What is a Disney World Virtual Queue? | Disney FAQ

A Disney World virtual queue is a system designed to manage the flow of guests at certain high-demand attractions within the park, providing an alternative to the traditional physical standby lines. With this virtual system, visitors can reserve access to an attraction through the Disney World app or website, and then return to the attraction at a specified time to enjoy the experience with minimal wait.

Understanding the Virtual Queue System

The virtual queue system works similarly to a Lightning Lane (or Fastpass+ prior), but allows guests to essentially “hold their place” in line without physically waiting in the queue. This system is particularly beneficial for new or popular rides or special offerings that can have exceedingly long wait times. Once a guest has joined a virtual queue, they can use their time to enjoy other areas of the park, eat, shop, or rest, until it’s their turn to return to the ride.

What Disney World Rides and Attractions have Virtual Queues?

Currently, there are two rides at Disney World utilizing the virtual queue system:

• Tron Lightcycle Run in the Magic Kingdom
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Epcot

Image credit Disney Parks

Since virtual queues at Disney World began in late 2019, a number of rides, attractions and special events have utilized the virtual queue platform including:

• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT
• Gideon’s Bakery in Disney Springs
• Santa Claus in Disney Springs
• Special limited merch drops in the parks

How to Use the Disney World Virtual Queue

To use the virtual queue, guests must first have valid park admission and a reservation for park entry through the Disney Park Pass system. Here’s a step-by-step process:

1. Download the App: Guests must download the My Disney Experience mobile app, which is the primary platform for managing your visit to Disney World, including dining reservations, mobile ordering, and virtual queues.
2. Create an Account: If you don’t already have one, create a Disney account and link your park admission to it.
3. Join the Queue: If the virtual queue is open, you can join it through the app. You’ll be given a return time window to come back to the attraction.
   • 1st booking window: Guests with the appropriate park reservation can request to join an attraction virtual queue at 7 AM on the day they are visiting the park. Be aware that virtual queues tend to book up within a minute or two, so be sure to be on the app a bit prior to 7am to be sure you have the best shot of getting a spot in the queue.
   • 2nd booking window: A second virtual queue window opens at 1:00 PM. To be eligible for these, you must be inside the theme park where the virtual queue will be used. Again, these go quick, so be sure to be on time at 1pm.
4. Enjoy the Park: In the meantime, you’re free to enjoy other experiences around the park.
5. Return at Your Time: Once your group is called, you’ll have a specific time window to return to the ride and join a much shorter physical line to experience the attraction.

Benefits of the Virtual Queue

The virtual queue system offers several benefits:

• Time Management: It allows guests to better manage their time in the park, avoiding long periods of standing in lines.
• Flexibility: Guests can enjoy other park amenities and attractions while waiting for their turn.
• Convenience: The system is managed entirely through the mobile app, negating the need to physically check ride wait times.
• Experience Enhancement: It can significantly enhance the guest experience, reducing the stress and physical toll of waiting in long lines.

Limitations and Considerations

However, the virtual queue system also has some limitations:

• Limited Availability: Not all attractions offer virtual queues, and those that do have limited spots that can fill up quickly, sometimes within minutes or even seconds, especially for very popular attractions.
• Learning Curve: First-time users may need to familiarize themselves with the app and system, which could be intimidating for some guests.
• Technology Dependence: The system requires a smartphone and a stable internet connection, which could be challenging for guests with limited access to technology or those experiencing connectivity issues.

Wrapping Up

The Disney World virtual queue is an innovative solution to the age-old problem of long lines at theme parks. It’s certainly not a perfect solution, but it exemplifies Disney’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve guest experience. As the system evolves and expands, it will likely become an integral part of the Disney World experience, making the magic of Disney more accessible and enjoyable for all guests.