Why It’s Still SO HARD to Get a Lightning Lane for This Magic Kingdom Ride That Opened in 1971

The problem with Disney making great rides is that sometimes they become so popular that you actually won’t have time to ride them.

Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in the world, so it makes sense that its attractions can garner long lines. Thankfully, Disney’s Lightning Lane system helps you skip the long waits (for an additional cost). Still, there’s one classic ride in particular that is incredibly hard to get a Lightning Lane reservation for.

Jungle Cruise is a Magic Kingdom opening day attraction in Adventureland and has been a fan-favorite ever since. Originally opening in Disneyland in 1955, the ride was initially more serious and meant to mimic a wildlife documentary that took passengers on a cruise along rivers and jungles of Africa, Asia, and South America.

Eventually, the ride took a more comedic turn that has stuck ever since. Rooted in dad jokes and punny comedy, the ride features great animatronics, a hilariously fun story, and a unique experience each time you ride thanks to a customizable script tailored to the skipper you get.

It’s so popular that the ride even gets a festive holiday overlay during the winter.

In short, it’s hard to find anyone who has a bad thing to say about the Jungle Cruise. As such, its popularity can be sky high — even when trying to get a Lightning Lane reservation.

With Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can select reservation windows that will allow you to bypass the standby line. How it works at Magic Kingdom is you’ll be allowed to pick three rides — one from a top tier and two from the bottom one. Once you use that first selection, you can start booking more reservations, which are subject to availability.

Jungle Cruise is in that top tier along with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Space Mountain.

Often, when you’re trying to find a Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservation for Jungle Cruise later in the day, you might be disappointed to learn that the reservations sold out for the day hours earlier.

The simplest solution is to prioritize Jungle Cruise in your Lightning Lane selections days before your visit. Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay while other guests can purchase passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit.

So if you’re staying at a select hotel, you have a pretty good leg up when it comes to guaranteeing a ride on the world-famous Jungle Cruise. While three days in advance isn’t as optimal, you’ll still have a pretty good shot at getting a reservation. The point here is to take advantage of the early window to increase your odds.

If you forgot to pre-book your Lightning Lanes or opted for other attractions, you’re still not totally out of luck. It never hurts to check the My Disney Experience app frequently to see if any times have opened up — both before your trip and the day of. While this might not yield the results you’re looking for, it’s still better than giving up.

If you miss out on getting a Lightning Lane reservation, we still recommend waiting in the standby line. The queue features great old-timey music, plenty of fun easter eggs, and enough surprises (like a lively tarantula) that will keep you entertained and hyped as you wait to board your boat. Honestly, it’s one of the best queues at Magic Kingdom and that alone justifies waiting a bit longer in the standby line.

Have you had trouble getting a Lightning Lane reservation for Jungle Cruise? Has it always been easy? Share your experiences in the comments below and continue to follow us right here at AllEars for all kinds of Disney World tips, tricks, updates, and more!

What’s in the Water at the Jungle Cruise in Disney World?

Where would you rank Jungle Cruise among your favorite Magic Kingdom rides? Let us know in the comments!

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