When Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance works as intended, it’s nothing short of spectacular—arguably Disney’s best attraction to date. Combining immersion, thrills, and cutting-edge technology, it’s a near-perfect blend of storytelling and innovation.
The only issue? It rarely works.
Since its debut, this marquee ride at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has gained a reputation for its technical unpredictability. Lines are perpetually long, but downtime often turns those waits into marathon ordeals. In 2022, for example, the ride averaged 122 minutes of downtime daily, according to Thrill Data.
Fast forward to today, and the problems persist. Reports of malfunctions, delays, and temporary fixes flood in from Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World, painting a picture of a ride struggling to meet its own ambitions.
This inconsistency has only added to the mixed reception of Galaxy’s Edge as a whole. With just two main attractions, the land already feels light on entertainment. When one of those attractions frequently breaks down, it amplifies frustrations for guests who’ve spent hours in line only to miss out on the full experience.
For now, the prospect of a third ride in Galaxy’s Edge seems remote. Disney’s best option is to give Rise of the Resistance the care and attention it so desperately needs. Restoring the ride’s reliability is crucial—not just for its survival but for the overall appeal of the land.
Technical Woes: A Growing List for Rise of the Resistance
B-Mode Cannons
The once-dynamic laser cannons, which recoil as they fire, have largely stopped moving. Instead of dodging these animated blasts, ride vehicles pass static cannons that fail to sell the intensity of a space battle. According to one Reddit user, delays in sourcing unique replacement parts have left this iconic feature sidelined, with no clear resolution in sight.
To Disney’s credit, the cannons were fixed at Disneyland Park in January 2025. Whether Disney World has or will follow suit remains to be seen.
Missing BB-8
The pre-show, a critical setup for the attraction, often loses its charm when BB-8—the beloved droid—vanishes entirely in a simplified B-Mode. Without him, the scene feels incomplete, leaving guests with a diluted introduction to the story.
Kylo Ren’s Malfunctions
Few moments in the ride match the drama of Kylo Ren confronting riders before being violently sucked into space. However, when the animatronic is out of service, the sequence feels underwhelming. Instead of a climactic showdown, guests are left watching a screen where Kylo appears from a distance, threatening them from a ship outside. While Disney’s backup B-Mode keeps the ride operational, its overuse chips away at the immersive magic.
Transporter Troubles
In late 2024, issues with the transporter segment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios significantly impacted the pre-show experience. The transporter, a critical element where guests are captured by the First Order, was reportedly out of service for weeks, leaving new riders without a key part of the narrative.
Cast Member Enthusiasm
Beyond technical failures, some guests have noted a decline in cast member participation.
The once-enthusiastic First Order and Resistance roles, which added a theatrical layer to the experience, have become noticeably subdued to some guests.
“They almost never act out the roles anymore!!” complained one Reddit user. “When it first opened, the cast members were awesome about acting like they really were the First Order or the Resistance. I loved how horrible and cutting the First Order CMs would be, and how the Resistance would really ham it up, like ‘GO, GO, GO!!!’ rushing to load you onto the ship like you were really racing against time! It was SUCH a cool part of the ride. Now the CMs are mostly just strolling around with normal everyday personalities.”
Worth noting, however, is that this definitely varies from ride to ride and guest to guest. On our recent trips to both Disney World and Disneyland, the cast members were totally in character (and loving it). But we digress.
A Call for Restoration
Rise of the Resistance still has the potential to be Disney’s crowning achievement—but not without addressing these growing issues. From technical repairs to reinvigorating cast performances, the attraction needs a concerted effort to reclaim its former glory.
What fixes do you think are most urgent for Rise of the Resistance?
