The Rare Rise of the Resistance End of the Night Surprise

Disney Park magic is everywhere at Walt Disney World in Florida, from the enchanting character meet and greets to thrilling well-themed attractions.

But recently, social media has been rife with Disney fans divided over the post-pandemic Disney Park experience – especially after the launch of Disney Genie, Individual Lightning Lane, and the Park Pass reservation system.

This week, though, we experienced an exciting Disney theme park “miracle” that demonstrates that Cast Member magic is still strong at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT,  Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

With its outpost theme and immersive attractions, Batuu has become a popular Disney Park land with Guests wanting to experience a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has proven to be a fan-favorite addition to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resorts, with Imagineers creating a galactic land full of tidbits from George Lucas’ movies.

The Star Wars-themed land is set between Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017) and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) in the Star Wars timeline, and features two attractions – Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run and the continually popular Rise of the Resistance.

We had made the decision not to waste important theme park time standing in the extremely long queue for popular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Avoiding Galaxy’s Edge, we managed to fit in Toy Story Midway Mania, Star Tours, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Show Spectacular all after entering the Disney Park at 2 p.m. with a Park Hopper.

The wait time for Rise of the Resistance was consistently over 100 minutes, so we waited until 8:50 p.m. to head over and commit ourselves to a late night waiting in line at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Once we reached the entrance to thw popular Walt Disney World attraction, we realized something was wrong. There was a small gaggle of Guests waiting outside the ride, with Cast Members informing the small crowd that the attraction was unfortunately down.

This was obviously disappointing, but we stayed hovering in the small group of Disney Park Guests just to see what would happen. We didn’t have much optimism as Disney’s Hollywood Studios closed at 9 p.m., but we didn’t have enough time to run to The Tower of Terror.

And then, a miracle happened. At exactly 9 p.m., Cast Members revealed that the ride was back up and running after its breakdown, and that they’d let whoever was stood waiting into the queue line!

We couldn’t believe it. Cast Members had worked behind the scenes to ensure the ride was operating again for the small group of Guests with Resistance dreams.

A Cast Member escorted our group to the front of the winding queue area, and we suddenly realized it was going to be a walk-on ride! A Disney Park miracle.

Before we knew it, we were meeting BB8, Rey, and Poe Dameron before boarding transports with Nien Nunb and Bek to rendezvous with Leia Organa on Pacara. Having the doors open to the amazing Stormtrooper hangar leads on the Resistance Intersystem Transport Ship feels even better when you haven’t queued over 2 or 3 hours to experience the Star Wars attraction.

Amid recent controversy and negative perceptions, we wanted to share a story of surprise, hope, and Disney Magic. The Batuu Cast Members did not have to work to get the ride working again that close to Park closing and provide us lucky few with a walk-on ride experience.

The ride featured the “B-mode” Kylo Ren scene, with his animatronic replaced by the ship outside the window. We assume this was why the ride had previously gone down.

So, next time you want to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (or any Walt Disney World Resort ride for that matter) and see it’s broken down, remember to wait. You never know what Disney magic or Jedi Force may happen.