MickeyBlog News for December 9, 2019
The Walt Disney Company wasn’t messing around this week. Your favorite business published opening days for several new rides and shows.
They finally set a date for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, too. And, oh yeah, Disney introduced the most remarkable theme park attraction of the 21st century. It’s a good week for MickeyBlog News. Let me tell you what you may have missed.
The Resistance Has Risen
For more than three months now, Walt Disney World fans have viewed Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge as incomplete. Sure, the themed land is as close to perfect as anything we’ve ever seen in the industry. However, it didn’t open with both of the rides that Disney had promised.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance challenges the very notion of what’s possible for a theme park attraction. It proved so innovative that Disney couldn’t perfect it in time for the August 29th park opening.
So, company officials decided to launch with what Star Wars Land had ready. Then, they’d introduce the E-ticket attraction later.
Well, later was this past week, and it was a time of much rejoicing for Mickey Travelers. Rise of the Resistance is now open to the public, and it’s so spectacular that it will take your breath away. On this ride, you’ll get confused about what’s the line queue versus what’s the attraction.
The seamless integration of secondary waiting areas redefines how theme parks can address throughput. You may not care about how the sausage gets made here, but it matters to you in one crucial way.
You’ll “wait” less time before you experience parts of Ride of the Resistance. This tactic stretches out the ride and, thereby, your enjoyment. Disney has maximized the time that you’re actively engaged on the attraction. It’s a more immersive experience because of this design.
A Quick Discussion of Rise of the Resistance
So, the last thing that I want to do is spoil anything about Rise of the Resistance for Star Wars fans. Anyone who wants to remain totally surprised can safely skip to the next section. Even then, I’m only going to cover the basics.
The line queue for this attraction leads to a set. It’s ostensibly a place where a recognizable Star Wars alien will transport you to your destination. You’re going to the heart of The Resistance on Batuu. Alas, things go awry when the First Order becomes aware of you.
For reasons that I won’t explain, you must depart from your vessel. Yes, at one point during this attraction, you leave the area on foot and walk elsewhere. It’s an Imagineering fake-out. You think that you’re on the ride for good, but you’re not!
Soon afterward, you encounter a villain from the current Star Wars franchise. After he twirls his moustache a bit, a member of The Resistance guides you to the final part of the attraction, the actual ride.
This section is trackless, making it the first major ride of its kind at Walt Disney World. To you as the rider, this means that you’ll never know where you’re going. There’s no clear path in front of you. So, you can’t anticipate what will happen next, adding to the excitement.
Then, just when you think you’ve got the situation figured out, an even scarier Star Wars villain appears. A chase sequence ensues, and you’ll change floors during your attempted escape. Disney’s thrown everything but the kitchen sink into this ride, and it might be in there, too. I just haven’t noticed it yet.
The Impact of Rise of the Resistance
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is extremely busy this week. Those disappointing Star Wars crowds that the media reported are a thing of the past.
Park officials have had to open Rise of the Resistance early to accommodate the extra traffic. Disney just confirmed that Hollywood Studios will open an hour early from now through January 4th for this reason.
Those of you visiting during this timeframe must get boarding passes. Disney’s set up this system for guests to book a timeslot for Rise of the Resistance. You’ll open the My Disney Experience app and find boarding pass availability in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge section.
Please understand that these boarding passes sell out quickly. In fact, the boarding groups are generally claimed by the time that the park is officially open. You’ll need to act aggressively, arriving at Hollywood Studios at least an hour early.
Then, check My Disney Experience for the opportunity to book a boarding pass. As long as you get one, you’re guaranteed to ride Rise of the Resistance!
Disney’s gone so far as to give out one-day admission tickets with Park Hopper to guests who don’t get to ride as promised. So, the company’s incentivized to give you the ride experience of your dreams!
The Shows Are Coming to Epcot
During 2019, I’ve honed a powerful new skill. I can cause Disney to make major announcements just by writing about attractions, hotels, and restaurants! Earlier this year, I accidentally got Liberty Inn at Epcot closed forever by doing this, and I just did it again.
A few days ago, I wrote this article about the opening dates for upcoming Disney attractions. The other day, park officials confirmed exact dates for the ones that I’d not known at the time. So, thanks?
Anyway, the point is that we just learned a lot about various attractions. For example, the new Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along at the France pavilion will open on January 17th. This highly anticipated show is a must-watch attraction.
On that same day, Awesome Planet at The Land pavilion will debut, too. In fact, January 17th is a significant day at Epcot, as the Canada pavilion will introduce Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 as well.
This presentation will introduce the latest Circle-Vision 360 technology that’s apparently much better than the one that you’ve known for years now.
Other Attraction Updates
Not to be outdone, Hollywood Studios will also add a new presentation. At Mickey Shorts Theater guests can sit in a Mickey Mouse-colored chair and watch an entirely new cartoon short.
Once everyone’s done watching mouse shenanigans, guests can take pictures in unique settings inside the theater. It’s a fun thing to do that will pull some traffic away from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Importantly, another Mickey Mouse attraction also just received a confirmed date. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will debut on March 4th.
The first ride ever to star the world’s most popular mouse couple replaces The Great Movie Ride. Disney’s indicated that Mickey Shorts Theater opens in March, so they’re kind of a matched pair.
Of course, the biggest news about Hollywood Studios is tangential to the park. Park officials have confirmed that Star Wars: Galactic Cruiser will open in 2021.
Speculation had arisen about whether it would debut, as Disney views this resort as Phase Two for Star Wars Land. The thought of opening it in tandem with the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World makes too much business sense to ignore.