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Updated February 25, 2025.
Queue the Magic!
The excitement of new attractions at Walt Disney World also brings a bit of chaos. Everyone eagerly waits their turn, often enduring long lines. To manage the demand, Disney utilizes the Virtual Queue system. For the hottest new rides, you can snag your spot before even leaving your resort room. Fair warning—the window to claim your spot is short. Keep reading to learn how the Virtual Queue works and get our best tips and tricks to make the most of your Disney adventure, especially for those must-ride attractions.
How Does the Virtual Queue Work?
Wondering how the Virtual Queue works? No worries, we’ve got you covered! The idea is simple: you can virtually join the line from your home or resort by getting a boarding group number. This number helps you estimate how long you’ll wait before it’s your turn to ride. When your group is called, just head to the ride and scan in with everyone else whose group was also called. You will have one hour from the time your boarding group is called to scan in.
Keep in mind, this isn’t a front-of-the-line pass—you will likely still wait after you scan in, but it will be a significantly shorter wait than if these rides were using a standby line. Unlike the standby line, where you can hop in whenever you want and ride as many times as you like, the Virtual Queue can only be used once per attraction for regular resort guests. There are two opportunities for guests to secure a spot. The first Virtual Queue opens at 7 am, the second at 1 pm, and there is a third opportunity at 6 pm for deluxe resort guests on select nights.
Is this different from the Lightning Lane?
Yes! Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass (previously known as Genie+) is a paid service that allows guests to book 3 attractions at their park of choice prior to arriving. When guests arrive at the attraction there is either the standby line or the Lightning Lane entry. Virtual Queue attractions will not have a standby line, they will have the Virtual Queue entry and the Lightning Lane Single Pass entry. Lightning Lane entry is always purchased, either through the Multi or Single Pass and typically provides the lowest wait. Disney will load guests through the Lightning Lane with priority, followed by the Virtual Queue and standby lines at participating attractions.
Benefits of the Virtual Queue
The Virtual Queue system lets you ride the newest attractions without spending hours in line. You might still have to wait, but instead of spending precious park hours standing in a physical queue line, you can enjoy other rides, catch a show, grab a bite to eat, or meet some characters. It’s all about maximizing your time and making the most of everything Walt Disney World has to offer. Since you can only hold one Virtual Queue at a time, it allows more people to ride while spending less time in line. It is also the only way to ride the new attractions without purchasing Lightning Lane Single Pass, which is an additional cost per person, per ride. Currently, the Virtual Queue is not being used in any of the parks! Keep your eyes peeled for new rides and new virtual queues to come.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Virtual Queue
First things first: make sure you have the My Disney Experience app downloaded. Create an account or log in to your existing one. Make sure your park tickets are linked and you’ve made a park reservation if needed. Now, here’s how to use this free service:
- Open the My Disney Experience app and tap the three lines in the bottom right.
- Scroll down to the “My Visit” section and find the Virtual Queue.
- Tap the “Join Virtual Queue” button to see the available options.
- At 7 AM, you can join the queue and get a boarding group for your party. There’s another chance at 1 PM, but for that one, you must be inside the park.
Pro Tips for Securing Your Spot
- Confirm your party before 7 AM and set up your Disney Genie Day so you’re not scrambling with last-minute steps.
- Use your cellular data, especially if you’re staying on Disney property. Everyone using the Wi-Fi at the same time can slow things down.
- Know that the refresh button becomes the Join Virtual Queue button as soon as it’s time to join. If you keep hitting refresh, you’ll be ready to tap and secure your spot instantly.
- Have a friend with you pull up a world clock on their phone and start counting down to 7 AM. It might sound a bit over the top, but these spots can go in a matter of seconds and the newer the attraction, the faster the queue fills up.
If you don’t get a spot in the first launch at 7 am, don’t worry! You can try again at 1 PM from inside the park, or at 6 PM if you’re a Deluxe Resort guest on a day with extended evening hours. Currently, extended evening hours are on Monday evenings at EPCOT and Wednesday evenings at Magic Kingdom. Another option is purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass (if you have no idea what that is, see the Touring Plans below for all the Lightning Lane info). Always go for the Virtual Queue first since it’s free and will draw the most people.
Phew! That was a lot to take in. If you have any questions or are ready to book your next magical vacation, don’t hesitate to reach out to your favorite Love of the Magic advisor or email hello@LOTMV.com.
For additional information on the Lightning Lane Multi Pass (previously Genie+) and planning your day in each park, please visit these links –
For additional information on the Virtual Queue direct from Disney, click here.