BEWARE: You’ll Face a NEW Problem with Virtual Queues and Individual Lightning Lanes in Disney World in 2024

Disney4me · December 22, 2023

We hope you’re ready for big changes in the new year because Disney World will look a LOT different in 2024.

Magic Kingdom

In January alone, the Disney Dining Plan is returning, all-day park hopping is coming back, and Park Pass reservations are going away for most guests. With park hopping and Park Pass rules changing, how you book Virtual Queues, Individual Lightning Lane selections, and Genie+ selections is going to look a little different as well. Here’s what you need to know.

First, let’s talk about how exactly the rules are changing for each of these services.

Virtual Queue

Currently, Disney World offers Virtual Queues (VQ) for two rides in its parks: TRON Lightcycle / Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Virtual Queues are a free service that allows you to book a spot in a virtual line for a later time in the day.

wdw-2023-mk-magic-kingdom-tron-lightcycl

TRON Lightcycle / Run

You can book a VQ at 7AM and 1PM, but to book one at 7AM, you must have a Park Pass reservation for that particular attraction’s park. Starting on January 9th, 2024, however, guests who no longer need a reservation will be able to book a VQ without one.

2023-wdw-mk-tron-virtual-queue-still-ope

TRON Virtual Queue board

Keep in mind that this applies to guests with date-based tickets, and other types of ticket-holders will still need a reservation in order to book. Additionally, you’ll only be able to book one VQ at a time, so you’ll have to choose either Guardians of the Galaxy or TRON for the 7AM drop.

Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Selections

Genie+ is a paid service that allows visitors to bypass standby lines at select rides throughout the day. After paying a base price, you’ll be able to book Lightning Lanes at these select rides as they become available. Individual Lightning Lane selections, alternatively, are pay-per-ride options for Disney World’s more popular rides.

2023-wdw-epcot-after-hours-event-guardia

Cosmic Rewind

If you are planning on park hopping on a day you would like to use either of these services, however, some time restrictions affect how you book your selections. If you’re booking a Lightning Lane for the park you’re hopping to later, you’ll have to wait until the next earliest available window is 2PM or later.

TRON Lightcycle / Run

This means that if you’re hoping to book a ride in a park other than the one you are starting at, you’ll have to wait until all of the Lightning Lanes for that ride have been booked through 2PM to get one. Starting January 9th, however, this restriction won’t apply, and you’ll be able to book a selection at a time as early as is available.

What That Means for Your Trip

With the policy changing, it might seem like there is less to worry about — fewer rules, right? While this change does add a layer of flexibility to your plans, there is something you might want to watch out for when this change goes into effect.

2022-wdw-epcot-atmo-guardians-of-the-gal

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Because more people will be able to book a VQ or Lightning Lane selection with fewer restrictions, you might start to notice that they sell out a bit easier! Previously, only those with a Park Pass reservation would be able to join a Virtual Queue, and now that anyone can — you might have to be that much quicker when joining the queue bright and early at 7AM.

TRON interior

With Lightning Lane selections, you might not have been too concerned previously about booking your second park selections early in the day, because they weren’t available as early anyways. Now, you might have to be more aware of what’s available sooner.