Hi Jill!
So happy to have you back here at planDisney!
Since you’ll be a
guest at a Disney World resort, you’ll be able to purchase your
Lightning Lane services for your entire trip beginning at 7 AM, 7 days prior to your check-in date. So for your vacation specifically, with a check-in date of April 26, 2025, that booking window will open on April 19, 2025.
I always love having my booking window open on a weekend! Here are some things to consider when it’s time to book.
I’ve noticed that if you book the Lightning Lanes at the end of your trip first, you’ll have a better chance at snagging some of the hard-to-get Lightning Lane return times. The only time I veer from that booking strategy is if I have a very high priority Lightning Lane that I’m hoping for earlier on in the trip.
Next, be aware that each park day you’re purchasing a Lightning Lane service for will be a separate transaction. You’ll have 5 minutes to complete your purchase from the time you start your booking. The timer will be at the top of the page, so you’ll know how much longer you have.
I like to set up the
Disney Genie Service on the
My Disney Experience app before my booking window opens. You’ll see it right on the homepage of your app! As you follow the prompts and get to the “My Top Picks” section, only choose the 3 attractions that you want to book for your Lightning Lane pre-selections that day. Then, as you scroll through the attractions while booking your pre-selections, you’ll notice those priority attractions will have a star next to them, making them easier to spot.
Finally, remember that you can modify any Lightning Lanes leading up to your trip and on your park day pending availability. So, you can always check back here and there if needed to see if any new availability pops up.
I hope that helps! If you have any other questions, feel free to visit us again!
Jenn J.