Hi Bronwyn, and welcome to planDisney! This is an excellent question, and I'll gladly help you today. Thank you for trusting your fellow panelists with the planning of such an important trip.
The
new Lightning Lane passes are fantastic for planning in advance and making the most of your day. But I know it can be overwhelming to understand all the details. Do not worry; I'm here to break it all down for you!
When you're staying at
Disney Resorts Collection or select hotels, you can buy Lightning Lane passes and pick your experiences and arrival windows starting 7 days before your stay begins for up to 14 days. If staying outside, you have two options: If you have
date-based theme park tickets, you can purchase them 3 days before the first day of your ticket for the total number of valid admission days. And if you have other ticket types without a start date, you can purchase them 3 days before each park visit.
All of this happens within the
My Disney Experience app, taking into account your ticket and hotel reservation. So, you can purchase and book when you're eligible based on where you're staying and your check-in date.
I understand this might make things a bit tricky if you're planning theme park days with your entire party. It can be a lot to coordinate, but because Disney Resorts Guests have such a generous window to book experiences, you'll likely still be able to snag some attractions with similar arrival windows and enjoy your favourite rides with your loved ones.
I hope that clears things up, Bronwyn. If you have any other questions or need further clarification,
feel free to come back anytime. It's always a delight to help our wonderful neighbours and friends from the True North like you.
Cheers
Nilson