We know change can be scary. Trust us, we were shaking in our boots when Disney announced their new Lightning Lane System.
But fear not folks, because we put that system to the test and we are here to let you in on EXACTLY what little hiccups you might come across with Disney’s new Lightning Lane Multi Pass system. As your Disney planning besties, we always have your back!
Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass has replaced Genie+ as the new system for skipping the regular stand-by lines, making your wait for all your must-do attractions significantly shorter. This new system was put into place on July 24th and from day one, our reporters have been using that system, learning the ins and outs, the good and the bad, and even the most confusing things about it. So sit back and relax because we got you covered!
The Tier 1 And Tier 2 Structure Are Not in Place During Your Park Day
One of the benefits of Multi Pass is that you’re now able to select 3 attractions prior to your day at the parks. For guests staying inside a Disney World Resort Hotel, they can make their selections 7 days before their park reservation, and for non-hotel guests, they can do so up to 3 days in advance. For your 3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections, you have the choice of picking one Tier 1 attraction and two Tier 2 attractions, unless you’re heading to Animal Kingdom as that park is not part of their tier system.
Click here for a full list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 attractions for every park!
However, the rules completely change once you step foot into the parks and use your first Lightning Lane selection. The Tier 1 and Tier 2 categories go out the window and all the attractions eligible for Multi Pass are free reign. This is important to note, in case you thought that you weren’t able to pick an option that was listed as a Tier 1 selection on the day you were booking your Lightning Lanes.
For example, if you were headed to Hollywood Studios and chose Slinky Dog as your Tier 1 selection, once you scanned into your first Lightning Lane attraction for the day, you can pick another Tier 1 selection, like Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, as your next choice if times are available.
Sometimes An Attraction You Already Scanned For Still Shows Up As Part Of Your Plans
This one actually had me scratching my head the last time I used Multi Pass. I had just used a Lightning Lane for Alien Swirling Saucers and when I got off the ride I noticed that it was still included on my tip board in the My Disney Experience App as a Lightning Lane that I still had to redeem. Well, turns out this was a glitch because when I went back to scan it (I swear, it was only for experimental reasons and not at all because I wanted to whirl around in a colorful saucer again), it read as already redeemed.
So, if you see that an attraction you already rode hasn’t left your tip board, just refresh or close your app. You can also go to the welcome screen and click on your Lightning Lane Pass there and it should get rid of the selection and let you add a new one.
Times For Attractions You’ve Already Ridden Will Still Be Available Despite You No Longer Being Eligible
Another common glitch we came across is viewing times for attractions you’ve already used with your Multi Pass being presented as an option despite not being available to you. Once you book and use a Lightning Lane for an attraction, you CANNOT book another one for the same attraction that day.
We’ve tested this one out as well, and if you do try to make this selection, the next window will show that you’re not eligible since you’ve already used that Lightning Lane selection for the day. So, if you want to ride Haunted Mansion twice in one day, you’re gonna have to hit up the normal standby line once you’ve already used your Lightning Lane pass for it.
Virtual Queues, Multi Pass, and Single Pass
So, what’s the difference? What should you go for? Well, there are several attractions that are not eligible for Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Those attractions are TRON Lightcycle / Run and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios, and Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom. All of these use Lightning Lane Single Pass, meaning you have to purchase them separately.
Then there are the rides currently using a Virtual Queue as well. You can book in the My Disney Experience app at 7AM or 1PM the day of your park reservation.
Click here to read more about getting a Virtual Queue!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a special case. Although it does have a Virtual Queue as well, there is no Single Pass available. Instead, you can book it as a Tier 1 option in Magic Kingdom. If you choose this ahead of time, you don’t have to worry about trying to get a Virtual Queue, unless you want to ride twice of course!
We’re putting the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass system to the test to answer ALL of your questions so make sure to stay tuned as we bring you all the latest here on AllEars!
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Have you tried Lightning Lane Multi Pass yet? We’d love to know your thoughts in the comments!
I am sure that you are getting used to all the quirks of the new system but as someone who travels and stays at WDW resorts at least twice a year but only steps foot in the parks once every two years—this sounds daunting! We travel with our developmentally disabled adult son every other year and parks are a must do for him. Quick question if you are allowed to answer—by going in late September (generally a slower time) is it worth all the hassle or is waiting in line a bit less stressful after all? We don’t generally ride the roller coasters as my son doesn’t care for them.