{"id":77462,"date":"2020-02-20T15:40:08","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T21:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=77462"},"modified":"2020-03-10T16:47:51","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T21:47:51","slug":"20-tips-for-getting-the-most-out-of-disney-galaxys-edge-in-orlando","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/20-tips-for-getting-the-most-out-of-disney-galaxys-edge-in-orlando\/","title":{"rendered":"20 tips for getting the most out of Disney Galaxy’s Edge in Orlando"},"content":{"rendered":"

You need more than the Force when it comes to making the most of a day at Star Wars: Galaxy\u2019s Edge. The 14-acre universe within Disney\u2019s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida\u2014which transports people to the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Battu\u2014requires a bit of planning and strategy, certainly since the highly anticipated ride, Rise of the Resistance<\/a>, opened in December of 2019. Many visiting Star Wars<\/em> fans have since learned some valuable lessons, and we’re here to pass them on to you, my Padawan<\/a> friend, as you look to optimize your visit to this galactic setting. *<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> Why Disney World hotels are worth the splurge<\/a><\/p>\n

Download the My Disney Experience app<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To score a boarding pass (a spot in the virtual queue) for Rise of the Resistance (RoR), you need the My Disney Experience<\/a> app. Once you buy your tickets (you can buy them well in advance here<\/a>), download it. Or, at the very latest, download it the evening before your visit. Then connect your park ticket, along with everyone else\u2019s in your group, to the app.<\/p>\n

Arrive EARLY (seriously early) for Rise of the Resistance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A very early start is the price you must pay for this experience\u2014but it’s totally worth it if you\u2019re a Star Wars<\/em> fan, even one who hates mornings. Boarding passes become available via the app when the park officially opens (hours change seasonally), and you can only access one by being inside<\/em> Hollywood Studios. In other words, you cannot score one from the comfort of your hotel bed, then leisurely stroll into the park later in the day. Staying at a Disney resort doesn\u2019t give you a leg up either. Make sure to arrive at the gates of the park before the opening time to ensure you\u2019re inside the park (along with everyone else in your group who intends to ride), with your smartphone charged and app open as soon as the park starts letting people in. It also helps to not bring a bag, so you can bypass the bag-check security line.<\/p>\n

Be on the ready<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Boarding passes for Rise of the Resistance are distributed on a first come, first served basis\u2014from Boarding Group 1 through 108. Don\u2019t get distracted as the clock ticks closer to the opening hour (in our case 6am). Each person in your party with a smartphone should attempt to get a boarding pass that includes your entire group. My husband and I tried simultaneously at 6am, and he was the first to get us in: Group 16. The chatty woman next to us was slightly delayed in accessing her phone and secured Group 68 for her family. So, just a few moments can make a huge difference. The moment when boarding passes are virtually distributed is energetically charged and memorable, with excited celebrations erupting from within the crowd as people receive their confirmations.<\/p>\n

Remember, you have a two-hour arrival time window for Rise of the Resistance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Star

Star Wars: Galaxy\u2019s Edge | Photo: David Roark<\/p><\/div>\n

Although boarding groups don\u2019t come with a specific time to ride, the lower your number, the earlier in the day you\u2019ll be invited to ride; the higher the number, the later in the day. Active boarding groups are announced via push notifications to your phone and on digital signs throughout Hollywood Studios. Each boarding group has a 2-hour arrival time window, so don\u2019t worry if you\u2019re elsewhere in the park when your group is called\u2014you\u2019ll have plenty of buffer time to make it to the ride. Those who\u2019ve receive higher numbers have even been known to leave the park and come back when their boarding group is called.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t score a Rise of the Resistance boarding pass \u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If this happened, you most likely arrived at Hollywood Studios too late in the morning. There is a standby option, but standby riders are only notified if all the boarding groups have been called. This isn\u2019t a guaranteed thing. Your best bet is to try again another day\u2014and wake up earlier next time!<\/p>\n

ALSO:<\/strong> “Do or do not earn travel rewards\u2014there is no try”<\/a><\/p>\n

Play in the park before the non-Star Wars<\/em> crowds descend<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Millennium

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy\u2019s Edge | Photo: Abigail Nilsson<\/p><\/div>\n

The early rise comes with a perk: Other park rides that can exceed two-hour waits later in the day have lower wait times very early in the morning. We headed for Smuggler\u2019s Run after securing our RoR boarding pass and waited 55 minutes in line; later that same day, this ride\u2019s wait time jumped to 140 minutes.<\/p>\n

Translate galactic symbols and uncover hidden messages while in line for rides<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Even waiting in line is more fun, thanks to the Easter eggs awaiting fans throughout Galaxy\u2019s Edge. The coolest way to access these is through the Play Disney Parks app<\/a>, which has a Galaxy\u2019s Edge Datapad function that will transform your phone into a datapad that can hack into droids, scan cargo and translate the intergalactic symbols found throughout the park (a.k.a. the Star Wars<\/em> language of Aurebesh). Look for the Star Wars<\/em>-themed QR codes to scan to stay entertained while in line or while wandering the streets\u2014just be careful not to do so in the presence of Storm Troopers who randomly patrol the area. They\u2019ll be eager to question what you’re doing and even reprimand you.<\/p>\n

Make use of the single-rider line at Smuggler\u2019s Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Smuggler\u2019s Run<\/a>, which puts you in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon for an interactive flight through space, has a single rider line. As long as you\u2019re OK with not riding with the rest of your group, this can save you time, as the wait is significantly shorter than the regular line. Just accept that you\u2019ll most likely be assigned the role of \u201cEngineer\u201d if you go this route \u2026<\/p>\n

Request to be a Pilot or a Gunner on\u00a0<\/strong>Smuggler\u2019s Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our recommendation: Request to be a \u201cPilot\u201d or a \u201cGunner\u201d on this ride. These are the two roles that keep your eyes on the action in front of you. Those assigned to \u201cEngineer\u201d are relegated to the back of the cockpit and asked to push flashing buttons to \u201cfix\u201d the ship when it\u2019s in \u201cdistress.\u201d (A Disney cast member told me that \u201cEngineer\u201d was his favorite when I, not knowing any better at the time, was assigned this role.)<\/p>\n

Explore the Millennium Falcon\u2019s lounge<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"The

The \u201cchess room\u201d inside Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run | Photo: Joshua Sudock\/Disney Parks<\/p><\/div>\n

While you\u2019re awaiting your turn to enter the cockpit, you\u2019ll be in a holding area that replicates the lounge area of the Millennium Falcon. Explore! Take selfies at the dejarik table (that\u2019s \u201cholographic alien chess\u201d for non-Star Wars<\/em> diehards), explore the circular corridors and more.<\/p>\n

Make reservations for Oga\u2019s Cantina, Savi\u2019s Workshop and Droid Depot<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Oga\u2019s

Oga\u2019s Cantina, a local watering hole where galactic travelers unwind | Photo: David Roark<\/p><\/div>\n

These three experiences within Galaxy\u2019s Edge are bookable via the app:<\/p>\n