Disneyland has been using various forms of virtual queues for years, but now it’s more important than ever because you can ride and do more with Disneyland’s virtual queue system. And so far, it won’t cost you a penny more.
Disneyland Entertainment with Virtual Queues
Disneyland Resort now uses the virtual queue system for World of Color in 2023.
Here’s how to join for the best FREE viewing options to see World of Color.
- You must first be scanned into California Adventure Park OR Disneyland Park to join the virtual queue.
- Virtual queue will open at NOON.
- See the Q&A section below for detailed steps on HOW to join quickly!
Disneyland’s Virtual Queue Q&A
More questions on how Disneyland’s virtual queue system work? I’ve got answers. You can also add your questions in the comments below to help me clarify and add to this section as we learn. This Q&A section has been updated for World of Color virtual queue.
When can I join the virtual queue? Virtual queues are available and open to join on the day of your visit, not before. Virtual queues open at various times per day, check with your specific ride or show above for more information.
You may join the NOON virtual queue from wherever you are (in the car, at your hotel, at home, etc.) as long as you have FIRST scanned into one of the parks that day.
How do I join the virtual queue? Beyond knowing the times for the virtual queue, you need to know how to exactly join. Practice this now and have anyone with you who’s trying practice beforehand.
- Locate the Virtual Queue information on the Home Screen of the Disneyland App by scrolling down and locating the Virtual Queue image like this one. The wording might be a bit different for current rides or shows, but the functions are the same.
- It will take you to this screen where you select Disneyland or California Adventure. You can do these steps before it actually opens at NOON.
- The next page is the one you pull down and refresh until you see a BLUE Botton to tap. You’ll proceed through other screens. Tap ANY blue button until it tells you you’re in queue. Do not worry about checking or unchecking names/tickets. That will slow you down!
- The queue opens at NOON for guests who have scanned into California Adventure that day. Set your alarm for a few minutes before and tap “JOIN VIRTUAL QUEUE.”
You will then be given a blue or yellow viewing area to return to prior to the show start time.
Can I join the virtual queue multiple times? It is unclear at this point if you can join the virtual queue more than once for days that have 2 showings of World of Color.
Can I join choose which show I will see? My guess is no, you cannot. First show will be distributed first, second show will be distributed once the first show is full. This is similar to how it worked with paper FASTPASS.
If you’re confused about ticket options, I can walk you through that here. Also make sure you have a theme park reservation which clarifies what I mean about “starting park.”
Can I join from Disneyland at NOON? Yes, as long as you have a park hopper and have already scanned into the park.
Disneyland Rides with Virtual Queues
Disneyland Resort has tested out virtual queues for lands and rides over the years. Here’s a quick guide to the terminology and the Disneyland virtual queue ride list.
FASTPASS line: FASTPASS retired in 2021 and will now be under the Disney Genie Plus umbrella. All FASTPASS lines will now be called “Lightning Lane.”
Lightning Lane: the new FASTPASS/MaxPass/skip the line queue, launching Fall 2021.
Individual Lightning Lane: the pay per ride system originally launched Fall 2021, guests may reserve up to 2 rides for an additional fee. Standby lines will also be available for these attractions.
MaxPass line: Disney MaxPass retired in 2021 and will now be under the Disney Genie Plus umbrella.. All MaxPass lines will now be called “Lightning Lane.”
Standby line / Standby queue: regular line guests use when they want to ride an attraction. Standby lines are the main way to experience most rides at Disneyland Resort.
Standby Pass: Not available at Disneyland Resort, but introduced in 2021 at Disneyland Paris. The Standby Pass works a lot like Indiana Jones did during the initial reopening. Standby Pass is free at Disneyland Paris. Robert Niles at OC Register says, “it works in place of a standby queue instead of alongside one. If an attraction’s wait time gets too long, Disney activates Standby Pass, requiring park guests to get a return time through the resort app. That way, no one has to wait in an hour-plus-long physical queue.”
Virtual queue: join via the Disneyland App, but you still must wait in a standby line after your group is called to return to the ride.
Queue: where you wait or stand prior to boarding an attraction.
Which Disneyland Rides are Using Virtual Queues?
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Not currently using a virtual queue.
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. Not currently using a virtual queue.
- Indiana Jone Adventure. Not currently using a virtual queue. Virtual queue and stand by line available, based on demand throughout the day. This virtual queue isn’t always “on” June 15, 2021 the virtual queue did not return now that indoor lines are available.
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Not currently using a virtual queue.
