You’re standing in the middle of a First Order Star Destroyer. There are fifty Stormtroopers staring you down, the hum of the ship is vibrating in your chest, and you’re probably wondering if you should be looking at the massive TIE fighters or the giant viewscreen showing the vacuum of space. Most people miss the best part. They’re too busy staring at the scale of the room. But if you look closely at the X-wings during the chaotic escape, you might spot a very specific designation. We’re talking about Star Wars Rise of the Resistance Blue Five, a call sign that serves as a massive nod to the deep lore of the Resistance and the tactical structure of the battle you’re currently surviving.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer tech.
The ride uses a trackless system, motion simulation, and a drop tower all in one go, but the narrative is what keeps fans coming back for the tenth time. When the Resistance fleet jumps in to save your transport, you aren't just looking at generic ships. These are specific pilots. They have histories. Blue Five isn't just a random number chosen by a computer to fill background noise; it represents the organizational grit of the Resistance Navy during the era of the First Order.
The Reality of Star Wars Rise of the Resistance Blue Five
Wait, why does a color and a number matter so much to people?
In the Star Wars universe, flight groups are everything. You know Red Five. That’s Luke. That’s the legend. But by the time we get to the events at Galaxy’s Edge—which sits canonically between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker—the Resistance is basically running on fumes and recycled parts. The Blue Squadron has always been the workhorse of the fleet. Seeing Blue Five pop up in the comms or during the visual sequence of the ride is a signal to fans that the "Blue" designation, which historically flew U-wings at Scarif and X-wings at Starkiller Base, is still the backbone of the fight.
Basically, when you hear those call signs, you're hearing the legacy of the pilots who died to give the Resistance a chance. It’s heavy stuff for a theme park ride.
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The experience itself is a logistical miracle. You start in a briefing room with a holographic Rey (Daisy Ridley) and BB-8. Then you’re ushered onto a transport ship, the I-TS, which is then captured by a tractor beam. This is where the immersion hits a different level. You aren't "on a ride" anymore. You’re a prisoner. When the Resistance breaks you out, the chaos of the dogfight outside the Star Destroyer windows features the X-wings of Blue Squadron. The mention of Star Wars Rise of the Resistance Blue Five anchors the player—or rider—into the specific tactical maneuver being executed by Poe Dameron’s team.
How the Tech Makes the Story Feel Real
Disney Imagineering didn't just build a track. They built a "world."
The trackless ride vehicles, known as First Order Fleet Transports, are programmed with R5 droids that have their own personalities. But the background visuals, where Blue Five and the rest of the squadron operate, are powered by massive projection mapping and high-definition screens that have to sync perfectly with the physical movement of your car. If the X-wing on the screen banks left, your car pulls right to simulate the g-force of a near-miss.
It’s tricky. Really tricky.
The ride actually uses several different "floors" and elevator systems to move you through the Star Destroyer. When you see the X-wings outside, you’re often looking at media created by ILM (Industrial Light & Magic). They used the same assets from the sequel trilogy. So, that X-wing designated as Blue Five? It’s the same digital model used in the films. That’s why it looks so "right." There’s no "theme park version" of the ship. It’s just the ship.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Lore
A lot of folks think the call signs in the ride are just random. They aren't.
Disney’s Lucasfilm Story Group, which includes people like Pablo Hidalgo, works specifically to ensure that the events at Black Spire Outpost (Batuu) don't contradict the movies. If a pilot is referred to as Blue Five during the ride, that pilot exists in the broader canon. During this specific era, the Resistance was desperate. They were pulling pilots from everywhere.
- Blue Squadron was led by Tallie Lintra in The Last Jedi.
- After the disaster at the D'Qar evacuation, the squadron had to be rebuilt.
- The ships you see in the ride are T-70 X-wings, the upgraded version of the classic T-65s.
Honestly, the attention to detail is bordering on obsessive. You can hear the chatter over the radio if you listen closely through the screams of other guests. The pilots coordinate their strikes on the Star Destroyer’s cooling systems and shield generators. If Blue Five is told to "break left," and you look out the window at that exact second, the ship actually breaks left.
Survival Tips for Your Encounter with the First Order
If you’re heading to Hollywood Studios or Disneyland soon, you need a plan. You can’t just walk onto this thing. It’s still the most popular ticket in the park, even years after opening.
First, get the app. You know the one—My Disney Experience or the Disneyland App. You’ve gotta be fast with the Virtual Queue if they're running it, or be prepared to shell out for the Lightning Lane Single Pass. It’s expensive. Is it worth it? Yeah, probably. Especially when you realize the "preshow" is actually about 20 minutes of active storytelling before you even sit in the ride vehicle.
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When you get to the hangar bay—the part with the Stormtroopers—don't rush through. This is the only place in the world where you can stand in a 1:1 scale First Order hangar. Look at the floor. The scuff marks are intentional. Look at the walls. The "welds" are placed where they would actually be on a ship of that size.
Once you’re in the ride vehicle, pay attention to the droids. The R5 unit on your car reacts to the environment. If Blue Five or another Resistance pilot blows something up nearby, your droid will "panic." It’s a subtle touch that most people ignore because they’re looking at the giant AT-ATs.
The Actionable Strategy for Your Next Visit
To actually see the details like Star Wars Rise of the Resistance Blue Five and the nuances of the Resistance fleet, you have to manage your sensory overload.
- Request the front row. When the Cast Members (dressed as First Order officers) are loading you into the transport, ask politely if you can wait for the front. You get a much better view of the floor-to-ceiling screens where the space battle happens.
- Look "up" during the AT-AT scene. Most people look at the feet of the walkers. Look at the rafters. You’ll see Resistance fighters scurrying around trying to help you.
- Listen to the "intercom." In the hallways of the Star Destroyer, there are announcements playing. They often mention ship movements and prisoner transfers that add layers to why you’re being moved at that specific moment.
- Watch the cannons. There is a sequence where you drive under massive turbo-laser cannons firing into space. The recoil on those things is physical. You can feel the air displacement. This is where the Resistance pilots, including the Blue and Red squadrons, are doing their most dangerous work.
The whole point of the ride is to make you feel like a small part of a much bigger machine. You aren't the "chosen one." You’re a recruit. And recruits rely on pilots like Blue Five to get them out alive.
When the ride drops you—literally—back toward Batuu, take a second to look at the crashed ship components near the exit. The story continues even as you're walking back toward the milk stand. The level of "environmental storytelling" here is something other parks are still trying to catch up to. It’s not just a ride; it’s a 15-minute movie that you’re stuck in.
Go early. Stay late. Watch the skies over Black Spire. The details are there if you're looking.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Check the current status of the Virtual Queue on your park app at exactly 7:00 AM. If you miss that window, monitor the standby wait times during the mid-day "parade lull" usually around 2:00 PM, or consider the Lightning Lane Single Pass to bypass the 100-plus minute wait. Focus your attention on the left-side windows during the final escape sequence to catch the best view of the Resistance X-wing maneuvers.