Page 72 - CelebrationsSpring2020

leads to a man-made entrance into a mountain. While many Disney attractions have backstories, Rise of the Resistance is the first to have a standalone backstory for a portion of its queue! Specifically, the caves and corridors that constitute the bulk of the queue were formerly the home of an ancient Batuu civilization that has long since disappeared. Look for the stains on the ceiling, evidence of water that has been dripping into the cavern for centuries. Stalactites can be found everywhere, and lead toward a trough once used to clean dishes and clothes. Those benches you see are actually rock outcroppings, complete with worn spots indicating where the washing was once done.
Pay close attention as you move from room to room in the queue, as each room includes clues as to what the ancient civilization used it for, with more modern props indicating how the Resistance is now using the space:
• One room previously served as a “dry goods” storage room, as evidenced by the crumbling pots that are now scattered around the floor. The Resistance now uses this area for a completely different purpose, an armory that is lined with locked cages that are filled with guns of all shapes and sizes as well as munitions.
• Another room includes cages that are filled with full- length flight-suits, helmets, and other supplies. If you look closely, you will see that the flight suits and helmets include the Resistance insignias. This area was formerly used as a bathhouse.
• An area that was formerly used as sleeping quarters for the ancient civilization has been repurposed to a storage area for medical equipment and supplies.
At the conclusion of the initial portion of the queue, prior to the attraction’s first pre-show area, you enter an observation room where you will see a large glass screen that appears to show galactic coordinates and target locations. When large metal doors in the observation room open, you step into the attraction’s first pre-show area, a Resistance briefing room.
Rey’s Resistance Sales Pitch
The Resistance briefing room includes several different components. An Audio-Animatronic BB-8 rolls back and forth on an upper-level terrace. Two video screens are mounted to the front of the upper-level terrace and display an aerial view of Black Spire Outpost, complete with an illuminated outline of the Millennium Falcon, video footage of different corridors within the base, and different electronic maps and schematics of ships. To the side of this
terrace is an open area where a circular electronic platform sits on the floor.
As BB-8 beeps and rolls back and forth, an overhead voice announces that there is an incoming transmission from Rey. A very convincing hologram of Rey suddenly appears on the platform and welcomes the new Resistance recruits: Rey: BB-8, is everyone assembled?
[BB-8 responds].
Rey: Good. Shouldn’t you be in site prep?
[BB-8 responds and rolls away].
Rey: Recruits, thank you for joining the cause. A covert Resistance
team led by my friend Finn has infiltrated a First Order Star Destroyer that is now headed to this system. Your outpost on Batuu is no longer safe. We have transports waiting to take you to General Organa’s secret base on Bakura. I’ll regroup with you there. The Resistance desperately needs your help in our fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order. Remember, it is vital that you keep the location of the Bakura base secret. Lieutenant Bek, one of our top commanders, will lead you.”
The actors from the latest Star Wars trilogy reprised their roles in Rise of the Resistance. That’s right, the video you see and the voices you here in the attraction are actually those of Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), and Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), rather than impersonators. This adds tremendous authenticity to the experience and is another element that makes you feel like you are really in the Star Wars universe.
After Rey’s introduction, the video screens on the terrace now show two characters in different locations. Lieutenant Bek, a Mon Calamari Resistance officer of the same fish- like species as famed Star Wars character Admiral Ackbar, is displayed on the screen to the right. Notably, Bek is a completely original character created for the attraction. Nien Nunb, a character originally introduced in Star Wars: Episode VI – The Last Jedi, is displayed on the screen to the left. Lieutenant Bek responds to Rey’s call to action: Bek:Affirmative. Transport is ready. Nien Nunb and I shall
personally see them delivered.
Rey: Thank you Lieutenant. Welcome to the cause. May the force
be with us.
Rey’s hologram disappears and the video screen the previously displayed Nien Nunb now shows Poe Dameron:
Bek: Commander Poe Dameron and his squadron of X-Wings shall escort us to the rendezvous point on Bakura.
Poe: Roger. This is Black Leader. I hear you are a fine looking group of recruits. Well, no time to waste. Let’s get you on your way
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