Hello there, Jacqueline! Welcome to
planDisney, and thank you so much for bringing us your question. I can already tell you’re such a thoughtful planner, and I love how much care you’re putting into making this magical trip to the
Walt Disney World Resort perfect for your little one!
When it comes to
Lightning Lane Passes, whether you’re purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass for one of the most popular attractions or choosing the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you’ll be asked to select exactly who in your travel party will be using the pass at the time of purchase. Once that pass is assigned, it’s locked in and cannot be refunded or transferred to someone else, even if the selected Guest ends up changing their mind.
So in your case, if your 8-year-old decides she's not quite ready to ride after all (and we know how quickly feelings can shift when the moment arrives!), unfortunately, that spot, and the payment made for it, would not be recoverable or assignable to another Guest in your group. It’s always best to only purchase these passes for those who are definitely up for the adventure!
That said, I completely understand wanting to give her the opportunity to experience it if she’s excited in the moment! One idea is to wait until you’re physically in the park and closer to ride time before locking in that Lightning Lane purchase (availability permitting, of course) just to see how she’s feeling. Sometimes seeing the attraction or talking it through with a Cast Member can make a big difference in building that bravery! Another great idea is to watch attraction ride-through videos on YouTube. This is very helpful when it comes to picturing the attraction and making final decisions!
Jacqueline, I hope this gives you a clearer picture so you can plan with confidence! If you need help strategizing what to ride or how to approach Lightning Lanes as a family, I’m just a question away and always happy to help.
Warm hugs,
Ana Paula