Getting a boarding group for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is still one of the most difficult things to do (it may even be harder than snagging some of that limited edition merch on shopDisney)!
Rise of the Resistance
Disney has made some changes recently that may make things a bit easier for some — like installing plexiglass barriers in the ride vehicles to accommodate more guests, and allowing guests to sign up for morning boarding groups at 7AM from outside the park. But, what if you try to sign up for a 7AM boarding group (and the Force just isn’t with you that day) and you aren’t able to snag a group? Here’s what you can do.
If you aren’t able to grab a boarding group during the new 7AM sign-up time, don’t fret. You’ve got a few options.
1. Try Again at 2PM
If you absolutely MUST ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance that day or that day is the only one you’ve got available to try to get on this incredibly popular ride, then you can try to get a boarding group during the 2PM sign-up.
Rise of the Resistance
There are a few important things you need to know about this 2PM sign-up time though. First, unlike the new 7AM sign-up process, you MUST be INSIDE of Disney’s Hollywood Studios in order to try to get a boarding group at 2PM.Â
That means by the time 2PM hits, you must have made your way past security and past the entrance gates and actually have scanned your ticket and be INSIDE the park. All guests you’re looking to get a boarding group for must also be inside the park as well.
Rise Preshow
So, what’s our advice? Get to Hollywood Studios early, we’re talking WELL in advance of 2PM. You don’t want to be scanning your ticket or rushing through the parking lot seconds before 2PM hits.
Rise of the Resistance
Also, be sure that you’ve got everything set up in your My Disney Experience app (all tickets linked, all of your friends and family members set up properly, etc.) so that once it’s 2PM, you are ready! Another thing we recommend is to take screenshots of your experience with the app, particularly if you encounter any issues, that way you can take those screenshots to Guest Relations if something does go wrong to see if they can help in any way.
2. Cancel Your Park Pass and Make a New One
If you can’t get a boarding group at 7AM, riding Rise of the Resistance was your ONLY goal for the day, and you aren’t willing to take a chance on the 2PM slot, you CAN cancel your Disney Park Pass reservation for Hollywood Studios and try to book a reservation to visit another park. In fact, we just tested this out this morning. We tried to get a boarding group at 7AM, but already at 7:01AM it was showing all boarding groups were full!!
Screenshot from My Disney Experience
When we checked the “Join Virtual Queue” screen, it was already indicating that the virtual queue was “not currently enrolling additional Guests.”
Screenshot from My Disney Experience
So, we canceled our Disney’s Hollywood Studios park pass reservation…
Screenshot from My Disney Experience
…and were able to make a new Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Screenshot from My Disney Experience
Now, there is a risk in doing this. There is a possibility, particularly on a holiday or another incredibly busy day, that other parks will be full and Park Pass reservations will not be available at any of them. So, you’ll definitely want to check the Disney Park Pass availability calendar before canceling your current reservation. But, we didn’t have any issues doing this today.
3. Enjoy Your Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Without Rise of the Resistance
Finally, you could just visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios and simply skip out on Rise of the Resistance. If trying to get a boarding group is simply too much stress and you’ve ridden the ride already, or you’ve got another day where you could potentially sign up for a boarding group at 7AM, you could simply go to Hollywood Studios and not try to ride Rise of the Resistance at all.
Holiday Decorations in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
We know, we know, some of you are screaming at your screens right now — SACRILEGE! But, there are lots of other attractions to enjoy at Hollywood Studios, like Slinky Dog Dash and even some other Star Wars rides like Star Tours and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, that don’t require a boarding group, so you could still make a full day adventure there without Rise, if you so choose!
Ultimately, the decision is up to you and your feeling of what’s best for you, your family, and your vacation. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for any changes related to the boarding group sign-up process and we’ll let you know of any updates!
Click here to check out our page with constant updates about Disney Park Pass availability!
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To make easier and convenient to all Disney resort guests to have priority. I will be out there in January and I’m gambling on getting a pass. It should be first dibs for all resort guests first.
No luck today 11/10. Frustrating to wake up early and follow all the tips and passes are gone in seconds.
2 days, 4 different times last week and I still didn’t get a slot.
VERY frustrating