Hi Stuart!
Welcome to planDisney. Things have changed over the past decade, but you've come to the right place for guidance.
Lighting Lane Passes are a paid option to reduce standby waits at many attractions. Lightning Lane Multi Pass is similar to the discontinued FastPass+ program and allows guests to schedule return times at 3 attractions per day ahead of their visit. As you redeem one of these initial experiences you'll be able to make additional selections one at a time, subject to availability, throughout the day.
Lightning Lane Single Pass is also an advance purchase but available for individual attractions, typically the most popular at each park. At present, Lightning Lane Single Pass is available for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run Presented by Enterprise at Magic Kingdom Park, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Guests have the option to purchase up to 2 Single Pass attractions per day but will need Park Hopper Option tickets if choosing selections across multiple parks.
You will not have the option to purchase these passes when purchasing your theme park ticket but can do so using the My Disney Experience Mobile App as your trip nears. If you'll be staying at an eligible resort hotel during your visit you can purchase Multi Pass, Single Pass or both for each day of your stay 7 days before your check-in date. If you are staying off-site or just visiting for the day, you can purchase these 3 days before your ticket start date for the length of admission.
Purchasing will be available at 7 a.m. on the day your eligible window opens. I shared some step-by-step
instructions for making selections with another guest here.
Finally,
Lightning Lane Premier Pass is an additional option available exclusively to resort guests at this time. Purchasing Premier Pass will give you one-time access to all Lightning Lane entrances (Multi Pass and Single Pass) at one park on a particular day. You will not need to schedule return windows for these attractions and can redeem at your leisure throughout the day. This is the most expensive paid option at this time and is available in very limited quantities. Guests hoping to purchase this can check availability at 7 a.m. 7 days prior to their resort check-in.
I'd like to mention that while all of these options are convenient ways to save time, you do not need to purchase any of them to enjoy a magical day in the parks. All attractions except those utilizing a complimentary
Virtual Queue (currently Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT) are available to guests via a standby line. If either of these attractions are top priority you can join the Virtual Queue from your app at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit, and if unsuccessful, attempt to join the 1 p.m. Virtual Queue from within the park that day.
I hope this helped, Stuart. If you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to come back and let us know. Wishing you a magical visit next year!
Magic and memories,
Amy