That Was Quick! Disney Already Removes Virtual Queue from Popular New Ride

If you’ve wanted a chance to ride some of Disney’s newest attractions, you’ve had to have quick fingers, an early morning alarm, and a good internet connection.

Yes, we’re talking about Disney’s virtual queue system, which has had mixed reviews from theme park fans since its debut for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in 2019.

The virtual queue is a way for Disney Parks to manage crowds and reduce time spent actually waiting in a line but can lead to disappointment for the many Disney Guests who do not succeed in getting a spot.

Now, Disney has abruptly removed the virtual queue option for one of its newest rides, leading many to wonder if Disney is pushing its Disney Genie and Lightning Lane paid options.

Disney Parks has lately relied on the virtual queue process and Lightning Lane purchasing system on several of its newest attractions.

Walt Disney World attractions Rise of the Resistance, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind have all made use of the virtual queue system, while the upcoming TRON Lightcycle / Run at the Magic Kingdom is also set to require quick fingers from Disney Guests in the morning.

And over at the Disneyland Resort, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – in the newly reimagined Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park – has required Guests to queue virtually since its opening back in January 2023.

Now, however, it has been revealed that the trackless dark ride located in the El CapiTOON Theater will move to a standby line, surprising Disney fans used to a long virtual queue period.

Since opening on January 27, Disney Park Guests have been required to get a virtual queue boarding group at 7:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. or to purchase an individual Lightning Lane to experience the attraction.

Reporter Scott Gustin revealed on Twitter today, February 21, that Disneyland’s version of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will move to an old-fashioned standby line starting tomorrow, February 22:

NEW: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland will use a regular standby queue starting tomorrow (Feb. 22). A virtual queue will not be used. Individual Lightning Lane will continue to be offered.

NEW: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland will use a regular standby queue starting tomorrow (Feb. 22). A virtual queue will not be used.

Individual Lightning Lane will continue to be offered. pic.twitter.com/XK6c58Htxm

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 21, 2023

With EPCOT’s Cosmic Rewind still using a virtual queue 9 months after its debut, it’s quite surprising that Disneyland is canceling the virtue queue after only a month.

It must be noted, though, that Disneyland may resume using the virtual queue in the future if needed based on crowds and demand. Disneyland used similar language, of course, when the virtual queue process was ended for WEB SLINGERS: A Spiderman Adventure in Avengers Campus.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has been welcoming Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World since March 2020. The ride took over the iconic replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, replacing the popular Great Movie Ride.

We’ll have to see if the virtual queue boarding group system returns to Mickey’s Toontown at the Disneyland Resort anytime soon, but in the meantime, we will keep track of the standby line and see how long it gets!