Virtual queue systems at Disney Parks

{{short description|Virtual queuing systems used at Disney Parks}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}

[[File:FastPass+ entrance Under the Sea Magic Kingdom.jpg|thumb|Former FastPass+ entrance at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid at Magic Kingdom, pictured in 2015.]]

Disney Parks have utilized virtual queue systems since the introduction of the FastPass System in 1999. These systems allow theme park visitors to wait in a virtual queue for an attraction, reducing the time spent waiting on a physical line. Presently, access to virtual queues at all Disney Parks are available through an additional charge. The current virtual queue systems are Lightning Lane at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and Disney Premier Access at Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Shanghai Disney Resort. The previous systems were FastPass, FastPass+, and MaxPass.

==Current virtual queue systems==

=== {{anchor|Lightning Lane|Disney Genie}}Lightning Lane === {{Infobox product | title = Lightning Lane | image = Lightning Lane Logo.webp | logo = | image_size = 250 | alt = | caption = | type = Virtual queuing system | inventor = Disney Experiences | launch year = 2021 | manufacturer = Disney | available = Yes | current supplier = | last production = | models = | url = | notes = }}

Lightning Lane is an optional paid service currently offered at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort that allows guests to enter an express queue with shorter wait times at select attractions. Guests who purchase access to Lightning Lane must book an available time slot to enter the express queue. Guests can purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass for select "high-demand" attractions à-la-carte, Lightning Lane Multi Pass for most other attractions, and/or Lightning Lane Premier Pass for every participating attraction in one theme park (once per attraction).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Eve |title=Goodbye Genie+? Big changes are coming to Disney World's ride reservation system |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/theme-parks/2024/06/25/disney-genie-lighting-lane-changes/74207057007/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

At Walt Disney World, up to three rides can be "pre-booked" up to seven days in advance, whereas at Disneyland, purchases must be done one at a time while physically at a park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney Just Announced Major Changes to Its Genie+ System — What to Know |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/walt-disney-world-2024-lightning-lane-genie-plus-8669105 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Travel + Leisure |language=en}}</ref> Lightning Lane passes are purchased through the My Disney Experience and Disneyland Resort mobile apps at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, respectively. Guests are required to have valid park admission as well as a Disney park reservation for the same day. Since 2022, the system employs dynamic pricing, with prices varying based on the date of use.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-11 |title=BREAKING: Genie+ Moving To Dynamic Pricing at Disney Theme Parks - Park Savers |url=https://www.parksavers.com/genie-moving-to-dynamic-pricing-at-disney-world/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Lightning Lane was introduced in August 2021 and implemented on October 19, 2021 as part of a new AI-generated itinerary planner in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps known as Genie.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agustin |first=Francis |title=Here are all the Walt Disney World rides included in Disney's new premium line-skipping feature |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/walt-disney-world-rides-pay-skip-the-line-2021-10 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |date=August 18, 2021 |title=To Skip the Line at Disney, Get Ready to Pay a Genie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/18/business/disney-fastpass-genie-plus.html |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/18/business/disney-fastpass-genie-plus.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |work=The New York Times |via=NYTimes.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Guests were given the option of purchasing a premium version of Genie, known as Genie+, giving them access to utilize Lightning Lanes. Attraction selections could only be made one at a time the day of, and select "high-demand" attractions were part of a separate system known as Individual Attraction Selection (later rebranded as Individual Lightning Lane).<ref name=":3" /> The system replaced the free FastPass+ system at Walt Disney World, as well as the free FastPass and paid MaxPass system at Disneyland.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Maehrer |first=Avery |date=August 18, 2021 |title=Disney Genie Service to Reimagine the Guest Experience at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort |url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/08/introducing-disney-genie/ |access-date=August 18, 2021 |work=Disney Parks Blog |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218113841/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/08/introducing-disney-genie/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Walt Disney Corporation |date=October 21, 2021 |title=Disney Genie |url=https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/genie/genie-plus/?ef_id=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rPU7PSz5-QqRgTKXgE4EnN8J9BieBbVGLPL4vsDWXtYeqYpBYIzcGRoCVZwQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!5060!3!600293718407!b!!g!!walt%20disney%20world%20genie%20plus&CMP=KNC-FY24_WDW_TRA_EROC_W365_SCP_WGNIE_GeneralGenie_General%7CG%7C5241213.RR.AM.01.01%7CMSX0BRP%7CBR%7C600293718407&keyword_id=kwd-1651615191340%7Cdc%7Cwalt%20disney%20world%20genie%20plus%7C600293718407%7Cb%7C5060:3%7C&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rPU7PSz5-QqRgTKXgE4EnN8J9BieBbVGLPL4vsDWXtYeqYpBYIzcGRoCVZwQAvD_BwE |website=Walt Disney World}}</ref>

