Hello Stacie,
Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question! It looks like you'll be arriving to
Walt Disney World soon! I think you're really going to like having Genie+ once you get used to using it.
All guests whether you are staying at a
Disney Resort Hotel or somewhere else can make their first Lightning Lane selection beginning at 7:00 AM. You'll be able to make your next selection either 1)after you've checked into your first Lightning Lane, or 2) 120 minutes after the park opens for the day, whichever comes first. Confused? Let me take you through the beginning of a day using
Genie+ at
Magic Kingdom.
On the day of your visit, you get up at 7:00 AM and make a Lightning Lane reservation for
Jungle Cruise, but the earliest time is 12:15 PM. Magic Kingdom opens at 9:00 AM, so you'll be able to make your next selection at 11:00 AM. At 11:00 AM you are able to get a Lightning Lane for 12:30 for
Pirates of the Caribbean. Now you'll have 2 Lightning Lanes that you can use.
In a different scenario, at 7:00 AM you booked a Lightning Lane for
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for 9:30. As soon as you check into the ride at 9:30, you'll be able to book a new Lightning Lane. Some attractions have two check in point, so make sure you've gone through both before trying to book a new Lightning Lane.
Now, if you want to use the Lightning Lane for
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. That is different. You'll need to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for that attraction, and pay a fee per guest to ride. Because you are not staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, you would have to wait until park opening before this purchase is available to you.
Hope that helps. It really sounds more confusing than it actually is. I recommend making sure you have
My Disney Experience app on your mobile device now, and checking the Tip Board to get familiar with which attractions have Lightning Lanes and which rides or experiences get booked quickly.
Have a magical vacation and enjoy
The World's Most Magical Celebration!
Diane