Are you having a hard time using the Rise of the Resistance virtual queue to get on this popular Disney attraction? Trust me, I understand your frustration.
With Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary just 4 months away, it’s important to know several things.
To start, anniversary years tend to bring in more crowds than ever.
Once October 1st is upon us, it will prove more difficult than usual to get park pass reservations, dining reservations, and yes, boarding groups for Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Now with that being said, it very important that if you are visiting Walt Disney World in the next few years to understand another key fact.
Disney is more than likely going to start normalizing virtual queues and boarding groups for their upcoming attractions.
You can see proof of this in the announcement that Webslingers over at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure will utilize this system as well.
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“Virtual Queue?”
“Boarding Groups”
“Am I getting into a plane or trying to ride an attraction at Hollywood Studios?” is what you’re probably thinking.
Not to worry, I am here to break down everything and answer every question you possibly may have about this new system that debuted with Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Take a look at today’s breakdown and let’s get ready for our jump to lightspeed!
- What is a Virtual Queue?
- What is a Boarding Group?
- Virtual Queue Process & Preparation
- FAQ
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What is a Virtual Queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance?
Let’s begin with the very first question that I’m 99.8% certain popped into your mind.
Virtual queues debuted with Rise of the Resistance as a way to keep wait times to a minimum while giving guests a lottery style and fair chance to ride the attraction.
To put it simply, this is one ride in particular that you cannot simply walk into the line to ride. You have to be ready to plan ahead in order to experience this ride.
My Disney Experience App
You will be able to access the virtual queue system in the MDX (My Disney Experience) app.
By joining the virtual queue, you will be assigned a boarding group and will be notified through the app when it’s your turn to experience the attraction.
The process is fairly simple and only takes a few buttons clicks, but timing is EVERYTHING when it comes to this.
Fortunately, Rise of the Resistance is the only attraction in Walt Disney World currently that uses the virtual queue system. You won’t need to join a virtual queue to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
What to Know About Getting Your Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Virtual Pass
- You will need a valid park ticket to Hollywood Studios AND a Park Pass Reservation to enter the park and book a boarding group.
- Hollywood Studios must also be your first park of the day if you plan on park hopping in order to join the virtual queue.
- The Rise of the Resistance virtual queue will not guarantee you entry into the park.
What is a Boarding Group at Disney?
A Boarding group is how Guests are organized in order to maintain the amount of people coming to ride at a time.
Rather than having a return time, like a FastPass, you’re given a boarding group number as if you are boarding a plane.
The thing with boarding groups is that because you aren’t given a time, you don’t really know when you are going to be called. Based on my personal experience with this system, if you are in the any boarding groups between 1-55, you’ll be called to ride before noon. This is also pending there are no ride breakdowns.
Backup Groups for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
While we are discussing boarding groups, let’s chat about the backup groups.
You’ll want to aim for boarding groups that aren’t in the hundreds. Once you hit the hundreds, you are in what are considered backup groups.
These are waitlist groups that aren’t guaranteed to ride, meaning you could be waiting all day to ride and you may not ever get the chance to.
That’s why it’s important to plan and prepare to join the virtual queue the millisecond, and I am so serious when I say millisecond, the virtual queue opens to guests. These boarding groups go that fast.
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Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue Process & Preparation
We have learned two new things: What a virtual queue and boarding group is when it comes to Disney attractions. Now it’s time to understand the process and how to be on top of getting an early boarding group!
Originally, Guests had to be inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios in order to join a virtual queue. This is no longer the case, which is a relief to those who aren’t early risers.
I will never forget having to get up at 4 a.m. to get ready to beat the crowds to enter Hollywood Studios at 6 a.m. opening in the early days.
Virtual queues open up twice a day at 7 a.m. EST and 1 p.m. EST. This gives you two chances to gain a boarding pass for the attraction. It is important to note that you can only ride Rise of the Resistance once per day.
So, say if you gained a boarding pass at the 7 a.m. drop, then you would not be able to get a second one at 1p.m. This is to make it fair for all Guests to have a chance.
How do you get the Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group?
As I mentioned before, the process to enter the Rise of the Resistance virtual queue is a few clicks but this doesn’t mean you should underestimate the process.
Step 1: Open App
You will start by opening your My Disney Experience app and normally it will automatically sign you in. On the bottom right side of the app, you will find three lines.
Step 2: Click on Virtual Queues
Click on it and it will take you to a new page with two columns of options to choose from. You’re going to find the box that says “Virtual Queues” and click on that.
Step 3: Join Virtual Queue
You will be brought to another page where you will click “Join Virtual Queue.”
Step 4: Join Boarding Group
The next screen will give you the option to either “Join Boarding Group” or will have you at a screen where you can wait until virtual queues open at 7 a.m. or 1p.m.
Step 5: Select Your Party
The next page will have you choose the members of your party that you want in your group, but those party members should already be selected for you.
Step 6: Once that’s done, click “Join.”
After this, you will be given a boarding group number and an estimated time to go to the attraction to ride!
Or you may be unfortunately told that boarding groups are gone and to try again at 1 p.m., but we will have positive vibes only here.
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8 Pro Tips for Getting a Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Boarding Pass
1. Download My Disney Experience App
The first place to start is by downloading the MDX app. You will want to get familiar with the app and learn where everything is so you won’t be desperately fumbling around the app.
2. Link Everyone Before Your Disney Trip
You will also want to make sure everyone in your party’s tickets and park passes are linked to the correct profiles and that everyone has their tickets and passes for the same day.
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3. Update Disney App
You will want to make sure your phone and MDX app is up to date prior to the day you plan on getting a boarding group for your party.
