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Credit: ITMIf you have been to Disney’s Hollywood Studios since Rise of the Resistance opened at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you may have experienced the jaw-dropping attraction. It does not take a Star Wars fan to appreciate how spectacular the ride is; for many, that starts with the pre-show.
Disney World is known for the immersive pre-shows that are utilized in many attractions to set up Guests for the ride they are about to embark on. From the stretching room in The Haunted Mansion to the library in Tower of Terror, pre-shows have easily become part of the ride experience for many Guests.
Related: What Is Happening? Multiple Attractions Closed at Disney World Opening
On Rise of the Resistance, Guests get to experience arguably one of the most elaborate pre-shows Disney has ever created. You start off saying hello to BB-8 and a hologram Rey; then you step into a transporter with Lieutenant Bek and Nien Nunb. Poe Dameron also appears onscreen as you are being briefed on your mission. Considering this simulates space travel, I think it is one of the most remarkable aspects of the pre-show and attraction.
You enter a giant First Order star destroyer bay filled with Storm Troopers, are interrogated, and put in a detention cell until Resistance troops cut through the wall to help you escape, and then the ride begins.
Today, the attraction boarding process seems to be moving quickly because the first two rooms, including the moving transport ship, are being skipped over. Mickey Views (@MickeyViews) noted that:
Today the Rise of the Resistance queue brings you directly to the Star Destroyer!
Today the Rise of the Resistance queue brings you directly to the Star Destroyer! pic.twitter.com/LwWqPQMbo6
— Mickey Views (@MickeyViews) April 26, 2021
Related: Return Time Added to Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue
Although this will get Guests to the attraction faster, it seems like a detriment to the storytelling that the ride can remove the first two rooms from the pre-show precisely because they are so unique. Typically, the transport ship has been holding 10-15 Guests during the pandemic, slowing down the attraction queue. So, I understand why Disney is seemingly choosing to forgo that experience to move Guests efficiently through the attraction and get them to the Star Destroyer as soon as possible.
Related: Join the Rebellion: Ride Along on Rise of the Resistance in This Disney Parks Video!
During this time, some other attraction pre-shows have not been running, as they keep Guests from moving through the attraction efficiently. Since this has not happened consistently on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, we are unsure if the change will last long or if this is just something Disney is doing as needed. Still, it is something to be aware of when you wake up at 7:00 a.m. (or 6:58 a.m. to be safe) to secure your Boarding Group.
Do you think missing the pre-show for Rise of the Resistance is a big deal? Or would you rather move through the attraction as quickly as possible, so you get to the ride faster? Let us know in the comments.