‘Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance’ combines immersion, narrative, and cutting-edge technology to offer a unique experience
Spanning some 12 acres, more than a dozen detailed facilities from restaurants to large fully themed environments and two major attractions, Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World is a delight for fans and a window to the world of Star Wars like never seen before.
Even more impressive, it is the largest expansion that a Disney park has ever made, and inside, with more than 5 years of development behind it and more than 5 million lines of code To give life to all its components is the most ambitious attraction in the company’s history: ‘Star Wars Rise of the Resistance.
If you are looking for a way to immerse yourself completely In your favorite saga, there are few more spectacular ways to do it than this. The attraction is an experience that combines cutting-edge technology, huge sets and a unique narrative to work its magic.
At the technological forefront
The proposal is irresistible. Forget about traditional roller coasters, what is proposed here is purely immersive but not lacking in great emotions. The visitors side with the good guys in the Sequel Trilogy and are caught by the First Order. There, after being transported through the destroyer’s facilities, they will be rescued with the help of Rey and other members of the Resistance, and they will have to face Kylo Ren and his troops while they flee in a frantic chase.
All this is a experience of about 20 minutes (the longest ever made for a Disney park) where you are never on rails. The first bars are on foot, while the visitor explores, open-mouthed, the detailed setting of the place to the rhythm of John Williams’ characteristic soundtrack. This area is a true life-size museum of the saga where every smallest detail is not spared. Droids, screens, consoles, soldiers parading… everything you need to integrate yourself into the action.
The technology behind it is overwhelming. Up to 65 animatronics are used for props and characters that populate the massive destroyer sets. There are 3 high-end animatronics intended for key moments where movements are sought to be detailed and realistic. In a partnership with Panasonic, the attraction also features latest generation projectors that give life to iconic movie characters like Rey or Finn.
Things go wrong, of course, and the introduction is interrupted by the rescue of the Resistance. The First Order is on our heels and the only way to escape is to get into the vehicles. Here the projections give great moments to add to the realism. Soldiers’ shots will leave notches in the wallsand we can see destruction on the ground with the explosions.
Another key element of this attraction is the minecarts. Unlike most attractions, These electric vehicles do not go on rails, but rather they move on the track and can turn in all directions on a route that, although of course it is planned, may include small variations in each function. In addition to this, there are two different paths depending on the vehicle you get into, and some scenes also change depending on whether you enter during the day or at night. So for the most completists there are reasons to return.
The climax is on point. The escape inside the destroyer is accompanied by hyper-realistic images of a space battle that is happening outside between both sides. In a combination of practical and digital effects, the car enters an elevator and falls sharply into spaceproceeding to a spectacular final stretch flying back to the planet.
Although it doesn’t do it justice, you can see a complete tour of the attraction here. From the impressive reception to the frenetic chase or the final climax, this is without a doubt a absolutely unmissable experience for fans. What a shame that for many of us it is a little far away.
Images: Wikimedia Commons, Attractions 360°, 4K WDW
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