Well, hello there, Alexander! I’m really happy that you reached out to us here at planDisney with your question.
If you’re staying off-site for your entire trip, your
Lightning Lane booking window opens 3 days before the start date of your ticket, as long as you’re in the U.S. when booking opens. If you’re staying off-site first and then moving to a
Disney Resorts Collection Hotel, your booking window opens 7 days before the start of your Disney hotel stay, again as long as you’re in the U.S. In that second situation, yes, booking 7 days out usually gives you more flexibility, but that doesn't mean you won't get the Lightning Lanes that you want most.
I’ve typically been successful booking the experiences I want when I book my Lightning Lane selections 3 days out, with a few caveats. Usually, timeslots for the more in-demand attractions will be available in the afternoon or evening, and one or two attractions, specifically
Slinky Dog Dash and
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, are more likely to be unavailable. However, if that happens, I’ve usually had success getting those attractions by checking back frequently on the My Disney Experience mobile app in the days leading up to my visit or on the actual day of my visit. As Dory from
Finding Nemo would say, "Just keep swimming."
Since my experience is no guarantee that this will be the case for you, it helps to remember that, as
Finding Nemo reminds us, "You never know what's going to happen." So, when life gets you down, here's what you have to do: get through the gates and into the park at opening, then make a beeline to an in-demand attraction. This is especially true if you’re staying at a Disney hotel or select
Good Neighbor Hotels, as you’ll be able to
enter the park 30 minutes before all other Guests. Now,
that's the "just keep swimming" attitude!
Alexander, best wishes for securing the Lightning Lanes of your dreams. If you have any other questions,
I’m here for you!
Like Dory, I give it a 42,
Matt