I Asked 6 Disney Experts Which Lightning Lane They Book First — They All Said the Same Thing

Booking Lightning Lanes can feel like a high-stakes game of strategy.

You only get one shot to grab that first Lightning Lane each day — and it really can make or break your whole park experience. So we asked six of our Disney World experts which ride they prioritize first when they’re in the parks. Every single one of them said the same thing — and honestly, it checks out.

Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

We know, it’s not a shocker — but it is important.

Slinky Dog Dash is hands-down one of the most in-demand rides across all four parks. Its Lightning Lane availability goes fast, and the standby line can be brutal. It gets long early, it stays long all day, and the queue is mostly outside with barely any shade, which isn’t ideal in the Florida heat.

This is the kind of ride where if you don’t lock in that Lightning Lane right at 7 AM, you’re probably stuck either rope-dropping it or waiting in line for over an hour. And if you think you’ll “just do it later,” spoiler alert: it doesn’t really die down. The wait is usually 60+ minutes from open to close. Sometimes more.

Our team agrees — Slinky Dog Dash is the move when booking your first Lightning Lane of the day. If you’re heading to Hollywood Studios, it’s your best bet for avoiding a sweaty, slow-moving queue that eats up a big chunk of your park time.

But hey, if you’re not hitting up Hollywood Studios that day (or you already scored Slinky and are wondering what’s next), here are the honorable mentions our team also recommends keeping an eye on:

• • Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom: Classic ride, classic problem: long lines that move painfully slow. The Lightning Lane here can be a lifesaver, especially in the afternoon when the queue is fully in the sun and just… not a vibe.
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT: This one goes FAST. Even faster than Frozen Ever After. If you’re planning to be in EPCOT and want to hit Remy’s, book this one as early as you can. Our team says this is one of the top contenders after Slinky.
  • Frozen Ever After at EPCOT: Still a fan favorite, especially for families. While not quite as hard to grab as Remy’s, Frozen can still disappear quickly — especially during busy seasons. And yes, the indoor queue is cute, but do you really want to stand in line for 70 minutes when you could be munching on snacks in World Showcase instead?
  • Na’vi River Journey at Animal Kingdom: Is it the most thrilling ride? No. But it’s absolutely stunning, and our team loves it. That said, they all agreed — they’re not waiting 90 minutes for a boat ride through Pandora. Grab the Lightning Lane or skip it altogether.
  • Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom: This one’s in the same camp as Na’vi. We love it. It’s iconic. But the wait times? Not worth it. The ride itself is short, and the line somehow manages to be long from park open until close. If you want that classic Disney magic without wasting your morning, a Lightning Lane here is key.

So yes, the unanimous winner was Slinky Dog Dash, but your ideal first Lightning Lane really depends on your park and your priorities. If you’re starting at Hollywood Studios, Slinky is the no-brainer pick. If you’re heading to another park, those runners-up are smart options to consider.

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

 

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I Swore I’d Never Book a Lightning Lane for This Disney World Ride, But It Was Surprisingly Helpful

What’s your go-to first Lightning Lane pick? Let us know in the comments below!

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