Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrDisney is no stranger to risky decisions. From daring land reimaginings to controversial attraction closures, the company always seems willing to push boundaries—even when fans raise an eyebrow. But this time, the focus is on a galaxy far, far away. A particular Star Wars ride is stirring the pot, and many diehard fans are less than thrilled about Disney’s direction.
It’s not unusual for Disney to shake things up, but the expectations skyrocket when Star Wars is involved. Fans are protective of this franchise, and one move can send waves of debate across the internet. That’s precisely what has happened with this ride update, leaving a portion of the fan base groaning.
A Galaxy Like No Other
Before diving into the controversy, it’s worth remembering what Disney delivered with Galaxy’s Edge. This isn’t just a land—it’s an experience designed to transport you straight into the middle of the saga.
Guests don’t just walk through a set of themed buildings. They step into Batuu, a trading outpost filled with alien markets, starships, and more than enough references to keep hardcore fans buzzing.
Here, you can craft your own story. Want to wield a lightsaber? Head to Savi’s Workshop and build one by hand, complete with a kyber crystal of your choosing. Prefer a companion? Droid Depot lets you assemble a quirky astromech droid.
If food and drink are more your thing, you can sip the iconic blue milk (or green milk, if you’re brave) and grab a table at Oga’s Cantina. Shops are stacked with themed merchandise, costumes, collectibles, and spontaneous encounters with characters like Kylo Ren and Rey.
Galaxy’s Edge has no shortage of activities; on paper, it’s everything a Star Wars fan could ask for. But attractions are the heartbeat of any Disney land…and where the controversy begins.
The Attractions of Batuu
Within Galaxy’s Edge, guests can experience two flagship attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Beyond this land, the park also features Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, a long-running favorite that predates Galaxy’s Edge itself.
Star Tours is a motion simulator that’s constantly refreshed with new destinations. Its randomness makes it endlessly re-rideable, and the nostalgia tied to its history keeps fans returning.
Then there’s Smugglers Run, which lets you pilot the Millennium Falcon. Guests step into the cockpit of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, each taking a role as pilot, gunner, or engineer. It’s as interactive as a Disney attraction gets and has earned praise for putting fans directly in Han Solo’s shoes.
Finally, Rise of the Resistance, the land’s crown jewel and the ride at the center of debate. On the surface, it’s everything you could want from Disney Imagineering—massive sets, cutting-edge technology, and a multi-part experience that makes you feel like you’ve been pulled into a Star Wars movie. But here’s where fans start to grumble.
Built on a Controversial Foundation
The problem with Rise of the Resistance isn’t the technology or the ride mechanics. It’s the storyline. Disney based the attraction on the sequel trilogy, particularly the Resistance’s fight against the First Order. On paper, that sounds fine. In execution, it ties the ride to what many consider the weakest set of films in the saga.
The last installment, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), has a 51% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes—a stark contrast to the near-universal acclaim of earlier films. Fans argued the trilogy lacked character consistency, leaned too heavily on CGI, and didn’t capture the emotional pull of George Lucas’s original vision. For many, these movies failed to connect in the way they hoped.
So, when Disney devoted its most advanced ride to a trilogy with such a mixed legacy, fans questioned the move. Why anchor one of the park’s most prominent attractions to stories that didn’t resonate with much of the fanbase? For many, it feels like a gamble that hasn’t paid off creatively.
An Upsetting Update
But here’s the twist: despite the outcry, Rise of the Resistance isn’t going anywhere. In fact, the ride still pulls strong wait times day after day. Even when newer attractions open, Rise often holds its own or surpasses them in popularity. Guests still flock to it, whether out of curiosity, technical amazement, or simply because it’s Star Wars.
For all the criticism about the source material, the ride itself delivers on thrills. The trackless ride vehicles, massive Star Destroyer hangar set, and lifelike animatronics remain some of Disney’s finest achievements. Love it or hate it, it’s an attraction that wows first-timers and keeps veterans returning.
So, while fans may wish Disney had chosen to spotlight a different part of the saga, the reality is that Rise of the Resistance is too big to fail. It’s deeply embedded in the structure of Galaxy’s Edge, and its popularity ensures it will stay for the foreseeable future.
A Risk That Keeps Paying Off
Disney has always walked a fine line between innovation and fan service. With Rise of the Resistance, the company bet big on the sequel trilogy, a part of the franchise that divided audiences. While critics and fans might scoff at the choice, the ride’s continued success shows that not every guest shares that opinion.
For some, it’s a frustrating reminder of what they see as Star Wars‘ weakest era. For others, it’s a chance to experience real-life cinematic moments, regardless of how they feel about the movies. Either way, the ride isn’t budging.
At the end of the day, Disney may not have made the most universally beloved decision with this Star Wars ride, but the crowds lining up every morning prove one thing: Batuu’s biggest battle is here to stay.