Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Testing Modified Single Rider Line for Groups of Two at Disney's Hollywood Studios

2 days ago in "Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run"

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Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run overview

Posted: Saturday January 4, 2025 12:45pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney's Hollywood Studios is experimenting with a new option for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run that could change how smaller groups experience the attraction. A modified version of the single rider line is being tested, allowing groups of two to enter the line together and ride in the same cockpit.

Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run overview

How the Test Works

Instead of splitting up single riders into different groups, pairs of two can now enter the line with the expectation of flying together.
The line is still separate from the standby and Lightning Lane queues, meaning wait times may be shorter than the standard standby line.
While this test prioritizes keeping pairs together, it doesn't guarantee a specific role within the crew positions (Pilot, Gunner, Engineer).

This test aims to address common feedback from park guests. Many who visit in pairs avoid the single rider line because they don't want to be separated during the experience. By adapting the process, Disney is attempting to make the ride more appealing to couples, friends, or parent-child duos who prefer to stick together while still avoiding long waits.

Potential Impact on Wait Times

If this modified system becomes permanent, it could improve crowd flow for the popular attraction, but it may also affect how quickly true single riders are assigned.

Disney has not confirmed if or when the modified single rider line will be officially implemented full-time. For now, guests visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios have a chance to see how the system works and can ask the Cast Member at the single rider line entrance if the two guest option is available.

Have you tried the modified line? Let us know what you think of the change.

Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run overview

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coffeefan11 hours ago

That's great to know. They should tell guests that the "droids" will take over if they prefer to sit and watch.

danlb_200018 hours ago

I wonder if they were testing this at the back in the beginning of December, that might explain why there were calling for "singles" in the single rider line when I rode it.

Professortango120 hours ago

I'll take Star Tours' queue with MF's preshow and ride. It's partly due to how far Star Tours has fallen from the original experience. It's just sad. I rarely even bother riding it anymore whereas I ride MF once per trip.

mickEblu21 hours ago

100% IMO

Professortango121 hours ago

Is it though?

MisterPenguin1 day ago

If the guest doesn't touch anything, the role becomes automatic. So, laying back is an option and it doesn't harm the success of the mission. At the end of the night one time, I had a ship all to myself. So, I was the right pilot. The rest of the roles happened automatically. Got 2 coaxiums. Think about that. The default is the victory condition of 2 coaxiums with no human intervention. Which means every time a ship got only one coaxium, it was due to human error.

cjkeating1 day ago

I agree. I don't mind all of the roles but I think I prefer the engineer as I get to see the entire cabin experience. It doesn't bother me in the slightest if the pilots are terrible as if anything it's more fun. In fact I've been less satisfied when I've been the pilot and done an amazing job (if I may say so myself) and the supporting gunners and engineers have been really bad at their tasks.

DarkMetroid5671 day ago

This is genuinely why engineer is my favorite role, it’s a front-row seat to chaos I don’t love gunner but tbh still easily prefer sitting gunner to riding Star Tours II. still don’t understand the love for it

mickEblu1 day ago

Still better than Smugglers Run

coffeefan1 day ago

They should make the engineer role just be passengers for people that prefer to lay back.

Professortango11 day ago

Star Tours hasn't been superior since they unveiled The Adventure Continues. It has a fantastic queue that GE should have learned from, but the ride experience has been mediocre for awhile.

AndyS29921 day ago

Just close it down and just move the superior Star Tours over there. Always a disappointment.

networkpro1 day ago

The queue is only a bit interesting if you are stuck in a wait that allows all the effects to be triggered. That slow moving conga line isnt IMHO worth the button slapping (or for the two in front lever pushing) screen show that follows. At one time the credits and other experiences were to have been part of a larger reputation economy of the land, but as usual most of that was left in the dust.

Marc Davis Fan2 days ago

I hope they do guest satisfaction surveys comparing those put through the single rider queue vs the full experience, as I'd suspect that first-time riders who are put through the singer rider queue have a MUCH lower satisfaction with the experience (which comports with the differences in ride reviews between people who used the single rider line vs the full queue on their first ride). Smuggler's Run is designed to be a holistic experience - with the "Falcon's lobby" and "ride" as the last scenes - much like the Tower of Terror. Imagine if your first experience on the Tower of Terror were, say, entering the boiler room through the chicken exit instead of seeing the gardens, lobby, pre-show, etc. - that's not the Tower of Terror. And imagine if you weren't even fully aware of how much you were missing - you'd misjudge the attraction accordingly.