It's great to see you back at planDisney, Candace! You're always welcome to stop by with your planning questions. It looks like you're visiting in a few days, so I hope you've started gathering your Minnie ears! Have you noticed that it's impossible not to smile while packing for a Walt Disney World Resort vacation?
I fully support your plan to use
Lightning Lane Multi Passes during your visit. My family has used this latest iteration to shorten wait times, and once we got the hang of it, we found it user-friendly. I recently spoke to a Cast Member about how the system works when parks hold after-hours events, so I'll share what they said.
If you purchase Lightning Lane passes on a day when the park closes early for an after-hours event such as
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the latest return windows will end when the park closes for day guests. So, if Magic Kingdom closes at 6:00 PM for regular ticket holders, the latest availability for attraction return windows will typically be from around 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
If you have tickets to the party, YAY! You're in for a festive soirée! And even though you can't book Lightning Lanes during the event, you'll be happy to know that wait times are typically shorter since the parties sell limited tickets. Remember to grab a spot early to watch Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade. I like to watch from Frontierland near
Country Bear Musical Jamboree.
Guests of Disney Resort hotels can purchase Lightning Lane passes in their mobile app
seven days before arrival for the length of their stay, so you're within that timeframe now. All other guests can purchase three days in advance on a rolling basis.
Candace, I'm wishing on a winter star that you'll have a magical visit. Please stop by
planDisney again. We're always thrilled to help!
Magic awaits,
Elaine