How to Get the Pilot Seat on Smugglers Run (And Why It Matters)
Published August 31, 2026 · Updated October 12, 2026
Walking into the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon is one of the best reveals in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But once you sit down, your actual experience on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run depends heavily on which of the three roles you are assigned: Pilot, Gunner, or Engineer.
If you let the system assign you randomly, you have a two-in-six chance of flying the ship. For most guests, that isn’t enough of a guarantee. Here is why the Pilot seat is the one you actually want, and the exact strategy to get it.
Why the Pilot Seat is the Best Role
The cockpit holds six people in three rows. The Pilots sit up front, Gunners in the middle, and Engineers in the back.
The Pilot seat is the best role for two reasons: control and visibility. As a Pilot, you are actually flying the ship. The Left Pilot steers left and right; the Right Pilot steers up and down and gets to pull the lever to make the jump to lightspeed.
More importantly, Pilots are the only ones with a completely unobstructed view of the screen. Gunners and Engineers sit further back, meaning they have to look past the Pilots’ heads to see the action. Plus, the buttons for Gunners and Engineers are located on the side walls. To do your job in those rows, you have to constantly look away from the front window to hit flashing buttons, which pulls you out of the experience.
If it is your first time riding, or you are prone to motion sickness and need to look straight ahead, Pilot is the role you want.
How to Request the Pilot Seat
You do not have to leave your role up to chance. You can request the Pilot seat, but you have to do it at the exact right moment.
Before you enter the main holding area (the room with the Dejarik chess board), a Cast Member will ask how many people are in your party, assign you to a color group, and hand you physical cards with your roles.
This is your window. Before they hand you the cards, politely ask: “We don’t mind waiting. Is it possible for us to wait for the Pilot seats?”
Most of the time, the Cast Member will happily accommodate this. They will usually ask you to stand to the side while they fill the current groups, and then assign you as the Pilots for the next available cockpit. This typically adds about 5 to 10 minutes to your wait time.
The Single Rider Trap
Smugglers Run offers a Single Rider line, which is a great way to save time if the standby wait is long. But if you want to be a Pilot, you should never use it.
The Single Rider line exists strictly to fill empty seats in parties of odd numbers. Because the Cast Members always assign the roles front-to-back—Pilots first, Gunners second, Engineers last—the empty seats are almost always in the back row. If you ride Single Rider, you are virtually guaranteed to be an Engineer.
If you want to fly the Falcon, you need to use the standby line or book a Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
The Smart Move for Hollywood Studios Evenings
Since asking for the Pilot seat adds a few minutes to your wait, it is easiest to do when the overall line is shorter. Smugglers Run wait times typically drop in the late evening as crowds shift toward Fantasmic!.
However, if you are closing out the park in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you need to factor in your transportation. In Disney World, timing is everything. If you rely on the Disney Skyliner to get back to your resort, leaving right at park close means you will hit a massive line for the gondolas.
To avoid a frustrating wait at the end of the night, time your exit smartly. If Hollywood Studios closes at 9:00 PM, aim to finish your Smugglers Run mission and head for the Skyliner station by 8:15 PM. You will beat the mass exodus and walk right onto the Skyliner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you request a specific role on Smugglers Run?
Yes, you can request a specific role by asking the Cast Member who assigns the boarding cards, though you may need to wait an extra 5 to 10 minutes for the next available cockpit.
Which Pilot seat pulls the lightspeed lever?
The Right Pilot is responsible for steering up and down and pulling the lever to jump to lightspeed, while the Left Pilot steers left and right.
Will I get Pilot if I use the Single Rider line?
No, the Single Rider line is used to fill empty seats in the back of the cockpit, meaning you will almost always be assigned the Engineer role.
Is Smugglers Run included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass?
Yes, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction, which allows you to bypass the standby line and still request the Pilot seat when you reach the merge point.
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