Disney Parks News 11.04.20

In this week’s Disney Parks News, we have big changes coming for the virtual queue at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.  We also have Disneyland Paris closure news, and Disney’s official statement on the entertainment layoffs we saw last week. For these stories and more, please check out our YouTube video below.

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For those of you that prefer reading to watching, the written version is provided below.  Last week’s Disney Parks News can be found here.

Disney Parks News

The Holidays have Arrived at Disney World!

Halloween is over and the Holidays have arrived at Walt Disney World!  It’s amazing how quickly Disney makes the transition from Fall and Halloween décor to winter holiday décor.

"Disney Parks News Entertainment Layoffs

Here is the full statement from Disney:

“Walt Disney World Resort offers a treasure trove of experiences for guests of all ages. We recognize that part of the magic of visiting any Disney park is seeing favorite Disney friends and discovering one-of-a-kind shows and performances. Since reopening, we’ve continued to offer modified character experiences and entertainment throughout our resort, while also taking the appropriate steps for the health and safety of our guests and cast members.

Recently, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions to reduce our workforce as the business impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic have become more long-lasting than anyone could have predicted. As a result, we’ve had to pause many live shows and entertainment experiences at our resort for longer than originally anticipated.

While it’s impossible at this time to fully replace the incredible entertainment that existed throughout our parks before the pandemic, we are offering live entertainment in new ways wherever possible, including character cavalcades in all four parks and pop-up appearances, like discovering Joy from “Inside Out” frolicking on the lawn near the Imagination! pavilion in EPCOT.

Additionally, we’re featuring modified shows such as the popular “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and live musical performances like the Main Street Philharmonic in Magic Kingdom or the Discovery Island Drummers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This extends to our seasonal offerings, with Halloween underway and the holidays right around the corner. In fact, the fan-favorite Voices of Liberty are set to make their return and join the JAMMitors and Mariachi Cobre at the American Gardens Theatre during the upcoming Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, beginning on Nov. 27.

Determining which shows can return and when is a complex process. As with the rest of our phased reopening, we will also consider the guidance of health officials and government agencies in determining when the time will be right to adjust capacity, and as soon as it is appropriate, we will start to bring additional entertainment back.

Like most of our fans, we know that our beloved entertainment cast are an incredibly special and essential part of the Disney experience. We look forward to the day when we can welcome back more live entertainment to our parks, and we will share more news about these announcements as we’re able to do so.”

"Disney Parks News Entertainment Layoffs Disney Statement

Reactions

I find this statement both disappointing and frustrating.  Do I understand that Disney feels they cannot allow most shows to resume due to social distancing requirements?  Honestly? Yes and no.  They have been able to re-introduce the Frozen Sing Along Celebration successfully, and that’s a show.  And many of the theatres in the parks are outdoor venues.  It seems that some shows could return, with seating clearly marked and restricted to provide proper social distancing.

Disney Entertainment Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage                                                            (Photo: Disney Parks & Resorts)

To me, it seems almost convenient to blame the ongoing (and perhaps escalating) Covid-19 crisis as the reason there is almost no entertainment, rather than the more probably budget cuts.  Why are the JAMMitors ok to perform in EPCOT on the Mill Stage in Canada, but not the amazing Taiko Matsuriza drummers in Japan?

"Disney Parks News Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance installs plexiglass in ride vehicles

Disney has also made a very important, very helpful change to the virtual queue situation.  Now, guests who hope to ride Rise of the Resistance can request to enter the virtual queue at 7 am from their hotel room (or breakfast or wherever).  The only thing that is required is a park reservation for Hollywood Studios that day (which of course requires a ticket).

Disney Parks News Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Changes to Virtual Queue

Why does this change to the required location to join the virtual queue matter?  Here’s why:  OPTIONS.  For example, let’s say you really want to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.  You have a park reservation for today, and you are planning to visit Hollywood Studios. Let’s say you try, but are unable to join the virtual queue and get a boarding group at 7am.  Now, you have some OPTIONS.

      • You can go back to bed.  You don’t need to make sure you are in Hollywood Studios by 10am.
      • Based on reservation availability, you could decide to save Hollywood Studios for a different day.  In that scenario, you would cancel your Hollywood Studios park reservation.  Then, you could book a new park reservation at a different park.  (Note: I highly recommend you check park reservation availability before you pull this trigger.)
      • You might decide NOT to visit Hollywood Studios until the afternoon.
          • Spend the morning playing at the pool
          • Enjoy a round of golf
          • Ride the Skyliner for a while
          • Relax at your resort
          • Visit Disney Springs

The 2 pm virtual queue does still exist.  That virtual queue DOES require guests to be physically inside the park to join the queue.

