Lines — unfortunately, they’re just part of the Disney World experience. But there are plenty of ways to avoid spending too much time in line. Some of these, such as Lightning Lane Passes, require you to pay money to skip the line. But others, such as the Virtual Queue service, are free. So how does the Virtual Queue work at Disney World? We’ll explain everything you need to know.

The logo for Disney World's Virtual Queue, with the I and T in the word virtual appearing to be reminiscent of human stick figures waiting in line

Image © Disney

Note: procedures and participating rides change from time to time. Check back often in advance of your trip.

In This Article:

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What is Disney’s Virtual Queue?

Most rides at Disney World have a Standby Queue: you walk up to an attraction entrance, wait in line for as long as it takes, and then load onto the ride vehicle when it’s your turn.

WDW Toy Story Lightning Lane

Standby Entrance shown on the right of this photo at Toy Story Mania!

But when a new ride first opens, demand is huge and wait times can be astronomical — several hours in some cases. That’s not just frustrating for you as a Guest, but it’s also hard for Disney to find room to put all those people.

To combat this problem, Disney has started using a Virtual Queue on a select few rides.

The Virtual Queue holds your spot in line via the My Disney Experience app so you don’t have to actually wait there in person the entire time.

A screenshot of the MyDisneyExperience app showing

The main page of the My Disney Experience app, with a “Join Virtual Queue” button

Instead, you’ll be assigned a Boarding Group number (similar to airline boarding zones). You’re then free to go do something else until it’s your group’s turn to ride.

When your number is called, you can head back to the ride entrance. You might still have a short wait in a “real” line, but it won’t take nearly as long as it would have otherwise.

If a ride has a Virtual Queue, it won’t offer a Standby Queue during normal park hours. If you want to ride, you’ll have to use the Virtual Queue (or purchase a Lightning Lane pass). Procedures may vary for special after-hours events (see below).

Which Disney World Rides Have Virtual Queues?

Virtual Queues are usually reserved only for the newest rides at Disney World, typically just one or two rides which had their grand opening within the past year or so. The list changes as newer rides open and slightly older rides switch over to using a Standby Queue.

Rides Currently Using a Virtual Queue:

  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)

  • Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom)

Virtual Queues were previously offered at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and TRON: Lightcycle/Run. They all now use a regular Standby line instead.

Virtual Queues Are Also Occasionally Used For:

  • Extremely popular Meet & Greets (such as visiting Santa at Disney Springs during the holidays)
  • Managing overflow at locations with no standard queue (such as the Journey of Water Inspired by Moana)
  • Purchasing limited edition merchandise (such as a special themed popcorn bucket)
  • Controlling entry at limited-capacity venues (such as the runDisney Merchandise Shop during Marathon weekend)
A screenshot of the My Disney Experience App, showing the option to use a Virtual Queue to visit Santa Claus at Disney Springs

I can use the Virtual Queue to meet Santa at Disney Springs (but I can’t join until I get there!)

TIP: Always check the My Disney Experience app a little before 7:00 AM on the day of your visit to see which Virtual Queues will be operating that day.

Virtual Queues During After-Hours Events:

✅ A ride’s Virtual Queue still operates during the Extended Evening Theme Park Hours perk for select Resort Guests.

❌ Virtual Queues are not currently used during Disney After Hours or the Halloween / Christmas parties (although they have been used in the past). These separately-ticketed events already limit admission so they now use a traditional Standby Queue for rides that would normally have a Virtual Queue.

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How Soon Can I Join the Virtual Queue?

Availability is same-day only; you cannot book days in advance.

Disney releases new inventory each day at:

  • 7:00 AM — open to everyone
    • Tip: You don’t have to be inside the park for the 7:00 AM release, so you can join while you’re still in your hotel room
  • 1:00 PM — open to anyone who has already entered the park
    • Planning to Park Hop? Make sure you’ve entered the new park before trying to grab a Virtual Queue slot there during this release.
  • 6:00 PM* — open to qualifying Resort Guests
    • *Only if the park is hosting an “Extended Evening Theme Park Hours” perk (not to be confused with a park that is simply “open late” to everyone or is holding a paid after-hours event)
    • Only Guests staying at a participating Resort (usually the Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts) can join

Note: You must have a valid park ticket linked to your My Disney Experience account to join the Virtual Queue. Some tickets — such as Annual Passes, discounted military tickets, and convention tickets — also require theme park reservations before you can join the Virtual Queue.

How Long Can I Wait To Join The Virtual Queue?

