What you do at any of the Disney parks depends on the ages of you and your kids. This game plan outlines how we visit the park, and some of the rides/attractions we visit each time we visit the park. The Star Wars area provides two of the most popular rides. Be sure to read about the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance and be prepared to sign up when you first enter the park. If FastPass+ is available, be sure to schedule Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Toy Story, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, or Tower of Terror based on what you would enjoy.
When you enter the park, first sign up for the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance. Then, what you choose to do depends on what you were able to get a FastPass+ reservation for. The most popular rides that can get long wait times are Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Once we sign up for the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance, we usually first go to Slinky Dog Dash. Next, we go to Toy Story and enjoy the ride one or more times, depending on how short the line is (this ride is worth enjoying multiple times). The park is fairly small, so walking from one area to the others isn’t tough. The lines for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Star Tours, and Alien Swirling Saucers tend to get shorter later in the day, so we save those rides for later.
The kids can also sign up to be Jedi and fight Darth Vader on a small stage (near Star Tours). Signing up for a time can be tricky, and all spots may be filled by 10am when the park is busy. This opportunity looks like fun for younger visitors who are into Star Wars.
To enjoy Fantasmic, the fireworks and water show at the end of the day, without waiting in a long line to be seated, have a sit-down meal at Brown Derby, Mama Melrose, or Hollywood & Vine restaurants and request a special pass for the show. You will enter the show a different way than the main line and sit in a reserved area (ask the park staff for more details).
** – Try not to miss
- **Rise of the Resistance (virtual queue) – Incredible immersive experience in a Star Wars-themed adventure.
- **Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – Fly the Millennium Falcon with five others… perform your duties as pilot, gunner, or engineer.
- **Slinky Dog Dash – A fun outdoor roller coaster for all to enjoy.
- **Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Enjoy this indoor slow-moving ride as you become part of the cartoon.
- **Toy Story Mania – Buzz Lightyear type 3D game ride. A must do!
- **Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – Indoor roller coaster with Aerosmith (fast and fun), lines can get long.
- **Tower of Terror – Twilight Zone story can be scary for kids on crazy elevator ride.
- **Star Tours – Star Wars flight (shakey-room ride)
- **Muppets – 4D show full of laughs.
- **Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular – Good stunt show with action.
- **American Idol – Pick selected folks who tried out; they sing, you vote. If you like AI, you’ll like it.
- Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy – Put yourself in the middle of the Pixar Cars through this show.
- Disney Junior Live – Several of the latest Disney Junior stars give a live show (show members change over time).
- Beauty & the Beast – Live show with costumes, dancing, and songs.
- Little Mermaid – Inside show reliving the story.
- Fantasmic – Fireworks and water show (if you eat a sit-down meal, you get special seating, Brown Derby, Mama Melrose, and Hollywood & Vine restaurants only).
Note:
This article was initially published in 2011, and then updated in 2015 and 2020.
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