Overview
- Disney activated the mandatory virtual queue for Santa’s Marketplace at Disney Springs on Wednesday, November 11, requiring every guest to join through the My Disney Experience app rather than using a standby line.
- The system opens five boarding windows daily at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., and runs through December 24, subject to availability.
- Guests must be physically present at Disney Springs to request a spot, one person may join for a full party, each party is limited to 10 people, and each guest may enter the queue only once per day.
- Disney has said the app will send a notification with a digital entry code when a boarding group is ready and late arrivals may not be accommodated, so visitors are advised to monitor the app and carry phone chargers.
- The Santa virtual queue is part of a wider holiday rollout—Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure have installed trees and returning shows for the season—and it reflects Disney’s broader shift to app‑managed, capacity‑controlled seasonal experiences that change how guests plan visits.