Standby Queues Opening for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Cosmic Rewind
If you’ve been planning your Disney vacation around Virtual Queues, get ready for a big shift! Starting February 25, 2025, Walt Disney World will officially retire the Virtual Queue system for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. Instead, both attractions will move to a traditional standby queue, offering guests more flexibility in planning their day.
What This Means for Your Disney Visit
The biggest change? No more 6:30 a.m. wake-up calls to secure a Virtual Queue spot! Instead of refreshing the My Disney Experience app at 7 a.m. or hoping for a 1 p.m. drop, guests can now decide when they want to ride and head to the queue at their convenience. This is a huge win for visitors who prefer a more relaxed approach to planning their park day.
That said, Lightning Lane options will still be available for both attractions:
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will remain part of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will continue to be offered as a Lightning Lane Single Pass attraction.
While Virtual Queues were a necessary crowd-control tool for these high-demand rides, the shift to standby queues signals that Disney is confident in the attractions’ ability to handle demand more efficiently.
Why the Change Now?
Each ride has had a different journey with Virtual Queues:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened in May 2022, and by the time its Virtual Queue ends, 1,005 days will have passed. Despite occasional rumors and queue expansions hinting at a standby switch, Disney held firm—until now.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which opened in June 2024, will have used a Virtual Queue for 242 days. Disney originally planned to phase it out sooner but extended it, likely due to early reliability concerns with the attraction.
This move follows a pattern: Last year, TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom also ended its Virtual Queue in September, transitioning to a full standby system. Meanwhile, Disneyland’s version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure dropped its Virtual Queue just a few months after opening.
What to Expect Moving Forward
While this is the end of Virtual Queues for these two attractions, don’t expect them to disappear entirely. Disney has stated they will continue using Virtual Queues for future high-demand attractions or limited-time experiences. So, if you’re planning to visit during the debut of a new ride, character meet-and-greet, or exclusive shopping event, be prepared for Virtual Queues to make a return.
For now, this change gives guests more control over their Disney day and brings a little extra magic for those who prefer spontaneity over strategy. Whether you're soaring through space with Star-Lord or cruising the bayou with Tiana, you'll now have one less hurdle between you and the magic!
Hello, my name is Matthew and I hope you enjoyed this blog post. I am a travel planner specializing in Disney destinations and I would love the opportunity to work with you in planning your next magical adventure.
Ready to get started? Request a free quote!