How to Purchase Lightning Lane at Disney World

How to Purchase Lightning Lane at Disney World

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How to Purchase Lightning Lane at Disney World

This article is your complete guide on how to purchase Disney World Lightning Lanes! There have been some major changes to Disney World’s skip-the-line service over the past few years. But the most recent changes to the Lightning Lane Multi and Single Passes can be a bit confusing, but purchasing them is easier than ever! That’s why we are here to break down the new names and how to purchase them.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Walt Disney World for your next vacation, be sure to check out our Disney crowd calendar!

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

What is the Lightning Lane at Disney World? 

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The Disney World Lightning Lane is a skip-the-line service that is an additional cost on top of your daily ticket. What makes this system a bit confusing is that it’s also a physical queue with a dedicated entrance for guests who have opted to purchase this add-on. This line queue is available only at select attractions that participate in the Lightning Lane system. There are three types of Lightning Lane options to choose from. The Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, Lightning Lane Single-Pass, and the Lightning Lane Premier Pass. Multi-Pass allows you to skip the line on up to 3 select attractions at a time with a dedicated return time, Single-Pass allows one attraction with a dedicated return time, and Premier Pass allows any attraction once without a return time. While each version has its own set of rules, you can purchase them all the same way!

What are the Lightning Lane Passes at Disney World?

  • Multi-Pass: The Multi-Pass Lightning Lane allows you to choose up to 3 attractions at a time from two separate tiers. You can choose one attraction from tier one and two attractions (or all three) from tier two. This pass requires you to select a specific time frame to return to enjoy the attraction.
  • Single Pass: The Single Pass Lightning Lane allows you to select one attraction at each park (up to 2 attractions) to skip the line. The only rides available for this pass type are Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Star Wars Rise of the Resistance, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Tron Lightcycle Run. This pass requires you to select a specific time frame to return to enjoy the attraction.
  • Premier Pass: This pass allows guests access to any of the rides that have a physical Lightning Lane without the need to book a return time. You may only ride each attraction once, but you are not limited to tiers or single-pass restrictions. *Available beginning October 30th, 2024

Is Disney’s Lightning Lane Free?

No, every version of the Lightning Lane is an upgrade to your Disney World ticket. If you’re interested in purchasing this add-0n, you can expect the Multi-Pass to cost anywhere from $15-$39, the Single-Pass to cost between $10-$25, and the Premier Pass between $129-$449 per person per day. How much you pay for a Lightning Lane service will depend on what day you plan on visiting the parks. Like the Disney Ticket system, the Lightning Lane system is based on a date-based pricing model. This means the price will change depending on the time of year, day, or expected crowd levels.

Related Post: How Does Lightning Lane Multi-Pass Work?

How to Get Lightning Lane Access

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There are a few ways to access the Disney World Lightning Lane system. The main way to access the Lightning Lane is by purchasing a Single, Multi, or Premium Lightning Lane Pass, using the Disney World DAS pass, or receiving a guest service pass to use one of the Lightning Lanes due to a ride breaking down. Purchasing a Lightning Lane is easier than ever in the My Disney Experience App. With the most recent update of the LL system, there is a new tab integrated into the app’s menu. Let’s break down how to purchase one of the Lightning Lanes below!

How to Purchase Lightning Lane?

  • Download and create an account for the My Disney Experience App
  • Navigate to the three dashes on the bottom right corner of your screen
  • Tap the “Lightning Lane Passes” tab
  • Tap the “Purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass” or “Purchase the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass button.
  • Select the first day of your visit on the calendar provided
  • Select the park you plan on visiting – Once here, you will be able to purchase both the Multi-Pass and Single-Pass at once
  • Hit continue, then select the available guests in your party to purchase the pass
  • Then, you will be prompted to complete your purchase

Related Post: Complete Guide to How to Use the Disney Genie+

How Many Lightning Lanes Per Day? 

