Disneyland's 'Rise of the Resistance' closes indefinitely in January

Now, ride closures in January are very commonplace for Disneyland. It’s low tourism season, and the holiday overlays in attractions like Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World need removal time. However, those ride closures usually come with a reopening date. For Disneyland to close its most popular attraction indefinitely suggests it’s getting more than the usual routine maintenance. The attraction’s trackless ride system is state-of-the-art, but also problematic. The gun turrets in the big finale didn’t work for years, only recently returning. But could this indefinite refurbishment be the signal for something else fans have been asking for years?

Since it opened, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been set in the era of the Disney-produced sequels. But in recent years, Disney has been loosening up that timeline. They’ve added characters like the Mandalorian and Grogu, as well as Ahsoka, into the land. We’ve suggested before that Rise of the Resistance is perfect for a seasonal overlay. A few tweaks, like replacing the Stormtrooper designs with original trilogy looks, and Kylo Ren with Darth Vader, could transform this into Rise of the Rebellion. And probably without a giant price tag attached. With the Star Wars franchise turning 50 in 2027, it would be the perfect time for Walt Disney Imagineering to do something like this. Our fuzzy Wookiee fingers remain crossed.