The resort’s busiest period for ride refurbishments has historically come after the first weekend of January, once the holiday crowds have dissipated. January 2020 will be no exception.
In 2018, $277 million was generated in Orange County by a 6 percent tax on hotel rooms. Most of that revenue will go to Visit Orlando, a nonprofit group to promote the tourism industry in Orlando — including major theme parks like Disney World and Universal Orlando.
The new operating procedure may allow guests onto Hollywood Boulevard early, but none of them will be able to snag a spot in the virtual queue until the park’s advertised opening time.
Crowds were so big for opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance that the "virtual boarding group" had reached capacity for the day before the park officially opened.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will offer a "two-night, cruise-style itinierary," according to Disney, with guests entering the hotel via a "launch pod" to make them feel like they're in orbit aboard a massive ship.
The attraction was originally supposed to open this year, but was delayed until spring 2020. Now, it has a firm opening date at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Rise of the Resistance has been promoted as the premier attraction of the 14-acre Galaxy's Edge and hyped as one of the most advanced rides Disney has ever built.