Hi Charles! Welcome to planDisney! Thanks for stopping by with your question.
There is nothing better than having a park reservation lined up for your arrival day. I just recently returned from a week-long trip and we had the same plan, to get onto Main Street, U.S.A. as soon as possible! There's no need to delay the inevitable and it makes the travel to the Walt Disney World Resort that much more exciting. The
My Disney Experience App has made it that much easier to manage your day on the go. While you're traveling, you'll be able to update your plans as needed.
I do have great news for you, Charles! You most certainly can book
Disney Genie+ reservations and
Individual Lightning Lanes while still in your home state. For Disney Genie+, you can make your first Lightning Lane reservation starting at 7 AM EST. Make sure to have your My Disney Experience App open and ready to go. For Genie+ time slots, you will not be able to choose the specific time you wish to ride the attraction. It will typically give you the next available slot. Just be aware of this and make sure you do not book a time that you will not be in the park.
A quick tip: If the first reservation you make is for later in the day, you will be able to make a second reservation starting two hours after the official park opening. For example, if the
Magic Kingdom Park opens at 9 AM EST on that day, you can make a second Lightning Lane starting at 11 AM EST. You could potentially have two reservations lined up for when you enter the park!
To make an Individual Lightning Lane reservation, the process will work similarly. If you are staying at a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel or other select hotels, you can make your first purchase for these attractions starting at 7 AM EST. If you are not, then you will have to wait until the official park opening to do so. You will however be able to choose what time you want to ride this attraction. For example, if you want to make an Individual Lightning Lane reservation for
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, you will be able to pick what time slot is available and works best for your party.
Charles, same travels on your upcoming visit! Please stop back to
see me at planDisney with any questions that may pop up before your arrival!
See ya real soon!
Greg