There’s technically no time limit to join, but the Virtual Queue is notorious for filling up quickly (especially during the busiest times of the year or in the days immediately after a new ride opens). So it’s wise to try the instant a new batch of inventory is released.

  • The 7:00 AM release typically fills up in just seconds unless you’re visiting during the slowest time of the year.
  • The 1:00 PM release often lasts at least a few minutes and sometimes even a few hours.
  • The 6:00 PM release (when offered) is more unpredictable; there are fewer people vying for it, but it only covers a few hours of late-night park operation.
A My Disney Experience Screenshot stating that the VIrtual queue is currently closed but will reopen at 1PM

Here, I’ve missed my chance to join the 7:00 AM release but can try again at 1:00 PM.

Data Analysis

Let’s look at some actual data to see just how fast the queue can fill up.

We analyzed 540 days of Guardians of the Galaxy Virtual Queue history from Thrill-Data and found that:

  •  The 7:00 AM release was depleted by 7:01 AM on 478 of the 540 days (89% of the days)
    • 14 days still had availability an hour later at 8:00 AM
  • The 1:00 PM release was depleted by 1:01 PM on 168 of the 540 days (31% of the days)
    • 230 days still had availability an hour later at 2:00 PM
  • The 6:00 PM release was depleted by 6:01 PM on 27 of 50 Extended Entry nights (54% of the nights)
    • 8 nights still had availability an hour later at 7:00 PM
Screenshot showing virtual queue spots still available

This must be my lucky day! It’s after 3:30 PM and there are still spaces available from the 1:00 PM inventory release.

Step-by-Step: How To Use The Virtual Queue

Demand for the Virtual Queue can be overwhelming. For the best chance of success, follow these steps.

At Least One Day Before Your Visit

  • Install the latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device
    • Make sure you can log in
    • Turn on notifications
  • Make sure your entire travel party is listed in the app (send friend requests if you need to)
  • Purchase your theme park tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account
  • Make a theme park reservation (if your ticket type requires one)

30-60 Minutes Before Inventory is Released

  • Designate one person in your group to book everyone’s Virtual Queue spot (presuming you’re all trying for the same ride).
    • You don’t want everyone “fighting” for individual spots on their own devices.
  • Do a “dry run” to ensure that all members of your group are marked as eligible.
    • This is also a chance to learn if a larger travel party (usually 10+) needs to be broken up into smaller groups.
  • Fix any ticket / group issues before the booking window opens.

5-15 Minutes Before Inventory is Released

  • Start the booking process by selecting the park, ride, and people who need to join the queue.
    • You don’t have to wait until the queue opens to do this step.
    • Make sure to select only people who are listed as eligible.
    • Continue through the screens until the system stops you.
  • Have another person open a master-synced clock on their device so you’ll have a better idea of the “real” time including seconds.
  • Be ready to refresh your screen (drag down or click “refresh”) the instant the clock ticks over to the release time.

As Soon as Inventory Opens

  • Keep refreshing until you’re allowed to join the queue.
  • Click the Join Virtual Queue button as soon as it appears.
  • Review your confirmation message. If you’re successful, you’ll see who’s in the queue, which Boarding Group you’re in, and perhaps the estimated amount of time it will take to call your group.

While You Wait

  • Enjoy the rest of the park. You’re free to do almost anything else (except join another ride’s Virtual Queue) until it’s your turn to ride. Go ride something else, grab a bite to eat, see a show, do some shopping, or just stroll around.
  • Check the app every 30 minutes or so to see which groups are currently boarding (and as a fail-safe in case the boarding notification doesn’t pop up).
  • Watch for a push notification from the app letting you know it’s time to return and ride.

When It’s Time To Ride

  • Return to the attraction within the specified time frame. If you arrive late, you may be denied boarding.
  • Look for the Virtual Queue entrance or ask a Cast Member for help.
  • Tap your MagicBand, MagicMobile device, or other ticket media to enter the ride.

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Virtual Queue FAQs

There’s no charge to use the Virtual Queue. It’s included in the price of your theme park admission.

The steps are simple enough, but it requires some preparation, nimble fingers, and a bit of luck.

The Virtual Queue can indeed fill up, and may do so in less than ten seconds on extremely busy days.

To quote Jean Luc Picard, “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness; that is life.”

No. There’s no wait list and Virtual Queue rides don’t offer Standby Lines (except during some special events).

If you don’t get a spot during the 7:00 AM release, try again at 1:00 PM (and again at 6:00 PM if applicable).

Your other option is to buy a Lightning Lane pass, if available.

