Star Wars Fans Greet Rise Of Resistance In Droves

ANAHEIM, CA — Though Disneyland gates did not open until 5:45 a.m. Friday, that didn't stop thousands of fans from descending upon parking garages, lots and Downtown Disney to earn their right to a boarding card for the grand opening of Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Learn how to catch your Rise of the Resistance boarding ticket below.

The newest ride at Disneyland Resort has been a smash hit since it was first previewed by cast members and their guests one week ago, and to media on Thursday.

Fans milled outside, waiting for the gates to open in the predawn, preparing for a full day of waiting.

With a ride that lasts nearly 20 minutes from start to finish, Disneyland Resort organized the riders into boarding groups with specific call times

Rise of the Resistance takes you from a transport vehicle into space where you are confronted by the First Order, held captive on a Star Destroyer, and then sprung by a few members of the Resistance and an R5 droid who may or may not be a little kludgy.

Read Patch's full review of Rise of the Resistance.

Patch caught up with a few of our readers who joined the throng of hopefuls.

Mission Viejo resident Natalie Roy braved the elements for a chance on board the ride. She arrived at the park at about 4 a.m., and was given a boarding card in the 45th group. According to Roy, there would be about 8 groups an hour.

According to what she learned, the first boarding groups began loading up riders at 9 a.m.

Rancho Santa Margarita resident Blake Colby couldn't miss his chance for a bit of history.

Dressed in his big green jacket to ward off the elements, he was hard to miss. His boarding card group was 61.

Though the temperatures were in the 40s and raining, the atmosphere was festive and inviting, especially when a special Star Wars worthy vehicle sped down the Monorail, with possibly Mace Windu at the helm?

Once the virtual spot is yours, make your way around the park and wait for your boarding time!

Disneyland spokeswoman Liz Jaeger said, "Guests are having a blast experiencing Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and the virtual queue allows them to enjoy other areas of the park instead of waiting in line."

See Patch's First Person Video Account of Rise of the Resistance.

Here are tips on how to catch a ride:

1. Download the official Disneyland mobile app - First things first. The Disneyland app* allows you to navigate that land and even utilize the mobile ordering feature at select dining locations when you are in the land. Be sure to download before you go!

2. Plan around your attraction experience Starting Jan. 17 as needed, a virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance may be implemented to help deliver the best possible guest experience, allowing guests to explore other areas of the park while waiting for their turn to ride.

3. The Disneyland app will have a dedicated module, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Access by Boarding Group, available from the main page. Here’s how it will work:

• Request to join a boarding group to ride the attraction, once you have entered Disneyland park. The virtual queue will not be available until published park opening hours.
• Boarding groups will be sent a push notification when it is their turn to enter the attraction queue and you can monitor status of boarding groups from the app.
• There also will be the ability to join a boarding group from select locations inside Disneyland park, if you are not using the app. The boarding group is tied to admission that will be scanned upon entry of the attraction.
• Signage throughout the park will also display boarding group status.
• Admission into Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be subject to capacity, and having an assigned boarding group will not guarantee entrance to the attraction.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens Jan. 17 at the Disneyland Resort. Rising Moons!

Have you ridden Rise of the Resistance? Tell us your experience in comments!