Disney World Drops Virtual Queue Program for Select Guests

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Resort has announced that it’s putting an end to a virtual queue program.

Walt Disney World Resort, located in Orlando, Florida, is renowned for providing visitors with unforgettable experiences. One of the strategies Disney has employed to enhance guest satisfaction and manage crowd flow is the introduction of the Virtual Queue System. This innovative solution allows park-goers to secure access to some of the most popular attractions, minimizing wait times and maximizing the magic of their Disney experience.

Disney World is home to four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Each Disney park includes different attractions, parades, character meet and greets, and much more.

With Disney World being such a popular tourist location, guests from all over the world come to experience the wonder of Disney and this can cause line queues to be long and areas to become crowded. One of the ways that guests can “beat the line” is by purchasing Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane.

Guests can purchase Genie + to help lower their wait time by going through the Lightning Lane entry. Genie + prices are no longer at a fixed rate but can vary from day to day. This means that guests may not have a clear idea of how much they need to budget in order to have the opportunity to bypass the standby queue. While this may not be a concern for some rides, Walt Disney World Resort has introduced numerous new attractions recently, making Genie+, and Lightning Lane a valuable resource, especially for families with limited time to explore the park.

Genie+ and Anger from Pixar Inside Out

Lightning Lane allows guests to purchase a certain attraction for a certain time. Guests use Lighting Lane for attractions such as TRON LightCycle/Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind due to the amount of guests wanting to experience this attraction.

Disney World’s Virtual Queue System is a high-tech, time-saving tool that’s designed to minimize the time guests spend waiting in line for some of the most popular attractions and shows in the park. It’s a part of Disney’s ongoing effort to enhance the overall guest experience and reduce the stress associated with waiting in long queues.

So far, Disney’s newest attractions use the virtual queue system, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and TRON Lightcycle / Run, which allows guests to get a boarding pass number that tells them when it is their time to join the line. The virtual queue lines are to help the lines not get backed up and allow more guests to know when it is their turn.

cosmic rewind entrance (left), TRON lightcycle run attraction (right)

It has now been reported that TRON Lightcycle / Run will have massive changes soon. TRON Lightcycle/Run will soon discontinue its virtual queue system in early 2024. This change is part of the newly introduced ticketed events at Walt Disney World. Disney is reintroducing its After Hours event, available at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney Guests may get excited for the news of the Virtual Queue system for TRON Lightcycle/Run being phased out in the near future due to no longer hoping to get a boarding pass. However, for the time being, guests will still need to use the MyDisneyExperience app to secure their reservations or to purchase a Lighting Lane. Please keep in mind that this does not affect regular hours, in which TRON Lightcycle / Run will still operate with a virtual queue, at least for now.

After hours hollywood studios

These After Hour Events are available for purchase with a separate park ticket, which allows guests to come into the parks after it has closed to the public. These events are created for fewer guests to be inside the parks which allows guests to experience more attractions and less wait times.

The Disney After Hours event is scheduled between January 11 and April 8, 2024. Disney may add dates, and prices may change. Below are the event dates and prices:

  • Thursday, January 11 – $155 for all guests, with a discounted price of $125 for Passholders/DVC members
  • Monday, January 15 – $165 for all guests, with a discounted price of $135 for Passholders/DVC members.
  • Monday, January 22 – $165 for all guests, with a discounted price of $135 for Passholders/DVC members.
  • Thursday, February 1 – $165 for all guests, with a discounted price of $135 for Passholders/DVC members.
  • Monday, February 5 – $165 for all guests, with a discounted price of $135 for Passholders/DVC members.
  • Monday, February 12 – $175 for all guests, with a discounted price of $145 for Passholders/DVC members.
  • Thursday, February 29 – $175 for all guests, with a discounted price of $145 for Passholders/DVC members.
  • Monday, March 4 – $175 for all guests, with a discounted price of $145 for Passholders/DVC members.
  • Monday, March 18 – $175 for all guests, with a discounted price of $145 for Passholders/DVC members.
  • Monday, April 8 – $175 for all guests, with a discounted price of $145 for Passholders/DVC members.

