Cinderella Castle Detail
  • On Sep 30, 2025
    Sarah from TN Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hello! We booked a split stay by renting DVC points, and will have to add park tickets separately. Will we be able to book lightning lanes seven days out since we are staying onsite, or only three days out since we don’t have a package?

    Hi Sarah,

    Welcome home!

    Thank you for visiting us with your question about your upcoming visit to Walt Disney World. It looks like 2026 is going to be a magical year for your family, starting it at The Most Magical Place on Earth! My family is in the final countdown to our next trip to Walt Disney World. My little boy woke me up this morning shouting, “5 days until holiday!” I don’t know who is more excited, him or me!

    Lightning Lanes are a fantastic way to maximise your time in the Disney Parks, and great news, Sarah, you don’t need to have booked a package to access the priority window 7 days before your arrival. Just make sure you have linked your Disney Resort reservation to your My Disney Experience account and have also linked your tickets. I have more good news: if your split stay is back-to-back with no break in your Disney stay, you should be able to book Lightning Lanes for the length of your stay (up to 14 days), covering both resort reservations.

    My advice when booking your Lightning Lane reservations is to have at least one return time earlier in the day. This way, as soon as you tap in to join the Lightning Lane of your first attraction, you can make another reservation on the My Disney Experience app, and this reservation will not be subject to tier restrictions. We find this really helps us get the most value from our Lightning Lanes.

    I hope this answers your question today, Sarah, and that you have a fantastic time at Walt Disney World. If you have any further questions about Disney Vacation Club membership or vacation planning, please reach out to me. I’d love to help! I could talk about Disney Destinations all day long!

    See ya real soon!
    Matt
thumbnail image for Matt

Meet the Panelist: Matt, United Kingdom

Hi there! I’m Matt, a husband, dad to two adventure-loving boys, a HR professional, and a proud Disney adult from the UK. My Disney journey began with my first visit to Disneyland Paris as a child, and since then, I've had the joy of visiting every Disney theme park destination around the world. When we're not on a Disney vacation, we're busy planning the next one! I can’t wait to share my tips and experiences to help you create your own unforgettable Disney memories. Learn More About Matt

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