Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Opening Date
Disney has announced grand opening dates for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. In this post, we’ll cover the official debuts for Star Wars Land’s flagship attraction, plus some thoughts.
The big twist here is that despite opening Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge a few months later, Walt Disney World’s version of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will actually open first, right as Christmas season kicks into high gear on December 5, 2019.
By contrast, the official grand opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland has slipped into next year, with an opening date of January 17, 2020. Obviously, this is an interesting turn of events for the two Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge projects…
Note that there is not a single team of Imagineers that personally builds every Disney attraction brick by brick, detail by detail. While the attraction is being cloned for both coasts, it has distinct construction crews, with each version having its own third party contractors and subcontractors.
This is to say that it’s not as if resources have been diverted from one coast’s version of the project to rush the other one towards completion. To the contrary, Disneyland’s Rise of the Resistance was months ahead of Walt Disney World’s at one point, but saw significant issues in early spring that has necessitated previously completed work to be redone.
Given the nature of the delay, we’re actually a bit surprised that Disneyland is setting an official opening date for Rise of the Resistance so many months in advance. While some ‘rumors’ have suggested the attraction would be ready to open in this month or that, it’s been our understanding that there were internal goals for its completion, but nothing certain.
Having a precise, remote opening date for a project that has had problems strikes us as odd. It’s possible that Disney wanted to release something, and chose a very conservative official date. This gives people more certainty in their planning, and Disney always has the freedom of debuting early (as we saw with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge itself) or doing an extended soft opening preview period.
This might make sense from another perspective, as well. As we’ve covered extensively, crowds have been really low at Disneyland this summer. (See our “Why Are Star Wars Land Crowds So Low?” post for more on that.) At least part of the reason for this is because there are a lot of Disneyland locals who have said they’ll “wait a couple of months to visit when it’s all open.”
Perhaps by announcing a 2020 debut date for Rise of the Resistance, Disney is hoping to get these potential guests to stop waiting and visit now, knowing it’ll be more than a couple of months before Rise of the Resistance is ready to debut. In the last couple of weeks, Disneyland has taken numerous moves to help address this low crowd “problem” and this could be yet another move with that goal.
We have zero insight into the progress on Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Given that original rumors (that date back into last year) indicated Walt Disney World was targeting a December 2019 opening date for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we’re inclined to believe that the project is more or less on schedule in Florida.
It wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if there have been technical challenges in getting all of the effects working and timing of the attraction right on both coasts. As has been stated countless times, this is Disney’s most technically-ambitious attraction ever, and has a lot of “moving parts” (in a manner of speaking). It’s going to have some amount of hiccups in getting everything working properly.
An early December 2019 debut date in Walt Disney World suggests minor hiccups (at most) for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. A January 2020 date at Disneyland, for the version that was previously several months ahead of schedule, suggests something more serious.
As for how this will impact crowds on either coast or how the parks will handle operations, we are hesitant to even speculate. Obviously, we thought the grand opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge would bring a huge influx of crushing crowds to Disneyland…and pretty much the exact opposite happened.
January is typically a slow month at Disneyland, with the only real exception to that being a couple of years ago when Main Street Electrical Parade returned and an aggressive SoCal resident ticket special was offered. The parks were bonkers then, despite it being California’s off-season for tourists. It’s hard to say if January 2020 will be the “turning point” with Star Wars Land and locals, with crazy crowds.
Personally, I think that turning point will occur in September or October, at the latest. This low crowd phenomenon is likely a temporary one that’ll likely end with summer. (It’s great for guests, but incredibly concerning to Disney, which has made itself beholden to quarterly numbers.)
December is a busy month at Walt Disney World, and would be irrespective of all things Star Wars. On-site hotel occupancy is high for December, and some room types have been totally sold out for certain dates for a while now. That doesn’t tell the whole story, as off-site guests and locals do make up a considerable number of guests. Nevertheless, we’d be shocked if Walt Disney World is not busy this December.
