Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance may be one of the best Disney attractions, but some people may not get to experience it on their next vacation. Here is how the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Boarding Pass System is ruining the Disney Experience.

How the Resistance Boarding Pass System Works

You do not really wait in a queue to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Rather, guests use a “boarding pass,” which lets them on the ride after they’ve waited their turn virtually. It is almost like a Fastpass or Maxpass reservation, but more difficult to get and still not a guarantee of entry.

Your boarding pass group will be assigned a boarding group number. When your number is called, you go to the entrance of the attraction and then wait in line. You cannot get on the ride without a boarding pass, at least until further notice. Additionally, the Maxpass and Fastpass systems are not valid for this ride, again, at least not yet.

How do I get a Boarding Pass? Step-by-Step

  1. Before even entering the park, make sure that you and everybody else in your party’s tickets are linked on at least one person’s mobile app. This is an important step in ensuring that you guys ride together.
  2. As soon as you and the rest of your party enter Disneyland/Disney’s Hollywood Studios park immediately after/during rope drop, go onto the Disneyland app or Disney World App, depending on the park you are visiting.
  3. Right on the front page, there will be a section for Rise of the Resistance. Click “Find out more.”
  4. Scroll down. Click the “Join Boarding Group” button.
  5. Make sure that every person who wants to ride has a checkmark next to their name, and make sure that none of those who will not be riding or even at the park that day, are unchecked.
  6. Click "Join Virtual Queue". If it is still available, you will be assigned a boarding group number.
  7. You should be notified when your boarding group is called. But you may want to check back every once in a while to see what number they are currently at, just to make sure you do not miss your opportunity to ride.

The Flaws in the System…

  • Even if you get a boarding group, your spot is not guaranteed. They may never get to your boarding group, and if you miss your chance, you miss your chance.
  • Groups numbers up to around 80-82 are the most likely to get to experience the attraction that day, according to the app itself. The higher the number, the less likely you are to experience the attraction.
  • You must have the app downloaded and know how to use it. If you do not visit Disneyland often enough, or use the app a lot, that may be the reason you miss out.
  • The “Disney Park pros” have an advantage, and tend to hog the coveted boarding group spots. The fans that visit the parks weekly or even daily are well versed in using the app and therefore get to ride more often than not.
  • You should only need to use one person’s app to do this. But it might be nice to have another person’s app as a backup because the technology has been known to fail.
  • People get upset. Why? Probably because they spent thousands of dollars on a Disney trip they normally wouldn’t take, in hopes of experiencing this one-of-a-kind attraction, only to be shocked when they realize they can’t wait in line, can’t get a Fastpass, can’t pay an extra fee. Instead, they needed to arrive before the park opening and use the app to book a boarding pass before anyone else; but it is already too late for them.
  • Cast Members seem immune to it. In any other situation where a guest is having a rough time, cast members would change it. Disney cast members would normally try their best to make that guest happy, even if they can’t fix that exact problem. For example, if your favourite ride breaks down and you’re upset, you may not get to go on it but you may get a Fastpass to something else. However, at least in our experience, it seems like Disney cast members were told specifically to ignore guests upset about Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Either that, or they see it so often now that they have become immune.

Disney Parks are about making dreams come true, but the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Boarding Pass System is resulting in guests missing out. Disney Parks have always been inclusive -- once you’ve paid the admission fee -- until now.