With crowding becoming an increasing problem at the parks, especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it seems Disney is looking to expand virtual queues across the Walt Disney World theme parks. Currently, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the only attraction that utilizes the “Boarding Group” virtual queue procedure, but there are two more on the docket.
According to WDWMagic, the two attractions poised for a Virtual Queue are Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, also at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Jungle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom.
At Smugglers Run, considering that the Boarding Group process is well known at its neighboring attraction inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it makes sense to make Virtual Queue a standard within the land. Smugglers Run has seen excessive lines due to new social distancing guidelines, requiring Cast Members to queue guests backstage.
And over at the Magic Kingdom, while Jungle Cruise seems like an odd addition for virtual queue, it’s one of the rides with the smallest capacity, exacerbated by new health and safety protocols. The attraction also sees long lines throughout the day, making it a prime candidate for a virtual queue.
Of course, Rise of the Resistance’s Boarding Group procedures have been a source of frustration for guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios since it was implemented, with slots for the virtual queue getting booked up in seconds every day at the two distribution times. How they’ll implement features to make entering a virtual queue more accessible and easier for all guests is still to be seen.
What do you think about the expanded use of virtual queues across Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Unless and until WDW achieves reliable WiFi within the parks, there will be problems with virtual queues. Cast members have been telling guests to use their mobile data links, rather than WiFi when they try to queue Star Wars.
Having gotten lucky with the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance in February, I wouldn’t spend the $$ to go to any Disney park until they’ve gone back to normal, like the rest of Florida. Being at the gate long before opening, walking to the start of the Star Wars section, launching the app right at 8 and praying to get a spot in the queue was a gamble I’m glad we took…once! I can’t imagine doing it for something like Jungle Cruise.
Back in December, my son took us to WDW. My grandson was eager to get on RotR. We got to the park shortly after 6:AM !!! The space up to the gate was already elbow to elbow (pre C-19 of course). My son was on the app seconds after 8:00, and had to wait 5 minutes to get to the group assignment time……4+ hours later !!! The castmember at the end of the line said that they were ahead of schedule, so we got on at noon.
Will you be able to enter multiple virtual queues? Or will it be millennium falcon OR rise?
If there is no guarantee for both rotr and mfsr, due to limited virtual queue or long lines I would just skip going to Hollywood studios ! Which is probably what they want anyways for supply /demand !
i dislikes these virtual queues !
Just bring back fast passes!!!!
Why not make it like the old fastrack system….you need to be AT THE ENTRANCE to log in for a place in line. The whole computerization of the parks, restaurants, and rides is getting out of hand. There are too many different phones and tablets and operating systems these days to keep up with !!!
How does Rise of the Resistance get booked up within seconds of the boarding groups opening?
Please just go back to fast passes
How about bringing back FAST PASSES!! This “virtual que” system is a joke. Combined with no park hopping, and no fast passes, Disney is their own worst problem!!! I’m tired of them complaining and constantly trying to fix a problem they themselves created. Laying off all those people, yet being overbooked and understaffed is unexcusable. At some point, Disney needs to accept responsibility for their own mistakes, and not blame it on COVID
How are they going to handle the virtual queues for RotR and Smuggler’s Run? Are you going to have to choose which one to get a boarding pass for, or are they going to have different sign up times?
I hate 2020….
VQ does not work! We tried twice in one day visit and never got in. If Disney expands to other rides will not be worth taking a chance to visit. Bring Fast Pass back! Will not renew our annual passes until it gets better. We will however continue to visit Ft Wilderness.
Virtual queue for Jungle Cruise but not either of the Frontierland mountains or Haunted Mansion (of which has one of the most painful lines to wait in during the heat of the day)? OK then.
Disney totally sucked!
VQ is garbage… we had family in VQ at 9:59 and no go. Getting food was a nightmare!
No fast pass 70.min wait lines… total garbage waste of money and time. Why take reservations and not have fast pass if lines are going to be 70 plus mins.
not happy about it they now did it for some of the rides at universal and you can’t ever get on
Stop this crap with virtual queues. It is the worst uninclusive system ever. Bring back fast passes and park hopping and the lines will decrease.