Next week Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will open at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida (and later at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, on January 17, 2020.)
Here are some things to know before you go:
Enter Batuu from the Muppet area. This is a personal preference (unless otherwise directed by Disney) because there are two ways you can travel to Batuu. You can enter from the Muppet area or from Toy Story Land to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. My preference is to enter from Muppets and leave to Toy Story Land. If you travel this way, you can walk through a formal passageway to get into Batuu as leaving towards Toy Story Land reminds me of escaping through the woods or forest. If you come from the muppet area into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, then the new ride, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will be immediately to your right. Another benefit of using this path is you can stop by Hollywood Studios’ other Star Wars ride Star Tours before traveling to Batuu.
Single Rider Lines: Be prepared for your party to split up. I have witnessed people utilizing the single rider lines, and then be surprised when they are split up when it comes time to board the ride. The purpose of the single rider line is for the workers to swiftly fill in ride vehicles when parties in the standby line are an uneven number. There are benefits to utilizing the single rider line, mostly because it can cut the wait time in half. But there are some cons. As mentioned, you will most likely be split up, so you need to be prepared for that. Another disadvantage is missing themed waiting areas and in the case of Smuggler’s Run, an animatronic pre-show.
Utilize the My Disney Experience app! The app can be very beneficial while you travel to Batuu. Depending on the size of the crowds, once the new rides open, Disney may reinstate Boarding Groups. If so, you will need to use the app to join a Boarding Group to enter Batuu. The app can also turn your phone into a datapad that will expand your experience within the area and keep track of achievements you earn. You can also use the app to make a reservation at Oga’s Cantina or to order food from Docking Bay 7, Ronto Roasters, or even the Milk Stand! When you are ready to pick up your food, you just click to let you know you are there and go directly to the Mobile Pick-up window to pick up your food without waiting in a line to order. Oga’s Cantina is not a full-service food restaurant so be prepared to be grouped with others.
While I was in Batuu, I snatched a reservation to Oga’s Cantina. Most of the Cantina is standing room, so you may not have a seat when you enter. When you enter the Cantina, the host or hostess will show you where space is available for you. The room has a fun Cantina feel, but if you are looking for a place to sit, relax and eat some dinner, this is not the place for you. There are a couple of appetizers on the menu, but drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are the majority of the menu. While I was visiting, a group came in thinking the Cantina was a restaurant and was greatly disappointed. It’s definitely something to experience, especially for any Star Wars fan. One traveler at my table had a drink that was so bubbly her glass was shaking! There was even a small sing-a-long with the droid DJ while I was there. And once everything was shut down we had to bring the excitement so the bartender would give the system a proper bang to come back alive! Note: you are limited to experiencing the Cantina for only 45 minutes.
Respect the mission of the character’s in Batuu. While traveling in Batuu, I witnessed Rey hiding from Kylo Ren and some Stormtroopers. Even though Kylo left the area without seeing Rey, she still needed to be stealth to make sure he didn’t return and capture her. During this time, I witnessed other travelers asking for a selfie with her. While they are on a mission, and ensuring their own safety from Kylo, they can’t stop to take selfies with other travelers. I witnessed the same with Chewbacca as well.
Have fun! Enjoy the area while you are visiting! It’s a lot to take in, and there is something new to see around every corner. I have been a traveler in Batuu several times now, and I can guarantee I haven’t seen everything there is to see. I love the area during the day, but even more so at night. It feels like walking through a market place on a planet far, far away. As mentioned in the last bullet, last time I went, I was fortunate enough to witness Kylo Ren making rounds. At one point, I realized Rey was right next to me! But went running as Kylo came closer. Even though I wasn’t directly a part of the action, it made my heart beat with excitement and anticipation! It was exciting to be there and see if Rey (and then later Chewie) was able to stay clear of capture. There was another traveler that was trying to point Rey out to Kylo! Luckily Kylo didn’t pay attention, and Rey was able to remain uncaptured!