Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance officially opened recently at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to positive reviews from guests, but the method for reserving your place in line came as a surprise to most visitors.
The new attraction is utilizing a virtual queuing system. All guests that want to ride Rise of the Resistance in the first weeks of the new attraction’s operation are required to reserve a boarding pass. Here are some of the basics for this system, as well as a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about it. I will attempt to keep this post updated as changes happen, so check back before your next visit in case things have changed. UPDATED 01/26/2020
UPDATE 12/18/2019: Starting today Boarding Passes will not become available until scheduled park opening time, regardless of how early guests are let into the park. As of now this means that arriving earlier than scheduled park opening time will have no advantage in reserving passes. Make sure you are inside the park by scheduled opening time and open the app to reserve your Boarding Pass exactly at scheduled open time. Check out the new TIPS section below for more details!
We’ll start with the official description from Walt Disney World on what the Boarding Pass system is, and then we’ll get into how it actually works, and finally we’ll delve into some tips and tricks. Disney has not officially announced how long they will use this system for the new attraction, but it has been reported that they only intend to use it for the “first few weeks of operation.” After that, the ride will move to regular standby line status.
Virtual Queue Official Description:
We are currently using a virtual queue system to experience our newest attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, allowing you to enjoy the other offerings in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the rest of Disney’s Hollywood Studios while you wait.
Check the My Disney Experience app or digital status boards throughout the Park to see the current boarding group status.
You must use virtual queue and obtain a boarding group to ride the attraction. There will be no standby line. However, capacity is limited and obtaining a boarding group does not guarantee the ability to experience the attraction.
How to Use Virtual Queue
IMPORTANT: All members of your party must be inside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios before you can reserve your Boarding Pass. The system knows if your park ticket or MagicBand has been scanned to enter the park.
You will need the My Disney Experience Walt Disney World app to create your Boarding Pass reservation. If you do not use the mobile app, you will need to visit a Guest Experience Team kiosk (guest service Cast Members wearing blue shirts) and they will be able to book your Boarding Pass for you.
STEP 1:
Open the My Disney Experience app after entering Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Click on the “Rise of the Resistance – Access by Boarding Group” banner on the main screen of the app. Note: If it does not recognize that you are inside the theme park, try restarting the app so it can refresh.
STEP 2:
Select the JOIN BOARDING GROUP button. (It should appear as orange if there are Boarding Passes available. If it is shaded out gray then there is no more Boarding Passes available for the day.)
STEP 3:
Select all of the members in your party that you would like to add to the Boarding Group. All members of your party must be in the theme park currently -AND- must have their tickets connected to your My Disney Experience account.
You will then be assigned to a Boarding Group. You can click on MY STATUS anytime from the Boarding Group screen to see the status of your group. The Boarding Group screen will display the current groups that are allowed to load. You can also see the current Boarding Groups loading on digital status boards around the park.
When it is time for your Boarding Group to ride you will be sent a push notification (be sure this option is enabled for your mobile device). You can also check MY STATUS any time and it will display when it is time to ride as well. You will have two hours from the time your group is called to ride. After that your Boarding Pass will expire.
There are a limited number of Boarding Groups available every day, and they seem to run out very quickly. If the attraction runs smoothly for the day it is possible that they may add additional Boarding Groups later, so keep checking the app in the late afternoon/evening just in case.
UPDATE 12/16/2019: A new type of Boarding Pass, called a Backup Boarding Pass has become available beginning today. Essentially this is a Boarding Pass you can reserve if they have run out of the regular Boarding Passes for the day. However, there is an even less chance that Backup Boarding Groups will get onto the ride, as they will only be called if and when all of the regular boarding groups have ridden for the day. Backup Boarding Groups are available immediately following the regular Boarding Groups, and will also run out fairly quickly.
UPDATE 12/18/2019: Starting today Boarding Passes will not become available until scheduled park opening time, regardless of how early guests are let into the park. As of now this means that arriving earlier than scheduled park opening time will have no advantage in reserving passes. Make sure you are inside the park by scheduled opening time and open the app to reserve your Boarding Pass exactly at scheduled open time. Check out the new TIPS section below for more details.
Virtual Queue Tips and Tricks:
Now that Boarding Passes cannot be reserved until the scheduled park opening time, things are running a bit differently than they were in the first two weeks. Here are our tips for making the best of your day to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to ride the new attraction. Updated 12/20/2019
TIP: You only need to arrive to the park about an hour prior to posted opening time to be among the first to get a Boarding Pass.
Guests may be let in up to a half-hour prior to park opening time, but Boarding Passes will not be able to be reserved until the exact moment the park is scheduled to open. That means there is no benefit to being the first in line to the park when reserving your Boarding Passes. Just try to get to the park before it opens.
