This article is the complete guide to the Disney virtual queue system 2025! Disney’s newest ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at the Magic Kingdom, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT are currently the only attractions to run on a virtual queue system (TRON Lightcycle / Run is now a standby line, as of Sept. 9, 2024, former Disney virtual queue ride.) This means that guests must use the Disney World virtual queue system if they hope to ride either of these rides.
We will cover this again later in our post, so read on for the complete guide on the virtual queue at Disney World!
Disney’s virtual queue system is Disney’s way of making sure guests don’t have to wait in line, instead, save your spot in line and return to ride! The virtual queue at Disney World allows guests to request to join the line for an attraction later in the day, which will enable them to enjoy other rides and attractions while they wait. Shorter waits and getting to go on other attractions? The virtual queue is perfect for the more popular attractions in the Disney parks.
By using the My Disney Experience app, guests can join a virtual queue and receive a boarding group number. Once your boarding group is called, you’ll get a notification on your app, letting you know it’s time to head to the attraction. This way, you can enjoy other rides, shows, and experiences while waiting for your turn.
Whenever there is a Disney virtual queue in place for a ride, guests must utilize this system to enjoy the attraction. To ride an attraction using the Virtual Queue system, you must receive a boarding group number and wait for it to be called.
All of this can easily be done through the My Disney Experience App! Disney World virtual queue placements are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis at 7:00 AM each day. And they do run out quickly! You can also track your place in the line while enjoying other park attractions while waiting for your group to be called. Disney uses virtual queues for the newest and most popular Disney World attractions. So, if you are worried about grabbing a WDW virtual queue, we recommend visiting during the off-peak time of year.
An additional opportunity to join the virtual queue will be available at 6:00 PM during extended evening theme park hours – a benefit for guests staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Deluxe Villa Resort, or other select hotels. Guests do not need to be in the park to join the queue. Extended evening hours are only available on select nights for deluxe resort guests, so be sure to check the My Disney Experience App for updated park hours during your visit.
Currently, two virtual queue attractions are using the virtual queue system. They are Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind over at EPCOT and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park use virtual queues that can be accessed in the My Disney Experience app. Both of these rides are some of the newest and two of the most popular attractions in Walt Disney World. This is why we highly recommend being familiar with how the virtual queue system works if you plan to ride them. Both of these rides are also part of the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass rides which can be purchased via the My Disney Experience App.
Important News: As of September 9th, 2024, Tron Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom has been removed from the virtue queue system!
If you want to ride either of the popular Disney virtual queue rides twice, or even not have to worry about competing for a boarding group and just picking your time – you should purchase Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure can be chosen on the MultiPass where Guardians of the Galaxy is a different kind of Lightning Lane, which is the single use lightning lane.
Guests can purchase a la carte options to ride these attractions once per day and skip the line! The Lightning Lane multipass will allow guests to have one virtual queue ride and one purchased pass for the Lightning Lane of that attraction.
The virtual queue will always be free for guests to use, but if you want to buy your spot, make sure to check out how to use the Light Lane Multipass.
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The first step to using the Disney virtual queue is to download and sign up for the My Disney Experience App. Next, at either 7:00 AM or 1:00 PM, open the app and select “Virtual Queues” on the left side of the home screen. However, we recommend opening the app and start refreshing the Virtual Queues page 5 minutes before the release time. As long as the virtual queue page is open, it will say, “Join the virtual queue”. It’s important to note that it’s essential to time these steps correctly, as the Disney World virtual queue will run out for both of the distribution times.
If you are not a morning bird, one of our favorite ways to use the Disney World virtual queue is during Disney Deluxe Resort after hours. From our experience, it is significantly easier to use the Disney Virtual queue during this time, and it gives you a greater chance of grabbing a spot.
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The first step to make sure you get onto your Disney World virtual queue ride is to purchase your Walt Disney World tickets. The reason is all guests must produce a valid theme park reservation for the theme park you are trying to make a valid Disney virtual queue reservation.
After your tickets are purchased, connect them to your My Disney Experience account. Make sure to also connect everyone’s ticket in your party to your account who will want to experience the attraction! If you don’t, everyone will need to try to get their boarding group and risk riding separately or not at all! For kids and small children, you will add them as guests on your account.
A few minutes before the virtual Disney queues are released, open the Disney World app and select each person who wants to experience the attraction. We recommend opening the app 5-10 min before the queues are released so that you don’t spend time loading the app in the precious seconds after they’re available.
The last and final step to joining a Disney virtual queue is to refresh the page within the app by pulling down on your screen about 30 seconds before the queues are released. This way, at exactly the time when the virtual queue spots are released, you will be promoted to join. Once you see “Join Boarding Group,” tap that button, and you will hopefully be part of the lucky group that is selected!
