If you’re trying to score May the 4th merchandise at Disney World, there’s one thing you need to know first — there are two virtual queues…and missing the right one could cost you everything.
Star Wars Day is one of the most competitive shopping events of the year at Walt Disney World, and in 2026, Disney is once again using a virtual queue system to manage the crowds. But here’s where things get tricky: there isn’t just one queue this year — there are two, and they open at completely different times depending on where you’re shopping. If you’re not prepared ahead of time, it’s incredibly easy to miss your chance.
If you’re planning to shop the limited-edition Star Wars Day merchandise, you’ll need to use the virtual queue inside the My Disney Experience. Disney is splitting demand between two locations: one at Disney Springs and one inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Each location operates its own queue independently, and the biggest difference comes down to timing.
For Disney Springs, the virtual queue opens at 9:00 AM and is tied to the Once Upon a Toy location. Guests must be physically at Disney Springs to join, and like most high-demand drops, availability can disappear quickly once the queue goes live.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the process starts even earlier. The virtual queue for the merchandise event at Vacation Fun opens at 7:00 AM, giving park guests an early opportunity to secure a boarding group before the day really begins. Unlike Disney Springs, this queue is specifically tied to guests planning to shop inside the park, and you’ll need valid park access to participate.
Because these queues open at different times and serve different locations, it is possible to attempt both—but only if you plan carefully and meet the eligibility requirements for each.
To join either queue, open the My Disney Experience app and navigate to the “Join Virtual Queue” section. From there, you’ll choose the correct location (either Disney Springs or Hollywood Studios) based on where you plan to shop.
Once the queue opens (7:00 AM for Hollywood Studios and 9:00 AM for Disney Springs), you’ll need to act quickly. After selecting your party, the app will assign you a boarding group if space is still available. This group number determines when you’ll be allowed to return and shop the event.
After joining, your screen will show your boarding group along with updates on when groups are being called. When it’s your turn, Disney will send a push notification, and you’ll typically have about one hour to return to the location. Entry is completed by scanning your MagicBand, MagicBand+, Disney MagicMobile pass, or ticket card.
It’s important to understand that joining a virtual queue does not guarantee access to merchandise. Items are limited and available only while supplies last, so even guests with boarding groups may find certain products sold out by the time they enter.
Location also matters more than people expect. You must be physically present at the location tied to the queue you’re trying to join — meaning you can’t join the Hollywood Studios queue from Disney Springs, or vice versa.
Additionally, guests are limited to joining each virtual queue once per day per experience, and boarding groups can pause or shift depending on capacity and demand throughout the day.
Success here really comes down to preparation. Opening the app several minutes before the queue goes live, staying on the correct screen, and refreshing right at 7:00 AM or 9:00 AM can make all the difference. Having one person handle the process for your entire group also helps streamline things and avoid mistakes.
Strong Wi-Fi or cellular service is another factor that can impact how quickly your request goes through, and enabling push notifications ensures you won’t miss your return window once your group is called.
The May the 4th merchandise event continues to grow in popularity, and with that comes a more structured system to manage demand. While the virtual queue adds an extra step, it also gives guests a fair shot at accessing some of the most sought-after Star Wars merchandise of the year, if they know how to use it correctly.
Understanding the difference between the 7:00 AM Hollywood Studios queue and the 9:00 AM Disney Springs queue is the key to planning your day and maximizing your chances.
Are you attempting one queue…or both? Stay tuned for more Star Wars Day fun.
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