For a long time, Disney World guests became familiar—sometimes begrudgingly so—with the Virtual Queue. When blockbuster rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind first debuted, it was the only way to experience them. Guests had to be up early, phone in hand, ready to battle for a boarding group that often vanished in seconds. For some, it was a fun challenge. For others, it turned vacations into a stressful race against the clock.
Eventually, Disney stepped back from the system. TRON Lightcycle / Run was one of the last rides to drop the Virtual Queue in favor of standby lines and Lightning Lane purchases. Many assumed VQs were gone for good. But just when fans got used to life without them, Disney quietly dusted off the old tech.
Not for Rides This Time
Instead of being tied to attractions, the Virtual Queue has popped up at EPCOT for a very different purpose—Pin Tuesday. These weekly releases of limited-edition pins draw huge crowds of collectors and, unfortunately, resellers. To manage the chaos, Disney tested the Virtual Queue during the launch of the Disney Artist Collection by Alex Maher. Guests joined through the app and returned later to purchase pins (and even get them signed), while other pins sold via traditional lines.
The test went well enough that the practice seems to be sticking. For now, Virtual Queue is officially back, but only once a week.
How It Works
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Use the QR code to sign up in the app
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Get a confirmation text once you’re in the queue
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Watch for your push notification telling you it’s time
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Head to the designated shop to complete your purchase
It’s straightforward, but just like the old ride queues, timing matters. Miss the window, and you may miss out entirely.
The Debate Among Fans
Some collectors welcome the return, pointing out that it prevents line-cutting and discourages resellers from buying out entire stock. They also appreciate that they can enjoy EPCOT instead of wasting hours standing in line. Others argue it’s just another layer of digital stress in a place that should feel magical, especially for guests who aren’t tech-savvy.
A Sign of What’s to Come?
Disney’s experiment shows they still see potential in the Virtual Queue model. If it works well for pins, could we see it expand to character meet-and-greets, dining events, or even new attractions down the road? Fans are watching closely, and while some hope for a full return, many pray it never comes back to rides.
For now, if you’re at EPCOT on a Tuesday, be ready—the Virtual Queue is back in action, and it just might determine whether you snag that week’s hottest collectible.
