For years, virtual queues have been a familiar part of visiting Walt Disney World Resort. They’ve helped manage enormous crowds, but they’ve also created headaches for guests who miss their chance to secure a spot.
While some of those systems have disappeared, one is about to return to an area where it once played a major role in the guest experience.
However, the latest restrictions have nothing to do with getting on a ride. Instead, they’ll determine who gets the opportunity to purchase something new.
A Controversial System Makes Its Return
Back in December 2019, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, introducing an experience that quickly attracted enormous demand.
Rather than allowing visitors to wait in a traditional standby line, Disney required guests to join virtual boarding groups.
Those groups sometimes disappeared within minutes, leaving many visitors unable to experience the attraction.
Eventually, Disney discontinued the system and introduced a traditional standby queue for Rise of the Resistance.
Now, nearly seven years later, a similar process is returning to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
This time, though, visitors won’t have to wait to board an attraction. They’ll be trying to purchase merchandise.
November 17 Brings a New Set of Rules
Batuu Adventure Buddies arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on November 17, introducing three interactive Star Wars companions available at Droid Depot.
Guests can choose between Grogu, an Ewok, and a Huttlet.
These companions feature animated eyes, character-specific sounds, and touch-activated reactions. They can also interact with other nearby buddies.
However, Disney is restricting how visitors can purchase them.
Guests must use the My Disney Experience app to join a virtual queue, with two daily opportunities:
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7 a.m. EST: The first opportunity to request a boarding group.
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1 p.m. EST: A second opportunity after entering Hollywood Studios.
Valid theme park admission is required.
Disney has also established additional rules:
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Each virtual queue party can include no more than two guests.
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Both guests must appear in My Disney Experience.
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Both guests may purchase a companion.
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No standby line will operate while the virtual queue is active.
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Standby access may become available after all boarding groups are called.
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Securing a boarding group does not guarantee a purchase.
With these limitations, visitors hoping to bring home a companion will need to prepare in advance.
These Aren’t Ordinary Star Wars Souvenirs
Each Batuu Adventure Buddy offers distinct interactive features tailored to its personality.
The Huttlet includes Appetite Echo, which activates giggles, animated eyes, and a Huttese laugh when guests double-tap its belly. Triple-tapping its head triggers Cunning Deal Maker, producing a mischievous expression and animated coin.
The Ewok features the Endor Dance Party, which is activated by triple-tapping its head. The companion responds with chanting, drumming, and rhythmic eye movements, while nearby Ewoks may join in.
Double-tapping its belly activates Forest Call Chain, allowing other companions to respond.
Grogu offers Snack Surprise, which produces a belch and satisfied sigh after guests use his feeding accessories and double-tap his belly.
His Force Play feature activates through three head taps, triggering special eye animations that excite nearby buddies.
Additional reactions are described on each companion’s packaging.
There’s More to the Experience Than Choosing a Character
Disney is also offering three accessory collections for an additional charge.
The available gear packs include:
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Endor Gear Set: Spear, horn, grilled fish, and poncho.
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Mandalore Gear Set: Mythosaur axe, nummies, beskar chest armor, and shoulder cape.
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Batuu Gear Set: YT-1300 Freighter model, all-kit tool, ronto wrap, and poncho.
These accessories attach to each companion’s left hand, activating additional sounds and animations.
Inside Droid Depot, a cast member will help visitors select their buddy and accessories at a dedicated wall bay.
Guests will then participate in an activation experience before taking their new companion into Galaxy’s Edge.
What Visitors Can Still Experience Without the New Queue
While Batuu Adventure Buddies require additional planning, Galaxy’s Edge continues offering several other Star Wars experiences.
Visitors can build lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop, assemble astromech droids at Droid Depot, pilot the Millennium Falcon on Smugglers Run, or join the Resistance against the First Order on Rise of the Resistance.
Character encounters, themed restaurants, and specialty shops also give guests more ways to explore Batuu.
Beginning November 17, however, anyone hoping to purchase a Batuu Adventure Buddy will need to follow Disney’s new virtual queue requirements.
With limited opportunities available each day, getting one of these companions may require some extra planning.
