Disney Debate: Should Disney Use Virtual Queues?
When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened, the potential popularity of its attractions worried park officials.
While Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance didn’t open at the same time as the rest of the themed land, everyone knew it’d be popular.
![Flight of Passage](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Flight-of-Passage-ride.jpg)
![Flight of Passage](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Flight-of-Passage-ride.jpg)
Flight of Passage
Park officials felt they needed to do something to avoid the issues of Avatar Flight of Passage.
That attraction’s popularity caused extended lines in the standby queue, which irritated guests.
![Flight of passage](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/images.jpeg)
![Flight of passage](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/images.jpeg)
Photo: Facebook/Imagineer Podcast
So, Disney introduced the virtual queue instead. Five years later, Disney still has this system in place for some attractions.
That fact has triggered some discussion among fans. In our latest Disney Debate, we’ll discuss whether Disney should use virtual queues.
What Are Virtual Queues?
Fans first knew this system as the Boarding Group. That was the modestly themed premise for the idea.
At least twice a day, Disney opened a digital queueing system. Guests attempted to enter this queue.
![Walt the Dreamer line](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-wdw-epcot-world-celebration-dreamers-point-walt-the-dreamer-statue-line-queue-crowds5-scaled.jpg)
![Walt the Dreamer line](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-wdw-epcot-world-celebration-dreamers-point-walt-the-dreamer-statue-line-queue-crowds5-scaled.jpg)
Walt the Dreamer line yesterday
Each attraction includes a maximum number of guests it can host on a given day.
For instance, Disney’s Hollywood Studios was operating at least 12 hours a day at the time.
Let’s say that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance hosts 1,200 guests an hour, which is on the low side but a fair estimate.
The attraction still isn’t servicing 15,000 park visitors daily. It’s falling a bit short at 14,400.
![Star Wars](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rise-of-the-Resistance-Storm-Troopers-Kylo-Ren-Stock-4.jpg)
![Star Wars](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rise-of-the-Resistance-Storm-Troopers-Kylo-Ren-Stock-4.jpg)
Credit: Disney
Now, here’s the other problem. More than 15,000 people were showing up at Hollywood Studios each day.
Many of those people would have waited in line for hours, only to discover they’d wasted their time.
Rise of the Resistance simply couldn’t satisfy all its initial demand. It wasn’t even close.
To avoid angering guests, Disney added Boarding Groups, the digital queue, to offset these issues.
![phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/play-disney-parks-app-friends-in-front-of-space-mountai_5f07df9b.jpeg)
![phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/play-disney-parks-app-friends-in-front-of-space-mountai_5f07df9b.jpeg)
Photo: Disney
During those two daily attempts, guests would load My Disney Experience on their phones and try to join the Boarding Group.
The process was akin to Black Friday shopping in that those early bird specials sell out almost instantly.
![phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/how-to-make-iphone-internet-faster.jpg)
![phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/how-to-make-iphone-internet-faster.jpg)
Photo: wirefly.com
I watched a Boarding Group open at 8 a.m. on several occasions, only to sell out before 8:01 a.m.
The demand was ridiculous. We’re talking about thousands of slots taken in a matter of seconds!
All those people would have otherwise stampeded the standby line queue, walking the length of the park to get there.
Some of them would have waited for hours without ever experiencing the attraction.
So, we’ll all agree that virtual queues were necessary at first.
Why Don’t People Like Virtual Queues?
![4 theme parks](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/4899_wdw_50th_beacons_1920x1080_18ce18fd-a6a9-4bdc-98a2-db0882347d51.jpg)
![4 theme parks](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/4899_wdw_50th_beacons_1920x1080_18ce18fd-a6a9-4bdc-98a2-db0882347d51.jpg)
Photo:visitorlando.com
During a park visit, we all want to control our own fates.
When guests employ a virtual queue, the system assigns them a Boarding Group.
![My Disney Experience app](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-my-disney-experience-app-virtual-queue.jpg)
![My Disney Experience app](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-my-disney-experience-app-virtual-queue.jpg)
Photo: Disney
At that point, the tourist must return to the attraction within a 60-minute window. Otherwise, we lose our spot.
