Jump directly to the content

DISNEY fans came out in force for the new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge attraction, which launched in the Florida resort's Hollywood Studios today.

Crowds of people queued through the night to get into the park as soon as it opened, with those arriving later being told they could wait up to five hours to go on the new ride.

 Disney's new Star Wars attraction opened in Florida today
11
Disney's new Star Wars attraction opened in Florida todayCredit: AP:Associated Press

Before the attraction opened, there were predictions that wait times could be up to six hours.

As early as 5am today, crowds were already forming in the park to go on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

Even then, fans said there were waits of at least 2.5 hours expected.

But as the morning progressed, guests were being told via the Disney World app and outside the attraction that the wait time was 300 minutes, or five hours.

The queue was seen snaking around Galaxy's Edge and into Toy Story Land, as guests waited for their boarding group to be called.

 Fans queued overnight to get into the park
11
Fans queued overnight to get into the parkCredit: refer to caption
 Even when they got into the park, they face hours of queuing
11
Even when they got into the park, they face hours of queuingCredit: refer to caption
 Once in the park, there would still be hours of queuing to get on the ride
11
Once in the park, there would still be hours of queuing to get on the rideCredit: refer to caption

Fortunately for those arriving later, wait times have since fallen to four hours and then three hours.

Despite the wait, fans seem to be in good spirit with many sharing pictures of the queues and of themselves in Star Wars gear.

It's also good news for guests visiting other parks at Disney as there's almost zero queues elsewhere, as was seen when the new Star Wars land debuted at the Disneyland in California earlier this year.

Guests had to pre-book to see the new area in California due to overwhelming demand, with early tickets being snapped up within hours.

 Guests were in good spirits despite the wait
11
Guests were in good spirits despite the waitCredit: refer to caption
 The new ride has launched with huge success
11
The new ride has launched with huge successCredit: refer to caption

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is one of two new rides opening in the new land.

The second, Rise of the Resistance, is set to open later in the year.

The attraction has a spaceship that's the exact replica of the ship from the films, measuring more than 100 feet long.

As part of the experience, a team of six people will operate the spacecraft during an interactive experience that, just like the movies, will get a little bumpy.

First look inside Disney’s new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge attraction before it opens to the public

Modelled on an encounter with First Order fighters, the ride puts guests in the role of pilots, gunners or flight engineers to ensure their mission is completed.

On Rise of the Resistance, guests will play as new Resistance recruits and go on a journey on a full-size starship.

A hologram image of Rey will appear with a message before guests board their ship that takes off from Batuu.

It will then head into the orbit, only to be intercepted by a nearby Star Destroyer.

This sets up a climactic battle against military members of the First Order.

 Those waiting for the new attraction included families and children
11
Those waiting for the new attraction included families and childrenCredit: refer to caption
 Smugglers Run debuted first in California
11
Smugglers Run debuted first in CaliforniaCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Up to six players can go on the ride at the same time
11
Up to six players can go on the ride at the same timeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Smugglers Run is the first of two new rides in the land
11
Smugglers Run is the first of two new rides in the landCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 There are lots of new merchandise as part of the themed land
11
There are lots of new merchandise as part of the themed landCredit: Getty Images - Getty

 

It's not unusual for fans to queue for an extended amount of time for a new ride.

Fans queued for ten hours at Universal Studios in Florida after the new Hagrid rollercoaster tide launched earlier this year.

Sun Online Travel previously revealed how fans were using the 'pounding the app' technique to get on the busiest rides.

Topics