We’ve been continuing to test Disney World’s Lightning Lane skip-the-line service in the parks since it debuted on July 24th.
We’ve discovered a LOT about the new service, and in some ways, we like it more than Genie+! We know it’s still a little confusing, and we’ve got lots of posts and videos on our YouTube channel to help you navigate the service, but if you feel you’ve got a handle on it, then it’s time to talk about some loopholes and tips that Disney won’t directly tell you!
HOWEVER, before we begin, we need to stress that we ONLY suggest reading this post if you feel confident in the basics of Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass. Otherwise, this post may confuse you more! So bookmark this post, check out our resources to learn about the basics of the system, and then come meet us back here — we aren’t going anywhere!
Okay, welcome back! We’ve discovered many tips and tricks to help you use Lightning Lanes to their full potential.
Modifying at 7AM the Day of Your Visit
One of the best parts of Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass is that you can select up to 3 Multi Pass selections and 2 Lightning Lane Single Pass selections per day 3 days before your trip begins, or 7 days in advance if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel.
Quincy’s best tip is to book a tier 2 ride, meaning a ride that isn’t popular at all, as early as you can get it while booking. That way, you can ride it first thing in the morning and open up that Multi Pass spot to book another one ASAP. However, when you’re booking, you may notice that you can’t get a slot that’s as soon as the park opens — for example, if Magic Kingdom opens at 9AM but you can’t get Magic Carpets of Aladdin until 9:30AM when you’re booking days in advance, don’t worry, there’s a solution!
On the day of your visit to the park, wake up at 7AM (we know, sorry) and you can start modifying your Lightning Lanes to try and get an earlier time! The earlier you can get your first one, the sooner you’ll be able to ride it and open up that slot, so even though half an hour doesn’t seem like a lot of time to wait, it can make a difference in the grand scheme of the day!
Plan Your Day Ahead of Time
If this sounds like a tip we give all the time, that’s because it is, planning is important, but we mean this one in a different way! On the My Disney Experience App BEFORE your 3 or 7 day window opens up, you can choose to “plan your day.” When you log onto the app, head to the “Recommended Activity” tab, and that’s where you should see “Start here to plan your day!”
Once you’re there, select the top attractions you want to grab Lightning Lanes for. When you go to make your selections 3 or 7 days before your trip and buy the service, your previous work will tell the app what you’re interested in and it’ll move those rides to the top of your feed, which can save valuable time as you’re making selections!
Now, there’s a second part here — once you’ve made your Lightning Lane selections and purchased the service, go back into your plan and REMOVE all the rides you just got Lightning Lanes for and replace them with the other experiences you’re interested in doing that day! This way, during the day as you try to plan out what to book next, your feed isn’t clogged with rides you already have Lightning Lane for!
You CAN Still Stack Lighting Lanes With THIS Loophole
Okay, this is the one we’re really worried Disney WILL actually take away, because it’s amazing. With Genie+, you could stack Lightning Lanes since you could select times way out in the evening, wait that 2 hour cooldown, then book another one for the evening. However, now that you can select rides ahead of time with Lightning Lane Multi Pass, we thought stacking was no more — WRONG!
Stay with us, alright? This is gonna take a second to explain, but it’s WORTH IT. Disney has long told us that you only have one hour (plus a 15 minute grace period) to redeem our Lightning Lanes. After that time, you’ve missed it. However, we’ve tested multiple times and can confirm with you that this is a LIE!
Inside the My Disney Experience app, your Lightning Lane selection will show as expired after your hour long window is up, meaning you can now book another one. However, we’ve found out that, even though the app shows that it’s expired, you actually have 3 HOURS to redeem your Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection! BUT you can still book an additional one to “replace it” after an hour — so stacking Lightning Lanes IS possible!
We don’t recommend using this all the time, but it’s worth a shot if you are accidentally late to your time window. It is up to the discretion of the Cast Member and can change so be polite to them if you get turned away. We’re just sharing our experience that happened while testing out the new system!
Breedlove has tried this out himself multiple times in different parks and was able to stack 10 RIDES at one time! Still a little confused? Don’t worry — check out this video below — Breedlove himself explains it and we’re sure it’ll make sense to you then! This is a tip you’ll DEFINITELY want to take advantage of!
We’re always here to bring you the latest tips and tricks from Disney World to make sure you have the best trip possible, so stay tuned to AllEars!
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Are you a fan of Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass? Tell us in the comments below!
As of October, does the 3 hour return window still work?
Could the ride window open earlier than 5 minutes before? Twice I have had Multi-experience passes. I decided to use the Multi-experience pass on Rock n Rollercoaster. I had a MP booked for RnRc that started in 15-20 minutes. After getting off I was going to use my RnRC pass and go twice. My RnRC pass was gone and I still had the Multi-experience pass. Again at Haunted Mansion. I wanted to ride it twice so I checked in with a Multi-experience pass 15-20 minutes before my reserved time. When I got off, my HM pass was gone and I still had the Multi-experience pass. I checked in well before the 5 minutes before window both times. Both times the attraction pass was taken and the Multi-experience pass remained.
I absolutely don’t mind the “hassle” of planning or Lightning Lanes. I’ve never gone to Disney World to relax. I relax elsewhere. Disney is for thrills and amazement.
I remember the days when I would wake up, look outside and decide which Park I would go to that day. Now you have to plan EVERYTHING ahead of time on a smart phone. I do not have a smart phone. Is it even possible to go to Disney without one?
For many reasons, I haven’t been to Disney World since 2012. And I don’t think that I will be going back. It’s too complicated.
Lightning Lanes just add another level of annoyance to your trip. It really is a shame and must be overwhelming for those visiting the 1st time or who only come every few years. Disney has created anxiety which is what you are supposed to not have while on vacation.
Couldn’t agree with you more here