Disney has officially launched what is potentially its most ambitious theme park attraction to date. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has come to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, and with it, a new standard of ride has been introduced. As GameSpot mentioned in our breakdown of the new attraction, Rise of the Resistance mixes several different ride systems, along with impressive visual effects, and plenty of massive scenes filled with familiar characters--animatronic, projected, and even some human actors--to create the unique experience that drops you into the middle of a Star Wars story. GameSpot has the opportunity to ride the attraction during a media preview, and we couldn't help but take as many photos as possible of the 15-minute ride. From the incredibly detailed line queue that immerses you in the world of Star Wars to the hologram of Rey (Daisy Ridley) giving you details about your mission to the adventure aboard a Star Destroyer that pits you against Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), there is plenty to see in the photos below. While Rise of the Resistance is now open in Florida, those who visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge still have some time before they get to experience the attraction. It opens at Disneyland on January 17. Meanwhile, the final chapter in the Skywalker Saga--Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker--hits theaters on December 20.
The queue begins in the Resistance outpost in the forest of Galaxy's Edge.
Eventually, you'll find a path toward a bunker hidden in a mountain.
That bunker is filled with winding tunnels that certainly feel like they're right out of a Star Wars film.
Finally, you come across the first loading area, which looks to be where the Resistance do their planning.
You then move into a room and await further instructions.
Those instructions come from Rey, via hologram.
After that, you'll board a ship to escape the planet to General Leia's secret base.
Inside the ship, you can see out the front and back, thanks to the use of screens. There are also monitors everywhere, showing a variety of different things.
This is also where you'll meet Lieutenant Bek, a Mon Calamari that will aid in your escape from Batuu.
This is Nien Nunb, a Sullustan that first appeared in Return of the Jedi who also happens to be the pilot of the ship you're on.
Bek is also in contactwith Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac).
It doesn't take long before the situation gets dire when the First Order attacks.
At that point, General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) sends a communication to the ship as the First Order captures you and those you're riding with.
After exiting the ship aboard a Star Destroyer, you encounter a massive room filled with Stormtroopers, all armed. While some of these are mannequins, there are also animatronic Stormtroopers mixed, creating just enough movement to make this army look real.
You'll also encounter a life-sized TIE-fighter.
From there, you're shipped off to interrogation down a series of corridors. This is one way Rise of the Resistance cuts back on lines. Part of the line is within the ride itself, and it's a highly-themed line with a number of actual actors in First Order garb, ordering you around.
Once inside the interrogation room, there's plenty to look at.
Before long, you're rescued by Resistance forces who cut a holy in the wall to free you.
Of course, if you pay enough attention, you'll see the door magically restored before you leave the next room.
You're then ushered into a ride vehicle controlled by this R5 unit. Be nice to it, this thing is what's keeping you alive.
After boarding the cart, you get the first appearance of Finn (John Boyega). He'll let you know the plan for escape.
Naturally, it does wrong almost immediately when you run into some Stormtroopers who have no problem firing their blasters at you.
Then you come to the ride's most impressive room. These are life-sized AT-AT walkers, and they have to be seen to be believed.
The AT-AT room also includes animatronics of Finn. There are two potential stories you can follow, depending on which ride vehicle you end up in. They both have Finn animatronics, though.
Eventually, you come upon Hux and Kylo Ren figuring out what to do with you. At that point, though, Resistance forces arrive and the war begins.
Part of the battle takes you through a room filled with massive blaster cannons, firing on the Resistance.
You'll also get one more appearance by Finn.
In one of the ride's final rooms, you'll come face-to-face with Kylo once more, as he uses the Force to pull you closely.
After a quick retreat, though, you wind up in an escape pod for one of the ride's most thrilling moments--a drop from space.
Upon landing back on Batuu, you complete your adventure.
Of course, first you get to see Bek one last time.
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