If you’ve been keeping an eye on Disney news, you’ve probably heard the exciting update: starting February 25, 2025, two of Walt Disney World’s newest and most popular attractions, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, will no longer use virtual queues. But what does this mean for your next Disney trip? Let’s dive into what you need to know to make the most of these new changes!

How To Ride Without the Virtual Queue

With no virtual queue, there are two main ways to experience these attractions. You’ll either pay for the expedited ‘lightning lane’ access or brave the crowds in the standby line. Let’s break it down:

1. Lightning Lane – Pay to Skip the Line

If you want to skip the standby line, you can purchase a Lightning Lane pass for either ride. Here’s what you need to know about the Lightning Lane booking process.

• Onsite Guest Booking: Onsite guests can book their Lightning Lanes up to 7 days before the first day of their trip for the extent of their trip.
• Offsite Guest Booking: If you’re staying offsite, you’ll be able to book up to 3 days in advance, but you’ll need to book separately for each day you want to ride.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

• Single Pass Purchase: Cosmic Rewind will continue to offer a single pass for a one-time entry.
• Price Range: Expect to pay between $15 and $25 per person, depending on the day and demand.
• Booking Tip: If you’re planning on paying for this experience, you’ll still need to keep an eye on availability, as Lightning Lane spots can fill up quickly!

via Blog Mickey

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

• Multipass Purchase: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will require a multipass for Magic Kingdom. This means you’ll need to purchase the MultiPass service for Magic Kingdom to book a Lightning Lane for this ride.

2. Standby Lines 

If you don’t want to pay for a Lightning Lane, standby lines are now an option. As a positive, this guarantees everyone has access to the attraction. But it does mean that you may end up waiting longer in the queue. Here’s how you can approach the standby line:

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

• Best Tip for Onsite & Offsite Guests: Arrive at the Epcot entrance one hour before park opening. Onsite guests will get 30 minutes of early entry and can head straight to Cosmic Rewind to avoid the bulk of the crowds. Offsite guests will be held outside the entrance, but will still hit the queue before the crowds build up.
• International Gateway Access: If you’re planning on entering through the International Gateway, be aware that it’s not as convenient for Cosmic Rewind, so you’ll likely be better off using the main entrance.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

• Frontierland Opening: For Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, things are a little different. Onsite guests will not be able to access Frontierland early. Frontierland will open at the official park opening time for all guests.
• Best Standby Strategy: If you want to avoid the longer lines, it’s best to go early in the morning before the heat of the day sets in and more crowds make their way over to the ride. If you don’t want to ride the water ride first thing in the morning, wait until later in the evening, when the crowds thin out and you can enjoy the ride with less wait time. If you’re up for skipping the fireworks, this is typically a time with lower wait times and you’ll get a great view!

via WDWMagic

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been waiting for a chance to experience these two attractions without the hassle of virtual queues, now’s the time! Whether you’re willing to pay for Lightning Lane access or prefer to brave the standby lines, make sure to plan ahead.

Are you excited about these changes? Let us know how you plan to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind on your next trip!