Disney's New Lightning Lane System: A Comprehensive Guide to Single-Pass and Multi-Pass at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Well, new changes have been announced to the former Genie+ system at Disney and I am going to break down those changes for you!
As of July
24th, the new Lightning Lane Single Pass and Multi Pass System will be implemented at the 4 main parks at Walt Disney World Resort and also at the 2 parks on the west, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure!
Since this change is soon coming, let’s dig right in!
The biggest difference in this new system and it’s former counterpart is that we once again have the ability to plan these experiences ahead of your stay, much like our dear old Fast-pass system pre-covid! Other than this time frame of pre scheduling, there’s not much difference in the Genie+ and Lightning Lane Single and Multi Pass system but let’s take it step by step! Let’s start with the new terminology.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass (as stated by the official WDW website)
When you purchase a multi pass, you can:
- Plan ahead of your visit and choose up to 3 multi pass experiences and arrival windows in a theme park.
- Once you’re in the park and you enjoy your first multi pass experience, you may be able to make an additional selection (subject to availability).
- Enjoy photo perks.
- Receive digital downloads of select attraction photos and videos from your day, captured with Disney PhotoPass Service. Plus, access Disney PhotoPass Lenses.
- Save time in line with a Lightning Lane Single Pass for one of our most in-demand attractions—those not available with Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
-Purchase up to 2 single passes per day, subject to
availability.
How to Schedule Your Lightning Lane Passes
As I mentioned, these passes can now be scheduled ahead of time! Super exciting, right!
Here is the detailed timeline of scheduling theses selections as stated by the Walt Disney World Parks Blog.
- Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay—and other Guests can purchase passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit.
- Guests can purchase Lightning Lane passes for days they have valid theme park admission* starting at 7:00 AM Eastern Time on their first day of eligibility.
Here’s when you can purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and/or Lightning Lane Single Pass—and choose experiences and arrival windows:
- 7 Days in Advance for Eligible Resort Hotel Guests
When staying at Disney Resort hotels or other select hotels, Guests
can purchase Lightning Lane passes—and choose experiences and arrival
windows—starting 7 days before the first day of their Resort stay, for
their length of stay (up to 14 days).
This early-planning benefit is available to registered Guests staying at:
- Disney Resort hotels
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- Shades of Green Resort
3 Days in advance for all ather auests aot staying at a Disney Resort hotel or other select hotel?
Then you can purchase Lightning Lane passes—and choose experiences and arrival windows—3 days in advance.
See additional details below, which vary based on admission type:
Guests with date-based theme park tickets (which require the Guest to choose a start date at the time of purchase) can purchase 3 days before the first day of their ticket, for the total number of valid admission days on their ticket.
Guests with other ticket types* can purchase 3 days before their park visit.
Annual Passholders* can purchase 3 days before their park visit.
Valid Admission Required before you purchase a Lightning Lane pass, you must have valid theme park admission; you may also need a theme park reservation, depending on the type of admission and the date of your visit.
Please see theme park reservation requirements.
Important Information Limit one Lightning Lane entry per attraction, per day.
*Annual Passholders and Guests with tickets that are not date-based may purchase Lightning Lane passes for any day within the 3-day purchase window.
Another thing to note within the terms of the multiples, these are tiered selections for all parks with the exception of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Check out each park’s list of attractions by tier below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
And believe me, I know you all have questions. I will be visiting the parks, trying this out, scheduling ahead for you and plan to master this right away! But, here are a few frequently asked questions in the meantime:
How much do these things cost?
- Prices for Lightning Lane Multi Passes vary by date and theme park.
Prices for Lightning Lane Single Passes vary by date and attraction.
Beginning July 24, 2024, you’ll be able to view prices in the My Disney Experience app.
Are standby lines still an option?
- Yes, traditional standby lines are still available at most attractions and experiences. From time to time, a virtual queue—accessible via the My Disney Experience app—may be used for a limited number of our most highly demanded attractions.
-When the virtual queue is in place, a standby queue will not be available, and Guests must use the My Disney Experience app to enter the attraction or experience
Can multi pass and single pass be used on the same day?
- Yes. You may purchase one Lightning Lane Multi Pass (which allows you to hold up to 3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections at once) and/or up to 2 Lightning Lane Single Passes per day, subject to availability.
- How long do I have to wait before I select a new Lightning Lane Multi Pass Attraction?
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections can only be made one at a time. On the day of your park visit, once you redeem a selection, you can use the My Disney Experience app to check availability for another Lightning Lane Multi Pass experience—and add to your plans.
I’m planning to visit more than one theme park in the same day. How do I make Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections for more than one park?
- When you purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass for a theme park, you’ll be prompted to choose up to 3 multi pass experiences and arrival windows in the same theme park.
- Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can use the My Disney Experience app to choose another multi pass experience in any Walt Disney World theme park (subject to availability), as long as you have a valid ticket with the Park Hopper option or an Annual Pass.
The ability to visit another park is subject to the park’s capacity limitations.
While in my opinion this change seems great, only time will tell if the subtle changes will be an improvement to the former system. However, I have a feeling the prescheduling alone will make a major difference for both myself and my guests alike. Hang tight with me as we navigate this system together. And as always, I will be walking everyone thru hand in hand along the way! Here’s to change!
