Howdy, Laura.
I'm always happy to rustle up an answer for a fellow Texan, so thanks for boot-scooting by planDisney today. In less than two months, you'll be waltzing with 999 Happy Haunts, dropping in for a stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel, and flying high with Dumbo at The Most Magical Place on Earth. I bet you can’t wait!
Since Savi's Workshop falls under the
Enchanting Extras umbrella, you can book a reservation to build your own custom lightsaber
up to 60 days in advance. Laura, this means you are eligible to make your reservation now! To do so, sign into your
My Disney Experience account online and click “Check Availability” on the
Savi’s Workshop webpage. Don’t give up if you don’t find a reservation right away. Guests’ plans change all the time, so there’s a chance a reservation could open up before your arrival. Be consistent and make it a point to check daily. May the Force be with you on your quest.
The FastPass+ system has indeed been retired, Laura. You now have the opportunity to take advantage of
Disney Genie+ service and
Individual Lightning Lanes for a nominal fee per person per day. Disney Genie+ service allows you access to Lightning Lane entrances at more than 40 attractions across the four theme parks. You can only book one Lightning Lane selection at a time, and it automatically assigns you the next available arrival window rather than you choosing a return time. You can purchase Disney Genie+ service starting at 12:00 a.m. midnight on the day you wish to use it in your
My Disney Experience Mobile App via the "My Day" feature. Once you’ve purchased Disney Genie+ service, you can book your first Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane selection at 7:00 a.m. via the Tip Board in your mobile app. You’ll be able to continue booking subsequent Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane selections every two hours or after utilizing a previous selection, whichever comes first. I suggest you set a timer to remind yourself to make your next selection as soon as you are eligible to, but if you lose track of time, just click on another attraction in your Tip Board (it will display a message with the exact time you are eligible to book your next Lighting Lane).
Individual Lightning Lanes are a separate, per-ride purchase available at one or two attractions in each of the theme parks. You may purchase up to two of these per day. Since you won’t be staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, you will be able to purchase Individual Lightning Lanes on the morning of use via the Tip Board in your mobile app at the official park opening time. Unlike Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lanes, you will be able to choose an arrival window.
Laura, since you aren’t staying in a Disney Resort hotel, you will be able to enter the theme parks at the
official park opening time. I suggest you still get there about 30 minutes early so you can enter the park as soon as you are allowed to. I hope this information helps and that your magical trip is everything you've dreamed of and more. If you have further questions, please stop back by planDisney and let me lasso up another answer for you.
Happy trails to you,
Alyssa