Star Wars Rise of the Resistance Review
Star Wars Rise of the Resistance (Photo: Disney Parks)

It is my hope that these changes will loosen up the stranglehold that Rise of the Resistance has been having on visitors for months.  With these changes, perhaps more guests will be able to ride.  If that happens, theoretically fewer guests will crowd into Hollywood Studios in the hopes of riding that one attraction.

Our Upcoming Disney Vacation

Next week, we will be at Walt Disney World ourselves, and will be able to test out the new system.  I will update you on our success (or lack thereof) with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Next week’s Disney Parks News Update will be filmed while we are on site at Walt Disney World.  As a result, the video may end up a little on the rough side.  However, we will do our best to still get the video posted on Wednesday. Thank you in advance for your patience.  We are really looking forward to updating you with our in person, on the ground experiences in the parks.

Happy dreaming!

Brooke

Brooke Hudson Disney Travel Agent
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com

Rise of the Resistance Review

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been open for a few months now at both Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida.  The newest Star Wars themed attraction, Rise of the Resistance, opened in early December in Florida, and in mid January in California.  Read on for our Rise of the Resistance review.

Rise of the Resistance Review

Rise of the Resistance is one of the most immersive and stunning attractions Disney Imagineers have ever created.  It is truly an outstanding attraction, especially for long time Star Wars fans.  If you love Star Wars, this attraction is going to push ALL your buttons.  You will come as close as you will ever come to actually BEING in one of the movies.  Even if you are not a Star Wars fan, I think you will find it very challenging not to love this attraction.

Star Wars Rise of the Resistance Review
Star Wars Rise of the Resistance (Photo: Disney Parks)
Rise of the Resistance has all of the components of Disney’s BEST attractions:
  • It is incredibly detailed and excels at making you feel you are part of the story.  Disney’s best attractions have always been the rides that tell a story and bring you into it.  Rise of the Resistance uses excellent pre-show segments to get you into the story from the moment you enter the queue.  Rise of the Resistance also uses cast members better than any other attraction I can remember.
  • It has giant, memorable set pieces.  There are wonderful special effects throughout the attraction, and there are both audioanimatronic figures and screens that make you feel like you are part of the story, interacting with characters you know and love.
  • It is a long attraction–about 18 minutes.  The best attractions are long enough to make you feel like you really DID something.  Your time in line was WORTH it.  Rise of the Resistance is definitely worth the wait!
  • It has great music.  Rise of the Resistance features memorable, recognizable, heart pounding music that deepens your emotional involvement in the story.  (Note: the music composed by John Williams for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge won a Grammy this past weekend!)
  • Most importantly, in my opinion: It is repeatable!  There is so much going on in this attraction, I think I could ride it a dozen times and still notice something new.  This is the true hallmark of a GREAT Disney attraction.  I’ve ridden Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion tons of times over the years and I never get tired of it.  I think Rise of the Resistance will join that camp of attractions we can ride again and again and always enjoy.  Boredom will not be an issue with this attraction, I promise you!
Unlike Any Other Disney Attraction

I can’t compare Rise of the Resistance to any other attraction.  It’s unique and full of new technology.  In fact, Disney has applied for several patents for elements of this attraction–that’s how special and new the technology is in this ride.

Rise of the Resistance Review of Ride
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Rise of the Resistance                                               (Photo Credit: Disney Parks)

I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t go into more detail about ride specifics.  This is an incredible attraction, unlike anything Disney has done before.  There are several pre-show segments that keep you entertained and immerse you in the story.  The ride vehicles are trackless, so you feel much more free and like anything can happen.  There are different elements and phases to the attraction to keep it interesting and surprising.

I really hope this attraction is a sign of future Imagineering at Disney.  This attraction is truly amazing, and a wonderful addition to both Disney World and Disneyland.

What are people saying?

Disney released this short video a few days after Rise of the Resistance opened at Hollywood Studios Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  I think the excitement and enthusiasm is really fun to see:

Virtual Queue and Boarding Groups

Rise of the Resistance is NOT currently part of the Disney World Fast Pass+ system.  It also does not have a standby line.  For Rise of the Resistance, Disney is using a virtual queue system.  Basically, the idea is that when you enter the park, you tell the system you want to ride via the My Disney Experience app or by visiting with the Guest Experience Team (if you don’t have a smart phone).  The system will then assign you to a Boarding Group, and give you an idea of when your Boarding Group will be called to ride.  Later in the day, when your group is called, you will have a window during which you will go to Rise of the Resistance and be able to ride.