It depends on your Boarding Group number. Disney says they can usually process between 10 and 15 boarding groups per hour, and the app may even show you an estimated wait time when you secure your spot.

Once your Boarding Group is called and you enter the actual line, you may still have a brief wait. This is usually between 10 and 30 minutes, but can sometimes go longer. These behave very similarly to airline boarding zones (Delta may have called zone 5 but you could still be in a line of people to get on the plane).

The best way to think of Virtual Queuing is that it lets you do most — but not necessarily all — of your waiting somewhere else.

The app will show your time limit. It’s usually about one hour.

Tip: Follow the progress of other boarding groups in the app so you can leisurely head toward the ride before your group is called.

Disney’s official stance is that “late arrivals may not be accommodated.”

Based on what I’ve seen, you’re probably fine if you’re just a few minutes late. But if it stretches past, say, 10 or 15 minutes, you’re less likely to be accommodated.

If you have a compelling reason (stuck on another ride that broke down, took forever to be served at a restaurant, etc.), you can try pleading your case with the Cast Member at the ride entrance. They may be able to accommodate you otherwise, but it can depend on other operational considerations.

It’s best to remain polite (even if angry or frustrated) when trying to talk your way onto the ride after your time has expired. Not only do you “catch more flies with honey than vinegar,” but the Cast Member may not actually have the authority to waive the requirement even if they want to.

If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, you can also try Guest Relations.

It’s highly likely you’ll get to ride, but there’s never a guarantee.

Disney issues only as many Virtual Queue Boarding Groups as it thinks it can serve in a day, but an unexpected issue (such as a ride breakdown) can occasionally mean they simply run out of time to serve all groups before the park closes.

Disney sometimes designates certain Boarding Groups as “Backup Groups” to indicate that it’s less likely you’ll get to ride. But regardless of whether you see that designation in the app, they caution that no one is guaranteed.

Still, the lower the Boarding Group number, the better your chances. So try to get your group during the 7:00 AM release if you can.

You can enter each ride’s Virtual Queue once during regular park hours (regardless of whether you use the 7:00 AM or 1:00 PM inventory release).

If you’re staying at a qualifying resort and it’s an Extended Evening Theme Park Hours night, you can ride a second time using the 6:00 PM release.

Once you’ve exhausted the Virtual Queue, the only other way to ride again is to pay for Lightning Lane (if available). There’s no additional Standby Line (except during some holiday parties).

You can only be in one ride’s virtual queue at a time. Once you’ve ridden your first ride via Virtual Queue, you can try to join the Virtual Queue for a different ride (if available).

If Disney is also using the Virtual Queue for something like a shopping experience, you’re usually allowed to be in that experience’s Virtual Queue at the same time you’re in a ride’s Virtual Queue.

An individual ride will offer either a Standby Line or a Virtual Queue; it will not offer both at the same time.

But — you’re free to go use the Standby line at a different ride while you’re waiting for your Boarding Group to be called back.

Rides which have a Virtual Queue also usually offer a Lightning Lane entrance. The two services operate independently from one another.

You are allowed to join the Virtual Queue and buy a Lightning Lane pass for the same ride on the same day if you wish.

Yes. If a ride offers the Virtual Queue, you must still join it even if you are using Disney’s Disability Access Service.

Once your boarding group is called, you’ll likely be directed to an alternate entrance (such as the Lightning Lane) for expedited entry.

Inquire with a Cast Member at the ride entrance for further information.

Because you typically have a full hour to ride, there’s usually enough time to split the group in two and do a Child Swap.

See a Cast Member at the ride entrance for guidance.

Yes, you can Park Hop with the Virtual Queue, but remember:

  • If you’re in an entirely different park when your Boarding Group is called, you probably won’t make it back in time. Disney usually advises to allow 60-90 minutes when traveling between parks.
  • If you’re relying on the 1:00 PM Inventory release to secure your spot on a ride, you must have already entered that ride’s park before you try to join the Virtual Queue.
  • And of course, you’ll need a park hopper ticket.

Yes, Disneyland in California does offer Virtual Queues at times. Procedures, rules, and offerings vary versus Disney World in Florida. Ask your travel agent for details or check the Disneyland website.

Conclusion

The Virtual Queue system at Disney World doesn’t apply to many rides, but it may be the only free option to experience the newest, hottest attractions. Skip the Virtual Queue, and your only option to ride may be paying extra for Lightning Lane.

By understanding which rides use the free Virtual Queue — and how to join the line via your mobile device — you’ll have the best shot of experiencing that new ride that everyone’s talking about!

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