Hi Leslie!
Welcome back to planDisney!
When it comes to purchasing and booking
Lightning Lane services, your booking window depends on your resort stay. So, if your friends who live locally will not be linked to a stay at a Disney World resort or select good neighbor hotel, but you will,
your booking windows will be different.
If you’re staying at a
Disney World resort or select good neighbor hotel, you’ll be able to purchase and book Lightning Lanes for your entire trip beginning at 7 AM Eastern, 7 days prior to your resort check-in date.
For those staying off property with tickets that aren’t date-based (such as
Annual Passes), the booking window for Lightning Lanes will open at 7 AM Eastern, 3 days prior to their park day. So, they would have multiple booking windows if they’re heading to the parks on multiple days, if they stay off property.
It’s good to note that the members of your party with Annual Passes will need to
make park reservations for the first park they plan to visit each day. I’d make sure that’s all set up before your Lightning Lane booking window opens. That way, it doesn’t limit availability to certain times of the day when it comes to your return times.
I hope that helps! If any other questions pop up as you continue to plan, let us know!
Jenn J.