In general, later in the day is better than the first half, with posted wait times typically bottoming out about 2 hours before park closing. There are a couple of things you need to be aware of here, however. First, posted wait times typically don't drop much after 6 pm.

The best time to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland (or Hollywood Studios) is typically during the first 30 minutes of park opening or during the final hour before the park closes. If you are among the "Rope Drop" crowd, you should head straight to Galaxy's Edge the moment the gates open; however, be aware that thousands of others will have the same idea. Another highly effective "low-wait" window is during the main night-time fireworks or "Fantasmic!" shows, as many families leave the ride queues to watch the entertainment. In 2026, the ride still frequently experiences technical downtime, so monitoring the Disneyland app for "temporary closures" is vital. If the ride has been closed for an hour and suddenly reopens, that is the absolute best time to run there before the line builds back up. For those who want to avoid the stress of timing, purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane entry is the only way to guarantee a short wait, but these often sell out within minutes of being released in the morning. If you are waiting in the standby line, aim for a time when the posted wait is under 60 minutes, which is usually found in the late evening.