Disney Dark Ride Named Best Theme Park Attraction of 2026
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has been named the Best Theme Park Attraction for the sixth consecutive year by Theme Park Insider.
If there's one theme park ride that even casual fans tend to name-drop, it's Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance. According to Theme Park Insider, it has once again claimed the title of Best Theme Park Attraction—and it's now done so for the sixth year in a row.
The massive, story-driven attraction, located inside Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at both Disneylandand Disney's Hollywood Studios, topped Theme Park Insider's annual reader-voted awards, continuing a streak that began in 2020. That was also the year Rise of the Resistance debuted and immediately won Best New Attraction.
This year, the competition came closer than ever. Universal Orlando's Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experimentearned Best New Attraction honors and finished just behind Rise in the overall rankings. As Theme Park Insider put it, Monsters Unchained delivered Rise's "closest battle yet for the top honor."
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Rise of the Resistance isn't just another dark ride, though. It blends multiple ride systems, massive physical sets, screen-based moments and a full cinematic narrative that drops guests directly into a conflict between the Resistance and the First Order. Even years after opening, it still feels more like stepping into a movie than boarding a traditional attraction.
The rest of the top rankings read like a greatest-hits list for theme park fans. Avatar–Flight of Passagerounded out the top three, while Universal Orlandoattractions Jurassic World VelociCoasterand The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Manlanded fourth and fifth, respectively—giving Universal three spots in the top five overall.
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Guests planning a visit should note that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistanceat Disneylandis scheduled to go down for refurbishment beginning January 20. Disney has not announced an end date for the closure, and, as with all refurbishments, the timeline is subject to change. Travelers hoping to experience the attraction may want to plan accordingly, especially since Rise of the Resistance remains one of the park's most popular and in-demand rides.
Theme Park Insider's awards are entirely reader-driven, based on annual surveys of park fans, which makes Rise's continued dominance especially telling. New rides may come closer each year, but for now, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance remains the attraction everyone else is still trying to top.
Related: USA TODAY's 10 Best New Theme Park Attractions of 2026 Include a Surprise No. 1 Pick
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This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
