Hey there, Kristin!
Thank you so much for reaching out! My fellow panelists and I are thrilled to help you plan your magical Disney adventure. We understand how important it is to create the perfect trip to Walt Disney World Resort, and we truly appreciate your trust in us.
Lightning Lane passes are a fantastic way to make the most of your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth. They help you make the most of your time and enjoy as many attractions as possible without long waits. My favorite strategy is to combine Lightning Lanes with
rope drop for a seamless, adventure-packed day. Staying at a Disney Resort hotel elevates this experience: resort Guests can reserve Lightning Lane selections for their entire stay, up to seven days before check-in. A major advantage!
On a recent trip, I stayed at a
Walt Disney World Good Neighbor hotel and had to wake up every morning at 7 a.m. Eastern time to book Lightning Lanes for that day. While not terrible, it's definitely more convenient to secure your reservations all at once seven days out. Good Neighbor hotel guests can book only 3 days in advance per day of their trip, compared to 7 days for the entire stay for Disney Resort hotel guests. You can make your selections early, and I love that!
There are so many
fantastic perks to staying at a Disney Resort hotel. Another huge benefit is
Early Theme Park Entry. Resort hotel Guests can enter the theme parks 30 minutes before official opening, giving you a head start on the most popular attractions before the general public arrives.
If experiencing attractions with minimal wait times is important to you, I highly recommend exploring
Disney After Hours events. My family and I celebrated my son's birthday at an
EPCOT After Hours event in June, and it was truly unforgettable. We loved it so much that we're making it an annual tradition! The atmosphere in the park at night is magical, with lively music and complimentary beverages, and select snacks. Since attendance is limited to ticket holders, the crowds are much lighter, allowing you to enjoy your favorite rides over and over. We managed to ride
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind nine times in one night. It was a total game-changer!
Kristin, I hope this information has been helpful! Please feel free to reach out again if you have more questions. I'm always happy to help. You've got a friend in me.
Your personal planning companion,
Michelle