Hi there, Brian. I love that you are planning ahead and strategizing. That's how I approach my Disney trips! You've asked a great question, so let's get you an answer.
Each Guest that plans to use
Lighting Lane Multi Pass or Lighting Lane Single Pass must use their theme park admission ticket for park entry before they are allowed to book that Lighting Lane. This means, that everyone in the group must be present and scan their ticket in order to start booking. I know where your head is at, if I could let my children sleep in or relax while I took care of scanning everyone in, I definitely would. However, that is not how the
Disneyland Resort Lighting Lane system works. You may not scan someone else's ticket for park entry (even if you have your own park ticket). Please don't try as a Cast Member will stop you!
Brian, the good news is that once you have entered one of the theme parks and made your Lighting Lane selection, you can modify or cancel that Lighting Lane return time from anywhere. So, if you book a Lighting Lane for
"it's a small world" Holiday but the return time isn't for another hour, you can leave the park, shop at
Downtown Disney, and modify that return time (or cancel), if needed. You don't need to physically be in the theme park to make modifications.
I hope this information helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions (or need my recommendations on the best snacks), I would love to help you out some more.
See you in the parks,
Melissa