Hi Sarah, and welcome to planDisney! My family loves using
Lightning Lane Passes to maximize our day, especially when we want to ride as many attractions as possible. So I’d be happy to walk you through the purchasing process so you’re all set for your trip!
First, download the
My Disney Experience app, since you’ll use it to buy Lightning Lane Passes and select attractions you want to ride.
Next, make sure your theme park tickets are linked to your MyDisney account. If you purchased them on the Disney World website (as standalone tickets or as part of a vacation package), they should be linked automatically. If not, open the app, press ☰ in the lower right corner, and select Tickets and Passes. On the next screen, you’ll press the + icon in the top right corner and select Link Tickets & Passes. Here you can link tickets by taking a picture of the barcode or QR code, tapping a MagicBand or plastic ticket, or inputting the ID number from your confirmation. You’ll also be able to link tickets for guests whose profiles you manage (like kids who are too young to have their own MyDisney account) or adults who you’re connected with through your Family & Friends List.
Once your tickets are linked, you can purchase Lightning Lane Passes in the app. Guests staying at a Disney resort hotel (or select other hotels) can
buy Lightning Lane Passes up to seven days before check-in for your entire stay (up to 14 days). All other guests can buy them up to three days ahead of their park visit (those with a multi-day date-based ticket can buy Lightning Lane Passes for the duration of their ticket).
When your booking window opens, go back into the My Disney Experience app, press ☰, and select Lightning Lane Passes (sometimes you can also get there through a Lightning Lane tile that may appear on the home screen). Here you’ll have the option to buy Lightning Lane Passes for anyone connected to your account with a valid theme park ticket.
Don’t forget that Lightning Lane Passes come with complimentary digital downloads of
select attraction photos and videos. My family loves to compare our pictures from over the years, and you can download them right from the app.
I hope you have a magical time at Disney World riding all the attractions! And if you have any other questions, we’d love to have you back at planDisney.
JoAnna