Hey there, hi there Sarah!
Thanks for stopping by
planDisney with your question. Your visit to Walt Disney World is right around the corner, and I am sure you are eager to put the finishing touches on all of your vacation planning.
I was also nervous about using
Genie+ for the first time and making Lightning Lane selections, but once you start to use the system, it's pretty easy. The good news is, besides making your daily theme park reservations, securing those
dining reservations, and making plans for any
Enchanting Extras you may want to experience, you don't have to worry about booking Lightning Lanes until the day of your visit to the park.
That's right, at 7:00 AM on the day of your park visit, you'll be able to make your first Lightning Lane selection of the day. You've already added Genie+ for your entire trip, so you'll be ready to book right at that time. You'll be able to make another Lightning Lane selection either 1) after you've checked into the Lightning Lane for your first selection, or 2) 120 minutes after the park you are visiting opens for the day, whichever comes first. Don't worry, if you go to make a new Lightning Lane selection before one of those times, there will be a notification telling you when you are eligible to schedule your next Lightning Lane.
If you are staying at a
Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you can also purchase up to two Individual Lightning Lanes at 7:00 AM. This is a slight advantage over other guests who can make those purchases as soon as the park they are visiting opens for the day. Some attractions, like
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance often sell out all Individual Lightning Lane time slots in a few minutes. If you don't want to consider the extra expense of Individual Lightning Lane purchase, I recommend starting your day with those attractions. The standby wait time may be long, but it will generally just increase as the day progresses.
If you don't already have
My Disney Experience app added to your mobile device, you should do that soon. This tool is essential for making Genie+ selections and so much more. Before your trip, take some time to look at the
Tip Boards for each park. They will show height requirements, standby wait times, and the availability for making Genie+ selections. This will help you become familiar with what attractions have the longest lines throughout the day and which Lightning Lanes book the most quickly.
Hope this helps. Mickey can't wait to see ya real soon!
Diane