Yes, I Know YOU Book Them, But Here Are 9 Disney World Lightning Lanes I Avoid

You don’t need to use a Lightning Lane just because it’s there.

Lightning Lanes can save you a ton of time at Disney World — no question, but not every ride is worth the click, and some can actually waste your booking when there are better options to snag. Today we’re breaking down the Lightning Lanes we actively avoid, even if they’re wide open and staring us in the face

Magic Kingdom

It’s a Small World

We know it’s a classic. We know your mom probably insists you ride it. But even on a busy day, “It’s a Small World” rarely gets long enough lines to justify using a Lightning Lane.

The boats move people through fast, and the standby line tends to keep moving. Save your spot for something more in-demand like Peter Pan’s Flight or Jungle Cruise.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

It’s cute. It’s iconic. It’s basically a rite of passage. But it also has one of the best standby queue setups in the park — the indoor playground.

Kids can run around in air conditioning while you wait for your boarding group. Unless Dumbo is your number-one must-do, skip the Lightning Lane and take advantage of the play zone instead. (Just keep in mind that if you are going to this attraction right now, the indoor children’s playground in the Dumbo the Flying Elephant queue is closed for refurbishment and is expected to reopen later this year.)

Mad Tea Party

Honestly, this one’s usually a walk-on. The teacups spin fast (literally and operationally), and wait times tend to stay short throughout the day.

Even when it’s “busy,” the queue moves quickly. If you’re using a Lightning Lane here, you’re doing it for convenience — not for time savings. We’d skip it.

Magic Carpets of Aladdin

This is Dumbo’s cousin with a camel that spits water at you. It’s got that fun Adventureland vibe, but it doesn’t pull crowds the same way the other flat rides do.

Wait times stay low, and the ride itself is super short. It’s fun, but not worth burning a Lightning Lane on.

EPCOT

Journey Into Imagination with Figment

We love Figment, but we have to be real: this ride rarely has more than a 5–10 minute wait.

It’s quirky, it’s nostalgic, but it’s also not in high demand. Even on peak days, the line moves quickly. Save your Lightning Lane for something that’ll actually save you time, like Soarin’ or Test Track.

Turtle Talk with Crush

Turtle Talk is a fun, interactive show that’s great for kids — but it’s not hard to get into.

Shows run frequently, and the theater can seat a good number of people. Unless you’re trying to pack in a tight schedule with a toddler, this one doesn’t need a Lightning Lane.

Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

This is just what it says it is — a film festival. It’s great if you’re looking for a break in the A/C or want to kill some time.

But the theater is big, and wait times are basically nonexistent. Don’t waste your Lightning Lane here unless you’re desperate to sit down and skip ahead by 3 minutes.

Hollywood Studios

Alien Swirling Saucers

Honestly, this ride’s not hard to get on.

The queue can look long but moves quickly, and the ride experience is pretty short and simple. If you’ve got younger kids who love Toy Story, it might be worth a midday wait — but not a Lightning Lane. Prioritize Slinky Dog Dash or Tower of Terror instead.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Yes, it’s Star Wars, and yes, it’s a motion simulator. But it’s also been around for a while and has a big capacity.

Wait times tend to stay reasonable, and it’s not as high on the must-do list for most guests compared to newer Star Wars offerings like Rise of the Resistance. If you’re itching to use a Lightning Lane on a simulator, Flight of Passage or Smuggler’s Run are better bets.

Animal Kingdom

This park plays out differently than the others. If you rope drop the right attractions (like Flight of Passage or Kilimanjaro Safaris) and save some of the lower-wait rides for later in the day, you really don’t need Lightning Lanes here.

In fact, we’d argue it’s one of the easiest parks to plan without them. The layout encourages a natural flow, and most lines are manageable if you time it right. So unless you’re visiting on a holiday weekend, feel free to skip Lightning Lanes altogether.

A Quick Note About Shows

This goes for all theater-style shows across the parks — Lightning Lanes generally aren’t worth it here.

We’re talking about things like PhilharMagic, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Frozen Sing-Along, Beauty and the Beast Live, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, and Festival of the Lion King. These shows run every 20–30 minutes or so, and most have huge theaters with plenty of seating.

The Lightning Lane might get you a better view, but it’s not like you’re skipping a line — you’re just walking into the same theater as everyone else. If the show is a priority and you want a specific seat, sure, go for it. But otherwise, standby is usually just fine.

Lightning Lanes can be amazing when you use them strategically, but not every ride deserves one. Stick to the attractions with consistently long waits, limited capacity, or no shade in the queue. And don’t fall for the “easy click” — just because a ride has a Lightning Lane doesn’t mean you should book it.

Check back with AllEars again soon for more.

So You Didn’t Get the Disney World Lightning Lanes You Wanted — Now What?

What Lightning Lanes do you skip when you visit Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

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