Ride More with Virtual Queue
The good news is the virtual queue is accessible on the Disneyland App. It allows you to ride more attractions with potentially lower wait times and it’s free.
Unlike Disney Genie+ which is a paid upgrade, the virtual queue remains free for all guests with a valid park ticket and reservation.
The virtual queue allows you to reserve your spot for select attractions, sometimes even before you leave your hotel in the morning.
Want to ride even more attractions? Plan out your Disneyland day with a Disneyland Plan here but this article will also help you strategize.
Star Wars Virtual Queue (Not Active)
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first implemented a virtual queue for the entire land when it debuted in 2019, but it was never really activated because crowd control naturally worked itself out in the land itself.
But the ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is another story.
Important things to know for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance virtual queue:
- Once you have entered Disneyland Park check the Disneyland app attraction listing to learn if access is via virtual queue or standby line.
- Guests must have entered Disneyland Park in order to access Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance virtual queue on the Disneyland app to obtain a boarding group, subject to availability. This is NEW as of 11/21/21.
- The previously used times of 7 am or noon will no longer be in place.
- You may join the virtual queue one time per day, with a valid theme park reservation
When your boarding group is called, you generally have one hour to return to the attraction but be sure to enable push notifications and check your app for updates.
More things to note when stand by and/or virtual queue is in place:
- No specific time for joining virtual queue
- Still free
- You must be in the park to join this virtual queue
- You may be able do the regular line and/or virtual queue in one day
- Join the virtual queue once per day, but ride in stand by unlimited
The virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance holds your spot in line but there may be a short wait once you arrive at the attraction. Learn more about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge including food and shopping here.
Spider Man Virtual Queue (Not Active)
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure in Avengers Campus uses the same virtual queue set up as Rise of the Resistance, but only at select times (more on that below).
Important things to know for WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure virtual queue:
- Once you have entered California Adventure Park check the Disneyland app attraction listing to learn if access is via virtual queue or standby line.
- Guests must have entered Disney California Adventure Park in order to access the WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure virtual queue on the Disneyland app to obtain a boarding group, subject to availability. This is NEW as of 11/4/21.
- The previously used times of 7 am or noon will no longer be in place.
- You may join the virtual queue one time per day, with a valid theme park reservation
When your boarding group is called, you generally have one hour to return to the attraction but be sure to enable push notifications and check your app for updates.
More things to note when stand by and/or virtual queue is in place:
- No specific time for joining virtual queue
- Still free
- You must be in the park to join this virtual queue
- You may be able do the regular line and/or virtual queue in one day
- Join the virtual queue once per day, but ride in stand by unlimited
The virtual queue for WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure holds your spot in line but there may be a short wait once you arrive at the attraction. Learn more about Avengers Campus including food and shopping here.
Indiana Jones Virtual Queue (Not Active)
The virtual queue for Indiana Jones is turned on “as needed” and works differently than other virtual queues. Note: on June 15, 2021 the virtual queue did not return now that indoor lines are available. Key differences include:
- No specific time for joining virtual queue
- Still free
- You must be in the park to join this virtual queue
- You can do the regular line and/or virtual queue
- Join the virtual queue once per day, but ride in stand by unlimited
This virtual queue is expected to be temporary, but we may see this method used for other attractions as well.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Virtual Queue (Not Active)
This Virtual Queue for this ride was short lived—it lasted only about a month when the ride was brand new to Disneyland Park.
Important things to know for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway virtual queue:
- Virtual queue opens at 7:00 am PT for all daily ticketed guests who start their day at Disneyland Park.
- Guests may be anywhere to access the virtual queue on the Disneyland app at 7:00 am PT.
- If you missed the 7:00 am drop or began your day at California Adventure, you can try for the 1:00 pm PT virtual queue.
- You may join the virtual queue one time per day, with a valid theme park reservation
When your boarding group is called, you generally have one hour to return to the attraction but be sure to enable push notifications and check your app for updates.
More things to note when stand by and/or virtual queue is in place:
- Still free
- Individual Lightning Lane is also an option
The virtual queue for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway holds your spot in line but there may be a short wait once you arrive at the attraction. Learn more about Mickey’s Toontown including food and shopping here.
There’s definitely a lot to learn for Disneyland’s virtual queue system but it’s worth it for a free and convenient way to ride and see some of Disneyland’s most popular attractions. I’ll keep adding to this as I develop more strategies and tips for joining the virtual queues at Disneyland.