With Rise of the Resistance in particular, you could book a Boarding Group at 8 a.m. and not return until the afternoon.
![Tomorrowland Launch Depot clock](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tomorrowland-launch-depot-clock.png)
![Tomorrowland Launch Depot clock](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tomorrowland-launch-depot-clock.png)
Watch your clock!
Since Disney typically offers a virtual queue for applicable attractions in the early morning and early afternoon, this doesn’t happen often.
Still, the time of your virtual queue can and often does disrupt your park plans, which isn’t ideal.
The problem was even worse at Rise of the Resistance because the ride was in the back of the park.
Thankfully, Disney has since switched this attraction to a standby queue, which is more manageable.
![TRON Lightcycle Run Queue](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FrMEQ5nWAAEPzn--1024x683.jpg)
![TRON Lightcycle Run Queue](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FrMEQ5nWAAEPzn--1024x683.jpg)
Photo: Disney
Disney also offers a virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which isn’t a problem due to its central location.
Conversely, Tron Lightcycle / Run requires a long walk from Main Street, U.S.A. to the back of Tomorrowland.
![TRON: Identity Game](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Untitled-design-68-1024x536.png)
![TRON: Identity Game](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Untitled-design-68-1024x536.png)
Photo: Disney
So, when the system calls your virtual queue, you probably won’t be anywhere near the appropriate location.
Similarly, when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens, it’ll offer a virtual queue. And I don’t have to tell you how far Frontierland is off the beaten path.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-12-at-20-47-13-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Opens-June-28-at-Walt-Disney-World.png)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-12-at-20-47-13-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Opens-June-28-at-Walt-Disney-World.png)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Once Disney calls your virtual queue group, you must drop everything and either walk or hop a train to Frontierland.
That’s a problem for guests who have other plans, such as competing Disney Genie+/Lightning Lane bookings or Advanced Dining Reservations.
![TRON virtual queue extended evening hours screenshot 6PM drop](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/TRON-virtual-queue-extended-evening-hours-screenshot-6PM-drop-516x1024.jpg)
![TRON virtual queue extended evening hours screenshot 6PM drop](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/TRON-virtual-queue-extended-evening-hours-screenshot-6PM-drop-516x1024.jpg)
Photo: Disney
I’ve had my digital queue number come up while sitting down for a meal I know will take at least an hour. It’s stressful.
Disney should never be stressful.
Why Does Disney Use Virtual Queues?
![Magic Kingdom](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-cinderella-castle-partners-statue-stock-2-scaled.jpg)
![Magic Kingdom](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-cinderella-castle-partners-statue-stock-2-scaled.jpg)
Magic Kingdom
As indicated, Disney uses these queues as a way of setting expectations.
When you are one of the lucky guests who snags a virtual queue booking, you know you’ll experience the attraction.
![TRON](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tron-lightcycle-run-ride-3-1024x754.jpg)
![TRON](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tron-lightcycle-run-ride-3-1024x754.jpg)
TRON
During the early days of Rise of the Resistance, that felt like winning the lottery.
Even now, a Tron virtual queue reservation feels like a victory. The feeling isn’t the same at Cosmic Rewind, though.
![TRON](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tron-7.png)
![TRON](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tron-7.png)
TRON
As long as you’re around when the virtual queue opens, you should be fine there on all but holiday weeks.
Presumably, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will sell out its virtual queue allotment quickly during the early days.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-12-at-20-47-21-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Opens-June-28-at-Walt-Disney-World.png)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-12-at-20-47-21-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Opens-June-28-at-Walt-Disney-World.png)
Photo: Disney
After that, the massive throughput of the attraction mitigates the need so much that I’m not convinced this ride will use a virtual queue for long.
Still, the concept makes sense in that people know the deal. These three attractions don’t offer standby queues.
![Vacation](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VacationcreenVacationhot-2024-03-17-at-2.20.46 PM.png)
![Vacation](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VacationcreenVacationhot-2024-03-17-at-2.20.46 PM.png)
Photo: Disney
So, your options are simple. You book a virtual queue, or you don’t get to ride one of Disney’s newest, best attractions.
