Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance gets rave reviews during media preview

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has been hyped as the premier attraction of the 14-acre Galaxy’s Edge and one of the most advanced rides ever developed by Walt Disney Imagineering.

If reporters, bloggers and influencers are to be believed, it more than lives up to expectations.

Members of the media got to experience the full attraction Wednesday and came out raving about the experience. Robert Niles of Theme Park Insider said Rise of the Resistance “tops all theme park rides.” Peter Sciretta of SlashFilm.com (and on YouTube as Ordinary Adventures) called it a “masterwork of Imagineering, employing state of the art technology and mind-blowing illusions to create the most immersive storytelling ride experience ever created.”

Laura Prudom of IGN compared it favorably to Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, but with the added element of extending the narrative into the queue space without making it feel like a typical pre-show.

“With its combination of cutting-edge technology, focused storytelling, and sheer scale, Rise represents an ambitious step forward for Disney, although its emphasis on creating an immersive narrative over roller coaster-style thrills may not completely satisfy the adrenaline junkies in your group,” Prudom wrote in her review.

Here’s how some other theme park media members reacted on social media:

I thought #RiseoftheResistance would have me screaming aloud but it instead left me speechless.

I am overwhelmed to the point of confusion by its existence — while not a perfect ride, it’s an experiential journey you’ll want to have again and again.

What an absolute triumph. pic.twitter.com/EMY9h9Kxtm

— ? carlye wisel (@carlyewisel) December 4, 2019

I am forever changed. This was the best experience ever! There’s nothing like #RiseoftheResistance. You have got to experience it for yourself!! EVERYONE can do this ride. #StarWars pic.twitter.com/nLLJPNSiBi

— Ryan Clavin (@ryno1185) December 4, 2019

I can’t believe how vast #RiseOfTheResistance is. So many scenes. Lots of surprises. Love the #StarWars anthems playing as you experience it. Pretty epic ride. #WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/PtHpC2poYi

— Gabrielle Russon (@GabrielleRusson) December 4, 2019

The ride did have at least one malfunction during the media preview, according to Richard Bilbao of the Orlando Business Journal:

Got stuck at the hangar on #RiseOfTheResistance and had to be escorted out an ancillary exit. The pre-show and transport parts were SUPER cool, but this is like getting an Xmas present and then having no batteries to turn it on. @WaltDisneyWorld @DisneyParks #Disney @starwars pic.twitter.com/lsqmgkNOHo

— Richard Bilbao (@RichOBJ) December 4, 2019

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will officially open on Dec. 5 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. FastPass+ ride reservations will not be available and the attraction will not be open during Extra Magic Hours at the park.

An identical version will debut at Disneyland Park in Anaheim on Jan. 17, 2020.

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