Hi Audrey,
There are so many perks associated with staying at a
Disney Resort hotel! One of the best new perks is the ability to book Lighting Lane passes 7 days before other guests. We have made trips both staying on property and staying locally in Orlando, and while staying on Disney World property is my preference, it is not a must to make the most out of a magical day at Disney World.
I recently used
Lightning Lane Multi Pass and was late to the game with booking so I only got to book them 2 days in advance! There were still lots of different options available to help me make the most of my Magic Kingdom day. The great thing about purchasing the Lightning Lane Multi Pass is that you can see what experiences are still available and what times are available before you have to hit the button to purchase the passes. This will help to ensure that you are satisfied with the options that are left and feel like it is worth the money for your family.
The week you are visiting Magic Kingdom is one of the busiest times of the year due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Lightning Lane Multi Pass would be a must-do for my family because the wait times will be significant during this time of year. In my experience, wait times at Magic Kingdom are around 30-60 minutes for most of the rides and 60-90 minutes or more for the thrill rides during busy times of the year. Ensuring that you don't wait for at least 3 of those lines will significantly maximize the amount of rides and attractions you get to experience on your visit.
Another great way to minimize your wait times at Magic Kingdom is to attend
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! This is one of the best events of the year. It is a separate ticket for entry, but ticket sales are limited, so the wait times are significantly shorter than during the day. This party also includes an epic holiday parade featuring Santa Claus, specialty-themed snacks, and characters decked out in their holiday finest. You will get to enter Magic Kingdom at 4 PM and stay until midnight enjoying all of the holiday splendor including snow on Main Street!
Happy Planning,
Jenna