Availability of Boarding Groups

You won’t have access to request a Boarding Group until after you’ve passed through the touchpoints at the park entrance (where you scan your Magic Band or ticket and scan your finger).  Boarding Groups are not available until the official park open time, either.  So while I always recommend you arrive at the park early as you will often be let in before the official park open time, you will not have access to Boarding Groups for Rise of the Resistance until AFTER you’ve entered through the touchpoints AND the official park open time for the day has arrived.

Boarding Group availability each day is based on the projected number of guests that Disney expects to be able to ride during that day, based on the hours the ride is expected to be functioning.  They have built in some downtime.

Rise of the Resistance Review of Ride
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance                                                             (Photo: Disney Parks)

The Good

You don’t have to hover around Rise of the Resistance for hours, waiting for a chance to ride–you’ll get an update in your My Disney Experience app, notifying you of your Boarding Group being called.  You can go about your day and enjoy many other attractions and shows at Hollywood Studios while you wait.  Assuming there is availability, using the app to request a Boarding Group is fairly easy and user friendly–as long as the app doesn’t crash.  Once you are notified that your Group has been called to ride, you have a window of time.  In most cases, this is two hours, so you don’t have to rush right over or worry if you’re in line for another attraction.  Note: sometimes the window is one hour, so be sure to read your notification carefully so you know how long you have.

The Bad

Currently, the Boarding Groups are filling up VERY fast.  Most days, all the Boarding Groups for the day are filled within minutes of the park being open.   The impact of thousands of guests all trying to get access to Boarding Groups at the same time via the My Disney Experience app is that the app often crashes or locks up, making it very challenging to get a Boarding Group before they are all gone.  Adding to this, the attraction has unfortunately been breaking down fairly frequently, which is also limiting the availability of Boarding Groups for visitors.  The notification window for Boarding Groups has been fluctuating — some groups are given two hours, while others receive one hour.  It is important to read your notification carefully so you don’t miss your window.

Intriguingly, Disney has been surveying Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance guests this week about the virtual queue and possible alternatives.  I’m interpreting this to mean all is not going as well as they’d hoped with the system, and changes may be coming.

Ride Breakdowns

The biggest challenge right now is that Rise of the Resistance breaks down pretty frequently.  I think because this attraction is so huge, and has so many moving parts and so much new technology, breakdowns at the beginning are inevitable.  In my opinion, Disney rushed this attraction a bit and announced open dates that were premature.  I don’t think this attraction had enough time to work out all it’s kinks, and guests are bearing the brunt of that right now.

Currently, guests impacted by a ride breakdown are often given passes enabling them to return and ride the next day, or to ride later the same day.  I think guests directly impacted are being adequately compensated; however, this does not address the indirect impact.  With the ride experiencing downtime almost every day, and often, several times a day, Disney is not moving as many guests through this attraction as they anticipated.  As a result, many guests are not being able to ride the attraction at all.

While this is always the case with a popular new attraction (queue times for Flight of Passage still often top 90 minutes most days), the anticipation for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is significantly higher than for any other land or attraction in Disney history.  Most guests visiting Disney this year are EXPECTING to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and expecting to ride both attractions.  With the current situation, many guests are leaving disappointed by not being able to experience this attraction.

Star Wars Galaxys Edge Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance                                             (Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks)

What Can We Expect?

I’m confident that Disney is doing everything it can to fix the problems with the attraction, and hopefully, these breakdowns will soon be a thing of the past.  I’m very anxious to see what happens with the virtual queue situation.   So far, there is a lot of very loud frustration coming out of guests actually experiencing the virtual queue system, so I suspect some kind of change will be forthcoming.

Earlier this week, Disney made changes to the Fast Pass+ tier system (read here for more information).  Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is now part of the Hollywood Studios Tier One.  If the virtual queue system doesn’t work, I suspect Rise of the Resistance will soon be joining Tier One as well.

Even with all the challenges to actually ride the attraction, I cannot stress enough: This is an AMAZING attraction!  I promise, even if you struggle with some frustration is getting to ride, it will be WORTH IT!  This is a MUST-RIDE attraction if at all possible!

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance                                                             (Photo: Disney Parks)

What do you think?  Do you think Disney will end up adding a stand-by line and Fast Pass+ reservations for Rise of the Resistance, or do you think they will improve the system for the virtual queue and Boarding Group system?

Have you had a chance to ride yet?  I’d love to hear your Rise of the Resistance review if you have one.  Please comment below!

Happy Dreaming,

Brooke

Brooke Hudson Disney Travel Agent
Ready to Help Plan Your Next Disney Vacation!