According to WDWNT Disney will end the Virtual Queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. Starting on February 25, the stand-by queues will open for these two attractions.
This is good news and bad news.
It’s good news because people don’t have to fight for the Virtual Queue spots.
It’s bad news because the same number of spots are available but now it’s a free for all to get onto the rides that Disney will now use to make more money from pushing Lightning Lane access, Lighting Lane Premier access, and Individual Lighting Lane purchases.
At least with the Virtual Queue, if you got a spot, you were likely going to get a turn without upcharges. Now, unless you pay even more, you will be in line for a very long time.
It’s likely all about the money.
Disney is likely going to use this change to sell even more Lighting Lane passes since these attractions will open up more room to allow them more sales. Due to this change, I have to wonder if the top price for the Lightning Lane Premier Pass will increase at EPCOT after the Virtual Queue ends.
Plan on waiting in line for a painfully long time if you don’t want to pay $$$ to ride faster.
What you can do.
With the Stand-by line opening, your best bet is to go to these attractions first, at rope drop, if you don’t want to try to get Lightning Lane access or pay for individual Lightning Lanes or the Premier Pass. The other option is to visit these attractions near closing or during parades or fireworks shows.
If these attractions are not “must do” for you, use this to your advantage! While everyone is rushing to them during rope drop go to the attractions that may get busy later first. At EPCOT, Test Track is down but Soarin’, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Frozen Ever After are all open. Head for one of those instead.
At the Magic Kingdom, you could head for Tron Lightcycle Run, Space Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, or the Jungle Cruise instead.
What do you think? Comment and let us know!
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