This Frustrating Virtual Queue Problem Keeps Catching Disney World Fans Off Guard

A few rides at Disney World use a virtual queue system and it seems to be here to stay.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

We are here to break down all the important information you need for your Disney World trip. There have been a lot of changes to how we ride attractions over the years. You can ride using Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass, use a virtual queue system, or stand in a traditional line. But when using a virtual queue, there is something BIG that fans typically forget about.

Let’s start all on the same page. With some rides, Disney uses a virtual queue system in place of a standard queue. Basically, instead of standing in a regular standby line, you’ll try to get a spot in a virtual queue that holds your place in a virtual line with other guests.

If you want to ride an attraction that uses a virtual queue, you will need to try to sign up for a virtual queue spot, called a boarding group, if you want to get on the ride. You will do this using the MyDisney app.

Virtual Queue on the My Disney Experience app

If you are successful in getting a boarding group, you’ll generally be given a boarding group number and an estimated wait time. This will indicate how long you’ll be waiting BEFORE your boarding group will be called. Remember, this is a rough estimate and there is no guarantee that your boarding group will be called that day. Virtual queues can also fill up so you will want to try to grab a boarding group as soon as they open at 7 AM.

Right now at Disney World, two attractions use this system:

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

But, that’s not the main issue guests find with a virtual queue system. One of our readers recently wrote a review for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and wrote “Virtual queue, don’t get it, get called 20 min after the expected time, ok not the end of the world. But then waiting another 90 minutes to get to the actual ride… No matter if the ride was cool or not, not worth the astronomical wait time. VQ with an additional 45 min wait per minute of the actual ride.” This can be a common frustration for guests.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

We wanted to remind readers that a virtual queue is not a quicker option than a standard queue like Lightning Lane. A virtual queue just allows you the opportunity to get a spot to (hopefully) be called to ride. It is not similar to Lightning Lane and you are still likely to wait in a long queue. But, there’s good news for those of us who don’t like waiting in line.

Cosmic Rewind Standby Entrance

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind allows you to purchase and Single Pass Lightning Lane for a quicker wait to ride! While at Tiana’s, you can use one of your Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservations instead of utilizing the virtual queue. For more Disney tips, be sure to follow us at AllEars.net!