Will There Be Changes to Boarding Groups for Rise of the Resistance?
Will there be changes to boarding groups for Rise of the Resistance? According to Twitter user @DrewDisneyDude, Disney has started to send out a new survey that ask guest if the prefer a virtual queue (Boarding Groups), FastPasses, or a traditional standby line. Our guess is that change is on the horizon.
Disney is sending out a new survey asking guests if they prefer boarding groups, limited FastPasses and a standby queue, or only a standby queue for Rise of the Resistance. #RiseoftheResistance pic.twitter.com/H0nRI5hxSY
— Drew the Disney Dude (@DrewDisneyDude) January 26, 2020
The excitement around Rise of the Resistance has not died down since it’s opening last month. In fact, it appears that Boarding Groups are booking up faster and faster. This, of course, has left many guests to debate the way in which Boarding Groups are distributed amongst park visitors.
When the attraction first opened last month, Boarding Groups were distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, this also meant that lines were forming as early as 4 AM outside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Due to the lengthy lines, the park was forced to open early and Boarding Groups were completely booked well before the park’s official opening time. This left many guests upset as they headed to the park around opening only to find there was no chance of them experiencing the attraction that day.
Disney is now sending out a guest survey asking the question, “Which of the following would have been your preferred choice in order to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance?
- I prefer a virtual queue that allows me to do other things in the park, even if I can’t choose when I will ride
- A combination of limited Disney FastPass+ selections and a traditional standby line
- I prefer that everyone wait in a traditional standby line, even if I have to wait a long time
A Virtual Queue
The virtual queue allows guests to enter a Boarding Group via a “lottery system”. Guests will receive a Boarding Group number and those groups will be called upon in order throughout the day. There is no exact time given when you have a Boarding Group, you are simply notified of “boarding time” and given a 1-2 hour window of time to return.
Guests are not required to stand in long lines for this process, rather they are encouraged to go off and explore other attractions and make the most of their day. However, many are arriving extra early only to find they are stuck with a Backup Boarding Group (not guaranteed to experience the attraction) or no Boarding Group at all. This is leaving many people very unhappy.
@DisneyParks has created this ridiculously STUPID situation with RotR “Boarding Groups” where you have to wake up at 5:00am, face a stupid long bus line at the hotel and still not get into a group. @Disney needs to fix this. #FastPass? pic.twitter.com/iN0NMCkMOB
— Jamie Hawley (@JamieHawley) January 27, 2020
FastPasses
The current FastPass system that is in place throughout Walt Disney World could be a simple way to balance things out. Guests would be able to schedule their FastPasses in advance, just like with This could eliminate some of the crowds that are arriving extra early (although many are still likely to wait for rope drop).
However, those who were unable to secure FastPasses would also have the opportunity to wait in line if they chose to do so. This would at least give late-arriving park guests an opportunity to experience the attraction.
Standby Line
Of course, we could always resort to the good old fashioned standby line. First come, first serve, and yes… you may be waiting all day.
Me and a couple thousand of my closest friends at DHS for our chance at a boarding group for RotR. I can’t wait to ride this. I’ve only heard great things and finally get a chance to see it. pic.twitter.com/WNFYHG6Fij
— The Matt-alorian (@navy1990) January 27, 2020
A quick poll here of the MickeyBlog staff determined that the majority of us would prefer to move to the current FastPass+ system that Disney is using for other attractions. Which way would you prefer to ride Rise of the Resistance? Have you utilized the Boarding Groups? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section!
Keep following along with MickeyBlog to see what changes Disney makes to Rise of the Resistance.
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Just spent all day yesterday worrying if my group number would get through. At about 4pm ride went down and then received a message that our group number would not make it through #119. At about 6pm numbers started to climb and headed over to ror. Got there only to find out that they would only get to group 113. Really degected. Decided to plead my case as we had a major glitch in the app at 6:30 am that by the time Disney customer service people fixed it all of the guaranteed group numbers were gone. Fortunately senior manager took care of us and we got in. Took two hours to get through actual line but guess it was worth the wait. I would say that if it was a fast pass plus then yes it would work. Otherwise This is a major Disney screwup for booking time etc
Fast Pass!!!