Welcome back to planDisney, Rachael. It’s time to play the music and time to light the lights.
And just like the Muppets have to coordinate their crazy antics with each other and Sabrina Carpenter for
their upcoming special on Disney+, we’ve got to coordinate your plans for this trip! Luckily, you won’t encounter wacky antics while making your plans, just your own zaniness and humor when your group is together at last, experiencing all the magic of the resort!
Currently, in order to make Lightning Lane purchases through the My Disney Experience mobile app, you will need to be in the United States. So, if you’re staying at a Disney Resorts Collection Hotel, you will be eligible to make Lightning Lane reservations 7 days before your arrival date at 7:00 a.m. EST if you’re in the U.S. Once you’re able to purchase
Lightning Lanes, you can book for anyone connected to you through your
My Family & Friends list who is eligible on the date you are booking. If your friends are staying with you and on the same reservation, you can book them all together. However, if your friends’ arrival date is later than yours, you will not be able to book for them until their arrival date.
But if that’s the case, don’t panic! Even the Muppets need a plan before the curtain goes up. Or should I say they
especially need a plan? Here are some things to keep in mind to help you out:
- Once in the U.S. and eligible, I’d highly recommend booking your Lightning Lanes for the days you’ll be in the parks, even if you aren't booking for your friends yet.
- Once your friends are eligible, you can book for them as long as you are connected, or they can book themselves if they are in the U.S.
- When booking the second group’s Lightning Lanes, look for times that overlap. For example, if you have a reservation for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., but can only find one from 9:55 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. for your friends, you'll be able to ride during the time they overlap. While it is up to the Cast Members' discretion, you can typically arrive up to five minutes before your window and up to fifteen minutes after, giving you even more flexibility.
- Be sure that you share plans. In the My Family & Friends list, click on “Edit Settings” next to each person and make sure you toggle on “Allow [insert name here] to view and modify all of your plans.” This way, when eligible, you can see, book, and modify each other’s plans for maximum coordination. After all, every great show works best when the whole cast is on the same page. In this case, don't take notes from the Muppets.
- When you go to book additional Lightning Lanes while in the parks, you’ll be able to select each other. Remember, for each Lightning Lane Multi Pass you use, you can book another available Lightning Lane that day.
- Keep checking back. If there is a certain experience you weren’t able to secure for everyone, the Tip Board in My Disney Experience is your friend. Simply click the plus sign (+) in the middle of the bottom menu in the app, select “View Wait Times & Showtimes,” and you’ll be able to see what’s available. Be sure to pull down at the top of this screen to refresh and see if anything new pops up. You can refresh as many times as you want. Sometimes I do this while waiting for food or standing in a queue.
Rachael, have a wonderful trip! If you have any other questions, please come back. We're always happy to be part of the show.
Until the lights come up again,
Matt