After numerous guest complaints, Genie+ was replaced at Walt Disney World on July 24, 2024 with Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass, allowing guests the opportunity to purchase Lightning Lanes prior to arriving at the resort.<ref name="Rachel 2024">{{Cite web |last=Rachel |date=June 25, 2024 |title=Plan Ahead with Lightning Lane Entry at Walt Disney World Starting July 24 |url=https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/plan-ahead-with-lightning-lane-entry-at-walt-disney-world-starting-july-24/ |access-date=May 26, 2026 |website=Disney Parks Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> Though the system did not change at Disneyland Resort, the Genie+ brand was also retired beginning July 24.<ref name=":2" />

===Disney Premier Access=== {{Infobox product | title = Disney Premier Access | image = Disney Premier Access Logo.jpg | logo = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | type = Virtual queuing system | inventor = Disney Experiences<br>The Oriental Land Company | launch year = 2018 | manufacturer = Disney | available = Yes | current supplier = | last production = | models = | url = | notes = }}

Disney Premier Access is an optional paid service currently offered at Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort that allows guests to enter an express queue with shorter wait times at select attractions.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Disney "Priority Special" Attraction Admission Pass |url=https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/disney-priority-special/ |website=Hong Kong Disneyland |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=東京ディズニーリゾート・オフィシャルウェブサイト |url=https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/guide/fastpass.html |access-date=January 9, 2021 |website=www.tokyodisneyresort.jp}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Coomer |first=Shawn |date=July 17, 2019 |title=Shanghai Disneyland Fastpass Guide |url=https://disneyhacks.com/shanghai-disneyland-fastpass/ |access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref>

The system was likely introduced initially as a response to ticket scalping of physical paper FastPass tickets at Shanghai Disneyland.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 26, 2018 |title=Guide to Paid Fastpasses at Shanghai Disneyland |url=https://www.traveltothemagic.net/guide-paid-fastpasses-shanghai-disneyland/ |access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref> The system was formally called Disney Priority Special and Priority Special+ at the Hong Kong resort.<ref name=":0" />

At Disneyland Paris, guests can purchase Disney Premier Access by selecting one attraction at a time by time slot, or can purchase Premier Access Ultimate to access every participating attraction once in the selected day.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=June 19, 2024|url=https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-gb/attractions/disney-premier-access/|title=Turbo-charge your day with Disney Premier Access!}}</ref> At Hong Kong Disneyland, guests can purchase Disney Premier Access by selecting one attraction at a time, three attractions from a set of five, or by choosing all eight available attractions; guests do not need to select specific time slots.<ref>{{cite web |title=Disney Premier Access |url=https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/offers-discounts/disney-premier-access/ |publisher=Hong Kong Disneyland Resort |access-date=2026-03-04}}</ref> At Tokyo Disney Resort, guests can purchase Disney Premier Access for individual attractions at a specific time slot the day of; for a limited time, the resort also offered a 40th Anniversary Priority Pass for free.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/treasure/tdr40th/en/prioritypass.html | title=Tokyo Disney Resort 40th Anniversary Priority Pass | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027095925/https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/treasure/tdr40th/en/prioritypass.html | archive-date=October 27, 2023}}</ref>At Shanghai Disneyland, guests can purchase Disney Premier Access is available for purchase by selecting one attraction at a time, or in a pre-determined set of three attractions, six attractions, or eight attractions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tickets & Passes |url=https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/commerce/product |publisher=Shanghai Disney Resort |access-date=2026-03-04}}</ref>

==Former virtual queue systems==

===FastPass=== {{Infobox product | title = Disney FastPass | image = Fastpass_Logo.svg | logo = | image_size = 150 | alt = | caption = | type = Virtual queuing system | inventor = Disney Experiences | launch year = 1999 | manufacturer = Walt Disney Enterprises, Inc. | available = No | current supplier = | last production = January 6, 2022 (Hong Kong) | models = | url = | notes = }}

FastPass was a virtual queue system first introduced in late 1999 by The Walt Disney Company to speed up customer access to certain attractions and amenities at the Disney resorts and theme parks.{{efn|However, a ride reservation system was first introduced in world's fairs.}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Themed Attraction; Fastpass |url=http://www.themedattraction.com/fastpass.htm |access-date=November 8, 2007 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013023229/http://www.themedattraction.com/fastpass.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The system allowed guests to avoid long lines at the attractions on which the system was installed, freeing them to partake in other attractions during their wait. There was generally no extra fee for the service. FastPass was predominantly offered at very popular attractions; at a later stage, it was made available additionally for select shows, offering access to a roped-off viewing area.

