WDW

Lining Up For Rides & Attractions

IMPORTANT NOTE: this article has been updated since its initial release to include the new Lightning Lane Single Pass and Multi-Pass options which go into effect on 7/24/2024 and also the elimination of the virtual queue taking effect on 7/25/2025.

One of the biggest questions I get asked by clients who haven’t been to Walt Disney World since COVID is “how does this Fast Pass thing work?” It’s at that point that I pull out my Disney Dictionary and take a deep breath. It’s going to be a long conversation. If only it were as simple as lining up to wait in line for a ride anymore…

OK, so maybe I’m being overly dramatic, but not really. The reality is, there are multiple ways you can get on Disney attractions at Walt Disney World, and my goal is to explain each of them here. First, let’s name them:

• Standby Queue
• Virtual Queue
• Single Rider Line
• Rider Switch
• Lightning Lane: Multi-Pass Reservation
• Lightning Lane: Single-Pass Reservation
• Disability Access Services
• Pooh-Sized Guests

So now that we know what their names are, let’s talk about what each one is and how it works.

The Standby Queue

You can experience almost every attraction, ride, show, or character meet and greet through the tradtional standby line. That is – you go to the line, see how long the wait is (or you can check your My Disney Experience app), and then wait in line until it’s your turn. Some attractions, the wait is minimal (30 minutes or less), while others, you may be waiting 90 minutes or more. This is typically true of the most popular attractions.

The reality is, you DON’T have to spend any extra money on Lightning Lanes to experience any attraction at Walt Disney World. With a little planning and good strategy (like using rope drop, slower days of the year, and nighttime shows), the standby queue is a perfectly acceptable way to do Disney at a value price. Moreover, there are some attractions where the queue is part of the show – and skipping it means you could be skipping some fun and magic (for example, the Peter Pan’s Flight queue pictured above).

Virtual Queue

When newer attractions are released, Disney will sometimes use the virtual queue system so that the standby line doesn’t balloon out of control (I’m looking at you Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure on opening day at like 8 hours long). As of February 25, 2025, no Disney attractions use the virtual queue.

If an attraction uses a virtual queue, you will need to join the virtual queue at pre-planned times (7am or 1pm) in the My Disney Experience App. Beginning at 6:55am, log onto the app and click “virtual queue” and follow the prompts. Confirm your party and beginning at 6:59am begin clicking the “join boarding group button.” If you are successful at 7am, you’ll be given a boarding group number. If not, you can try again at 1:00pm, but you must be in the park of the attraction you wish to try for. When your boarding group is called, you’ll have a one-hour return window to get to the attraction and scan in. IMPORTANT – once you’re scanned in, you may still have a wait that lasts up to an hour, depending on how the capacity of the attraction is moving.

Single Rider Line

For select attractions, you can choose to enter through the single-rider entrance. This means that you WILL NOT ride with your party but will be placed whenever there is an odd-number party in the regular queue. If you don’t mind not riding with those in your party, you can substantially cut your waiting time, in some cases, by 90%.

Keep in mind that you will miss some or all parts of the queue. But, if your goal is to ride the attraction in as short a time as possible, this is a great option! Currently single rider is offered on Rockin’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios, Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s run at Hollywood Studios, and Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. It was previously offered at Test Track, but this attraction is currently closed for refurbishment.

Rider Switch

This handy feature allows adult guests to take turns waiting with youngsters or guests unable to ride. Full details of how it works can be found on Walt Disney World’s website: Walt Disney World Rider Switch.

Lightning Lane Multi-Pass Reservations

Lightning Lane Multi-Pass is a PAID-SERVICE that you can purchase in advance of your trip. For on-site Disney Resort guests, you can make your purchase beginning 7 days before check-in for the duration of your stay. For off-site guests, you can make your purchase 3 days prior to each day of your trip. The cost will vary per day, based on a dynamic supply and demand. Purchasing this advanced options allows you to skip the line of most attractions.

How it works:

7 or 3 Days Prior to Your Trip: Beginning at 7am EST, the day your purchase becomes available (7 or 3 days before respectively), you will make your purchase for each member of your party who will use the system, and then you can select up to 3 attractions those in your party will experience right through My Disney Experience. Your choices are based on a tiered system, and you can find more information about it here:

Lightning Lane Reservation System

You’ll get to choose the rides or attractions AND the times you’d like to experience them.

On the Day of Your Reservation: On the day you arrive to the park, once you scan in for your first attraction, you’ll be able to then select another attraction or experience you want to skip the line for. And again, once you scan in for the next attraction, you’ll do it again in a cascading fashion as the times fill up throughout the day. This process generally allows you to skip anywhere from 3 to 8 attractions in any given day. If you plan to park hop, you can even make reservations for other parks. Keep in mind though – the only way you get to make the next reservation is if you scan in to a current attraction or experience. This means you’ll want to pick the next possible attraction in chronological order to ensure you can maximize your time.

Lightning Lane Single Pass Reservations

In each of the four parks, there is one or two popular attractions that are not included as part the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass option and if you want “skip the line” access, you’ll need to purchase an Single Pass Lightning Lane. Up to two of these can be purchased per day per guest and the cost will vary by day and by attraction. These can be purchased alongside your multi-pass lightning lane options at the same 7 or 3 day intervals. This is a great option if there is a must-do that you want to make sure you absolutely don’t miss. Currently, options are:

Magic Kingdom – Seven Dwarves Mine Train and Tron: LightCycle Run

Epcot – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Hollywood Studios – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Animal Kingdom – Avatar: Flight of Passage.

Disability Access Services

Disney offers Disability Access Services for guests who are
unable to wait in long lines for various reasons. You don’t skip any wait time, but you can “wait” out of line in an area of your choosing and then return at the designated return time. This requires pre-registration starting at 30 days prior to travel. Here is Disney’s official website on how the process works.

Pooh-Sized Guests

For guests who may have a different height-weight proportions, there is always a concern about which attractions will accommodate them. As somebody who is 6 foot 3 and over 300 pounds, I can tell you that Disney is GREAT at accommodating guests of all sizes. I have never had a problem sitting on any Disney attraction – except for one: Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom. Because my calves are larger than most, the restraint doesn’t always work for me. All other attractions I have been able to successfully ride without incident. If you ever are unsure, reach out to a cast member and they can assist.