A long-missing element of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has returned at Disneyland, raising hopes that Walt Disney World could soon follow.
The imposing laser cannons on the First Order Star Destroyer, which were last fully operational at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in December 2020, are once again firing at Disneyland as of this morning.
Disney confirmed the restoration with a statement:
“We’re really excited to share that as of this morning, the cannon guns on Rise of the Resistance are firing once again! Our teams have done lots of hard work to restore this feature and we can’t wait for guests to experience this moment once more.”
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the cannons continued to partially function until January 2022 but have remained stationary since then.
In Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the cannon scene takes place during the climactic escape from the First Order Star Destroyer. After guests break free from their detention cells and board a hijacked First Order transport droid, they navigate through the ship’s chaotic interior while under attack. You can see the working cannon effect below.
The laser cannons, positioned along a massive hallway with an open viewport to space, fire back and forth in sync with the battle outside. The entire room is designed to feel like an active battle zone, with the Resistance fleet engaging the Star Destroyer beyond the viewport. The cannons slide on tracks, recoiling with each blast, adding to the intensity of the sequence.
As the transport weaves through the area, it narrowly avoids the moving cannons, creating a sense of urgency. The flashing red lights and sound effects make it feel as if guests are caught in the crossfire of an all-out space battle. This section is a highlight of the ride’s immersive storytelling, using practical effects, projection technology, and dynamic set pieces to put guests directly into the Star Wars action.
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