Disney Hollywood StudiosNews

Disney Tests New Policy for Popular ‘Star Wars’ Attraction

Get ready for some changes to how you board Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.

When Disney unveiled Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, anticipation for the new themed lands was immense. Fans eagerly awaited the chance to step into the galaxy far, far away, complete with immersive attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The groundbreaking ride quickly became the crown jewel of Galaxy’s Edge, praised for its cutting-edge technology and cinematic storytelling.

Rise of the Resistance attraction
Credit: Disney

However, its companion attraction, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, has struggled to maintain the same level of demand. The interactive simulator ride lets guests pilot Han Solo’s (Harrison Ford) iconic ship, the Millennium Falcon, on a smuggling mission. Due to the timeline of Galaxy’s Edge, however, you never actually see Han Solo (which, let’s face it, makes it ten times less cool already).

While conceptually thrilling, guest experiences can vary based on their assigned role—Pilot being the most coveted and Engineer often the least.

New Procedures for Smugglers Run

In what we can only assume is an effort to boost efficiency, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is reportedly testing new procedures for Smugglers Run.

A night view of a Star Wars-themed area at a theme park, featuring a detailed replica of the Millennium Falcon spaceship, futuristic buildings with illuminated lights, and rocky outcroppings in the background. The scene is well-lit with a blue and orange glow.
Credit: Disney

Traditionally, the ride has featured a standard single-rider line in the past for individuals willing to bypass the regular queue and forego the preshow featuring Hondo Ohnaka. Now, however, small parties of two are also being allowed to access the single-rider line.

This adjustment aims to maximize capacity in the six-person cockpits by filling empty seats more efficiently. While this option may shorten wait times, guests using the single rider line in groups larger than pairs should note that they will likely be split into smaller groups when boarding. There’s also no saying how long this system will stay in place at the park, with Disney often trialing new practices to streamline operations.

Future Updates for Smugglers Run

The single-rider queue isn’t the only change coming to Smugglers Run. During the D23 Expo in 2024, Disney revealed plans to update the ride’s storyline with a new mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu. Set to debut in 2026, the update coincides with the release of the duo’s feature film, scheduled to hit theaters in May of that year.

Are you excited about these updates to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Back to top button