Bonjour, Belle!
Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney. I'm thrilled to help as you prepare for your upcoming visit.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass offers one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane experience in a theme park, without the need to pre-schedule return windows. This purchase includes Lightning Lane Single Pass attractions and Lightning Lane Multi Pass experiences at your selected park, but does
not offer expedited entry into attractions with a standby-only queue. My pal Jenn recently detailed this for another
guest inquiring about availability at Magic Kingdom Park. You can confirm the
list of Multi Pass and Single Pass experiences at each park here to aid in your decision.
I'd also like to mention that purchasing the Premier Pass does
not guarantee entry into all attractions, as Lightning Lane experiences are subject to change or closure without notice. If an attraction is scheduled for refurbishment, experiences an unexpected closure, or bad weather presents an issue, this may limit your opportunity to ride.
If you decide to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass instead of Premiere Pass, you'll have the option to pre-schedule return windows for up to 3 attractions in your selected park. Keep in mind, all parks currently have tier restrictions in place, except for Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. This means you'll select one attraction from group 1 and 2 additional attractions from group 2 when making your initial 3 selections. You'll be able to book additional return windows one at a time, subject to availability, after redeeming one of your pre-scheduled selections.
You can also opt for a Multi Pass
and Single Pass purchase at each park. Magic Kingdom currently offers two Single Pass attractions, while the remaining parks offer one each. Hot Tip: I always purchase a Single Pass for
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT (and often hop back in the standby line right before park close for a second ride, because it's just that good!).
If you decide to go this route and purchase Multi Pass and both Single Pass options at Magic Kingdom Park, for example, you'd hold 5 return windows, subject to availability, before you even set foot on Main Street, U.S.A. I'd say that's a pretty magical way to start your adventure in the great wide somewhere!
Regardless of what you decide to purchase, you'll want to
make note of a few key timing details. Guests staying at an eligible resort hotel can purchase Lightning Lane passes (this includes Premier, Multi, and Single Pass options) starting 7 days before the first day of their resort stay, for their length of stay (up to 14 days). Off-site guests with date-based theme park tickets can purchase 3 days before the first day of their ticket, for the total number of valid admission days on their ticket. Annual Passholders and guests with other ticket types can purchase 3 days before their ticket on a day-by-day basis (as opposed to the length of admission). Purchase windows open at 7 am EST on the day of eligibility.
I hope this helps you make an informed decision for your visit, Belle. Please come back and see us again with more planning questions. Tale as old as time, true as it can be- we're always here to help!
Magic and memories,
Amy