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 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.

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.

Disney After Hours Events Return January 2024 at Walt Disney World Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Calling all night owls! Disney After Hours events are returning to Walt Disney World Resort with plenty of late-night delights starting Jan. 10 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Jan. 11 at Magic Kingdom and Feb. 2 at EPCOT.

Think of the happiest things one can do during a Walt Disney World visit. Bet extra time in the parks after closing would be at the top of the list… when they can explore one of our theme parks like never before – with lower wait times for attractions. That’s what guests will get at Disney After Hours events!

The popular separately ticketed events mean tons of Walt Disney World theme park fun. Guests get three hours – after hours – to ride their favorite attractions, see beloved characters and refuel on unlimited, complimentary snacks!

There’s something about Walt Disney World Resort at night that just hits differently. Disney’s theme parks transform into dreamy adventures. From the sparkle of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park to the colorful spectacle of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, nighttime can be the best time to experience magical Disney fun.

Disney After Hours events allow a limited number of guests to enjoy Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT after they officially close for the day, offering shorter wait times to select attractions and character experiences. To cure late-night cravings, guests can indulge in ice cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages at a variety of locations throughout the park each event night – all included in the cost of the ticket.

Disney After Hours Event Times

Event times at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Event times at Magic Kingdom Park and at EPCOT are from 10 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Guests can get a head start on making happy memories by entering the park beginning at 7 p.m. to squeeze even more joy out of midnight merriment with family and friends.

After Hours Event Dates at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

These special nights will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Jan. 10 through April 10, 2024. Guests can play in Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land, join the resistance with Chewbacca in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and embark on a whimsical adventure aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, among other favorites.

After Hours Event Dates at Magic Kingdom Park

Throughout Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy more than 20 attractions and experiences including the thrilling new TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Jungle Cruise on select nights starting Jan. 11 through April 8, 2024. A standby queue is planned for TRON Lightcycle / Run only during these events.

The nighttime fireworks spectacular, Enchantment will return exclusively to Disney After Hours events at Magic Kingdom – meaning on event nights, early arrivals will have the opportunity to see both Happily Ever After and Enchantment!

After Hours Event Dates at EPCOT

Welcomed by the colorful glow of Spaceship Earth, guests can delight in EPCOT at night with favorite attractions including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, Soarin’ and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Events at EPCOT will take place on select nights starting Feb. 2 through April 4, 2024.

Disney After Hours Event Tickets Information

Booked guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting Nov. 7, 2023, by calling 407-W-Disney. Event tickets can be purchased online by all guests starting Nov. 14.

Disney After Hours ticket prices range from $155 to $175 (plus tax) for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. EPCOT After Hours ticket pricing ranges from $149 to $159 (plus tax). Specially priced tickets are available for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members.

All guests have to do is pick a night, pick a park and enjoy an after-hours adventure. To learn more about Disney After Hours events, visit DisneyWorld.com/AfterHours. And check back for even more Disney After Hours updates in early 2024.

Theme Park closing times vary. Admission to this event requires a separately priced ticket valid only for a specific event date and select hours. Attractions and offerings are subject to change without notice.

Kids’ Special Ticket Offer – For a Limited Time, Children (Ages 3 to 9) Can Visit for as Low as $50 Per Child With a Special 1-Day, 1-Park Ticket

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Don’t miss this opportunity! For a limited time, children ages 3 to 9 can visit a Disneyland Resort theme park for as low as $50 per child with the purchase of a special 1-day, 1-park ticket. Park reservations required.

Make 2024 your Clients’ happiest time by visiting a Disneyland Resort theme park. Enjoy some favorite attractions and enchanting experiences when you take advantage of this special limited-time offer.

Find full details here.