TIP: Be sure you have your My Disney Experience Walt Disney World app logged in and all members of your party connected to your account before you arrive.
You can download the app, create and connect your account, and add all of your family’s tickets to your account in the days leading up to your visit. That way you are ready on the day of.
TIP: Close the app BEFORE entering the park.
As soon as the clock strikes the scheduled park opening time, then open the app, and click on the Rise of the Resistance Boarding Pass information button, and then Join Group. Your device may not refresh automatically if the app is already open.
TIP: Turn OFF WiFi on your device.
The in-park free WiFi may get bogged down as the park’s scheduled opening time approaches. It may be safer to use cellular data service on your device for reserving your Boarding Passes.
TIP: If you arrive after all regular Boarding Passes have been given out, there’s a chance Backup Boarding Passes might still be available.
Even if you get to the park and there are signs out front telling you that all Boarding Passes have been handed out for the day, you should still open the app and check for yourself. “Backup” Boarding Passes are usually distributed for several hours AFTER those signs go up around the park. You may not be guaranteed a spot with Backup Boarding Passes, but if the ride runs well all day there is a good chance your group will be called by the end of the day.
We hope these tips help you make the most of your morning! Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below for even more useful information.
Virtual Queue Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will they use Virtual Queue for Rise of the Resistance?
A: It has been reported that they only intend to use it for the “first few weeks of operation.” After that, the ride will move to regular standby status.
Q: Can I wait in a regular standby line instead of virtual line?
A: No. Only guests with a Boarding Pass can ride Rise of the Resistance during this time.
Q: Can I book a FastPass for Rise of the Resistance?
A: No. Only guests with a Boarding Pass can ride Rise of the Resistance during this time.
Q: Can I still reserve a Boarding Pass even if I already have 3 FastPasses for the day?
A: Yes. Boarding Passes are separate from the FastPass system.
Q: Do I have to be in the park to reserve a Boarding Pass, or can I reserve it from home?
A: Yes. The system knows if you have entered the park based on whether your ticket or MagicBand was scanned in at the turnstiles or not, (it does not use GPS).
Q: Can I reserve a Boarding Pass for me and my family, even though they are not in the park, but I am?
A: All members of your party must be inside the park to reserve your boarding pass. It recognizes who scanned their ticket/MagicBand at turnstiles to enter the park. Connect your family’s tickets to your Disney acct to ensure they can be added too (like for booking FastPass+ passes).
Q: Do I need to walk all the way to Galaxy’s Edge to reserve a Boarding Pass?
A: No, you can book it as soon as you enter the park. You may need to restart the app for it to recognize that you entered though.
Q: After reserving a Boarding Pass, can I leave Disney’s Hollywood Studios and then come back when my Boarding Group has been called?
A: Yes. You may leave the park once your boarding pass has been created. You can view your boarding status in the app by clicking on MY STATUS. It will send you a push notification when your boarding group is ready. You then have two hours to come back and get on the ride (or until park closing time if it is less than two hours away).
Q: How long will it be until my Boarding Group is called? How do I know when it’s getting close to my time?
A: When each group will be called will vary wildly from day to day. If things are running well, it could be within a few hours, if things are not running well, it could be at the end of the day. Pay attention to the app or the digital signs around the park to see which boarding group is currently loading. That will give you an idea of how fast groups are being called, and will help you prepare when you’re number is coming up.
Q: What do I do until my Boarding Group is called to ride?
A: You can do any of the other experiences in the park including other rides, dining, shopping, and entertainment. You can also leave the park and come back after your Boarding Group has been called.
Q: What if members in our group were reserving Passes on a different device and we ended up with two different Boarding Groups? Can we still ride together?
A: You can visit a guest services representative, either at the front of the park, or in one of the blue shirt Guest Experience kiosks around the park. They should be able to combine your Boarding Groups so everyone can ride at the same time. Added 12/20/2019
Q: Does everyone connected to my app have to be on the boarding pass reservation? What if one or more in my party isn’t interested in riding?
A: You can select who you would like to include in the boarding pass during the process, just like reserving a FastPass, not everyone has to be selected.
Q: I don’t use a MagicBand or the app, how does it work for me?
A: Scanning your ticket also proves you’re in the park. If you do not use the app, see a guest services representative or one of the blue shirt cast members near the entrance and they can book it for you.
Q: What do I do if my party is using a Disability Access Service card (DAS), do we still have to make a Boarding Pass reservation?
A: DAS users must still get a boarding pass first, same as other guests. Be sure to let a greeter at the ride entrance know you have it before you enter though. (Let them know as soon as you can, even before your boarding pass is called, as they may need to add additional details to your reservation electronically. This will save you time and trouble later on.)
Q: How long will I have to wait in the queue after entering at my Boarding Pass time?