At Walt Disney World, the wildcards will be whether Extra, Extra Magic Hours gets extended and when FastPass+ is offered for Rise of the Resistance. We would not bank on FastPass+ being available for either Galaxy’s Edge attraction until Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway debuts, and perhaps not even right away then.
As we’ve stated several times, we’re incredibly excited for Extra, Extra Magic Hours and think the perk will offer a huge advantage to guests who leverage it. Extra, Extra Magic Hours currently run until early November, ending well before Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance officially debuts.
Unfortunately, an extension of Extra, Extra Magic Hours is also uncertain. If September and October are not insanely busy, there’s a good chance Disney management won’t want to continue running Extra, Extra Magic Hours beyond their slated end date. That’s unfortunate, as December is the month when something like that will be needed most. Here’s hoping Disney has a little more foresight and faith in Rise of the Resistance’s drawing power.
If you’re planning on visiting the new land, you’ll also want to read our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Guide. This covers a range of topics from basics about the land and its location, to strategically choosing a hotel for your stay, recommended strategy for the land, and how to beat the crowds. It’s a good primer for this huge addition.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you going to be there for the grand opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland or Walt Disney World? Excited for this attraction? Will you avoid grand opening until crowds are at a more manageable level? What do you think of the delayed opening at Disneyland? Other thoughts to add? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below
We are booked Dec 17-23 and I’m freaking terrified. The 22nd has am emh at Hollywood so I’m hoping if we are there extra early and run straight to the resistance maybe we can get in idk is that a thing or would that not work if they reinstate boarding groups? SEND HELPPPPPP!!! :0>
I’m not surprised about hotel availability. It has been like that all summer and now fall. Disney keeps sending out 15% off room announcements to APs and of course we are all jumping right in and booking those $700 viewless rooms!!! I bet it also has something to do with the new ride opening in WDW first. But if Disneyland offers AP previews this time, that could get us to plan a trip!
Why would they not include Star Wars rides on fastpass choices?? Did they not include Pandora rides on fastpass choices when it first opened up?? What about Toy Story land, did they not have fastpasses for those rides when it opened up? I just booked an 8 day stay at WDW with a free dining deal when I read both rides will be open in December. I grew up with the original Star Wars movies and am a big fan. Now if theres no chance for fastpasses and no early morning hours I am thinking I have no chance at all to get on these rides without lining up for 2 or 3 hours which at my age & with some health issues I think I probably just cant handle it physically & should maybe just cancel my vacation. And when will they offer fastpasses & how long do I wait to rebook? 2 or 3 years? Why wouldnt they have them available on fastpass right away?? Why wont they have early morning hours?? I dont get it. This makes me very sad. A lot of us Star Wars fans are older. Not all of us are physically capable of standing in a line for 2 or 3 hours.
Hi Tom, how do soft openings usually work and do you think they might do one for Rise of the Resistance at Magic Kingdom, what’s the possibility of it? Thanks
So how do soft openings usually occur and do you think there might be one for Rise at HWS?We are there Thanksgiving week and are bummed to hear we will miss the opportunity to ride this. The other ride Millenium Falcon that will be open and is a simulator we will pass on it because our stomachs just don’t agree with simulators but this one sounds perfect for us, especially because we have a wheelchair with us and am hoping this will be handicapped accessible.
We are thinking about a January 2020 trip, not realizing they would be opening the Resistance. Do you think Jan 27-30 would be a good time to visit with the new ride opening?
This just frustrates me so much. We saved for 3 years, chose a quieter time thst would still be Christmas themed, banked on free dining and now 4 days before we arrive this is opening. I don’t know if I should postpone or cancel all together and plan a relaxing vacation somewhere else.
We will be there the first week of December too. We were hoping to avoid this opening. This stinks!!!
Can you reroute to CA? I think the crowds will be much smaller and Disneyland and CA Adventure are really beautiful all decked out for Christmas!
We have planned for first week of Dec for 3 years too. Booked as soon as we were able to. 25th anniversary and to see Christmas decorations. Not been for 10 years. NOT into SW at all!! Bummed when we heard SWL was opening in Aug and now super bummed that RotR is opening during our trip. Already booked flights or we’d be rethinking. Just going to go and hope to enjoy what we can.
