The virtual queue is back at Walt Disney World.
Originally introduced to handle the intense demand for Disney’s newest attractions, the virtual queue at Walt Disney World allowed guests to skip standing in long physical lines. Using the My Disney Experience app, visitors joined a digital line and received a boarding group, giving them the freedom to explore the park until it was time to ride.
The system’s goal was to manage crowd flow, reduce congestion, and let guests enjoy the park with more flexibility. In reality, it often became one of the most competitive aspects of a Disney vacation, requiring early mornings and quick reflexes on the app.
Daily access to the virtual queue was structured around set drop times, usually at 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Morning attempts could be made from anywhere with valid admission, while afternoon drops required guests to be inside the park. On occasion, evening opportunities were available for Disney Resort hotel guests during extended hours.
Boarding groups were often claimed in seconds, turning the process into a high-pressure race that demanded fast fingers, a solid internet connection, and app familiarity. Guests could generally join each attraction’s virtual queue only once per day, increasing the stakes for a successful first try.
Over the years, the virtual queue handled some of Walt Disney World’s most popular attractions, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
While it helped prevent long early-morning lines, it faced criticism for being stressful, confusing, and exclusionary—particularly for guests less comfortable with technology or families managing multiple priorities at rope drop. Missing out on a boarding group often meant missing the ride entirely.
By early 2025, Disney phased out the system, moving all major attractions to traditional standby lines alongside paid Lightning Lane options. This shift aimed to simplify the guest experience and reduce reliance on highly time-sensitive app-based competition. Though the virtual queue once addressed extreme demand, its removal marked a return to a more familiar approach to waiting in line at the resort.
That said, Disney has occasionally brought the virtual queue back for new ride openings and Annual Passholder events.
This year, the virtual queue made its return at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo, a key stop for anyone participating in Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. Held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the expo is a mandatory checkpoint where runners pick up their bibs, timing devices, and participant shirts, setting the stage for the races ahead.
The expo is more than a logistics hub—it’s become a must-see experience, blending race prep with the signature Disney atmosphere. Marathon Weekend, running from January 7–11, includes multiple events like the 5K, 10K, Marathon, and Dopey Challenge, starting January 8.
Inside, the expo is also a hotspot for exclusive runDisney merchandise, featuring race-branded apparel, commemorative pins, jackets, accessories, and collectibles tied to each event. The merchandise area is one of the expo’s most anticipated highlights.
Given the high demand, Disney has announced the return of the virtual queue, describing it as “magic.”
“We have brought the magic of virtual queues to runDisney race participants looking to purchase official event weekend merchandise on the first day of the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo,” the official runDisney marathon event page states. “Now you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying your Expo experience and visiting with Expo vendors, all while waiting in line for merchandise, virtually.”
In addition to merchandise, the expo floor hosts exhibitors and race partners offering running gear, fitness tech, nutrition products, and wellness services. It’s a practical stop for last-minute race essentials, while also providing space to explore new products, connect with brands, and soak in the excitement before race day.
Expo hours are:
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 9, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
What are your thoughts on Disney bringing back the virtual queue?