A: While the average wait after entering the queue was originally around 30 minutes, it has been longer in recent days, lasting between 1 and 2 hours. It could be shorter or longer depending on backups due to technical difficulties. Updated: 01/26/2020
Q: Can I reserve a second Boarding Pass after I ride the attraction once?
A: No. While guests were allowed to reserve a second Boarding Pass in the first few days, as of December 9th, guests are now limited to one Boarding Pass per day each. Updated 12/8/2019 9:00 EST
Q: How early can I arrive to the theme park so I can be first to get a Boarding Pass?
A: As of December 18, 2019, as long as you arrive early enough to enter the park by scheduled opening time you should be among the first to reserve a pass. Boarding Passes are now only available beginning at scheduled opening time, regardless of how early guests are let in. See the Tips section above for more details on how early to arrive. UPDATED 12/18/2019
Q: It says that there are no more Boarding Passes available for the day, but is there a chance they could release more later?
A: If the attraction runs smoothly for the day it is possible that they may add additional Boarding Groups later, so keep checking the app in the late afternoon/evening just in case. Also, check the app to see if any “Backup” Boarding Passes are still available, as they are distributed for some time, even after the signs are posted around the park.
Q: I was able to get a Boarding Pass, but it says it is a “Backup” Boarding Pass. What does that mean?
A: A Backup Boarding Pass group will only be called if and when all of the regular boarding groups have ridden for the day. Backup Boarding Groups are available immediately following the regular Boarding Groups each morning, and are also only available in limited quantities. If you receive one, your ride is not guaranteed, but there’s a chance you may get to ride after all of the boarding groups before yours have ridden. Watch the app or digital signs around the park to see what boarding groups are loading throughout the day. Updated 12/20/2019
Q: What happens if they ride breaks down after I get in
A: If there is an extended downtime they will evacuate and offer everyone that was inside the ride and the queue an anytime FastPass to return after the ride is back up and operational. This will allow you to get back into the attraction without booking another Boarding Pass.
Q: Is the ride any good?
A: It is soooo good, you guys, you don’t even know!
Have a question I didn’t answer above about the Boarding Pass system? Please leave a comment below and I will try my best to find the answer for you and then add it to this page. I will attempt to update this page daily as things change. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is still a very new attraction and there will be downtimes, so be prepared to wait, even if you secure an early Boarding Pass.
Check out our video below of the entire ride experience, and stay tuned for more news and coverage for this new attraction, as well as other theme park news and updates, coming soon! Subscribe to our News Feed or enter your email address below to never miss an update.
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34 Comments
James Falcon
How many people are in a boarding group? Do we know how many people per hour or day are making it through?
Alicia Stella
There have been guesses as to how many per group, ranging from 50 to 100. No one knows fur certain. And how many are getting on the ride per day really comes down to how much downtime the attraction is experiencing, which is probably more than many people realize. I’m not the best at guessing throughput numbers, but when working perfectly I believe Rise of the Resistance should have similar to capacity as Smugglers Run, but Rise has been probably accepting half the capacity as possible (if not less) in these early days.
Tracey
hi Alicia; I’ve heard the park is opening before the posted time of 8am and you need to be there way before park opening..is this true (some comments say 4am) ???…what time is safe to arrive and still get a pass to get on the ride?
Alicia Stella
They may open the park as early as 6:00AM this coming week, depending on how many guests show up early. You can see more specific details in the 4th to last Frequently Asked Question above titled “How early can I arrive to the theme park so I can be first to get a Boarding Pass?”
Ron Baker
Very comprehensive, thanks
Ben
Approximately what time could you board when you had group 68? Thanks.
Alicia Stella
It is going to vary wildly from day to day due to unforeseen downtimes. When I had group 68 a few days ago we boarded a little after 2PM, but it could be later if the ride has experienced extended downtimes that day, or earlier if it is running well. Remember, you have up to two hours to arrive at the ride after your boarding group has been called, and you can check the app to see which groups are boarding now so you know when it is getting close to your time.
Shelley
What time do you need to arrive to get a boarding group? Can my family arrive at 8am and expect to get a boarding group – or do we need to arrive by 7 or earlier?
Alicia Stella
8:00 might be too late if it’s like it has been in recent days, as they’ve been running out by 8AM. They may open the park as early as 6:00AM this coming week, depending on how many guests show up early. You can see more specific details in the 4th to last Frequently Asked Question above titled “How early can I arrive to the theme park so I can be first to get a Boarding Pass?”
Jenny
If my husband and I plan to utilize the ride share option, do we both need boarding passes?
Alicia Stella
Everyone in your party will need a boarding pass to ride. If both you and your husband are added to the same account, you can add both to one boarding pass (like your FastPass reservation). If you’re not in the same account you can reserve your boarding passes separately in each of your apps. But both guests must be inside the park before you can reserve your boarding pass.
