Disneyland Enforces Reservation Restrictions on Newest Attractions, Gives Just Days Notice

Disneyland Resort has announced that its newest attraction, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” will require guests to use the Virtual Queue system for access. The show is set to open just one week from now on July 17, coinciding with Disneyland Park’s 70th anniversary. The attraction will feature the first-ever audio-animatronic of Walt Disney, alongside a stunning collection of artifacts from the Walt Disney Archives.

However, in an unexpected twist, Disneyland Park guests will need to navigate reservation restrictions to see this new show. The Virtual Queue system will be the only method for accessing “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” and guests will have two opportunities daily to secure a spot: once at 7:00 a.m. with a Disneyland Park reservation and valid ticket, and again at noon for those already inside Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park with a valid Park Hopper ticket.

The Virtual Queue system will allow guests to join a boarding group for “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.” After being assigned a group, guests will be notified when it’s time to return, with each group having an estimated wait time. However, getting into a group does not guarantee access to the attraction, as technical difficulties or other issues could prevent later groups from being called before park closing time. Guests will only be able to join the queue once per day.

This return to reservation-based access is notable not just for the timing—just days before the grand opening—but also because it marks a shift back to the Virtual Queue system after Disney had moved away from it earlier this year. Walt Disney World Resort attractions, including Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, transitioned to standby in February.

Still, the Virtual Queue is making a comeback, both at Disneyland Park for the new show and at EPCOT for Annual Passholder previews of Test Track 3.0. (Disney California Adventure Park still offers a Virtual Queue for “World of Color Happiness!”, but it’s not mandatory to view the nighttime spectacular.)

Theme park journalist Scott Gustin shared the official update on X (formerly Twitter):

NEW: A virtual queue will be in place for Walt Disney – A Magical Life when it opens July 17 at Disneyland Park. There will be 2 daily opportunities to join the VQ:

NEW: A virtual queue will be in place for Walt Disney – A Magical Life when it opens July 17 at Disneyland Park. There will be 2 daily opportunities to join the VQ: pic.twitter.com/lCTSRgEqq5

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 10, 2025

With just days until “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” opens, Disneyland Park guests will need to prepare for the return of the mandatory Virtual Queue system.

What do you think of Disney’s Virtual Queue system? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!