Hi Joseph!
Thanks for coming back to planDisney with another question! To start, a big “Happy Birthday!” to your father-in-law! In Disneyland Resort,
Walt Disney dedicated Fantasyland to “the young, and young-at-heart,” and in my opinion, those words also apply to all of Walt Disney World Resort, so it’s the perfect place to celebrate a milestone birthday.
You are correct that Guests staying at Disney Resorts can
purchase and select Lightning Lane experiences for the length of their stay beginning seven days before their arrival. The two family members not staying at a Disney Resort can purchase and make their Lightning Lane selections 3 days before their park visit.
Joseph, I recommend purchasing the Lightning Lane passes for the Disney Resort guests seven days before your arrival, and if you are purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass, make your three attraction selections. When the remainder of your group can purchase Lightning Lane passes, they can try to book their experiences with an arrival window that overlaps with your selections. If you’re unable to book overlapping arrival windows, keep checking the
My Disney Experience app before your park visit! Other guests may be changing their plans, which could open up some availability for the windows you are looking for.
There is another opportunity to book Lightning Lane experiences together. Once you redeem a Lightning Lane Multi Pass experience,
you can book another selection one at a time for any eligible members of your Family & Friends List.
I hope this was helpful, Joseph. I hope you have a magical family vacation at Walt Disney World! If you have any future questions, you know where to find us at
planDisney!
Kaitlin