If Lightning Lane has ever made your head spin, you're going to love this.
My travel agency, Travelmation, just released a brand-new video all about Lightning Lane, and it's one of the clearest breakdowns I've seen. Whether it's your first Disney trip or your fifteenth, it's worth a watch before your booking window opens.
Watch the Video 🎥
Give it a watch, then come back for my favorite tips and tricks below.
New to Lightning Lane? My Lightning Lane 101 guide breaks down Multi Pass, Single Pass and Premier Pass. Below are the tips and tricks I use with my own clients.
Before Booking Day
Know your window. Disney Resort hotel guests can buy Lightning Lanes up to 7 days before their stay starts. Everyone else can buy 3 days before each park day. Both windows open at 7:00 AM Eastern.
Get your app ready the night before. Log in to My Disney Experience, make sure everyone in your party is linked with their tickets, and check that your payment method is saved and current. You don't want to be typing in a card number at 7:00 AM while the best times disappear.
Make your must-do list first. Decide which rides matter most to your family, and rank them. When the window opens, you won't have time to debate Peter Pan vs. Haunted Mansion.
Plan around your dining reservations. Your character breakfast or lunch reservation sets the shape of your day. Book Lightning Lane return times that work around it, not on top of it.
On Booking Day
Book the hardest-to-get rides first. The most popular attractions get snapped up fastest, so start there and fill in the easier ones after.
Decide if you need a Single Pass. Some of the biggest rides aren't included in Multi Pass, and you can buy up to 2 Single Passes per day. Prices vary by ride and date, so look at the price before you commit.
Don't panic if a time isn't perfect. Book what's available, then check back. Times can open up as plans change, and you can often modify to a better window later.
In the Park
Rope drop what you didn't book. Get to the park early and ride a popular attraction you don't have a Lightning Lane for while the standby line is still short.
Book your next one right away. Once you use one of your Lightning Lanes, you can book another (as available). Check the app as soon as you tap in.
Keep checking for better times. Throughout the day, it's worth peeking at the app to see if an earlier window opened for something on your list.
Remember, it's skipping most of the line. Lightning Lane waits are much shorter, but they're not always zero, especially on busy days.
Is It Worth It?
It depends on your family, your dates and your park days. Some days it's a must. Other days you can skip it and lean on rope drop and evening hours. That's exactly what I help my clients figure out.
Let Me Build Your Lightning Lane Plan ✨
When you book with me, I don't just send you a confirmation and wish you luck. I help you decide which days need Lightning Lane, which passes make sense for your budget, and how to line it all up with your dining and rest days. And when your window opens at 7:00 AM, I'm right there with you.
As a licensed Travelmation travel agent who specializes in all things Disney, I'd love to help you plan a trip with more riding and less waiting. Head to thatkatiefath.com/travel and fill out my inquiry form.
xoxo,
Katie