In this post we give an overview of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, a thrill ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Walt Disney World. We cover the basics of the ride, how to ride it, and our thoughts on the experience before closing with an FAQ. Read on to learn more!

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Basics

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a thrill ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. The ride

has a height requirement of 38 in / 97 cm
offers rider switch
has a Lightning Lane that is a part of Genie+
has a single rider line
is a part of Early Entry at Hollywood Studios
is about 7 minutes long

Disney warns that persons not in good health and expectant mothers should not ride. You’ll also want to think twice if you’re prone to motion sickness or claustrophobia.

Where is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run located?

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is located in the Galaxy’s Edge land of Hollywood Studios, all the way in the back of the park.

To get to it, you’ll enter the park and head straight to the hub (where the Chinese Theater with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is). From there, you can head either left, past Star Tours and then into Galaxy’s Edge, or right, through Toy Story Land and into Galaxy’s Edge. Once inside Galaxy’s Edge, walk until you spot the Millennium Falcon spaceship.

How to Ride Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has a Lightning Lane that is part of Genie+. It’s a good second priority, after Slinky Dog Dash. The ride is one of the most popular in the park, so getting there early is a good option if you don’t have Genie+.

We don’t recommend it be your very first ride if you have Early Entry because it is so far in the back of the park. It’s a long walk and isn’t close to any of the rides that are good second option in the park.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run also has a single rider line, and I’ve found it to be one of the more efficient single rider lines in the park. If you use the single rider line, you’ll be able to choose between two staircases at one point—go up each and pick the shorter one.

The single rider line has two downsides—you’ll miss the pre-show (not a huge loss in my opinion) and you’ll almost always have the engineer role. If you don’t use the single rider line, there’s still a chance you’ll be engineer. Some people don’t like engineer because rather than flying the ship (pilots) they’re pushing buttons. Unlike the buttons of the gunners, the engineering buttons require you to occasionally look to the side to see which to hit when.

If you’re visiting Hollywood Studios with small children, you’ll need to mind the 38 inch height requirement. If you have to use rider switch, Alien Swirling Saucers (32 in requirement) and Toy Story Mania (no height requirement) aren’t too far. Alternatively, your little ones might just enjoy the shops and food in Galaxy’s Edge.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Ride Experience

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a simulator ride that puts a six-person team in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon spaceship. Two pilots steer the ship (actually), two gunners hit buttons to protect to ship, and two engineers hit buttons to repair the ship.

As discussed a bit in the single rider section above, generally the pilot is the favored role and the engineer the disfavored role. Gunner isn’t much better engineer, but you’re a row closer and basically only hit the same few buttons the whole time, while engineers have to keep looking at their panel to see which buttons to hit.

Personally, I find piloting fun but stressful. From either of the other two roles, I can mostly just enjoy the ride, even if I have to occasionally look away from the screen. When I ride as a pilot, I sort of ignore everything that’s going on to focus simply on not crashing.

The ride is about 7 minutes long.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run FAQ

Is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Scary?

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is an intense simulator ride, but it isn’t scary.

Does Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run have drops?

This isn’t a coaster so it doesn’t have traditional drops. There are some simulated drop moments though, but nothing too intense.

All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered

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Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.

When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!

Don't forget to master your Disney World Genie+ and Lightning Lane strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Epcot Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Animal Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and Hollywood Studios Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.

Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.

Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.

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