in Disneyland! Surely it will be enjoyed for many, many years to come!