How to Use Virtual Queues at Disney World
Guide to virtual queues at Disney World
When it comes to avoiding long lines at Walt Disney World, Disney offers 3 options: Lightning Lanes, Individual Attraction Selections, and Virtual Queues. They are very different and guests often get them confused. If you’re lost on how virtual queues work, don’t worry. I have great advice for you.
Torn LightCycle Run at Magic Kingdom
A virtual queue at Disney World is a system that allows guests to join a "line" for select popular attractions without physically standing in line. This system is accessed through the My Disney Experience App and allows you to secure a spot in line virtually.
Once it's your turn to ride, you’ll receive a notification and head to the attraction to enjoy your ride without the need to wait in a long line.
In short, a virtual queue places you in line, without you having to physically stand in line. You can enjoy other attractions in the park until you receive a notification on your phone that it’s your turn to ride.
This system helps to manage crowds, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall guest experience at the theme parks.
There is no cost to join a virtual queue but you must have valid theme park admission tickets.
How To use virtual queues at Disney World:
Download My Disney Experience app.
Create or log in to your Disney account.
Link your package reservation number or your ticket confirmation number to your account. (If you booked a Disney World room and ticket package, you will not link your tickets separately. They will automatically populate with your package confirmation number).
To find a virtual queue attraction, tap "Join Virtual Queue."
Select the members of your party that want to join the queue.
Tap “join virtual queue.”
Wait for notification that it’s time to ride.
Now, those are the steps, but it’s not quite that easy.
Let’s dive a little deeper into using the virtual queue system at Disney.
Virtual queues are currently offered on 2 attractions at Walt Disney World
Tron Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at Epcot
My best tip for joining a virtual queue
Virtual queues open at 7 AM each morning and reach capacity within a few seconds. Yes, seconds!
You must be logged into the Disney App a few minutes prior so you have time to navigate to the virtual queue section and select your party. At 6:59 AM, I recommend that you repeatedly tap the Join Virtual Queue button - non-stop until 7 AM rolls around.
Just keep tapping until you (hopefully) see your virtual queue position (a.k.a. Boarding Group).
There is no way to join the virtual queue in advance, this must be done the morning of your visit.
If you don’t get in at 7 AM, you will have another chance at 1 PM. For this opportunity, you must be inside the theme park, otherwise you won’t be able to join.
And if you got in a 7 AM, you won’t be able to join again at the 1 PM time slot.
If you’re attending a special event after the park closes to the general public such as After Hours, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can join the virtual queue at 6 PM. The virtual queue will reset just for attendees of the special event.
Rides like Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy are currently only available through the virtual queue system. Meaning, they do not take walk-ups. But if you miss out, continue reading on for the alternate plan.
What happens if you don’t get into a virtual queue?
If you are logged into the app a few minutes before 7 AM and repeatedly hit the Join Virtual Queue button, you should get in. But if you missed out, there is one other way to get on the ride.
Disney offers a program called Individual Lightning Lane Selection. It just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
This system allows you to purchase a separate ticket for a specific ride, including virtual queue rides. Prices vary by day, usually between $15 and $30 per person. You purchase this in the Disney World App.
With this separate ticket, you’ll be able to bypass the regular line for the attraction using the Lightning Lane.
The Individual Lightning Lane Selection sells out as many people didn’t read this article on how to use virtual queues and missed out.
While this might not be the best way of managing lines, it’s what Disney has come up with. The system does work, and it will make more sense to you when you’re onsite.
If you have any questions about how these programs work, you can visit any of the Guest Assistance kiosks in the parks. They are identifiable with a big blue umbrella.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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TRON Lightcycle Run Soft Opening Announced
How to ride TRON during a special soft opening preview.
Attention Users: Disney has announced a surprise from the Grid.
Between March 20 - April 2, 2023 you may have an opportunity to ride TRON Lightcycle Run during regular park hours in a limited soft opening preview before the attraction officially opens on April 4.
When TRON Lightcycle Run is available during the soft opening, you will need to use the My Disney Experience app to enter the attraction - similar to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
A standby queue will not be available.
You’ll need to enter the virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app. You may also access the attraction by purchasing an individual Lightning Lane entry.
OrlandoParksGuy: Travel agent for Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Orlando area cruises
You must have valid admission and a theme park reservation to join the virtual queue.
During the soft opening, there may be 2 daily opportunities to request to join the virtual queue for TRON Lightcycle Run:
7:00 AM (you do not need to be in the park when you join but must have a theme park reservation for Magic Kingdom Park)
1:00 PM (you must be in Magic Kingdom Park to join the virtual queue at this time)
Access to this attraction is not guaranteed during the soft opening.
If you are able to secure a spot in the virtual queue, you will not be able to enter another virtual queue for TRON that day.
Tip for getting into the morning the TRON virtual queue:
Open the Disney World mobile app at about 6:50 am
Occasionally tap the “join” button
At 6:59 am, rapidly tap the “join” button continuously until 7 am.
You’ll know if you were assigned a boarding group right at 7 am.
Use can use the same method for the afternoon virtual queue at 1 pm, only beginning at 12:50 pm. Remember that you must be in the park for the afternoon virtual queue.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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How to Ride Tron at Magic Kingdom | Virtual Queue System
Virtual queue system + tips for riding TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom
Disney World announced that Tron Light Cycle Run will open at Magic Kingdom with a virtual queue system. Here’s how you can get on the ride, starting on April 4, 2023 when Tron officially opens at Walt Disney World.
Tron Virtual Queue
When TRON Lightcycle Run opens it will use a virtual queue system to eliminate the need to stand in line for several hours.
I expect this will be similar to the virtual queue system that was rolled out for Rise of the Resistance, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind when they opened. Guardians is still using the virtual queue system.
To join the virtual queue, you’ll do so via the My Disney Experience app.
A standby queue will not be available.
OrlandoParksGuy: Travel agent for Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Orlando area cruises
Individual Lightning Entry for TRON
You also have the option to purchase individual – or à la carte – Lightning Lane entry in the My Disney Experience app.
On the day of your visit, go to the Disney Genie Service Tip Board in the Disney World app to choose an arrival window and make your purchase.
Check the app on the day of your visit for pricing and availability.
Individual Lightning Lane purchases sell out very quickly. I recommend staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel (and other select hotels) because you’ll be able to make your purchase at 7 am.
All other guests must wait until the theme park opens to purchase Individual Lightning Lane passes.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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