Ha! My check in day is Dec. 6, so guess I’m gonna do the new flagship attractions if I want to or Not!. I’m not really overly Impressed with this new Land, and hope the same kind of plag avoidance that happened in CA follows suit here at WDW. Just looking at the Gun Turret in Toms opening pic raises the question….They spent a Billion on This ??? He he, Someone is laughing all the way to the Bank…….sad But True…..
I think January is going to be very busy at WDW, I’ve been keeping an eye on rooms for our dates (22 Jan for 14 nights) for weeks as was thinking of upgrade. Literally overnight the only standard value room resort available now is all star sports.
We moved our holiday from September, it was actually £500 cheaper for the 2 weeks in January and the full land will be open
Our last full day in Florida will be the 5th dec so for the first time ever we will rope drop HS!!! very excited 🙂
We are scheduled to be at Hollywood Studios on the December 5th when Rise of the Resistance opens. We planned our park dates several month in advance prior to hearing this news. We’re now conflicted on whether or not we stick to our original plan or avoid the chaos that we will likely be surrounded by on December 5th.
we had the exact same issue with our entire trip planned for labor day week, then 2 days after making our ADRs, BAM, we’re there opening week for GE. very nearly cancelled, stuck with it. this news actually makes me happy, glad we will miss the crowds hopefully waiting for that ride, but i feel your pain, been sitting there for a few months myself.
(great name, btw)
Hello Tom! Recently found your site and it is so helpful. We are planning a trip to California in September and can do 2 days at Land. 9/23 and 24. My mom is joining us and is concerned about us being able to get into the Star Wars part. Do we need to stay at a Disney Property to guarantee that or will we be find at another place? Thanks.
You do not need to stay on Disney property to get into Galaxy’s Edge. There are many amazing off-site properties that offer so many more amenities than a Disneyland Resort hotel and are within walking distance. Tom has a good post of all his rankings of hotels for Disneyland Resort.
Currently Galaxy’s Edge is wide open, if it his capacity they will have a virtual queue and have boarding passes to get in, so far they haven’t needed them. But you can access a boarding pass on the Disneyland app.
Thank you so much! That is really helpful. In the past we have stayed at the Annabella, but I heard in the spring it was closed so I will check out his rankings.
How do you think the week before Thanksgiving will be? Crowded or no, considering Star Wars?
We will be in Disney World the first week of December for husbands retirement trip. Had planned to go to Hollywood on the 5th or 7th based on previous crowd calendars but thinking it is a bad idea now. We don’t need to ride the new ride just wanted to see Star Wars Land. Suggestions on best day that week to go? Dec. 2-8
you most definitely want to plan your HS day before the 5th. they might have soft openings for the ride but those are unannounced when they do them. stick it as your first day, if you can. you guarantee more people the 5th and after. a lot of people are anxiously awaiting this ride if social media is to be believed.
I don’t get it, call me an idiot. I read Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — Opens August 29, 2019 and now I read Dec 5th. Is Rise of the Resistance an attraction inside the land? Will everything else still be open?
That’s correct.
Thank you
VERY hopeful that Extra, Extra Magic Hours will be extended! Crossing all extremities!
I am supposed to be in WDW the week October 20-25, every single crowd calender pretty much says this week is pretty light for October but I still take that with a grain of salt. I am now also hoping that people will wait until the whole entire Star Wars Land is open to make their plans making my time there hopefully less crowded. What do you think the chances of that happening may be?
I am not amused. We arrive on the 4th and leave the 11th. Hoping this doesn’t mean extra busy parks. Also hoping everyone else will be at DHS so we can have Pandora to ourselves. Can’t move the trip so just hoping for the best as far as crowds. Don’t care about the ride.
It’s very busy and crowded ar that time of year notwithstanding SWGE. I’ve only been once that time of year but my best guess for the entire world is that all parks will be much busier. Prepare for it, use touring plans and you will be okay.