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 to Drop Virtual Queue for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Since its opening in October 2021, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has utilized a Virtual Queue. Any guests wishing to ride the attraction needed to join the virtual queue or purchase access to the Lightning Lane. Beginning soon, the traditional standby line will open for guests.

The newest attraction at EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, had its delicious debut just in time for The World’s Most Magical Celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort! Since the attraction opened on Oct. 1, 2021, scores of EPCOT guests have joined Remy in a visit to Gusteau’s bustling kitchen using the virtual queue, which we introduced as part of the exciting launch.

Now, guests may experience this incredible attraction using a standby queue instead of a virtual queue beginning Jan. 10, 2022. With this change, we will end the use of virtual queue for now for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Guests also have the opportunity to purchase access to a Lightning Lane queue at this attraction.

Virtual queues continue to be helpful with the launch of popular attractions and the debut of new experiences and offerings, so we may use it again from time to time for select attractions in the future.

Be sure to take advantage of the complimentary Disney Genie service, helping guests create their best Disney day. Built right into the My Disney Experience app, Disney Genie does the planning for our guests—with a personalized itinerary feature and all of their favorites displayed instantly with real-time tips and predictions. Guests may also purchase next available Lightning Lane entry at select attractions with Disney Genie + service or by purchasing access to Lightning Lane entry at select individual attractions for added flexibility. *

Whether you’ve visited Gusteau’s kitchen before or not, I can’t wait to see you at EPCOT — “bienvenue” to you!

*Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances that are Disney Genie+ and individual purchases are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, are not guaranteed and may not be available at all on the date of visit or at the time you make a selection.

Virtual Queue for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Begins Oct. 1

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

When we say “bonjour!” to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure on Oct. 1, in order to experience the attraction, Guests will be required to join the virtual queue. Here’s how our Guests will use the virtual queue to experience Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: 

  • Guests with a valid ticket or pass and theme park reservation who will start their day at EPCOT can access the virtual queue system via the My Disney Experience app and check for an available boarding group starting at 7 a.m. on the day of their park reservation. This can be done before Guests arrive at the theme park.
  • If Guests are unable to join the morning virtual queue opportunity, they may check for an available boarding group starting at 1 p.m. after they have entered the park. Keep in mind, Guests must be at EPCOT to access this second virtual queue opportunity, and access to a boarding group is subject to availability and not guaranteed.

Tips for getting into the virtual queue

By the day prior to their visit, Guests should make sure to have done the following:

  • Have an account in My Disney Experience
  • Download the My Disney Experience mobile app on their smart device or ensure they have the most updated version of the app before arriving at the park
  • Link their tickets to their My Disney Experience account 
  • Have a valid Disney Park Pass reservation for EPCOT for the day

Virtual queue is only accessible via the My Disney Experience mobile app.

Please keep in mind, only one Guest per traveling party should attempt to enroll in virtual queue. Multiple Guests and devices attempting to enroll the same party could complicate securing a boarding group. As a reminder, in order to be eligible for the 1 p.m. virtual queue enrollment, all Guests in a party must already be inside EPCOT.

Guests who need additional help joining the virtual queue for the 1 p.m. enrollment time should seek out a Guest Relations or Guest Experience Team Cast Member at EPCOT.

Disney Announces Big Change to Rise of Resistance

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Since its debut, Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been one of the most popular attractions Disney has ever developed with demand significantly exceeding ride capacity. The demand has been so high that Disney employed a virtual queue to manage the flow of guests through the attractions. Today Disney announced upcoming changes that every guest should be aware of.

From Disney:

From bright suns to rising moons, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge continues to call travelers to the magic of Batuu, especially with the excitement of Walt Disney World Resort’s 18-month anniversary celebration getting closer and closer. As we ramp up to The World’s Most Magical Celebration honoring our 50th anniversary, we’re continuing to enhance experiences thanks to the feedback from our Guests.

We know our Guests love choice and flexibility when planning their time in a theme park—which is why, starting September 23, we will pause the use of virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios may experience this incredible attraction using a traditional standby queue for the first time since it opened in 2019.

Virtual queues continue to be helpful with attraction access, merchandise launches, grand openings and more, and Guests should continue to check the My Disney Experience app for the latest on how we’re using virtual queues across Walt Disney World Resort including its potential use at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at a later date, or from time to time.

In addition to virtual queues, we’ve been investing a lot into the Guest experience in other ways, including exciting new attractions on the horizon like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opening soon at EPCOT, and coming this fall, the new Disney Genie complimentary and convenient digital planning service designed to create your best Disney Day.

So, are you ready to rise up with the Resistance like never before? Whether it’s their first time visitng the Black Spire Outpost or their 50th, we can’t wait to welcome our Guests on their next trip to a galaxy far, far away.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Will Have Two Queue Distribution Times

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

It was recently announced that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure would not have a standby line when opening. Like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, it will have a virtual queue which also means that Guests will not be able to ride more than once a day. The virtual queue has been a good system for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, although some Guests complain that it can be hard to grab a boarding pass. It looks like the system will be very similar, and by going on the My Disney Experience App at 7 a.m. you can grab a spot. Any available spots will be available at 1 p.m. You will be required to have a valid Park ticket and a Park reservation to be eligible to grab a boarding pass.

Walt Disney World has not announced the list of attractions for an extra fee Lightning Lane, so we cannot confirm or deny if this will be on that list. Guests are very excited about a new attraction to be coming to EPCOT. Make sure to mark your calendars for October 1st, 2021. This is going to be a 4D Adventure based on Disney and Pixar film Ratatouille. 

To quote Disney “In this 4D ride experience, join Chef Remy on a daring culinary caper that will captivate all your senses as you zip, dash and scurry through the bustling kitchen, dining room and walls of Gusteau’s famous Paris restaurant. C’est magnifique!”  There were several updates that were supposed to come to EPCOT and unfortunately, many of those plans got canceled. It is very exciting that we are getting a new ride, and we know Disney will outdo themselves again.