Hipster Power Tip: For android users, you will want to download a clock app that will count time down to the very seconds. For iPhone users, you can use your clock app or use your clock in the upper left corner of your phone.
4. Choose the Fastest Person
Like I said, every millisecond will count so time is of the essence in this process. Therefore, you’ll want to have the person who is fastest with their phone be the one to book the boarding groups.
I will not recommend everyone booking their own boarding groups because you won’t be in the same group.
5. Know if You Have Good Cellphone Signal
The person who will be booking the boarding group then has to answer the question of whether or not they will be on Wi-Fi or use their network.
Because you don’t have to be in the park when you attempt to join the virtual queue, you’ll want to use the fastest connection possible.
If you will be in the Disney area, DO NOT use Disney’s Wi-Fi unless your cellular data connection isn’t good. Everyone and their mother are on the Wi-Fi and it won’t be as fast due to that fact.
I would personally recommend trying to plan where you will be when you attempt to join a boarding group and testing your signal vs Wi-Fi there.
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6. Practice at Home
The best way to prepare is to do a few practice runs at home and wherever you will be when you plan to join the virtual queue, if you can.
You will want to enter the MDX app and get all the way to the screen where you will have to click “Join Virtual Queues.”
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7. Start the Process Early
I would suggest getting to that screen at 6:45 a.m. Est and continually refreshing while keeping an eye on the clock.
The only app that should running during this time is the MDX app you are currently on if you’re an iPhone user or the clock and MDX app if you’re an android user.
Hipster Power Tip: Once it turns 6:55 a.m., start refreshing the screen continuously until “Join Boarding Group” pops up for you.
8. Be Fast!
Speed will be your friend and this is why it’s important to make sure to have everyone in your party prepared already with tickets and park pass reservations linked correctly because they will already be selected for you.
You can click next and then voila! You are in!
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What to Know Before You Go to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Let’s go over a few questions you may have.
What if I don’t get a Rise of the Resistance boarding group at the 7 a.m. Virtual Queue opening?
This will depend on your trip plans and park pass availability, but this is why it’s good to have the ability to park hop. If you plan on staying at Hollywood Studios all day, you can try the same process again at 1 p.m. Est.
Try to not be in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when you attempt to join the virtual queue as well. Try to position yourself in the best place where you will have service.
If you want, you can always snag a park pass reservation for another park, try for the 1 p.m. virtual queue opening and then park hop over at 2 p.m.
Does everyone have to be with me when it’s time to ride the Star Wars attraction?
Yes, everyone in your boarding group party must be scanned into the park in order to ride. Once you scan in, you are free to leave and come back to take a nap, partake in a dining reservation etc.
If you have to do the 1 p.m. virtual queue opening, everyone has to be scanned into the park in order for all party members to join the boarding group.
Can I simply wait to book a Rise of the Resistance boarding group later in the day?
More than likely, there won’t be any primary or backup boarding group left if you don’t book exactly at 7 a.m. or 1 p.m. EST.
The boarding groups are gone within seconds of opening so waiting is unwise as there is no standby lines for the attraction.
How long will I wait in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance line once my group is called?
Gathering that there is no delay or ride breakdowns, you could anticipate to wait between 15-40 mins in the attraction’s physical queue.
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What if I have a Disney reservation that conflicts with our return time to Rise of the Resistance?
You can speak to any guest relations or guest experience Cast Member to assist. If all else fails, just explain to the Rise of the Resistance Cast Member your current situation.
I would suggest taking a screenshot your boarding group page and reservation page just in case to show.
Is there a better day to try to attempt to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance?
I would suggest shooting for a weekday when locals and families with children are usually at work or school. Particularly in the summertime, try on a Saturday or Sunday.
Should I rope drop for Hollywood Studios or can I sleep in a bit?
Once you gain your boarding pass at 7 a.m., it really depends on your plans and your boarding group number. If you are in groups 1-50 and wish to sleep in, I would suggest heading to the park about 2 and a half hours after park opening.
Boarding groups 60 and over could probably manage arriving 3-4 hours after if they wish.
Will Disney World Transportation or Uber/Lyft to make it in time for my group boarding?
This will depend on where you are staying and how far away you are. If you are staying on property and are staying in one of the resort hotels in the Epcot or Hollywood studios area, the bus system runs every 20 minutes and Skyliner almost usually doesn’t have a terribly long line if your resort has access to it.
Otherwise, it may be worth dropping a bit of money to get to your group boarding in time.
Can I use Extra Magic Hours to get a jump on the virtual queue?
At this time, Walt Disney World has no Extra Magic Hours in place for any of its parks.
Does this attraction allow the use of DAS (Disability Access Service) pass and rider switch?
Yes, but you will still have to join the virtual queue first as everyone else does. For DAS, when your boarding group is called, simply let the Cast Member at the entrance know. For rider switch, it’s the same process.
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My Final Thoughts on Getting Your Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue
While this all may seem overwhelming, it really is the best way to keep it fair for all Guests.
And whether or not you’re a Star Wars fan or not, this attraction is certainly family friendly and worth experiencing at least once.
It truly is a phenomenal piece of work and a credit to the imagineers and cast members who worked and operate it. All the effort of getting a boarding group is worth it.
In the meantime, I hope this guide will help you gain that ultimate win of the best boarding group.
The best group I’ve gotten as a Disney solo traveler so far for the Rise of Resistance Virtual Queue is group 44 and these tips have helped a group of eight get boarding group 52.
Best of luck and may the force be with you on your journey to Galaxy’s Edge!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.
She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.
She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home.
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