Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gives Star Wars fans the chance to actually pilot the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy — Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon, of course.
This is a thrilling attraction, where guests can choose to be a pilot, engineer, or gunner and fly the famous ship on a smuggling mission in a galaxy far, far away.
Let’s jump to lightspeed and check out our guide to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run!
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Quick Facts
Description: Guests actually get behind the controls and operate the flight of the Millennium Falcon in one of three flight crew roles. The simulator technology used with this attraction makes you feel like you’re right in the midst of all the action.
Location
You can find Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge situated between Oga’s Cantina and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.
How to Ride Smugglers Run
Smugglers Run has a Standby Line, Lightning Lane, and a Single Rider Line.
The Standby Line for Smugglers Run is typically the lowest first thing in the morning and at the end of the evening. The middle of the day will see the longest lines as the wait time jumps quickly after park open. Standby can see sustained wait times well over 60 minutes for most of the park day.
It is listed as an available attraction for Early Theme Park Entry. This means it will open 30-minutes before the official park open every day for Disney World resort guests (and select others) only.
Smugglers Run also has a Single Rider Line which provides a much shorter wait time. Single riders fill seats that would have otherwise been empty. While your whole party can join the Single Rider queue together, you will be separated when it comes time to board.
Do I need to use Genie+ at Smugglers Run?
Smugglers Run is available with Genie+ and we definitely recommend using it at this attraction.
It’s a highly-popular ride that many park guests make a must-do during their park day. Unless you hop on this ride first thing, you should plan to reserve a Genie+ time for later in the day.
Make sure you check out our Hollywood Studios touring plans for more Genie+ advice.
Rider Switch/Child Swap
You can use Rider Switch for Smugglers Run. This is Disney’s system that allows guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides, while another person/people wait with the little one.
There are many things to do around Galaxy’s Edge while you wait that will keep both you and the young one(s) in question entertained, like grabbing a snack at Ronto Roasters, tasting the blue and green milk at the Milk Stand, browsing the many kiosks and gift shops, and interacting with the free roaming characters like the Stormtroopers, Chewbacca, and Rey.
What to Expect When You Ride
Queue
The queue for Smugglers Run is indoors and lengthy, so be prepared to walk. That said, it’s super immersive and filled with many details.
One of the best views from the line is when you get to see the very top of the Millennium Falcon. Have your camera ready and keep those eyes peeled — you can’t miss it!
The queue continues through an engine room and mechanic shop before going to the command center where Hondo Ohnaka and R5-P8 explain what the ride is about.
There is an also interactive queue that guests can enjoy courtesy of the Play Disney Parks app. Make sure your smart device is charged and the app is downloaded, ready to go!
Ride Vehicles
There are multiple ride vehicles that resemble the actual cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, with each cockpit cabin holding six guests.
Each guest takes part in flying the Falcon, assigned with their own job (either pilot, engineer, or gunner). The pilot is the most popular seat, followed by the gunners and then the engineers.
The pilot and co-pilot are upfront, the two gunners are directly behind in the middle section, and the engineers are in the back. Each guest has their own individual seat with a safety belt.
Accessibility Information
Guests must be able to transfer from a wheelchair or ECV to board the ride. Due to the nature of the attraction, service animals are not permitted to ride.
Disney advises against riding for those with high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or expectant mothers as the attraction can aggravate those conditions.
Audio and assistive listening as well as handheld captioning are available for the hearing impaired. See a Cast Member at the attraction entrance for further accommodation in these areas.
Motion Sickness
Smugglers Run is a simulator that has intense high speed moments and life-like sensations of flying and falling, so motion sickness can definitely occur on this attraction. We have a guide on motion sickness that’s filled with information and tips.
On the Ride
Ride spoilers ahead! After taking your seats in the cockpit and buckling in, prepare for launch.
The Falcon flies up and out of the loading dock. The pilot and co-pilot navigate over and between green landscaping and mountains.
Your mission is to capture precious cargo from First Order TIE fighters. You catch sight of the fighter jets and listen as Hondo Ohnaka and R5-P8 instruct you on which way to fly.
The Falcon goes into lightspeed mode traveling to another planet. It’s now nighttime and you find yourself flying on a busy throughway still chasing the TIE fighters.
The gunners shoot their blasters at the fighter jets in attempt to stop them. The pilots fly through tunnels, up and over walls, and, at one point, take a deep dive nose first towards the ground.
Once your mission is completed, damage afflicted to the ship during the flight is deducted from your score and will affect the lighting conditions when you exit the ride in the corridor.
Is Smugglers Run Kid-Friendly?
Smugglers Run can be intense at times. If little ones don’t like being enclosed or the simulation of flying and other quick moments, you may want to avoid.
Kids also have to sit in their own seat. Lap sitting is not permitted on this ride. We have a full guide on things that might scare little ones at Disney World.
Strollers
Strollers are not allowed in the queue for Smugglers Run. You’ll need to park your stroller in the designated stroller parking area at the attraction entrance or leave it with a non-rider.
History
On August 29, 2019, the same day as the opening of the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Smugglers Run attraction opened to the public for the first time.
In August 2015, Disney first announced at the D23 Expo that Star Wars-themed lands were coming to both Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park in California.
They also revealed two new attractions would be built, including one that gave fans the chance to pilot the Millennium Falcon.
The names of the attractions, Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, were shared during Destination D in November 2018.
There is also a Smugglers Run located in Disneyland that opened on May 31, 2019.
Other Fun Details
- Both Smugglers Run and the land have a lot of Easter Eggs. As you board the Millennium Falcon for your Smugglers Run flight, you’ll pass many highly detailed reconstructions of the original movie sets. One of the most popular is being able to sit and take photos at the famous holochess table before entering the cockpit.
- Unlocking Chewbacca Mode: Gaining popularity amongst guests is unlocking Chewie Mode on Smugglers Run. This means you will hear Chewbacca’s voice during the entire ride instead of Hondo Ohnaka’s voice. To unlock, before the Cast Member leaves to start your ride you must do the following: the left and right pilots must push their controls to the extreme left/right or extreme up/down and hold that position. After this is done, then you can hit your activate button. Likewise, the gunners must press AND HOLD one of the white buttons directly next to their display. While holding the white button, you can then press your activation button. This only takes a few seconds and should be done after securing your safety belts.