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Updated: Disney has announced that beginning on September 23, 2021, they will be pausing its use of the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Walt Disney World.  A traditional stand-by queue will be used instead for guests to experience the attraction. They did mention in the announcement that they may reactivate the virtual queue based on crowd levels in the park. This is the first time that Rise of the Resistance has used a standby queue since it first opened in 2019. ****************************************   If you’re heading to Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, you should definitely have Rise of the Resistance on your MUST DO list! Rise of the Resistance is located in Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios and it is the most technologically advanced attraction that Disney has ever created. It utilizes four different ride systems to create the highly sought after attraction that is truly unlike anything else at Disney World. It’s not just a ride, it’s an experience that has been in high demand since it’s opening in December 2019.    Here are tips you need in order to have your best chance at a Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group!    First things first, make sure you have your Park Reservation for Hollywood Studios.  Due to the popularity of Rise of the Resistance, Hollywood Studios is typically the most difficult park to get a reservation for. You can check Theme Park Reservation Availability Here! Second, download and familiarize yourself with the My Disney Experience app. This app is necessary in order to join a boarding group (which is a virtual queue) for the Rise of the Resistance. Learn how to access the virtual queue page and make sure your entire party is linked together on your Friends & Family list. You can either do that on the app or on the Walt Disney World website.  Rise of the Resistance Boarding Groups become available at 7 am and 1 pm each day. On the day of your Hollywood Studios Park Reservation, you want to attempt to get a 7 am boarding group. The 7 am groups are available from ANYWHERE, whereas the 1 pm groups MUST be joined from inside the park (at this time, you can not park hop over to Hollywood Studios to try to join a boarding group at 1 pm.) The boarding groups fill up almost instantly so you want to make sure that your fingers are moving quickly! It may be helpful to turn the Wi-Fi off on your phone if you’re connected to Disney’s Wi-Fi since there are likely many other guests connected at this same time.  A few minutes before 7 am, open the My Disney Experience app and as soon as you see the clock strike 7, click Join under the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Request Access with Virtual Queue section.  The app will then auto-select the people in your Friends & Family list that have a Hollywood Studios park pass. You don’t want to waste time changing the list of selected guests at this point. You’ll want to hit the blue JOIN button on the bottom of the page as quickly as you can.  If you secured a boarding group, Congratulations! You’ll then see a confirmation screen that shows which boarding group number you have been assigned and an estimated wait. The My Disney Experience App will tell you what groups are being called, so keep an eye on it! If you’ve allowed notifications from the app, it will tell you when your group is called and how long you have to report to the attraction. If you don’t get a boarding pass during your 7 am attempt, make sure that everyone has already entered the park for the day and try again at 1 pm by following the same steps!  The steps to securing a Rise of the Resistance Boarding Pass are pretty easy, it’s just a matter of being prepared and knowing these tips before you go! It is definitely worth the extra effort to experience this amazing attraction!      

There’s such excitement surrounding the decision to take a trip to Walt Disney World! As your planning begins, one of the most important first steps in the process is choosing the right Disney World Resort for you and your family! There are many factors to consider when making this decision and with 31 Disney World Resorts, it can be very overwhelming. There are really no bad choices but some will meet your needs better than others whether it is due to your budget, the location of what park you want to be close to and/or what transportation you want to have access to or the amenities that the resort will offer. So, let’s begin by reviewing the different resort categories.    Disney’s Value Resorts The Value Resorts are the most affordable option when it comes to choosing a Disney World Resort. There are 5 of these resorts and each of them scream Disney with their fun themes, vibrant colors and larger than life decorations such as the 41-foot tall Rubik’s Cube at Disney’s Pop Century Resort or the 40 foot Pongo Statue in the 101 Dalmatians themed section of the newly renovated Disney’s All-Star Movies resort which just reopened on March 22, 2021.  These rooms do not offer as much space as the other resort categories with an average of around 260 square feet but if that’s important in your search, Disney’s Art of Animation and Disney’s All Star Music Resorts do offer larger rooms called Family Suites.  These resorts still offer themed pools (though none of the pools have slides) and Quick Service Dining Options. Other amenities similar to the other resort categories include gift shops where you can find your favorite Disney Merchandise and free transportation.  The bus service runs from all of the value resorts and now Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation have the option of the Skyliner! The Skyliner Gondola system will take guests from these resorts to Hollywood Studios and Epcot which is a huge perk!     Disney’s Moderate Resorts The Moderate Resorts as you can imagine, fall somewhere between the Value and Deluxe Resorts in terms of cost, room size, transportation options and other amenities. Some refer to the Moderate Resorts as a sweet spot because they offer a little bit more luxury but are still in tune with a family budget.  Although the rooms still have an outdoor entry like Value Resorts, they offer families a bit more space with an average of 314 square feet. Moderate Resorts do have more of a resort-style atmosphere offering both quick service and table service options for meals such as Three Bridges Bar & Grill, a lakefront, open air restaurant at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. They have organized activities for the kids and themed pools with slides and interactive water features.  Although Moderate Resorts are closer to the parks than the Value Resorts, they are still not within walking distance and some of them offer different styles of complimentary transportation other than the bus. Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter both have a water taxi service that takes guests to Disney Springs, The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort offers a water taxi or ferry to the Magic Kingdom and the main hub of Disney’s Skyliner is located at the Caribbean Beach Resort.  Three Bridges Bar & Grill   Disney’s Deluxe Resorts The Deluxe Resorts offer elaborate themes, more transportation options, lots of amenities and the convenience of location. With all of these perks the cost is more expensive but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.  With the exception of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, all of the Deluxe Resorts offer more than just bus transportation to get you to and from the parks including the monorail, skyliner, water taxi, ferry or walkway. The location of these resorts and the direct access to at least one park really can’t be beat!  At these resorts you’ll find quick service, table service, fine dining and Character dining with the newest Character meal, Breakfast `a la Art with Mickey & Friends, located at Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort.  Other amenities include larger rooms starting at 344 square feet, fitness centers, spas, resort specific activities and waterpark-style pools such as Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts where you will find a huge pool featuring a sandy bottom, a lazy river and their shipwreck water slide or Disney’s Polynesian Resort Pool featuring a Volcano, a waterfall and their 142 foot long water slide.  The Deluxe Resorts also offer a Concierge-Level room, also known as Club-Level, which offers access to a private lounge with complimentary food and beverages, exclusive tours that are offered at certain Deluxe Resorts and a dedicated person to assist you with specific requests. Boardwalk Inn   Disney’s Deluxe Villa Resorts The Deluxe Villa Resorts are primarily designed for the Disney Vacation Club (DVC,) Disney’s timeshare program, but these rooms are released regularly to Disney and can be booked by non-DVC guests. Many of these Resorts are housed on the same property of a corresponding Deluxe Resort with the exception of Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and the newest Deluxe Villa Resort, Riviera Resort. The amenities of these rooms can be pretty expansive including 1, 2, and 3 bedroom villas with full kitchens, dining areas, 2 bathrooms, washer & dryer and jacuzzi tubs.  1 Bedroom Villa at Saratoga Springs   With all of the options that you have to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect match for you and your family regardless of which Resort you select. Whether it’s a Value, Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa, there is nothing that can beat staying in the heart of the magic and living in the “Disney Bubble” from the moment you arrive to the time you leave your magical vacation!