Leroy Kelley
My experience from today. Keep pounding the app for a group even if they say it will start at a certain time. They opened the app up about 15 minutes prior to the advertised time. I was in group 84. I got in about 8 pm with 2 ride malfunctions. At best it seemed like 10 group per hour were being processed. At the end of the night they called groups 77-84 and then 85-95 in rapid succession. This filled the queue. Yes it was worth the wait.
Jenny
Where did you find the advertised time for app opening? Or is it the same as the posted opening time for the park?
Alicia Stella
Boarding Passes should be available when the park opens to regular guests each day, as soon as you’re in the park you can start reserving it.
According to the official Walt Disney World website, the park is scheduled to open at 8:00AM this week. According to some reports and rumors, Cast Members are scheduled to work early enough for a 6:00 opening, but early openings like that will not be advertised. And they may not happen at all, but so far Disney has opened the park to regular guests earlier than the time scheduled since the new attraction opened.
Jenny
Thank you!
Leroy Kelley
Cast members will tell you what they know once you enter park ! Not great for planning but ride is still cutting its teeth !
Toni Ciccone
This may seem silly… I’m going w the the family and no one else in my party wants to go on this ride… I know crazy, I don’t know how we are actually related?!? We are all link on the app. Does the whole party need to be in the park if I’m the only one going on the ride? Can I join the virtual que / get a boarding pass just for me even though the rest of my group is still sound asleep back at the resort?
Alicia Stella
You can choose who to include in your boarding pass while you’re reserving it. It doesn’t need to be everyone in your account.
Jackie Taylor
I am planning on going next Sunday (Dec. 15) when there will be extra magic hours for hotel guests beginning at 8am. How early do you recommend we should arrive at the park?
Leroy kelley
The had extra hours this week. Folks were there way before 5am. As far as the virtual queue. It is hard to say. The queue opened up this past Sunday at 7:30. You really do not know when the queue will open until you enter the park. Then it is a best guess. Good news is the queue will never open before people enter the park. Get there as close to opening just in case things are ready. The queue spots go quickly as I learned. Get to know the app the day before. I am sure the decision process is complicated based on staff and the ride of course. They tried to accommodate as many people as the could at the end of the day. I left at closing and the queue was completely full. Kudos.
Kelly
What time did they open on Monday and Today? And when did boarding groups fill? Looking to go tomorrow and I’m still not sure if spending the money on a Lyft will be worth it since we don’t have a car to go earlier than the buses start running. Definitely not a fan of early rising but I do have some star wars fans kiddos 😁
Alicia Stella
The park let in guests around 6:30 AM and Boarding Passes were all gone by 8:30 AM on both Monday December 9th and Tuesday December 10th. One of the upsides to arriving early, if they continue to do the same, is that you can ride Tower of Terror, Rockin Roller Coaster and Slinky Dog Dash with little to no wait after reserving your Boarding Pass.
Tori
How many times have you experienced ROTR???
Alicia Stella
Twice so far.
Kristin
Can both guests in a party be trying to get boarding groups at the same time on 2 different phones? My husband and I are going and I’m wondering if we should both be logged in and trying for both of us of just have one person do it.
Alicia Stella
If both of you are logged into the same account on different devices it should allow you to, but as soon as one of you is able to start making the reservation the other will need to stop, and exit out, or you could end up locking the other one out. I haven’t tried it personally, but I have seen a family both trying once near me and when the father got through the mother closed her app and let him complete the sign up process, so seems like it could work.
Lauren
If just my husband and son want to ride rise of the resistance twice, can we all four get boarding passes (I know we all have to be in the park) and then they use my boarding group and my daughters to ride again? Would they need our magic bands or just the app?
Admin
Technically something like this isn’t allowed, but yes, they would need the second set of MagicBands if they were to ride again after using theirs.
JP
Planning now for a June visit, called WDW and they said ROTR won’t be on Fastpass+. Is Smuggler’s Run on FP+? Any rumors how Galaxy Edge rides, in general, will work this summer?
Admin
Smuggler’s Run does not yet offer FastPass. I am unsure when and if the rides of Galaxy’s Edge will start offering FastPass, but Rise should (hopefully) be using a standby line and not Boarding Passes by then. We will keep you updated here on the site though as things change.
JP
Dumb follow-up: Does not having a Fastpass or Boarding Pass mean that a “standby” line is just a regular line for a ride?
Admin
Correct, that means a regular line.
Jennifer Jones Wood
How can you check that the app recognizes that your party is all in the park before the time to try and get assigned a boarding group?
Admin
You won’t be able to tell until you go to reserve your boarding pass. As long as everyone in your party was scanned into the park through the turnstiles it should recognize that you’re inside. If you have any trouble, see a guest services cast member in a blue shirt for assistance.