Hi Bryan,
Welcome to planDisney! Thank you and your family or friends for their service. I am glad to see that you are taking advantage of those US Military perks available at Disney World. In addition to your
Military Salute Tickets, don't forget to take advantage of the discounted rate on
Memory Maker. This fun service enables you to get unlimited downloads of all your PhotoPass photographer pictures throughout your vacation.
I have used
Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass on my last few trips and it has made a huge difference. Lightning Lane passes are an excellent way to maximize your time at Disney World while still having flexibility around advanced dining reservations. As you mentioned, one of the coolest new benefits of staying at a Disney Resort hotel is that you get to purchase Lightning Lane passes starting 7 days before your arrival date for the length of your trip (up to 14 days). This is a huge benefit because it gives you priority access to choosing experiences and arrival windows. Some of the most sought-after Lightning Lane Multi Pass attractions, like Tiana's Bayou Adventure, book up quickly. Having access at the 7-day mark has almost always ensured that I get my top choices when booking. During super busy times, this is not always true, but it increases your odds significantly.
Based on the information you provided, you will be able to book Lightning Lane passes for the length of your Disney Resort hotel stay at the 7-day mark. Once you move to the off-property accommodations, you will be able to book at the 3-day pre-arrival window each day. I would make sure to prioritize some of the more in-demand attractions on the days you have access to priority booking so you have a better chance of getting them.
Happy Planning,
Jenna