Greetings, Jeffrey, and welcome to planDisney! One of the best things about the Disneyland Resort is how customizable a visit can be. Whether you're focused on thrills, Characters, food, special experiences, or staying within a specific budget, the trip can be perfectly tailored for you. Optional enhancements, like
Lightning Lane passes, are a great example of this flexibility. I'm happy to share how it works and when it might be a good fit!
The
Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows you to use the Lightning Lane entrance at many attractions, leading to typically shorter wait times compared to the standby queues. Even on days that aren’t expected to be particularly busy, the time you save (especially at popular attractions) can add up. There are other benefits, too. With the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you'll also get unlimited downloads of
Disney PhotoPass photos taken that day. You'd unlock special
Disney PhotoPass Lenses, too, which will give you some of the most magical selfies ever!
So, is it necessary? That really depends on what kind of park day you’re envisioning. If you're an early riser and plan to be at the park when it opens, you'll likely experience several attractions with shorter waits. If you are strategic about what you ride and when, and if you are okay with waiting in the standby lines, you can absolutely still have a magical day without the multi pass.
That said, I've purchased Lightning Lane passes several times and have always been satisfied with how they enhanced my experience in the park. Here are some scenarios where it might make sense to get a pass:
- If you or the others in your party do not visit the Disneyland Resort often, Lightning Lane passes will save you time and help you experience as many attractions as possible.
- If you have a Park Hopper ticket, you'll get the maximum value of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, since you can use it in both parks on a single day.
- You like the idea of accessing attractions through a dedicated entrance – it feels special and keeps the momentum of the day going.
- You dream of riding Radiator Springs Racers or Rise of the Resistance with your party, but the wait time is long (consider a Lightning Lane Single Pass).
If you're thinking of visiting in September, Jeffrey, you're in for a treat, because
Halloween Time will be in full swing. There's nothing quite like seeing all the pumpkins and other seasonal decorations materialize across the park. I especially like the Halloween Screams show and Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark.
Looking for other ways to enhance your experience? Consider a
dining package with reserved show viewing, a reservation at a table service restaurant like Blue Bayou, or even a guided tour. Don't forget to try the
Disney Genie service – it’s a free tool that builds a personalized itinerary based on your interests, and may help you decide if you want to add Lightning Lane passes to your day.
Jeffrey, if you have any other questions, please let us know. We're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Wishing you magic,
Kriss