Are you excited for the changes coming to TRON Lightcycle/Run?

Disney Cruise Line Offers Even More Fun in the Sun in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico in Early 2025

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

In early 2025, Disney Cruise Line will feature new and fan-favorite itineraries, bringing guests more options for fun in the sun from four home ports in the United States. From voyages that stop at one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations in The Bahamas, to the Disney Treasure’s inaugural season of seven-night voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, to a tropical sailing to Hawaii or the South Pacific aboard the Disney Wonder, early 2025 will provide a myriad of adventures aboard Disney Cruise Line’s six ships.

Bookings open to the public on Nov. 6, 2023. Clients that are Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club and select other affinity groups may take advantage of the following extended early booking windows:

  • Pearl Castaway Club Members: Monday, Oct. 30, 2023
  • Platinum Castaway Club Members, Golden Oak and Club 33 Members: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023
  • Gold Castaway Club Members: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
  • Silver Castaway Club Members, Disney Vacation Club and Adventure Insiders: Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023
  • Bookings open to all Guests: Monday, Nov. 6, 2023

Delight in Disney’s Island Destinations

In early 2025, the Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Dream and Disney Magic will all offer an assortment of three- to five-night getaways from Florida to Disney Cruise Line’s Bahamian destinations – the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and the beloved Disney Castaway Cay. The Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish will set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, while the Disney Dream and Disney Magic will voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Aboard all four ships, guests will have the opportunity to experience one of the Disney island destinations, with each ship also offering at least one special itinerary that will sail to both Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay.

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney’s celebration of The Bahamas and its newest, one-of-a-kind island retreat located on the island of Eleuthera, will welcome families with breathtaking natural beauty combined with the magic of Bahamian storytelling and artistry. Purposefully designed to be a unique fusion of Bahamian culture and Disney experiences, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point will feature Bahamian art and music paired with signature Disney entertainment, sweeping architecture inspired by Bahamian natural wonders brought to life by Disney Imagineers and opportunities to explore Eleuthera through unique port adventures.

Meanwhile Disney Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in The Bahamas, will continue to provide guests of all ages with relaxation and adventure amidst its turquoise waters and lush landscapes. The whimsical tropical hideaway provides a hassle-free experience for a fun and relaxing beach day coupled with a picture-perfect setting with distinctly Disney touches.

The Disney Treasure’s Inaugural Season

Following its maiden voyage on Dec. 21, 2024, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, will embark on an inaugural season of seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral. Eastern Caribbean sailings will take families to the beautiful island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Disney Castaway Cay and either San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas, while Western Caribbean sailings will bring families to destinations such as Falmouth in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. The week-long voyages will offer at least two days at sea, giving families more time to enjoy the unique spaces, immersive dining and world-class entertainment onboard the Disney Treasure.

Pacific Voyages Aboard the Disney Wonder

The Disney Wonder will conclude its second season in Australia and New Zealand in early 2025 with a special 15-night South Pacific cruise from Sydney, Australia, to Honolulu, Hawaii. Its return to North America will feature two more special sailings: a nine-night Hawaiian Island cruise from Honolulu to Vancouver, Canada in late February, followed by a five-night cruise from Vancouver to San Diego, California, in early March. From San Diego, the Disney Wonder will take guests on three- to seven-night adventures to the Mexican Riviera or the Baja Peninsula.

Adventures from Texas on the Disney Magic

Before homeporting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Disney Magic will also offer the opportunity to visit Mexico on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. For the first three months of 2025, the Disney Magic will sail to Progreso and Cozumel in Mexico and Grand Cayman from Galveston, Texas. In April, the ship will set sail on a special seven-night cruise from the Lone Star State to San Juan, Puerto Rico that will stop at both of Disney’s island destinations, before returning to the Sunshine State  for a series of three- to four-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale, followed by four- and five-night sailings from Port Canaveral to Nassau and at least one of Disney’s island destinations in The Bahamas.