Lightning Lanes work alongside the virtual queue system, providing a fast-pass option to skip long lines for attractions, which is crucial for planning and securing rides efficiently.
If you don’t get a boarding group at 7am for the virtual queue, try again! You’ll have a second chance at 1PM for another boarding group, but be ready, because that will be your last chance! If you still don’t get a boarding group at the 1PM drop, you’ll have to purchase Lightning Lane Multipass or Single Lightning Lane to ride these popular rides.
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Now that you have been selected, what happens next? If you have successfully joined a Disney virtual queue, you will receive a boarding group number. Once Disney is ready for your boarding group to go and enter the attraction, they will notify you on your Disney World App. At that point, you will have an hour to go and scan in using the barcode generated on the My Disney Experience app.
The app will have an estimation of when your return window is with a group number at the top. You’ll be able to watch all day as the group numbers get called to see when you’re going to get called.
Disney World guests have one hour to return to the standby line after their Disney virtual queue number is called. That boarding group window opens from the moment you get your text on your device that its time to ride. It’s important to remember that you have to check in and scan your ticket, mobile device, or magic band as you enter the virtual queue line, so be sure to have them out to speed up the process.
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Disney’s virtual queue system is designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring that all guests, including those with disabilities, can enjoy the magic of the parks. Guests with disabilities can utilize the Disability Access Service (DAS) to reserve a return time for attractions that use the virtual queue system, providing a more accommodating experience. For those who might miss out on joining a virtual queue, there are alternatives like the Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass. These passes allow you to bypass the virtual queue and secure a specific return time for popular attractions, ensuring you don’t miss out on the fun.
One of the main advantages is the reduction in wait times for popular attractions, allowing you to explore and enjoy other parts of the park while you wait. This system also helps manage crowd levels and provides a more relaxed experience. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Virtual queue availability is limited, and securing a spot can be competitive. Additionally, the uncertainty of return times and potential technical issues can be frustrating for some guests. Despite these challenges, the virtual queue system aims to improve the overall guest experience, though it may not be perfect for everyone.
If you plan to park hop during your Disney World trip, it’s essential to understand how the virtual queue system affects your plans. You can join a virtual queue for an attraction in one park and then hop to another park, but you must return to the original park to ride the attraction. This requires careful planning and awareness of virtual queue availability. We recommend frequently checking the My Disney Experience app to monitor virtual queue times and plan your park hopping schedule accordingly. This way, you can maximize your time and enjoy multiple parks without missing out on your favorite attractions.
During special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the virtual queue system may be implemented for certain attractions. If you’re attending these events, it’s crucial to be aware of the virtual queue system and plan your evening around it. The virtual queue system might also be used for other special events and experiences, such as character meet and greets or runDisney events. Always check the My Disney Experience app for the latest virtual queue availability and plan your event schedule to ensure you make the most of these magical experiences.
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From our experience, we believe it makes for a better guest experience in many situations. The virtual queue system has eliminated waiting in hours-long lines for new attractions. For example, the longest we have waited for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic rewind has been around 35 minutes once our boarding group has been called. As opposed to the 3+ hour wait we experienced when attractions like Rise of the Resistance first opened! Another reason we love the virtual queue is that it’s a free feature! Which we believe is very rare nowadays, especially when considering the prices of the Disney World Lightning Lane Multi-Passes.
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A: Unfortunately no, you can only join the virtual queue for a specific ride once per day. So if you get assigned a boarding group for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at 7:00 AM, you can’t try for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure again at 1:00 PM. But you can try to get one for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind if you park-hop to EPCOT and enter the park before they are released.
A: Yes and No! For the 7 AM queue, do not have to be in the park (because the parks aren’t open yet!). For this release time, you can join from anywhere. However, for the 1 PM queue, you must be inside the park of the attraction you wish to obtain a boarding group for.
A: While park Wi-Fi is available, we recommend using your cellular data when trying to get a boarding group. You will have a much faster connection to the app and therefore have a better chance at joining the queue faster. Another tip is to find a spot where you can be away from other people, preferably outdoors. Being in big groups or crowded areas will disperse data signal and could make your phone load the option to join slower.
Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a Disney World Travel Agent for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a Free Quote for all Disney World Vacation Packages. The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your Walt Disney World Tickets, and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets. If you’re brand new to Disney vacation planning we recommend our Walt Disney World Planning Page! Learn more about Disney hotels by reading our Walt Disney World Hotels Review page.
Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today, as well!