[[File:Ticket_Fast_Pass.jpg|thumb|150px|FastPass ticket for Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast at Disneyland Park in Paris, dated July 20, 2006.]] To use FastPass, a guest would scan their park ticket at an automated machine, usually located adjacent to or in the vicinity of the attraction they wanted to experience. The machine would print a ticket giving a half-hour or one-hour time range (depending on the park) for the guest to return. When the guest returned, they would have the option to skip the line, entering another queue. Displays near the machines would show the current return times which would be made available; it was not possible to select a different time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Donovan |first=Aaron |date=June 23, 2002 |title=More Wow, Less Wait |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/23/business/responsible-party-bruce-laval-more-wow-less-wait.html |work=The New York Times |pages=2}}</ref> In later years at some parks, guests entering a FastPass queue would need to scan their original park ticket rather than the FastPass ticket; this process was implemented to combat the resale of FastPass tickets. The FastPass "ticket" would in this scenario act merely as a reminder of the time of their return slot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Tribune Content |title=Disneyland changing its Fastpass to electronic system |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/life/2017/06/25/disneyland-changing-its-fastpass-electronic-system/426687001/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref>

Return slots typically became available soon after the park opened to guests, but not during Extra Magic Hours (early park access open to guests at preferred hotels). The return time advanced in five-minute increments as FastPasses were distributed, and when the park closing time was reached, no further FastPasses were distributed for that attraction that day.{{Citation needed|date=June 2026}}

To allow for a wide distribution of FastPass tickets, a guest holding a FastPass could not obtain another FastPass until the beginning of the return timeslot allocated to them. Over time, this changed to allow another FastPass to be obtained two hours after the last one was printed, even if the return time was further away. Additionally, a FastPass for a show, such as World of Color, could be held additionally to a ride FastPass. Any attempt to obtain a FastPass in breach of the waiting period would result in an error message being printed on a FastPass slip, informing the guest of the time they could next obtain a FastPass.{{Citation needed|date=June 2026}}

At Walt Disney World, FastPass was replaced by the FastPass+ system in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Resnick |first=Erica |title=What I Miss About Disney's FastPass System |date=October 27, 2022 |url=https://www.wdwinfo.com/planning/what-i-miss-about-disneys-fastpass-system/}}</ref> At Disneyland Resort, FastPass system was offered alongside MaxPass beginning in 2017.<ref name="worldcost">{{cite web |date=February 1, 2020 |title=How much does Disney Fastpass cost at every park? (2020) |url=https://www.mousehacking.com/blog/disney-fastpass-cost |access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref> On August 18, 2021, it was announced that the FastPass, FastPass+ and MaxPass would officially be retired in favor of the new Disney Genie service in Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and by Disney Premier Access at Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort and Shanghai Disneyland.<ref name=":3" />

===FastPass+=== {{Infobox product | title = Disney FastPass+ | image = Fastpass+ Logo Clean.svg | logo = | image_size = 100 | alt = | caption = | type = Virtual queuing system | inventor = Disney Experiences | launch year = 2013 | manufacturer = Walt Disney Enterprises, Inc. | available = No | current supplier = | last production = 2021 | models = | url = | notes = }}

FastPass+ was a system that allowed guests to reserve and plan a visit in advance to parks at Walt Disney World, introduced as part of the resort's MyMagic+ suite of technologies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Levine |first=Arthur |date=2019 |title=Disney World's FastPass+ vs. FastPass: What is the Difference? |url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/disney-world-fastpass-options-3226777 |access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Testa |date=February 2, 2020 |title=Disney World FastPass+ FAQ: Overview, Tips, and Advice |url=https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/fastpass |access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref> Reservations were available for select attractions, Character Greetings, entertainment, and viewing areas for parades and fireworks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2018 |title=How to use FastPass at Disney World |url=https://wdwprepschool.com/how-to-use-fastpass-at-disney-world/ |access-date=May 11, 2020 |website=WDW Prep School |language=en-US}}</ref> The system allowed guests to make reservations up to 60 days in advance, and change at any time. FastPass+ was a reservation and scheduling system, unlike the old paper FastPass system, which was strictly a virtual queuing concept. Additionally, guests were encouraged to reserve FastPass+ sections with their group and were allowed to change the group's FastPass+ reservation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Making FastPass+ Selections |url=https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/fastpass-plus/ |access-date=December 12, 2013 |publisher=Walt Disney World}}</ref> Guests that stayed at an onsite Disney resort could make reservations up to 60 days in advance while all other guests could schedule reservations up to 30 days in advance, assuming tickets were linked to their account. Annual Passholders could hold FastPass+ reservations for up to 7 different days in the 30-day window. If a Passholder stayed at a Disney resort onsite, they also had 60 days to make reservations for the entire length of the stay.<ref name="Annual Passholders">{{cite web |title=Annual Passes – Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/passholders/reserving-fast-pass-plus/ |access-date=October 10, 2014 |website=disneyworld.com |publisher=Walt Disney World-Disney Parks}}</ref>