For more details, including itinerary and booking information, click here. 

Disney Skyliner to Close for Routine Maintenance in January

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

To help our Guests prepare for their visits early next year, we’re sharing that Disney Skyliner will be closed for routine maintenance in January 2024. Please see more information below:

  • Jan. 16-21
    • The line between Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be closed.
    • The line between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be closed.
  • Jan. 16-27
    • The line between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort and International Gateway at EPCOT will be closed.

Bus transportation will be available at all Disney Skyliner Resorts throughout the planned closure so Guests can reach their desired destinations across Walt Disney World.

New Adventureland Treehouse Opening in Disneyland Nov. 10, 2023

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Calling all explorers! We know every has been eagerly waiting to once again climb into the treetops high above Adventureland in Disneyland Park, so we’re excited to share that Adventureland Treehouse inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson will open on Nov. 10, 2023, at Disneyland Resort. Keep reading for new storyline details from our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering and a new piece of artwork coming to the treehouse!

As previously announced, Adventureland Treehouse will pay tribute to the original treehouse Walt Disney and his Imagineers built in 1962 in honor of the movie “Swiss Family Robinson.” With the new Adventureland Treehouse, we’re excited to introduce a fresh story for the next generation of park goers to experience and enjoy.

Among the tree’s massive boughs, find the mother’s music den, the sons’ nature room and the daughter’s astronomer’s loft. Firm on the ground will be a kitchen and dining room, plus the father’s art studio that will display hand-drawn sketches and paintings of each room.

As the story goes, the family fashioned an oasis among the trees inspired by nature and using objects found around them. Here, they can collaborate together while also pursuing their own individual skills, talents, passions and interests.

Proud of what they’ve accomplished and eager to share their way of life with visitors from around the world, the family has rolled out the metaphorical welcome mat, inviting guests to climb up the stone stairway and explore their treetop abode.

Adjacent to the stairwell is the home’s iconic waterwheel, which is powered by a small brook that babbles nearby. The family created a pulley system to deliver water from the stream high up into the tree, generating the energy needed to activate many of their gadgets and inventions.

Nestled in the highest part of the home, find the daughter’s room, as she has illustrated it here in her own abstract style. An admirer of celestial bodies and their magnitudes, motions and magic, her room provides a clear view of the beautiful night sky. It is here where she spends her time tracking stars, planets and comets with her many telescopes, no doubt making new discoveries which she logs in her notebooks, sketches and artistic recreations.

In the mother’s room, find musical instruments including a harp, lute, guitar and organ, which she plays to fill the home with cheerful melodies. The twin brothers have packed their room with an impossibly large collection of plants and animals, all living in harmony with one another. Filled with gadgets, appliances and devices of his own invention, the father’s studio reflects the whole family’s affinity for exploring the unknown and designing the unimaginable.

We look forward to welcoming visitors back to this walk-through attraction in the trees very soon!

Both Theme Park reservations and valid admission for the same Park on the same day are required for Park entry.

U.S. Military Members Can Take Advantage of Great Rates at Select Disney Resort Hotels, Enjoy Disney Military Salute Tickets in 2024

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Members of the U.S. military can enjoy great rates at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for stays most nights January 1, 2024 through December 20, 2024.

2024 Military Promotional Resort Room Only reservations are available for travel professionals to book for eligible clients. Visit the Offers page for more details on this offer.

4-Day, 5-Day and 6-Day Disney Military Salute Tickets are available for eligible Guests to purchase at U.S. Military Bases, Shades of Green and Walt Disney World Resort theme park windows. 4-Day, 5-Day and 6-Day Disney Military Salute Tickets may not be used on the following blockout dates: March 24-April 6, 2024 and November 24-30, 2024. Separate theme park admission and reservation are required to enjoy the parks. For more information, click here.