Lightning lanes are a paid component of the Disney Genie system. You are paying to be able to access an attraction faster than you would by using the standby line. Virtual Queues are reserved for only a handful of attractions in Disney World. They are used to manage guest expectations for popular rides or rides that can prove problematic. If an attraction is listed as Virtual Queue there will be no standby line available on the day. You won’t be able to walk up to the attraction and join a queue.
In order to ride a Virtual Queue attraction you must first obtain a virtual ride pass, available from 7 am on the day of your visit. There are no pre-selections for virtual queue attractions, only on the day availability. Passes can be incredibly popular and vanish within minutes of being made available.
If you miss a 7 am reservation window you have one more chance to join the virtual queue at 1 pm but to do this you must be in the park. 7 am reservations can be made from anywhere because the parks are yet to open for the day. There is no charge for a virtual ride pass. If you are a Deluxe Resort guest and have Extra Evening Hours in a park with a Virtual Queue attraction you have one final window to reserve your place at 6 pm. You don’t have to be in the park to make the reservation.
When you receive a reservation you will join a boarding group. A notification will be sent to you via the My Disney Experience app when it is your turn to join the queue.