Thus, Disney has defined your expectations in an easily understandable way.
Also, with the currently open attractions, you can purchase a Lightning Lane should you fail with your virtual queue attempt.
In other words, you have contingency options for Cosmic Rewind and Tron.
Meanwhile, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure probably won’t be challenging to book for long.
In short, the system works. But that doesn’t mean we should like it.
Should Disney Use Virtual Queues?
![Vacation](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VacationcreenVacationhot-2024-03-17-at-2.20.26 PM.png)
![Vacation](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VacationcreenVacationhot-2024-03-17-at-2.20.26 PM.png)
Photo: Disney
I almost always favor progress, especially when it involves technological innovations.
Despite this fact, I don’t love virtual queues. In truth, they kinda annoy me.
![Vacation](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VacationcreenVacationhot-2024-03-17-at-2.19.57 PM.png)
![Vacation](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VacationcreenVacationhot-2024-03-17-at-2.19.57 PM.png)
Photo: Disney
When I’m at Walt Disney World, I should be able to decide what I ride. Virtual queues take away that option.
Since Disneyland opened in 1955, the system has worked the same way until nearly 2020.
We picked the attractions we wanted to experience. Then, we entered the standby line queue and waited our turn.
Cosmic Rewind opened more than two years ago. I still cannot enter the standby queue for this attraction because there isn’t one.
Instead, my options are limited. I can purchase a Lightning Lane or book a virtual queue.
Now, the latter option isn’t challenging for the most part, but we’re past the honeymoon phase with Cosmic Rewind.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/vacationcreenvacationhot-2023-11-09-at-4.44.20 PM.png)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/vacationcreenvacationhot-2023-11-09-at-4.44.20 PM.png)
Photo: Disney
Fans should be able to ride it when they want and as often as they prefer. That’s how Disney theme park admission works.
Unfortunately, when Disney places attractions into this rare group of virtual queues, it reduces choice.
About the Tiana Virtual Queue
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure queue](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-know-before-you-go.png)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure queue](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-know-before-you-go.png)
Photo: Disney
On day one, I won’t be able to go to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure unless I book a virtual queue or buy Disney Genie+.
Even if I do the latter, I’m not guaranteed to snag a Disney Genie+ reservation for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure queue](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-Princess-Frog-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-D23-Gold-Member-Preview-e1715625137656.jpeg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure queue](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-Princess-Frog-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-D23-Gold-Member-Preview-e1715625137656.jpeg)
Credit: Disney
In fact, I suspect it’ll be quite challenging during the ride’s earliest weeks.
Since we already know the throughput from this attraction, I do not see the point of a virtual queue.
If people choose to stand in line for three or four hours, Disney should let them.
Frontierland is basically its own island at the park. So, nobody standing in that line would be bottlenecking anyone else.
For these reasons, Disney’s use of a virtual queue here feels like putting a thumb on the scale for no reason.
We don’t need this one, and we don’t need Cosmic Rewind at this point, either.
![guardians](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/guardians1-scaled.jpeg)
![guardians](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/guardians1-scaled.jpeg)
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
In fact, the only defense I’ve seen of Cosmic Rewind over the past year is that it’s a small building.
So, a standby queue here could feel a bit claustrophobic. And I don’t really buy that argument, as there’s plenty to explore here.
![TRON Lightcycle / Run](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tron-lightcycle-run-stock-2-2-scaled.jpg)
![TRON Lightcycle / Run](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tron-lightcycle-run-stock-2-2-scaled.jpg)
TRON Lightcycle / Run
In short, the only attraction where a virtual queue makes any sense to me is Tron…and I’m shaky on it.
So, I’m con on Disney using virtual queues at any point other than the opening weeks of an attraction.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/vacationcreenvacationhot-2023-11-09-at-4.44.08 PM.png)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/vacationcreenvacationhot-2023-11-09-at-4.44.08 PM.png)
Disney
After that, it feels like a pointless exercise that does more harm than good.
This article was inspired by a post Robert Niles published at the Orange County Register.
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Feature Photo: Disney