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?

Magic Kingdom Attractions: Experience the Thrilling Tron Lightcycle Run

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World is known for its immersive and innovative attractions that transport visitors into magical worlds. Among the many exhilarating rides, one of the most anticipated additions to the park is the Tron Lightcycle Run. Inspired by the iconic film franchise, Tron Lightcycle Run promises to take guests on an unforgettable journey filled with adrenaline-pumping excitement. Let’s delve into the details of this groundbreaking attraction.

Tron Lightcycle Run is a high-speed roller coaster situated in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park. It is based on Disney’s “Tron” films and brings the neon-lit world of the Grid to life. The ride’s centerpiece is its unique Lightcycles, futuristic two-wheeled vehicles that guests board for an electrifying adventure.

As riders embark on Tron Lightcycle Run, they are instantly immersed in the pulsating energy of the Grid. Accelerating rapidly, the Lightcycles zoom through darkened tunnels, with illuminated neon lights guiding the way. The cutting-edge technology behind the ride creates an illusion of speed and heightens the sensation of being part of the Tron universe.

The Tron Lightcycle Run experience is a perfect blend of storytelling, technology, and heart-pounding thrills. The ride’s innovative design incorporates synchronized audio and visuals, captivating riders with stunning landscapes and dynamic scenes from the Tron films. The intricate attention to detail in the attraction’s theming ensures a fully immersive experience from start to finish.

What sets Tron Lightcycle Run apart is its innovative ride system. As guests straddle their Lightcycles, they lean forward into a streamlined position, replicating the iconic pose of Tron characters. This unique riding posture adds an extra layer of realism and enhances the feeling of being part of the Grid’s futuristic world.

Tron Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World is a must-visit attraction for thrill-seekers and fans of the “Tron” films alike. From the moment riders board their Lightcycles to the exhilarating rush of the high-speed journey, this innovative roller coaster delivers an unforgettable adventure that will leave guests wanting more. With its cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling, Tron Lightcycle Run solidifies Disney’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of entertainment and providing guests with unparalleled experiences. So, get ready to buckle up, hold on tight, and embrace the thrilling ride of a lifetime!

Disney Announces Changes to Their Virtual Queue System

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

If you are a Disney fan who hasn’t been living under a rock, you know that tomorrow marks the grand opening of the new TRON attraction in Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World Resort. Early this morning at 7:00 a.m. ET, Guests visiting this Disney Park will wake themselves up to try and grab one of the coveted spots in the new roller coaster’s virtual queue. For the lucky few who get a place, be sure to know the changes to Disney’s virtual queue system before you head into Magic Kingdom.

For those who do not know, the virtual queue system is Disney’s way of managing the lines of popular rides and attractions. Instead of having it be a free-for-all with lines stretching a mile long, Disney has implemented a new system to help manage crowds. For very popular rides like TRON Lightcycle/Run, fans hoping to ride it on opening day will wake up early to try and secure a space in one of the ride’s “boarding groups.”

If you do manage to get into a boarding group for TRON, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, each Guest will only be allowed to enter the virtual queue once per day for this attraction. Disney explains that even if you are given a boarding group, you are not guaranteed to ride the attraction. Boarding groups will be called based on availability.

Disney also mentioned an important new change to their virtual queue policy. In the past, Walt Disney World has been lenient with Guests punctuality when they come to check in for their boarding groups. In the past, Guests have been given an hour of wiggle-room after their boarding group is called to make it to the ride. This is no longer the case.

Disney has announced that Guests must be at the attraction when their boarding group is called. If they are not there, no late arrivals will be accommodated. 

If you get a spot on the virtual queue for TRON, be ready to drop whatever you’re doing to be at the attraction in time. Walt Disney World is not messing around!

Disney Announces Soft Opening for TRON Lightcycle / Run

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Though the highly anticipated TRON Lightcycle / Run is set to officially open on April 4, 2023. Disney has announced a soft opening is in the works. 

Disney announced via Instagram that TRON Lightcycle / Run will have a soft opening from March 20-April 2, 2023.

No standby queue will be available. Guests can join the Virtual Queue at 7:00 am and 1:00 pm using the My Disney Experience app. No pricing has been released for the cost of the Individual Lightning Lane option.

Here are the full details on the Virtual Queue from the Walt Disney World website:

TRON Lightcycle / Run – Soft Opening

Between March 20 and April 2, 2023, Guests may have an early opportunity to launch into the Grid on TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise.

Guests will need to use the My Disney Experience app to enter this attraction. A standby queue will not be available. Each Guest can request to enter the virtual queue no more than once per day throughout regular park hours during the soft opening.

Guests must have valid admission and a theme park reservation to join the virtual queue. There will be two daily opportunities to request to join the virtual queue for TRON Lightcycle / Run:

  • 7:00 AM (Guests do not need to be in the park when they join, but must have a theme park reservation for Magic Kingdom park)
  • 1:00 PM (Guests must be in Magic Kingdom park to join the virtual queue)

Please be aware that a virtual queue will still be in place when TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise opens on April 4, 2023.

Disney Announces Replacement For ‘Stitch’ Attraction In Magic Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Resort is just a matter of weeks away from opening a massive new attraction in Tomorrowland.

Located in Magic Kingdom Park, Tomorrowland is already home to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, the Tomorrowland Speedway, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, and the Astro Orbiter. If that weren’t enough, TRON Ligthcycle / Run is already giving previews and the attraction will officially open on April 4, 2023 by virtual queue or Individual Lightning Lane purchase only.

As Disney continues to hype up the opening of the brand-new attraction, many Disney World Guests have wondered if anything might be going into the building that used to house Stitch’s Great Escape!

The Tomorrowland attraction officially closed in 2020, but had been “temporarily closed” long before that. On occasion, Disney World would reopen the attraction for a limited time, but it became apparent that the attraction was never going to be a permanent fixture again. Since its closure, many Disney Park fans have speculated on what could come to the building, but nothing has been announced yet.

Character meet and greets have been held in the building in the past, but recently, the building has been closed. Now, it seems we have an answer on what’s coming to the building next.

As TRON Lightcycle / Run opens, Disney will have a Pop-Up Stand of merchandise that the company shares is located “across from Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.”

Though the main merchandise section will be located in the Tomorrowland Launch Depot– the exit to both Space Mountain and TRON Lightcycle / Run– this pop-up shop will help maintain crowd control, and housing it in the building where Stitch’s Great Escape! once was located makes a lot of sense.

“There are generations of Guests now visiting Walt Disney World who grew up playing the TRON video games and imagining their bicycles were Lightcycles,” explained Taryn Johnson, Senior Manager for Brand Merchandising with Global Product Creation. “These collections have a dash of 1980s nostalgia mixed with incredibly fun items that continue the thrills of this new Tomorrowland attraction at home.”

It’s unclear how long this pop-up merchandise shop will be up, but it does give Disney fans an answer to a question they’ve wanted to know for quite some time. At least in the immediate future, there will not be a new attraction in Tomorrowland, other than TRON Lightcycle / Run.

Disney also has plans for plenty of other exclusive merchandise related to TRON, including personalized action figures.