My Top Tips for a Smoother Park Experience
Disney World has recently replaced Genie+ with the Lightning Lane single and multipasses, offering new ways to enhance your park experience. If you're planning a visit and wondering how to navigate these changes, this guide will help you understand the new system and make the most of your time at the parks.
What Is the Lightning Lane Pass?
The Lightning Lane system lets you skip the regular lines for select attractions. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
Single Pass: Allows you to skip the line for one specific ride. Popular rides requiring a Single Pass include:
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Avatar Flight of Passage
Tron: Lightcycle Run
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Multipass: Provides access to multiple attractions, allowing you to book:
One Tier 1 ride
Two Tier 2 rides
You can book up to four pre-selects per day:
One Single Pass ride
Three Multipass rides (initially including one Tier 1 and two Tier 2 rides)
After scanning into your first ride, you can book additional rides of any tier at any park (if you have Park Hopper tickets) or within your current park. All original selections for Multipass must be within the same park.
Key Differences Between Genie+ and Lightning Lane
Here’s how the new Lightning Lane system compares to Genie+:
Genie + | Lightning Lane (Multipass) | |
Cost | Varies based on day, park, and if utilizing Park Hoppers | Varies based on day and initial park. No extra cost for park hopping |
Booking | Each park day morning at 7 AM if staying on property or park open if not. | 7 days prior to check in for your entire trip/3 days prior for tickets only or annual passholders |
Flexibility | Can only book one ride at a time and can only book another ride if you've scanned into your lightning lane OR it's been 2 hours since your last selection. | Can hold up to 3 Lightning Lane multipass rides at a single time. Book your next ride as soon as you scan into your first LLMP ride from any tier. |
Hacks and Tips for Lightning Lane Success
Book a Super Early Ride - It doesn’t need to be a Tier 1 ride. Book any ride early in the day to start your booking window. Once you scan into a ride, you can immediately book your next one, potentially increasing your chances of securing a coveted Tier 1 ride later in the day.
Strategize Your Park Days - Smaller parks like Animal Kingdom have fewer high-priority rides and less competition for Lightning Lane spots. Keep larger parks, or those with more high-priority rides, towards the end of your trip to improve your chances of getting those coveted rides.
Stay on Property - Disney World resort guests can book their Lightning Lane passes 7 days prior to check-in for their entire trip, starting at 7 AM EST. If you’re staying off-property, have dated tickets, or are an annual passholder without a resort reservation, you can book your pre-selects 3 days prior to your first park day.
Refresh, Refresh, Refresh - If you don’t find available times for your desired rides, keep refreshing the My Disney Experience app. This can often reveal new time slots that weren’t previously available.
Consider Third-Party Apps - Don’t want to spend all your time on your phone? Download a third-party app like Standby Skipper to manage and book your Lightning Lane rides while you enjoy the parks.
Cost Breakdown: Is Lightning Lane Worth It?
Here’s a rough guide on pricing:
Single Pass: $10-$20 per ride (varies by attraction)
Multipass: $15-$30 per day (subject to change based on the park and season)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Lightning Lane for all attractions?
Not all rides offer Lightning Lane, but many top attractions do. Check the My Disney Experience app for a full list of participating rides.
How do I book a ride at another park?
After scanning into your first ride, use the My Disney Experience app to book additional rides of any tier at other parks if you have Park Hopper tickets.
Can I change my Lightning Lane reservations?
Changes can be made based on availability. Check the app frequently to adjust your plans as needed.
The new Lightning Lane system offers a refreshed way to experience Disney World, with flexible options to enhance your park visit. Whether you’re looking to maximize your time with popular rides or explore multiple parks, Lightning Lane has you covered.
Ready to plan your Disney vacation and navigate these new changes? Contact me for personalized, free Disney vacation planning services. Let’s make your next trip to the magic as seamless and enjoyable as possible!