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Each LL Pass only lets you on any attraction once. Where it gets slightly more confusing is when you are using or making Multi Pass Lightning Lane reservations. When purchasing a Multi-Pass, you will be able to pre-book three attraction return times. Once you are in the parks and you scan into your first attraction return time, you can book another return time for a new attraction. This process can be repeated as many times as you want as long as there are return times available for rides you haven’t been able to enjoy! But keep in mind you are only able to hold up to three return times at once. You can read more about how to use the Multi-Pass Lightning Lane in our complete guide here. If you plan on purchasing a Single Pass Lightning Lane, know that you can only purchase two passes per day.

Lightning Lane Pass Limits

  • Multi Pass – There is no limit to how many passes you can use in a day, but you may only hold 3 at a time
  • Single Pass –  Guests can only purchase two passes per day
  • Premier Pass – Return times aren’t needed with this pass, so guests can enter the Lightning Lanes freely for attractions they haven’t experienced yet

Related Post: Guide to the Single Pass Lightning Lane

When Does the Lightning Lane Start?

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There are two ways to know when wondering when can you buy Lightning Lanes for Disney World: booking date and booking time. When you can book and purchase a Lightning Lane pass, it will depend on whether you’re staying at a Disney Hotel or not. For guests staying at an official Disney resort hotel or a Good Neighbor hotel, you can book a Lightning Lane Pass for your entire trip 7 days before the first day of your visit! That means if your ticket is valid for 14 days, you could potentially book your passes three weeks in advance! However, if you’re staying at any other hotel or if you’re an Annual Pass holder, you can purchase and book your LL Pass selections three days before the first day of your visit.

When Can You Buy Lightning Lanes?

  • Disney World Resort Hotel Guests: 7 days before the first day of your visit at 7 a.m. EST
  • Guests Not Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel: 3 days before the first day of your visit at 7 a.m. EST
  • International Guests outside of the USA and Canada: 3 days before the first day of your visit at 7 a.m. EST, even if you’re staying at an official Disney Resort Hotel

Related Post: Book a Discounted Disney World Vacation!

 

Disney Lightning Lanes FAQ 

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Q: Do Lightning Lanes Sell Out?

A: Yes! Disney Lightning Lane passes are used for the most popular rides at each of the Disney World theme parks. While we rarely see the Multi-Pass sell out, the Single Pass Lightning Lane will often sell out when bookings open for Disney Hotel guests! This is why we always recommend booking a discount Disney Vacation where you stay at a Disney hotel. The advantage of an earlier booking window can give you a significant edge in securing difficult-to-reserve return times.

Q: How many rides have Lightning Lane at Disney World?

A: There are currently over forty rides that have the Lightning Lane at Disney World. However, try to keep your expectations low with how many rides you can get on in one day. On average, guests can expect to access 2-3 Lightning Lanes per day. We have been able to get on more than this in a single day, and you can too! It will depend on how busy the park is and the time of year you visit.

Q: Can you arrive early for Lightning Lanes at Disney?

A: Guests using the Disney World Lightning Lane system can arrive at their attraction five minutes before their return window. As long as your return time allows you to tap “Redeem” and generate a barcode, you can enjoy the attraction.

Q: What happens if you miss your Lightning Lane?

A: Your return time is good for one hour. So, if you have an experience booked at 1 pm, you will be able to use it anytime between 12:55 pm and 2 pm. It’s important to note that guests will not be able to use their Lightning Lane if they return after their expiration window. Of course, Disney will provide a few minutes on the front and back end however, it’s important to arrive on time when using the Disney World Lightning Lane system.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our Disney  World Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a Disney World Travel Agent for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a Free Quote for all Disney World Vacation Packages. The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your Walt Disney World Tickets, and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets.

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today, as well.

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Kurt G

Kurt is a former Disneyland Cast Member and seasoned explorer and is your trusted guide to the world of theme park travel. With countless visits to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Tokyo Disneyland, and even aboard the Disney Cruise Line, Kurt's expertise and passion make him the perfect companion for your enchanting adventures. As the Multi-Media Manager, Content Creator and Writer for The Park Prodigy, Kurt hopes his experience and knowledge of the theme park industry can not only save people money, but give them the stress free vacation of their dreams. If he isn’t found trying the newest treats in Disneyland, Kurt enjoys relaxing at home with his dog Sam and playing video games with friends in his free time.