| This past week, Walt Disney World revamped their Genie+ (skip-the-line service), now rebranded as Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass. Although this new system is designed to simplify planning your days at the parks and reduce wait times, there’s a bit of a learning curve to fully utilize it. But don’t worry, with a brief tutorial and a few tips, you’ll be navigating Lightning Lane like a pro in no time! |
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| Purchasing: Everyone who plans to use Multi Pass Lightning Lanes must purchase it. However, children under 3, who do not require park tickets, also do not need a Multi Pass or Single Pass.Booking Process: If you are staying at a Disney resort or a select partner resort, you can purchase the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and book your initial three Lightning Lanes at 7 AM Eastern time, starting 7 days before your check-in date, for the first 14 days of your stay. Subsequent days (15th, 16th, etc.) will presumably become available in a rolling manner, one day at a time. All other guests can purchase the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and book their initial three Lightning Lanes at 7 AM Eastern time, 3 days before their visit date.Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot feature two tiers of attractions. When making advance selections, you can only choose one attraction from the top tier, but you can book all three selections from the lower tier if you wish. Animal Kingdom does not have this tier system. Once your park day begins and you’ve used your first Lightning Lane, the tier guidelines no longer apply.You can wait in line for an attraction if you want to ride it again, but you cannot book the same ride using a Multi Pass Lightning Lane on the same day. However, if you cancel a Multi Pass booking, you can book it for a different time. If you let a Multi Pass reservation expire without using it, you’ll need to go to the expired reservation (in “My Day”) and cancel it before you can book that ride again. |
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| Pro Tips: • Keep checking the app. If you’re unsure about available times or looking for a specific ride, grab the best option you see and then try to modify it for a better time or attraction. Plans change frequently, so it’s always worth attempting to make modifications.• Don’t miss your return time. Disney can be strict with return windows, so avoid booking Lightning Lane times that conflict with dining reservations or other plans. If you have a conflict and can’t modify the booking, check with a Guest Experience (blue umbrella) Cast Member for assistance.• Try to ride between 12 PM and 4 PM. Wait times are usually at their peak during this period, so it’s a good time to use Lightning Lanes. At the beginning or end of the day, wait times are generally shorter, so consider using standby lines then. If you have Early Entry, you can knock out some major rides early.• Plan hard-to-get selections later in your trip for Disney Resort guests. Popular attractions like Slinky Dog Dash can fill up quickly. If you’re staying at a Disney resort, consider visiting Hollywood Studios later in your trip, when there may be less competition for Lightning Lanes at 7 AM on your booking day. |
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| • Always plan to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass and make selections ASAP. Be ready to make your selections as soon as your booking window opens, which is typically at 7 AM Eastern.• Consider Single Rider options. For some major attractions, there’s a single rider line. If you don’t mind your group being split up, use this option and save your Lightning Lane selections for other rides.• Think geographically. Once you’ve secured reservations for high-demand rides, plan your route to minimize walking and maximize your time on attractions.• Keep trying, particularly around 7AM. If you logon right around 7AM on your booking day and see Lightning Lane Single Passes have sold out, keep trying. Not everyone who immediately secures a time will go all the way through with payment. |
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| Disney’s Lightning Lane offers several benefits, making your visit to the parks more enjoyable and efficient. By allowing you to skip the regular standby lines, Lightning Lane helps you save time, enabling you to experience more attractions. With the ability to book return times, you can better plan your day and avoid long waits, especially during peak hours. The service also provides flexibility, as you can make new reservations throughout the day after using your initial bookings. Dreaming of a Disney vacation or beyond? I would love to help you design the perfect land or sea experience for your family! Click here to schedule a “Let’s Get Acquainted Session” with me so we can start planning your family’s next great adventure. |
