Rides at Star Wars in Hollywood Studios

Question

One member of our family has had several concussions and is told not to go on rides that jerk you around or swing you hard. How is the Rise of the Resistance, Star Tours, Millenium falcon, and Mickey and Minnie Runaway Train? She watched the youtube on the Rise of the resistance and it didn't appear too jerky. trhe description says small drops. Not sure what that means...

Thanks!

Answer

When considering rides for someone with a history of concussions, it's important to assess how much motion, spinning, and sudden drops a ride has. Here’s a detailed look at the Star Wars rides and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – This is a trackless ride with a mix of motion simulation, mild drops, and dark ride elements. The “small drops” are brief and gentle, more like a subtle lift-and-drop sensation than a roller coaster. The ride does include some sudden turns, stops, and a scene with a Star Destroyer that may feel intense visually, but physically it’s generally smooth. Most people describe it as thrilling but not violent on the body.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – This is a motion simulator ride. It involves spinning, swooping, and shaking as you fly through Star Wars scenes. The ride can be jerky and includes simulated turbulence and rapid movements. For someone avoiding head or neck strain, this one may not be recommended.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – This is also a motion simulator ride with control panels where riders “pilot” the Falcon. It includes some tilting, shaking, and abrupt movements depending on how the pilot operates the ship. Even when flying smoothly, the ride has sudden lateral and vertical motions, which may not be safe for someone with concussion concerns.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – This is a trackless dark ride that uses clever visual effects and mild movements. There are no drops or spinning elements. The ride has some swaying and sudden scene changes to simulate motion, but physically it is gentle and generally safe for those avoiding jolts or jerks.

Summary Recommendations:

Safe/low-risk: Rise of the Resistance (small drops, smooth trackless ride) and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Potentially risky: Star Tours and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run due to jerky motions and spinning.

It’s always wise to check the official ride descriptions at Guest Services or on the Disney website, and ask Cast Members at the park—they can give guidance on which seats or ride choices minimize motion. Choosing middle seats on motion-based rides often reduces the intensity of the movement.

For your family member, Rise of the Resistance and Runaway Railway should be comfortable choices, while the simulators might best be skipped or only tried if a doctor has cleared them for mild motion.

Rides at Star Wars in Hollywood Studios

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