I Can't Believe I Almost Fell For This Lightning Lane Trap in Disney World

It’s been over a year since Walt Disney World introduced the current version of the Lightning Lane system, and our readers have THOUGHTS.

Quincy celebrating Lightning Lane Multi Pass on the day it launched!

I’ve been covering Disney theme parks for nearly 7 years, and I can’t recall many topics that elicit quite as many reactions as the discussion of the Lightning Lane process does.

Before delving into our readers’ thoughts, a quick rundown of the current Lightning Lane offerings:

Lightning Lane Multi Pass gives you the ability to make 3 Lightning Lane selections (either one Tier One attraction and two Tier Two attractions or 3 Tier Two attractions) in a given theme park each day in advance of your visit (7 days for Disney Hotel guests, 3 days for others). From there, as you use each selection on the day of your visit, you can use the My Disney Experience app for availability to make additional selections.
Lightning Lane Single Pass allows you to “secure a time to ride one of (Disney’s) most highly demanded attractions” for an additional charge. You can purchase 2 Lightning Lane Single Passes a day.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass allows a one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane experience that they can use AT YOUR LEISURE, meaning if you have it, you WON’T need to choose a specific arrival time to ride the attraction. Like other Lightning Lanes, the Premier Pass is available to purchase 7 days beforehand for Disney Hotel guests, 3 days beforehand for others.

©Disney

So, with that out of the way, what are some common Lightning Lane traps to avoid? Let’s see…

Not Checking Wait Times

Once you’ve used one of your Lightning Lanes and can book another, always check the park’s wait times before committing. For many Second Tier LL attractions, the standby wait may actually be so short that they’re not worth using a Lightning Lane on.

Those wait times can be sneaky!

Buying During Slower Days/Times

Relatedly, during slower times of the year/slower days, it may not be worth purchasing Lightning Lane at all. During these periods, a vast majority of the rides in each Walt Disney World park can be ridden through a mixture of rope dropping, riding during parades, or waiting until close to park closing.

Fantasyland at night

Using Lightning Lanes for (Most) Shows

Outside of outliers like the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular or Festival of the Lion King, very few, if any, of Disney’s regular shows are full to capacity. Seats are usually available up until showtime, making it unnecessary to use a Lightning lane the majority of the time.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

In addition to our thoughts, we recently asked our readers what mistakes they had made using Lightning Lanes and what traps they’d say they’d fallen into in Disney World, and got a litany of responses.

Reader Anne expressed regret at “buying them for Epcot and Animal Kingdom.” However, reader Steven Mieland was “quick to say the exact opposite”, writing in response, “We didn’t buy them for AK and were surprised with a 90-minute wait for Kilimanjaro Safari.”

Kilimanjaro Safaris Lightning Lane entrance

Reader Rebecca expressed regret at “Not booking a ‘throwaway’ early slot to open up availability for booking different tiers.” This process, known as booking “junk” Lightning Lanes, is one we’ve talked about often in the past.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Some other readers were negative on the system, saying their biggest regret was purchasing them at all. Reader Ruth went a step further, saying, “Haven’t been back to Disney World since these changes were implemented. After nearly 25 trips, it’s doubtful we will go back.”