Hi Adam,
Welcome to planDisney! Disney Parks Blog recently shared some thoughts on
the best times to visit Walt Disney World, and January was included as a great time for unique experiences like the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts!
I reached out to a Cast Member, who informed me that when you purchase Lightning Lane Passes, you can purchase for up to 12 Guests. Since you have a large group, I recommend finding another member of your travel party who can help you purchase passes on the day your booking window opens. I have a few additional tips to prepare for that day.
First, make sure everyone is
linked through your Family & Friends List. You will only be able to select the Guests who have a valid admission and are within their booking window. Next, divide your party, so you and your fellow planner know which Guests to include in your purchase. In addition to this step, make sure you know which attractions and experiences you are prioritizing. I know it is an early morning, but I recommend being in contact with each other as you are purchasing your Lightning Lanes and making selections, so you can coordinate overlapping arrival windows. If some members of your party don’t want to visit certain attractions, it’s still recommended that you include everyone in your initial purchase, then
modify the experiences for those individuals.
I hope this helps, Adam. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, your
Lightning Lane purchase window will open up to 7 days before your arrival. If you’re not staying at a Disney Resort, you can purchase Lightning Lanes up to 3 days before your visit. I mentioned the
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts earlier, so make sure you keep checking the
Disney Parks Blog for more details about what you can see during the 2026 festival dates! If you have any more questions, please come back to see us again at
planDisney!
Kaitlin