Hi Leon! Welcome to planDisney, and thanks for stopping by with your question. July will be here before you know it, and I’m thrilled to hear you're heading to
Walt Disney World Resort. There’s nothing quite like a Disney holiday, and with a little planning ahead, it can be everything you’ve been dreaming of and more.
There is a lot to cover, so let’s dive into
Lightning Lanes. They can be a helpful tool during your visit, giving you the ability to skip the standby line at many popular attractions and shows. You’ll find three types of Lightning Lane access. The first is the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which allows you to book three Lightning Lane entry return times in advance, for a variety of attractions. Once you use (tap into) a Lightning Lane return time, you can book another, and continue this process throughout the day (pending availability). The second is à la carte Lightning Lane entry for select high-demand rides, the Lightning Lane Single Pass. The third option is the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which is purchased for a specific park and allows you to enjoy one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane experience without choosing a specific return time.
For guests staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel or other participating hotels, you can purchase and begin booking Lightning Lane entries at 7:00 AM, seven days before your arrival, for the duration of your visit up to 14 days. Guests staying elsewhere can do the same at the three-day mark. As an international Guest, you will need to wait until you’ve arrived in the United States before you can purchase or make any Lightning Lane selections. That said, not all hope is lost.
If you’ve previously visited and downloaded the
My Disney Experience app, you’re already ahead of the game. Even from home, you can begin to build your tip board, explore wait times for different attractions, and get comfortable navigating the app. This helps set the stage so you’re ready to hit the ground running once you’re stateside.
And here's the good news: Disney understands the challenges international Guests face and, in my experience, works hard to ensure fair access to Lightning Lane opportunities. I’ve often seen additional times released throughout the day as attractions move Guests efficiently through the queues. You’ll also find that return times can pop back up, especially if a ride that had paused temporarily is back in operation.
There’s also a little strategy that can help. Say you’re planning to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios and want to ride a number of the headliners there. I’d suggest saving that park for later in your trip, maybe day four or five. That way, by the time you're able to purchase and book Lightning Lanes, you’ll have a better chance of grabbing those earlier return times. I also like to recommend booking the attraction most important to you first, but also selecting something with a return time close to park opening and your arrival. That way, you can tap in and immediately start booking your next experience, a handy tip if you’re using Park Hopper tickets and planning to move between parks later in the day.
Leon, while this may not be the answer you were hoping for, I do hope it gives you a better sense of what to expect and how you can prepare ahead of time. With a little planning and a flexible mindset, you’ll still have plenty of Lightning Lane options available during your stay. And remember, if you’d like help creating a day-by-day strategy or choosing which rides to prioritize, feel free to write back.
Cheers,
Brent