Late to the Game; need the TL;dr on Star Wars

[Yellow Shoes]

do I have this correct?
There are 2 Star Wars-themed rides--Smuggler's Run and Rise of the Resistance as well as a heavily themed area called Galaxy's Edge.
Smuggler's Run is a motion-simulator similar to Star Tours or (RIP) Body Wars.
Rise of the Resistance is an immersive ride-through similar to Dinosaur or (RIP) Hollywood Movie Ride.

I am going in Sept 2020 and none of us is a huge Star Wars (or even SciFi) fan......don't be hatin'--that means 3 fewer people waiting in line!
I just want to be able to speak intelligently about what we are consciously choosing to skip.

THANKS for your patience.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I'm not a Pothead but think Potterland a must-do.

You don't need to be a fan. Galaxy's Edge is really good, take a stroll around! You can spare twenty minutes while you're at DHS.

 

[UNCgolf]

Smuggler's Run is a motion simulator, but it's a bit more than just that -- it's more like a video game mixed with a motion simulator, because you have assigned positions and actually have to do things during the ride.

Rise of the Resistance is nominally what you described, but it's far more intricate than something like Dinosaur. You can't ride it without getting a boarding group, though, which means you have to be in the park at opening for a chance (unless boarding groups are gone by September, which is certainly possible).

I second the suggestion that it's worth just walking around regardless of the rides. I didn't ride either ride and still enjoyed exploring. I don't think it comes close to Diagon Alley at Universal for a fully themed area, but it's still good (and it had obstacles that didn't exist for Diagon Alley).

 

[JIMINYCR]

Although you may not be a SW fan you should visit anyway just to see the theming. When you get home you will probably be asked about the area by curious friends and co workers who have heard about the new land and you can at least tell them about how well Disney created the surroundings. Also you may be wanting to taste some of the drinks and snacks they are offering which are different than other selections in the park. It wont take long to walk through and even a non SW fan might be impressed.

 

[FettFan]

1. You will get lost and walk around in at least two circles before finding your way out.

2. Make your fastpass+ for Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run as soon as possible. I tried to book it two weeks before my trip, but all the FP's were gone.

3. The only way you will ride the Resistance is if you arrive at the gate no later than 6AM. There are no FP's, only Boarding Parties.
You cannot join a Boarding Party unless you've actually scanned your ticket and are inside the park.

Don't bring a bag because then you have to stop at bag check while people pour past you.

Don't bring small children. Because they can't ride Rise anyway, and they're legs are not developed enough to race to Rise. Small children are useless.

If there are any slow movers in your group, just follow Palpatine's advice:

 

[Yellow Shoes]

1. You will get lost and walk around in at least two circles before finding your way out.

2. Make your fastpass+ for Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run as soon as possible. I tried to book it two weeks before my trip, but all the FP's were gone.

3. The only way you will ride the Resistance is if you arrive at the gate no later than 6AM. There are no FP's, only Boarding Parties.
You cannot join a Boarding Party unless you've actually scanned your ticket and are inside the park.

Don't bring a bag because then you have to stop at bag check while people pour past you.

Don't bring small children. Because they can't ride Rise anyway, and they're legs are not developed enough to race to Rise. Small children are useless.

If there are any slow movers in your group, just follow Palpatine's advice:

Thank you for articulating why I have no interest in going to that sector of the park. I am on a nostalgia trip with my 81-year old father in an ECV. Crowds and theming that doesn't float anyone's boat is a circle of hell for us.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Thank you everyone.

I understand that the rides are far more immersive and technically advanced that previous simulators or ride-throughs--mostly because they are 30 years younger.

Our reluctance stems from not wanting to be involved in the frenzy of getting boarding groups, trying to avoid crowds (even though we know the other attractions are packed with folks waiting for their appointed hour), and a general disinterest in the whole Galaxy.

That said, we may end up doing a quick walk-through--ya never know.
But....hard pass on blue milk.

 

[UNCgolf]

Thank you everyone.

I understand that the rides are far more immersive and technically advanced that previous simulators or ride-throughs--mostly because they are 30 years younger.

Our reluctance stems from not wanting to be involved in the frenzy of getting boarding groups, trying to avoid crowds (even though we know the other attractions are packed with folks waiting for their appointed hour), and a general disinterest in the whole Galaxy.

That said, we may end up doing a quick walk-through--ya never know.
But....hard pass on blue milk.

It really wasn't that crowded to just walk around for me -- not any moreso than anywhere else in Disney. There are some neat AAs in some of the stores/stalls. I also wasn't interested in doing the boarding group stuff, which is why I didn't ride Rise of the Resistance. Didn't ride Smuggler's Run because it doesn't seem that great and I didn't want to wait in line.

The post above about the rushing crowds was specifically for people going there at rope drop to get a boarding group etc. I was there in the afternoon and it was fine.

 

[trainplane3]

Our reluctance stems from not wanting to be involved in the frenzy of getting boarding groups, trying to avoid crowds (even though we know the other attractions are packed with folks waiting for their appointed hour), and a general disinterest in the whole Galaxy.

That said, we may end up doing a quick walk-through--ya never know.
But....hard pass on blue milk.

Enter the land at some point late morning, afternoon. After then, crowds won't be super bad. Early morning has a lot of people waiting to get in to get the jump on the rides. Both times I came through in the afternoon, it was very easy to navigate.

Basically, let the rope drop people have it. Give it a bit, then go in. You'll be able to take your time and cruise around the land.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Enter the land at some point late morning, afternoon. After then, crowds won't be super bad. Early morning has a lot of people waiting to get in to get the jump on the rides. Both times I came through in the afternoon, it was very easy to navigate.

Basically, let the rope drop people have it. Give it a bit, then go in. You'll be able to take your time and cruise around the land.

Good advice. I'm feeling a bit more hopeful that later in the day might be do-able. Probably won't be any worse than Toy Story Land.