Virtual Queue Paused From Rise of the Resistance

Credit: 2 Foolish Mortals

In a somewhat controversial move, Disney announced yesterday that they will be pausing the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Starting on September 23rd, guests visiting the planet of Batuu will now have the ability to experience the attraction simply by getting into the standby line rather than having to secure a boarding group. This pause comes only a few weeks after guest reports of standby lines being used at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance on less crowded days. 

This change is one that many guests have been asking for since the attraction opened in 2019. Since then, the only way to experience the attraction was to secure a boarding group [aka get in the virtual queue] first thing in the morning. This was easier said than done. . . . at least in some cases. In fact, the virtual queue system for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has been heavily criticized since its debut; which is why people were hoping the attraction would utilize a standby line at some point. However, the announcement of a standby line is not sitting well with everyone. 

While there are some who are excited for the opportunity to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance without having to secure a boarding group, there are others who aren’t thrilled with Disney’s decision to pause the virtual queue. Some think that this will lead to unmanageably long lines, others simply prefer the virtual queue and there are also those who think this is a way to incentivise guests to get the upcoming Disney Genie add-on that will launch this fall. Though we understand where these concerns are coming from, here at 2 Foolish Mortals we have a bit of a different approach. 

According to the announcement made by Disney, this is a pause on the virtual queue and not a full elimination. In fact, they say that virtual queues are helpful and that there’s potential use for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance “at a later date or from time to time”. Keeping in mind that there have been multiple instances in the past few weeks of guests getting on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance without a boarding group and multiple times [in some instances], this choice doesn’t come as much of a surprise to us at all. Of course, there is the potential that this will cause longer lines and maybe incentivise people to pay for their opportunity to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in the future. . . Disney is a business after all. . . but we don’t think that this move alone will contribute to that. It’s more likely that the years of virtual queues, that people have been largely unhappy with, will be the reason to dish out the extra cash to guarantee your spot on the attraction, everything else is just icing on the cake. 

Of course, we’ll have to see how things go in the coming weeks and months as this rolls out and crowds increase for the 50th Anniversary celebration. As always, we’ll keep you up to speed with everything that’s happening.