How to ride Disney’s newest attractions with the virtual queue system
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with the latest information.
Once upon a time in a land far, far away called Orlando, you could wake up one morning and decide on a whim that you wanted to spend the day at Walt Disney World. There were no theme park or dining reservations to secure, no upcharges to skip the line and no mobile apps to master.
I hate to break it to you, but this isn't a fairy tale.
This is the real world, and here and now, you practically need a Ph.D. in Disney if you want to make the most of your time at The Most Magical Place on Earth.
I am neither a professor nor a fairy godmother, but I can teach you how to master Disney's virtual queue system and help you improve your chances of securing a spot on Disney's most popular attractions.
Here's TPG's complete guide to Disney's virtual queue system.
What is Disney World's virtual queue system?
A few months after reports of 11-hour lines to ride Universal's new Hagrid-themed roller coaster, Disney opened the much-anticipated Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction in Hollywood Studios' Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge with virtual queuing in December 2019. Rather than standing in an hours-long line for this groundbreaking new attraction, guests could attempt to join a virtual queue via the My Disney Experience app.
With potentially tens of thousands of guests vying for a spot in the virtual queue each day, it became a lottery of sorts.
When the virtual queue opened each morning, boarding groups were gone within seconds. Those who secured a spot were given a boarding group number that would grant them access to the ride during a specific one-hour window of time.
Now that it's been open for nearly three years, Rise of the Resistance no longer utilizes a virtual queue system, but Disney has continued to use virtual queues for a period of time when new attractions open.
Unlike Disney Lightning Lane skip-the-line access, using Disney's virtual queue system does not incur an additional fee.
Securing a boarding group using Disney's virtual queue system
Guests typically have two opportunities to join a virtual queue. Currently, there are no Disney World rides that use a virtual queue, but here is a primer in case they reinstate this service in the future.
The first virtual queue opportunity begins at 7 a.m., and you can request to join the queue while you drink your morning coffee in your hotel room (or grab for your phone in the dark with only one eye half open). Technically, you can join from anywhere if you have a valid admission (and theme park reservation for certain ticket types, like annual passes).
The second opportunity is at 1:00 p.m., and you must be inside the park where the attraction is located to join.
Still with me? Good. Here's how to find the virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app.
From the home page of the app, click the "hamburger menu" (the three stacked lines) in the bottom right corner. Click the menu item called "Virtual Queues" and then select "Join Virtual Queue."
Start this step about 10 minutes before the queue officially opens and click "Confirm Your Party" and ensure everyone in your travel party is listed correctly.
When there are about 10 seconds left before the virtual queue opens (we recommend using the World Clock or Time.gov if you want to be extra precise), begin to refresh the "Join Virtual Queue" screen until the "Join" button appears at 7 a.m. on the dot.
Related: Magic at every budget: These are the best hotels at Walt Disney World
From there, just follow the on-screen instructions and fingers crossed, you'll see a screen with your boarding group number and estimated return time. Success!
You should receive a push notification with a return window when your boarding group is called. Head to the attraction during your designated window and a cast member will scan you into the attraction.
You should still expect a small wait — typically around 10 to 15 minutes, but possibly up to 30. It still beats standing in the Florida sun for two to three hours in a standby queue.
Attractions that use virtual queue
Currently, there are no rides at Disney World utilizing a virtual queue. Disney has taken to only using virtual queues for new ride openings and then phasing them out in favor of standby queues and Lightning Lane once the excitement dies down.
Related: Why Epcot is now Disney World’s must-do park
Virtual queue tips and tricks
- Give thought to whether you want to use your phone's cell service or available Wi-Fi — sometimes, cell service can actually be better. In this case, fractions of a second can matter, so it's worth thinking through.
- If there are multiple tech-savvy travelers in your group, it may not hurt to have more than one person try for the virtual queues.
- Guests can only join the virtual queue for a given experience once per day, with the exception of guests who are eligible for extended evening theme park hours.
- Disneyland's virtual queue system operates slightly differently than Disney World's. You can view full details on the Disneyland website.
- Joining the virtual queue does not guarantee that you will get on the ride. If the attraction goes down or there are other difficulties, there is a possibility your boarding group will never be called.
- Make sure you have the latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your phone before your visit. Sign in to the app and double-check that your entire travel party is linked in your Friends & Family list and has tickets and theme park reservations in place. If something doesn't look right, rectify it at least the day before your visit so you don't hit any snags.
What to do if you don't get a boarding group
Don't freak out just yet. If you are unable to secure a boarding group, you do have other options.
First, if you feel that you didn't get a virtual queue spot because of an error with the app or some other type of technical difficulty, take screenshots and speak to a cast member at one of the guest experience team kiosks once you get to the park.
You may also have the option to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Lightning Lane Single Pass access.
Bottom line
These tips should help you make the most of your trip and imbue you with the superpower to get on your favorite Disney attractions using the virtual queue system. I wish you all the luck in the galaxy — and a good Wi-Fi signal.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.