Welcome to planDisney, Kelsey!
I'm thrilled to hear about your family's upcoming visit and sending a
big congratulations on your pregnancy. You're sure to have a magical time together as you await your newest bundle of joy!
It's smart that you're already thinking about
Lightning Lane Pass logistics, as you'll want to secure plans as close to your 7 am EST window opening for the best availability. This is a popular time of year to visit, so preparation and planning can make all the difference. You'll be glad to know that guests
can combine Lightning Lane with
Rider Switch at eligible attractions. There are a few things to consider, so let's talk through specifics.
First, all guests planning to experience an attraction via the Lightning Lane entrance should purchase the appropriate passes for their visit. The entire party will need to make the same initial 3 attraction selections, but you can
modify attractions and return times for one or more members of your party, subject to availability, after booking.
Let's say you choose Peter Pan's Flight, The Barnstormer, and Pirates of the Caribbean as your initial 3 selections at Magic Kingdom Park. There is an
Expectant Mothers Advisory for The Barnstormer, so you'd want to modify that to an alternate selection for yourself after booking. My panel pal
Elaine explains that process here. Keep in mind that your family may not be able to secure the same return window for your modified attraction if booking after redeeming one of their initial 3 selections. I recommend checking availability in the My Disney Experience app throughout your visit to find overlapping return windows, if the initial plans don't align.
Now, let's talk Rider Switch. Once your group is within their arrival window, you'll speak to a Cast Member at the attraction entrance. Instructions and specifics may vary, but typically your family will scan in, and your husband will ride first with one child while you wait with the other. Once the first group is done, he'll come back to switch kids and return through the Lightning Lane entrance to ride again with the waiting child. You'll be able to utilize this service in eligible standby queues as well.
My fellow panelist Kristi recently shared some
great tips for expectant mothers, so you'll definitely want to check out her suggestions ahead of your visit. I also recommend familiarizing yourself with the
Baby Care Centers in each park in case you need to take a rest break or brush up on the ins and outs for a future visit when your little Mouseketeer debuts.
I hope this helped, Kelsey! Please come back and see us again with more planning questions. Wishing you a magical vacation!
Magic and memories,
Amy