Guests could make three reservations in advance for each day, and all three were required to be at the same theme park. Disney's Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios separated the attractions available for reservation into two tiers. Guests were restricted in the combination of attractions they were able to reserve in these parks to ensure better reservation availability for others at the parks' most popular attractions. Guests had the option to make a further reservation via an in-park kiosk or the My Disney Experience app after they had used their initial three selections subject to availability. They had the option to continue to make further reservations after using each reservation, until all reservation slots had been allocated for the day.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is FastPass+ and How to Use it – FAQ |url=https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/fast-pass-plus/product-description/ |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=Walt Disney World Resort}}</ref>

Disney FastPass+ did not return to Walt Disney World after the parks reopened in July 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic closures. The system was officially discontinued and replaced in October 2021 by Lightning Lane.<ref name=":3" />

===MaxPass=== {{Infobox product | title = Disney MaxPass | image = Disney MaxPass Logo.jpg | logo = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | type = Virtual queuing system | inventor = Disney Experiences | launch year = 2017 | manufacturer = Walt Disney Enterprises, Inc. | available = No | current supplier = | last production = 2021 | models = | url = | notes = | company = Disney }}

MaxPass was a virtual queue system implemented on July 19, 2017 at Disneyland Resort.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Tribune Content |title=Disneyland launches digital version of Fastpass |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/entertainment/2017/07/19/disneyland-launches-digital-version-fastpass/493910001/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref> The system worked in conjunction with the original FastPass system, which remained available and free of charge. MaxPass allowed virtual queue reservations to be made from the Disneyland App without having to walk to the FastPass machines at rides. Instead, the system allowed users to receive a FastPass return time on their smartphone through the Disneyland mobile app when they were inside the parks. Guests who bought the MaxPass system were also able to download their PhotoPass pictures for free.<ref name="MaxPass announcement">{{cite web |last1=Glover |first1=Erin |date=January 11, 2017 |title=Additional Disney FASTPASS Locations and New Disney MaxPass Coming to Disneyland Resort |url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/01/additional-disney-fastpass-locations-and-new-disney-maxpass-coming-to-disneyland-resort/ |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=Disney Parks Blog |language=en-us |archive-date=January 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130032042/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/01/additional-disney-fastpass-locations-and-new-disney-maxpass-coming-to-disneyland-resort/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="MaxPass-Slashfilm">{{cite web |last1=Sciretta |first1=Peter |date=January 11, 2017 |title=MaxPass Is Disneyland's Premium Paid FastPass Service |url=http://www.slashfilm.com/disneyland-maxpass/ |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=Slashfilm}}</ref> MaxPass was Disney's first premium virtual queue system, thought it was included with select Disneyland Annual Passports.{{Citation needed|date=June 2026}}

The origin of the system can be tracked back to a patent filed on August 30, 2007, by the Walt Disney Company for using SMS as a way to get and use FastPasses in the park. The patent indicated that guests staying at Disney hotels would be allowed to make early reservations for attractions using their in-room television.<ref name="abc"> {{cite web|url=http://www.netcot.com/thesite/2007/09/05/disney-files-patent-for-wireless-fastpasses/ |work=Netcot.com |title=Disney Files Patent for Wireless FastPasses |access-date=September 5, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928045538/http://www.netcot.com/thesite/2007/09/05/disney-files-patent-for-wireless-fastpasses/ |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> The MaxPass system was discontinued and replaced in December 2021 by Lightning Lane.<ref name=":3" />

==See also== * Disney PhotoPass * E ticket * MyMagic+, the overall system that FastPass+ was a part of

* Fast Lane, a virtual queue system for Six Flags parks * Universal Express Pass, a virtual queue system for the Universal parks

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * {{cite web|title=Disney's FastPass Service |work=Disney |url=http://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/fastpass/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520172428/http://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/fastpass/ |archive-date=May 20, 2013 }} * {{cite web | title=Fastpass | work=AllEarsNet | url=http://allearsnet.com/tp/fastpass.htm | access-date=November 17, 2005}} * {{cite web|title=Method and system for managing attraction admission – Patent #6,173,209 |work=US Patent & Trademark Office |url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=6173209 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720112824/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=6173209 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |access-date=November 17, 2005 }} – Patent for the FastPass system * {{cite web | title=Disney MyMagic+ Learn more | work=Attraction-Tickets.info | date=October 23, 2015 | url=http://www.attraction-tickets.info/disney-passes-with-orlando-attraction-tickets/ | access-date=October 23, 2015}} {{Disneyland Resort}} {{Walt Disney World}} {{Tokyo Disney Resort}} {{Disneyland Paris}} {{Hong Kong Disneyland Resort}} {{Shanghai Disney Resort}}

Category:Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Category:Products introduced in 1999 Category:Products and services discontinued in 2021 Category:Products and services discontinued in 2022 Fastpass Category:Payment systems Category:Queue management