Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has always touted itself as more than just a ride, but a return to form, a fully immersive experience packed with audio-animatronics where you’re actively recruited by the Resistance and mercilessly intimidated by First Order officers. Not only is the winding cavernous queue packed with props to further envelop guests in the story, they lead to a key part in the attraction’s storyline.
First, guests enter a makeshift briefing room where Rey appears via holo-transmission alongside dutiful droid BB-8 to welcome the new Resistance recruits.
Then they board a nearby Intersystem Transport Ship (I-TS) navigated by Lieutenant Bek and Nien Nunb.
These pre-shows are arguably the favorite portion of the ride for many, and are pivotal in understanding how exactly you end up captured aboard a First Order Star Destroyer. Now, imagine if you didn’t get to experience any of this. For guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios today––many of them experiencing this attraction for the very first time.
Guests took to social media today frustrated after waking up as early as 4:30 AM and bearing the heavy crowds for a Boarding Group only to experience a partial ride-through, with no customer recovery attempts, like FastPasses, distributed for those guests affected.
Guests were funneled in from the queue and backstage directly into the First Order Destroyer scene, where they went on to be loaded onto the attraction without much development of the story. It is unknown whether this was caused by issues or malfunctions with the I-TS transport shuttle or other issues. In recent weeks, the attraction has had a number of its audio-animatronics break or go on B-mode, and the attraction has suffered from full operational breakdowns since opening day.
While issues with the pre-show are a new development since the ride’s opening, it seems it has only affected a handful of boarding groups, but we suggest that everyone planning on seeing it to temper their expectations, and if any issues arise, to kindly inform a Cast Member or Guest Relations for the chance to experience the attraction in full, as it was meant to be experienced.
